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[TheKaeptain]

Yes. Superman is the superhero the majority of people think of someone say "superhero."

Nope. Spider-Man is the most popular super-hero in the world. Batman is second. With Supes being third. I never real met anyone outside of North America that gave a shit about Superman. Motherfucking kid with no TV in Iraq wanted to be like Spidey.

 

[Feature]

Spiderman is definitly the least known superhero. Superman is on top and then maybe batman. (and then goku) :-D

 

[Anticitizen One]

Superman is the most recognized super hero in the world followed by Batman

 

[Replicant]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlYz1Ix6zgc

How can you not like this guy?

He's really nice but those autograph sellers piss me off. You know, the ones who clearly are not fans and were only there to have him signed professionally taken photograph of him so they can sell the photos on Ebay for big bucks. No wonder some actors eventually get fed up with the whole thing.

 

[rollingstart]

I'm not saying that. I'm saying this idea that there's a substantial number of people who know who Superman is but do not know who Batman is are deluding themselves, which is where my "it's 2012, not 1982" comment is coming from.

yeah, Batman's lasting popularity took off in the mid to late 80s. You had Dark Knight Returns, the Burton films, the incredible animated series...those other movies...and picked up with Nolan's Batman. In particular I think a lot of young adults grew up on Batman TAS.

That said, Batman ain't selling American Express in commercials: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLuPTg8HcMY

 

[TheKaeptain]

Spiderman has had 7 cartoon series. A Japanese tokosatsu show. A short lived live action show which were recut and released as three movies in Europe. Three live action films that all grossed a ton of cash.

Has a new movie and a new cartoon being released this year. This is all with in the last 40 years.

 

[Htown]

Nope. Spider-Man is the most popular super-hero in the world. Batman is second. With Supes being third. I never real met anyone outside of North America that gave a shit about Superman. Motherfucking kid with no TV in Iraq wanted to be like Spidey.

No, dude. Come on.

It's Superman. Don't be ridiculous.

 

[ShdwDrake]

Nope. Spider-Man is the most popular super-hero in the world. Batman is second. With Supes being third. I never real met anyone outside of North America that gave a shit about Superman. Motherfucking kid with no TV in Iraq wanted to be like Spidey.

No dude, Superman is the most well known superhero in the world. You trippin holmes.

 

[Feature]

Spiderman has had 7 cartoon series. A Japanese tokosatsu show. A short lived live action show which were recut and released as three movies in Europe. Three live action films that all grossed a ton of cash.

Has a new movie and a new cartoon being released this year. This is all with in the last 40 years.

And still hes less known than superman... must be the character being shitty I guess.

 

[Suairyu]

Guys guys guys let's just all agree that Superman, Spiderman and Batman are the three most well known superheroes. Exactly how that is going to break down will vary wildly between countries anyway so I doubt any of us has the authority to declare which is the most well-known-iest.

But also, there isn't a chance in hell 'the dark knight' was anywhere near as well known as 'the man of steel' before the Nolan movie. Now, 'caped crusader and the boy wonder'? That's a different story entirely!

 

[Foxy Fox 39]

Supes was the first to get widely popular but he hasnt been relevant with world culture for a while. Batman and Spider-man are on top and have been this past decade. The last thing supes has done was grants run...which isn't widely known with the general public. I think its spiderman personally. if you look at exposure since 00 I think spidey has a firm grasp on that.

 

[Suairyu]

Supes was the first to get widely popular but he hasnt been relevant with world culture for a while. Batman and Spider-man are on top and have been this past decade. The last thing supes has done was grants run...which isn't widely known with the general public. I think its spiderman personally. if you look at exposure since 00 I think spidey has a firm grasp on that.

Except for 'The Death Of Superman' arc, comics haven't had a thing to do with any of their worldwide recognition and popularity since the 60s.

 

[Fuzzy]

And still hes less known than superman... must be the character being shitty I guess.

Almost 50 years later and he's still crying about his uncle Ben. What a loser.

 

[Foxy Fox 39]

Except for 'The Death Of Superman' arc, comics haven't had a thing to do with any of their worldwide recognition and popularity since the 60s.

exactly.

 

[See You Next Wednesday]

Supes was the first to get widely popular but he hasnt been relevant with world culture for a while. Batman and Spider-man are on top and have been this past decade. The last thing supes has done was grants run...which isn't widely known with the general public. I think its spiderman personally. if you look at exposure since 00 I think spidey has a firm grasp on that.

