I am doing an expository essay for a college class and wanted to do a clinical look at two of today's most iconic superheroes. I am needing a little bit of help on this, so for anybody who answers the question gets 10 free internetz! ^_^

In your opinion, who is the better/more loved superhero and why do you think this way? Anything you have to say about them will help.

Thank you!!

I don't follow either character too closely, but honestly, Batman is much more iconic than Iron Man. While both are gadgeteer heroes, Batman has been around since about 1940, whereas Iron Man wasn't created until the early '60s. It's not just that, though. I feel like... well, DC has its big three icons. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, and many, many people around the world at least recognize these characters. Iron Man, on the other hand, has been a B-lister until fairly recently. He's had his own comic book title for a long time, but he really didn't come into the mainstream, I don't think, 'til the movie came out a couple years ago. And honestly, I still think of him as a team character rather than a solo character.

I would say Batman just because he is better known and not only that he was given a lot more in the way of his universe. you have the lesbian Barbra who was paralyzed by the joker. Him losing his adopted son. His whole reason for fighting: because his parents were killed by a mugger. He also never uses a gun. He refuses to kill his opponent. Ironman...I don't know much other than he was an alcoholic.

i have to say batman, i am not that big of a DC fan either, but i always prefer him over iron man. he is a more rounded character, and his stories are, in my opinion, better written and depicted. the art style is also grittier and darker than those of iron man. the characters themselves also differ, batman is charismatic and by far the kinder of the two while tony stark is kind of a jerk and very stuck up. ive never been a fan of the avenger series despite my marvel fan base, but i will always pick up a new batman

Batman, hands down, is the more popular and iconic character. Why? Because he's the goddamn Batman, or so the saying goes. >.<

But seriously, Batman has a much bigger fanbase. Like Cicadetta said, Batman has been around for much longer, and he's had a lot more attention than Iron Man. If you were looking for a more iconic kind of Marvel hero, I would go with someone like Spidey or Captain America.

Batman also probably has some of the best writing EVAR. Have you ever read the Dark Knight Returns? AMAZING. Batsy has had some of comic's greatest writers. Even Neil Gaiman has done Batman work. <3

And the movies, well... they've been around for ages. Admittedly, some of them were pretty terrible (Batman and Robin *cough cough*) but even the old Batman movies have quite the following, and it's understandable why. Michael Keaton, Jack Nicholson... Goodness, did I ever love that cast. ^___^

And the newer Nolan movies are just mind-blowing and have created such a huge network of fans and admirers, I can't even begin to explain it. o.o

Anyway, I'm going to stop hogging your thread now, I think my opinion is pretty clear. >_>

Iron man is okay, but Bats has the win.