When Did Batman Stop Hating Superman?

Batman and Superman are two of the most popular fictional characters ever invented. They’ve both existed for over eighty years and, in that time, have become icons not only of the comic book medium but of heroism and justice the world over. Batman and Superman have starred in countless comic books, animated series, live-action programs, movies, novels, video games, and more. They are easily the two most popular characters from DC’s stable of heroes and villains, and it isn’t even close. They are the top of the top, the cream of the crop, the pinnacles of comic book superherodom. In their long existence, the two heroes have interacted many times. Mostly as friends, but sometimes as enemies.




The Batman/Superman rivalry’s history is long and slightly sordid. As with many comic book histories, Batman and Superman’s relationship has as much to do with market pressures and trends as story evolution and characterization. Comics are a wholly unique medium since they are created and distributed at a higher volume than almost any other medium. As such, they’re incredibly in touch with the current cultural moment, making them easy to track. However, this has also made them incredibly fluid and subject to change. Despite their long standing in the medium, Batman and Superman are not immune to this. Their relationship has undergone so many changes that keeping track of where they stand with each other can sometimes be hard.



The World’s Finest

Two Icons Team Up

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The Batman and Superman team first debuted in DC’s World’s Finest Comics, a series meant to bring together DC’s top sellers. While the initial books only featured Batman, Superman, and sometimes Robin working together on the cover, crossovers quickly became the norm. This was, of course, done for financial reasons. Batman and Superman were (and still are) DC’s biggest characters. They were the draw for comic readers, especially in those days. World’s Finest Comics was created to use Batman and Superman as vehicles to sell some of DC’s lesser-known heroes.


Later on, this book was honed from a larger anthology series to a more streamlined team-up book. However, the Superman and Batman team remained at the center of it. In these early days, Batman and Superman were always depicted as being united. Sure, they came to blows sometimes. Probably because the only thing that sold better than two heroes teaming up was two heroes duking it out. However, these fights were almost always the result of some outside meddling: mind control, alternate universes, and the like. This version of Batman and Superman were as close as brothers, and always had a mutual respect and admiration that drove their partnership.


It might surprise some modern readers to learn just how silly and friendly Batman and Superman’s friendship was in the early days. However, this was just the norm for comics of the time. While there were certainly stories, characters, and publications with a darker tone, superhero books were good, clean fun. Batman and Superman, on the whole, were lighter characters during that era and were more prone to starring in “fun” stories. It’s incredible that after so many years, Superman and Batman are still as popular as ever.

The Dark Knight Returns Changed The Game

This Book is Why Comics Got Dark Again

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Without exaggeration, The Dark Knight Returns is one of the most influential comics ever. Love it or hate it, the story has irrevocably changed the landscape of comic books as a medium and continues to influence the medium to this day. The story follows an older Bruce Wayne who has long since retired from his role as Gotham’s hero. “Superheroes” have been outlawed, and only Superman still operates as a stooge of the United States government. With Batman gone, Gotham has descended into chaos. Finally, Bruce decides enough is enough and returns to crime fighting.

Batman’s return brings many old foes, notably Joker, out of the woodwork. A fatal showdown between the two leads to the US government sending Superman after Bruce. This leads to a knock-down, drag-out fight in the streets of Gotham, where Bruce utilizes practically every tool in his arsenal just to slow Supes down. But what makes The Dark Knight Returns so important? Well, it marked a clear tonal shift for Batman and comics as a whole. It heralded the “Dark Age” of comics and brought darker storylines and grim reality back to the comics medium.


While the story is undoubtedly a classic, it has had a bit of a negative impact on how readers view Batman and Superman. It is important to remember that this is one of the worst futures possible for the DC universe. The superhero community is fractured, and the United States crumbling. Public icons like Batman, Green Arrow, and more are hiding, missing, or worse. Superman is working for the government to mitigate what damage he can. Batman and Superman fighting here is spectacular, but it is also a direct result of these circumstances. Despite what this book posits, Batman and Superman are not diametrically opposed.

The Post-Crisis Showdown

The Reboot Changed These Character’s History


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The Post-Crisis era was a strange time for DC comics. The previous longstanding continuity had been erased, and the multiverse was destroyed. As such, the history of the DC universe was completely rewritten, Batman and Superman along with it. The Dark Knight was rebooted into a much darker, violent, and controversial figure. This was in line with the recently released The Dark Knight Returns. At the same time, Superman’s mythology was wholly changed by John Byrne. Byrne invented a new past for Krypton, reimagined Clark’s childhood in Kansas, and introduced Pa and Ma Kent as supporting characters beyond childhood.


Batman and Superman meet Post-Crisis in Man of Steel #3 for the first time. In this story, the two aren’t exactly on the best terms. The Superman of this era is much more willing to work in the interests of the United States government. As such, he is hunting down Batman to take the vigilante down. During their initial confrontation, Batman reveals an invisible forcefield around his body, which, if penetrated, will kill an innocent person. He enlists Superman’s help to take down the jewel thief, Magpie.

