10 Things Only Comic Book Fans Know About Superman & Batman’s Friendly Rivalry

Batman and Superman have had a love/hate friendship since their very first DC Comics story together, here are some facts only comic readers know.

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Superman and Batman are two of DC Comics’ oldest and most popular characters. They have worked alongside each other countless times to save their cities and together founded the Justice League to protect the world. They have often been referred to as each other’s closest friends, though frenemies would be a more apt description.

Throughout their history, Batman and Superman’s relationship shifts from cautiously friendly to overt hostility, producing a complicated dynamic between the two. There are some fun facts in the comics about the duo’s rivalry that new fans might not have discovered yet.

10 It Wasn’t Always Friendly

Through all the iterations of Batman and Superman’s first meeting, most of them were not friendly. Batman survives through mass amounts of paranoia and Superman doesn’t always see the merits of the vigilante’s actions. In the Crisis on Infinite Earth’s retcon, the Man of Steel often saw Bruce as a trumped-up thug, discounting his ability to fight against evil. They were technically on friendly terms but remained at odds over methods.

When they met for the first time in the New 52 Universe, Batman met Superman with Green Lantern by his side. Earth’s dedicated protector was not that much help against the Kryptonian when the two inevitably had an immediate falling out. They’ve since repaired their relationship, but it remains fraught with tension and mutual distrust.

9 They Go On Double Dates

Through the years, different authors have explored the complex dynamic of Superman and Batman’s relationship. As part of the New 52, an entire series named Batman/Superman was released to explore their love/hate relationship. Yet the creators of that series weren’t the only ones to explore the complicated connection between the two heroes.

Tom King, the author of a more recent Batman comic run, explores Superman and Batman’s friendship beyond the capes and cowls. In a two-part story, the men took Selina Kyle and Lois Lane out for a double date to a carnival. A brilliant exploration of their similarities and differences, the story presented them as good friends despite their conflicts.

8 Their Kids Are Friends

When Robin was introduced early in Batman’s title in 1940, it was inevitable that other heroes would be given sidekicks. Young Justice introduced Kon-El, the Superman clone, as Superboy who befriended the first Robin. Later though, the comics would set him up as the third Robin, Tim Drake’s good friend and team member.

The most sidekick iterations are Damian Wayne and Jonathan Kent, the biological sons of Batman and Superman respectively. Like their fathers, the relationship started out a little rocky but they eventually became close friends. When Jonathan became Superman, Damian was actually the first person he went to for advice when he was conflicted.

7 They Bring Out The Best And Worst In Each Other

When they are at odds, Batman and Superman become unreasonable, unwilling to budge or compromise with each other. Their brawls have a history of being destructive and deadly depending on the storyline. In Batman: Endgame, Bruce even points out that when they fight nobody wins.

Working on the same side, the two can make such a big difference. Clark and Bruce have more in common than just their mother’s name. They do what it takes to save lives and preserve justice, and sometimes they can set aside their difference in methods to work together. Their team-ups usually lead to hilarious situations, especially now that they are experiencing fatherhood together.

6 Batman Once Had Lois Lane Thrown Off A Building

In Hush, one of the best Batman comic book arcs in the 2000s, Poison Ivy mind-controlled Superman with her pheromone lipstick. To distract Batman from what was actually going on, she sent Clark to attack Bruce. Since he knew Superman wasn’t working under his own faculties, Batman didn’t fight with lethal force but simply held him off while he waited for Catwoman to enact his plan.

Bruce knew Superman well enough to understand that the best way to snap Clark out of the mind control was to make him believe that Lois Lane was in trouble. Selina Kyle helped him out by pushing the reporter off a skyscraper, making it seem like she would die without Superman’s help. While it worked, Clark was less than pleased with Bruce’s methods, leading to a hilarious moment where Batman calls Superman a glorified Boy Scout.

5 The President Once Ordered Superman To Eliminate Batman

The 1986 release of The Dark Knight Returns revamped Batman from the campy 1960’s version to a darker, more modern take on the vigilante. In this storyline, Superman is still operating under the instructions of the government instead of as a free agent fighting corruption.

A failed nuclear strike creates a massive blackout, causing rioting across the country. While the president was unable to quell the problem, Batman was managing to keep the peace in Gotham. This apparently threatened the president’s authority and he sent the Man of Steel to kill him, resulting in one of Superman’s most evil moments in comics.

4 Superman Does The Best Batman Impression

Spending a lot of time together in costume means Clark hears Bruce doing the Batman voice regularly. The Justice League has been known to mock the Batman voice right in front of Bruce. He takes it with the air of an exasperated father who has given up on corralling his children.

During one battle in Geoff Johns’ first issue of Justice League, the team is lightening up the moment by finishing Bruce’s sentences and making fun of his usually grim demeanor. Most of the team gives it a try but they all agree that Superman’s impression is the best.

3 They Dressed As Each Other For Superhero Night

During their double date, in the build-up to the Batman and Catwoman wedding, Clark and Bruce took the women to the carnival on “Dress As Your Favorite Superhero” night. Hilariously, they dressed as each other, with Selina and Lois even getting in on the fun by donning each other’s outfits.

It was a perfect showcase of both heroes finally getting a chance to relax and bond. Being with someone who knows both Bruce’s identities even put him at ease enough to joke with Clark about their workout regimens. This camaraderie is part of the reason Superman is the only one not shocked when Batman makes a joke in front of the League.

2 Both Heroes Battled The Composite Man

In World’s Finest Comics #142, Batman and the Man of Steel have to team up to defeat the Composite Superman, who could qualify as one of Superman’s lamest villains. This antagonist is literally a combination of the two heroes, imbued with the powers of the entire Legion of Super-Heroes. The danger is that he knows the secret identities of both men.

Despite the battle being a close one, the Composite Superman’s powers slowly start to fade along with his memories of Bruce and Clark. While in the end, the duo doesn’t have to do anything to win, they still make a great team. Batman and Superman will always be better working with each other rather than against.

1 Superman Faked An Emergency For Batman

Comic book heroes have a reputation for trying to fix problems with poorly executed solutions and Superman is not exempt from this flaw. In the 1964 issue of World’s Finest Comics, a bullet ricochets off Superman and hits Batman, causing him to quit crimefighting for good.

To snap Bruce out of his funk, Clark fakes an emergency in the bottle city of Kandor. Bruce steps up to help and ultimately discovers the ruse. Despite it being an attempt at helping, as ill-thought-out as it was, Batman was deeply offended, causing yet another feud between them.

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