Are you kidding? Superman was THE face of comic books for 50-60 years.
Right until Batman got really popular in the mid-late 80's. Spider-Man only got on par with them in 2000+ after the movies.

 

[Solo]

Public popularity/recognition:

Spider-Man > Batman > Superman

 

[Foxy Fox 39]

Are you kidding? Superman was THE face of comic books for 50-60 years.
Right until Batman got really popular in the mid-late 80's. Spider-Man only got on par with them in 2000+ after the movies.

Yes. He was. But like the other poster said, world recognition aint what it used to be. Superman hasn't really been globally relevant since Christopher Reeves dood. Even then he was teetering.

edit: and spiderman had the well known cartoons+live action (american AND japanese) back in the 60s/70's and the awesome cartoons in the 90's. Spiderman has always had cartoons running. Not saying that batman or superman havent, but just saying that he had a reasonable presence before 2000.

 

[Souldriver]

Public popularity/recognition:

Spider-Man > Batman > Superman

I seriously doubt that.

Spider-man and Batman have gotten popular around the world because of the movies recently, but in Belgium (and the rest of Europe) "Superman" is still the most synonymous to "generic superhero". In the same way (older) people would say "Nintendo" to every gaming console, people will say "I can't do all of this in an hour. I'm not superman!". You can't do that with Spider-man or Batman. The name recognition of Superman is still the highest, I think.

If talking about popularity, as in people knowing all three and having an opinion on any of them, I think Superman would be the least liked/popular though. He's very generic, and he doesn't have popular movies/cartoons to help his image.

 

[noah111]

Public popularity/recognition:

Spider-Man > Batman > Superman

There's a huge difference between popularity and recognition.

I think SM is more 'popular' these days, even if Superman might be more recognizable/well known. It's harder to gauge though, due to the film involvement and how much they've helped in expanding audiences.

 

[Foxy Fox 39]

There's a huge difference between popularity and recognition.

I think SM is more 'popular' these days, even if Superman might be more recognizable/well known. It's harder to gauge though, due to the film involvement and how much they've helped in expanding audiences.

I wish someone would do that. Go around the world showing people the superman S vs the Spiderman mask and seeing who is more recognizable.

 

[CrazyDude]

Public popularity/recognition:

Spider-Man > Batman > Superman

Sorry, but people don't think spiderman when you ask them to describe a superhero.

 

[jett]

Superman is THE superhero, what's wrong with you people.

 

[Blader]

Nope. Spider-Man is the most popular super-hero in the world. Batman is second. With Supes being third. I never real met anyone outside of North America that gave a shit about Superman. Motherfucking kid with no TV in Iraq wanted to be like Spidey.

That doesn't mean they don't know him. There are plenty of people in North America that don't give a shit about Superman.

 

[The Elite]

Superman
Spider-Man
and
Batman

Get equal recognition in the mainstream.

 

[WillyFive]

Sorry, but people don't think spiderman when you ask them to describe a superhero.

Yeah.

Spider-Man had three successful superhero movies back when superhero movies were rare, but he's hardly the defining superhero.

 

[Captain Blood]

Yup I feel like if the general public was asked to name a superhero the overwhelming answer would be Superman. Even though he isn't as popular as Batman or Spiderman.

 

[SpeedingUptoStop]

I think even the public at large knows Superman is a boring dude for the most part.

 

[Valravn]

People are tired of his boyscout persona, and i totally agree.

 

[BruceLeeRoy]

Spiderman has had 7 cartoon series. A Japanese tokosatsu show. A short lived live action show which were recut and released as three movies in Europe. Three live action films that all grossed a ton of cash.

Has a new movie and a new cartoon being released this year. This is all with in the last 40 years.

Are you just messing Yamato?...Ah of course you are.

 

[krypt0nian]

Worldwide, it's Superman. He's on par with fucking Mickey Mouse as far as recognition.

Anything else is delusional.

 

[Kyon]

I would've asked for a hug.

I would have asked for a hug and a kiss

Spoiler

in the lips

 

[Damon Bennet]

superman is less popular than spiderman and batman but far more recognized.

 

[aerts1js]

I think even the public at large knows Superman is a boring dude for the most part.

I.... have to agree.

 

[Weenerz]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlYz1Ix6zgc

How can you not like this guy?

He really looks like Superman in the face, and he seems to genuinely like greeting his fans.

 

[ShdwDrake]

You guys are crazy. When Superman came to New Orleans in the comics that shit was on national tv. Also when Supes lost his citizenship that shit was on international tv.