The two heroes take Magpie down and connect over their pity for the afflicted woman. With the danger passed, Superman demands Batman disarm his bomb. Bruce does so, revealing that the only “innocent person” at risk was himself. This commitment to justice, rehabilitation, and self-sacrifice makes Superman realize that Batman is a hero like him. The two are much friendlier, and note that they might have been brothers-in-arms at another time. This is a powerful moment between these two heroes, as it establishes the usual tone of their meetings. Even if they disagree, they ultimately are on the same side, willing to do anything to protect innocent people.


Other Famous Fights

These Two Have Tangled More Than Once

Batman and Superman have fought… a lot. Most of these fights are, naturally, inconclusive. Batman and Superman have their fans, and it wouldn’t do to alienate one or the other. However, they’re still notable in how these characters are portrayed. Batman: Hush has a pretty famous fight between the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel. Supes has been brainwashed by Poison Ivy, leading to a fight between him and the Dark Knight. Batman’s internal monologue acknowledges that Superman outclasses him, but he is more willing to cut loose and do real damage than Clark. The fight ends with Bruce endangering Lois Lane to snap Clark out of things.


The New 52 had a few Batman/Superman showdowns. One iconic battle came in the pages of Justice League due to an initial confrontation between the two and Green Lantern. Due to a misunderstanding, Batman and Green Lantern team up to battle Superman, with mixed results. Ultimately, they can’t do much damage, and the heroes can discuss their differences. Batman, Superman, and Green Lantern are close friends in this universe. Batman and Superman specifically are described as best friends, nearly brothers, so it is clear this fight didn’t do much harm.

The New 52 Batman run also features a fight between Batman and the entire Justice League, including Superman. The heroes get “jokerized,” and Batman must battle them in the streets of Gotham. He utilizes the “Justice Buster” for this, a specially crafted mech suit that can counter the Justice League. Eventually, he took them down, though only because they were all compromised by the Joker toxin.


Where Does That Leave The World’s Finest?

Do They Hate Each Other?

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Batman and Superman are a lot of things. They’re the world’s greatest heroes, two-thirds of DC’s trinity, icons in their universe and the real world. One thing they are not, however, is enemies. It is easy to think that Batman and Superman would not get along. In many ways, they’re exact opposites. Batman is a shadowy figure, striking fear in the hearts of criminals and fighting monsters in the dark. He’s a pulp detective, martial arts master, and movie-monster all rolled into one. Superman, on the other hand, is a friendly face who serves the people of Earth with an open hand and wide smile. However, while their approaches differ, their goals remain the same.


Both Batman and Superman are concerned with helping innocent people above all else. They are united by their common desire to spare their fellow citizens from whatever form of suffering they can. Sometimes, this means putting on costumes and fighting crime, but it can also mean a kind word or a meaningful gesture. Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent aren’t friends because they work together in the Justice League. They’re friends because they are both good people who want to make the world a better place and are willing to put themselves in the line of fire to do so.

Plenty of modern comics have shown the Batman and Superman friendship. Batman’s Rebirth series saw him, Clark, Lois and Selina go on a double date. Clark was even one of Bruce’s groomsmen. The Trinity series focused on the two heroes’ friendship with each other and Wonder Woman, with some great results. There is even a modern reimagining of World’s Finest, entitled Batman/Superman: World’s Finest. This features the two heroes at the start of their careers in a much zanier version of the DC universe. The two have served on every version of the Justice League together since the early nineties, often co-leading the team.


In most comic continuities, Batman does not hate Superman. Even at the lowest moments of their relationship, there is mutual respect and admiration. And in every example that comes to mind, the two are willing to set aside their differences for the common good. The Dark Knight Returns has a grisly showdown between the two, but the story ends with Superman knowing Batman survived and allowing Bruce to escape and continue his rebellion. Despite a rocky start, the Post-Crisis continuity saw the two develop a meaningful partnership and trust. Even the movie Batman v. Superman, arguably depicting the worst version of their relationship, ends with Batman realizing that Superman is a great hero.

It’s hard to say when Batman stopped hating Superman since so many adaptations restarted their relationship. However, the clearest example is during their first Post-Crisis encounter, where their mutual respect was re-established to set up the seeds for their deep friendship in the years to come.


  • The cover to batman issue 1 depicts Bruce Wayne as Batman and Dick Grayson as Robin swinging through Gotham City.

    Batman

    Batman is one of the oldest comic superheroes, with nearly a century of comics, TV-shows, films, and video games. The mild-mannered Bruce Wayne becomes Gotham City’s caped crusader, protecting it from villains like The Joker, Killer Croc, The Penguin, and more. Batman is also one of DC comics’ “Big Three” alongside Superman and Wonder Woman, and together the three help keep the earth safe as founding members of the Justice League. 

  • Batman Superman World's Finest 22 1-50 Variant

    Superman

    Superman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, and debuted in the comic book Action Comics #1. 

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