To clarify, the Batman and Superman that I refer to are the versions that have predominated in the comic books and movie versions. I omit the 60's Batman television program as an offshoot of 1950's Batman comics. The comics of that era were a reaction to pressure put upon the comic book publishers of the 1930's and 1940's to tone down the violence in their stories.
To explain this better, let's be clear on where our two heroes come from. Batman is a classic tragedy, one that pulls at all of our hearts. Young Bruce Wayne, child of the wealthy socialites Thomas and Martha Wayne witnesses the murder of his parent s by a common street thug. This mugging gone wrong leads to the birth of the Dark Knight Detective, Batman. Young Bruce is then raised by his family's butler Sir Alfred Pennyworth. Bruce Wayne spends his adolescence training and studying, preparing m entally and physically to avenge his parents' deaths. Bruce plans to avenge the death of his parents by fighting crime in all it's forms. After several failed attempts at crime-fighting, Bruce Wayne assumes the guise of a bat-man, in order to strike f ear into the cowardly criminals of Gotham City (originally New York). This terrifying crime-fighter eventually earns the respect of law-abiding citizens and the fear of the criminal aspect. Batman has an "understanding" with the local police and acts as a sort-of unofficial police-officer. Batman battles not only common street thugs, but strange villains such as; the maniacal Joker, the dual-natured Two-Face, and the sexy thief Catwoman . As Bruce Wayne, Batman is a suave millionaire playboy, wi thout a care in the world. At night Wayne assumes the role of Batman, a brooding and dark crime-fighting dynamo. Bob Kane created Batman . Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27, published by National Periodicals Publishing (now known as DC Comi cs). Superman, also published by DC Comics, came from similar tragic beginnings. Superman's parents were residents of the doomed planet Krypton. In the final hours of Krypton, Jor-El and Lara placed their infant son, Kal-El, in a rocket-like escape pod. You ng Kal-El rocketed away as Krypton exploded. The escape pod eventually crash lands in the American midwest, outside of Smallville, where it is discovered by a good-natured farmer. Jonathan Kent and his wife "Ma" Kent raise the mysterious infant as their own, the child they could never have. The Kents dub the baby Clark. Clark grows up living the American ideal, until he starts manifesting "super"- powers, such as flight, near invincibility, and heat vision. The Kent family keeps this to themselves an d Clark continues his perfect childhood. In the original DC continuity Superman had numerous adventures as an adolescent. The adventures of Superboy ( Superman as a boy) are no longer honored as part of the "official" history of the character. In mode rn continuity, Clark moves from Smallville to Metropolis to work as a reporter at the Daily Planet. Clark decides to use his power for the benefit of the world after anonymously saving a plane full of people. He is caught on film during his act of her oism by his co-worker, Lois Lane. Lane dubs this mysterious flying samaritan "superman". Ma Kent knits Clark a few blue, red, and yellow costumes adorned with a stylized S (for Superman). Thus begins the legend of the Man of Steel. Clark Kent keeps hi s identity secret from the general public, including Lois Lane, by acting as a bumbling wimp while in his Clark Kent persona. This contrasts greatly to Superman's cool confidence and control. Superman gains a few adversaries along the way. The extrater restrial mastermind Braniac, millionaire industrialist Lex Luthor, and the devastating Doomsday all fought against the Man of Steel at one time or the other. Batman and Superman are similar, yet different in a few specific areas. Both heroes have never intentionally killed. Batman chooses not to take life because it would make him no better than the criminals he hunts. Superman believes murder to be wrong b ecause of his traditional values, instilled in him by Ma and Pa Kent. Both heroes work outside of the law, yet strive to uphold it. Batman and Superman both lost their parents at early ages. Batman was raised solely by Alfred, his butler. Superman was raised by a traditional mid-west family. This difference may explain the contrasting temperance of the two heroes. Batman is dark and fierce, yet always in control. Superman is a bright role model.
Batman and Superman have become revered cultural icons because they represent ourselves. I mean ourselves as what we wish to be in a very stylized yet real sense. We all want to be heroes. We all have circumstances in our lives beyond our control. W e strive to gain control of life. These heroes have control of their lives. This control is what we find so appealing. Batman and Superman took what life gave them and dealt with it as best as possible, by becoming heroes. Superman shines with what is best about people. He uses his abilities for the benefit of all. Clark Kent, the fumbling all-American boy, represents the everyman, what we all are. The average Clark Kent excels above what we are capable of when he is Superman. We all want to r each the fantastic and be an icon, something admired, Clark Kent does this for us every time he puts on the big red S.
If Superman represents the idealistic hopes and dreams of humanity, Batman represents the depths of the human soul. Bruce Wayne was hurt by the death of his parents. To deal with the loss, he became what the people that hurt him fear, unrelenting j ustice. Batman takes the law in his own hands with a righteous grip. He punishes criminals for the injustices he has suffered. We've all been hurt, in some way, by others. We've all wanted revenge for one reason or another. In a world in which we aspire to greater moral heights, Batman acts upon the impulses of anger and revenge that we can not. In all this anger and vengeance, Batman retains his soul. He remains above the criminals he persecutes. Most people that act upon their vengeful side end up losing sight of their original intent. For us, revenge turns to hate far to often. We idealize Batman because he remains human in his vengeance. His deeds serve mankind as a whole, yet still serve his basic need for revenge upon those who hurt them. In the real world, most who act upon their need for revenge end up placing additional burden on society. Batman is free of this and we love him for it.
Batman and Superman are our idealized selves. One rises to heights far above what we believe is possible. The other wallows in the depths we know we are capable of and emerges a better man. We all desire to be all we can be and do all we can do, an unrealistic goal at best. These two characters breathe life into our desires. They act out what we can only hope to do. Through this catharsis , Batman and Superman have firmly entrenched themselves in our popular culture.