 

[CrazyDude]

I think even the public at large knows Superman is a boring dude for the most part.

Won't disagree with that. I am not saying more people like superman.

 

[Zeliard]

Public popularity/recognition:

Spider-Man > Batman > Superman

Superman is the prototypical comic book superhero. I think he's by far the most recognized worldwide, especially since he's also synonymous with the United States from a symbolic standpoint (despite recently relinquishing his 'citizenship' ).

 

[- J - D -]

I cannot imagine a less consequential debate.

 

[Razgriz-Specter]

That said, Batman ain't selling American Express in commercials: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLuPTg8HcMY

but he has sold
Diet Coke http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhvTUhqJR5M
and
OnStar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6OGzL4KKTo

 

[Ithil]

Superman is the most iconic/recognisable superhero, while Batman or Spider-Man are the most beloved.

Pretty simple.

 

[Discotheque]

Superman is the prototypical comic book superhero. I think he's by far the most recognized worldwide, especially since he's also synonymous with the United States from a symbolic standpoint (despite recently relinquishing his 'citizenship' ).

Yeah for sure. Regardless of how big his films are Superman is THE superhero.

Then Spiderman and then Batman.

eh beaten by jett with the same damn capitalization too....

 

[DMczaf]

Public popularity/recognition:

Spider-Man > Batman > Superman

It's nice to want things.

 

[Renji_11]

It's probably still Superman but outside of America I am not sure Superman is as popular as people think. I hear from some of my friends born in the Middle East that Superman comics are not allowed in some parts due to the American propaganda associated with the character.

 

[evil solrac v3.0]

I will never understand why anyone relates to Batman, a WASP multi billionare who is all NIMBY and goes around beating the crap out of people and thinks he's all better than anyone, while Superman did like a lot of us, traveled, went to school, is nice and helps people and when shit really goes, I mean really goes down (end of the world) he won't think twice about sacrificing himself.
meanwhile Spider-man is in the corner crying STILL about a dead uncle, I've never even seen him grieve for his parents! (probably did something to the plane that his parents where flying) batman is a 1% Superman is a 99% i'm siding with the immigrant.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Superman is THE superhero, what's wrong with you people.

+1

it's not even a contest.

Superman is the most iconic/recognisable superhero, while Batman or Spider-Man are the most beloved.

Pretty simple.

Superman is pretty beloved too. Despite the recent run of poor film adaptations.

 

[RSTEIN]

As far as the collecting commuinty goes, historical Spider-Man books are by far the most heavily traded.

Right now for general public opinion in North America, I'd put Batman first.

 

[DMczaf]

I will never understand why anyone relates to Batman, a WASP multi billionare who is all NIMBY and goes around beating the crap out of people and thinks he's all better than anyone, while Superman did like a lot of us, traveled, went to school, is nice and helps people and when shit really goes, I mean really goes down (end of the world) he won't think twice about sacrificing himself.
meanwhile Spider-man is in the corner crying STILL about a dead uncle, I've never even seen him grieve for his parents! (probably did something to the plane that his parents where flying) batman is a 1% Superman is a 99% i'm siding with the immigrant.

Because at the end of the day, Batman is just cooler than Superman. dealwithit.

 

[apana]

You can't discount the fact that Batman is the most popular in the world at the moment and probably will be for years to come just because he had the luck of having his universe recreated by Nolan. These superheroes at the end of the day are defined by the stories that artists and writers create for them.

 

[Messypandas]

I read somewhere that the 3 most recognisable symbols in the world were the Christian Cross, the McDonalds arches and the Superman emblem (in that order). But that doesn't automatically translate into ticket sales.

 

[apana]

I will never understand why anyone relates to Batman, a WASP multi billionare who is all NIMBY and goes around beating the crap out of people and thinks he's all better than anyone, while Superman did like a lot of us, traveled, went to school, is nice and helps people and when shit really goes, I mean really goes down (end of the world) he won't think twice about sacrificing himself.
meanwhile Spider-man is in the corner crying STILL about a dead uncle, I've never even seen him grieve for his parents! (probably did something to the plane that his parents where flying) batman is a 1% Superman is a 99% i'm siding with the immigrant.

Batman is just more relevant in today's world. People want a real crime fighter who is going to clean up the streets and protect them from mad men, which is what the news hypes up these days. Eventhough crime has been going down in America, fear of crime is greater than ever. Not to mention that the villains of the Batman universe are awesome. People don't see Bruce as a billionaire playboy, that's just his outer persona.