Superman vs. Batman

It's a debate that has been going on for many years. Who would win in a fight between the two. Ask a large enough sample of comic book/superhero fans, and you'll get a large enough group on either side.

Well we now finally get to find out..... sort of. You see, last year Warner Bros., who owns the film rights to both franchises, decided that in the wake of all the recent comic book based movie adaptations scoring well at theater box offices, it was time to reboot both film adaptations.

Originally the idea was to have the duo actually battle onscreen in a Superman vs. Batman movie. They then decided that they would reboot each franchise separately.

Batman fired the first volley, as the Christopher Nolan directed Batman Begins hit theaters June 15th, with Christian Bale as the Dark Knight. Personally I loved the movie. Of the 4 Batman Movies made since 1989 (1997's Batman & Robin, and all it's bat-nipple glory never existed), this was the best. It does a great job of helping us understand the relationship between Bruce and his parents, and helps us understand what makes a billionaire playboy, become a man in a bat suit. We also get to see many of the important relationships in the Bat-verse be formed.

I wasn't alone in my enjoyment of Batman Begins. It has been #1 at the box office during it's two weekends in theaters, and has currently racked up 121.7 million dollars.

Next summer will be round two as Superman returns to the theaters with the appropriately names Superman Returns. Unknown Brandon Routh will be donning the tights as the Man of Steel.

Hopefully this will not only be a two round battle. Rumors are already abounding about work starting on the Next Batman movie (All important people were signed to three year contracts), and Nolan himself has said he always envisioned a trilogy.

If Superman is given the same caring treatment that Batman had, Warner Bros. will surely greenight sequels, and we can find out over the next 5-7 years once and for all, who would win in a fight between Superman and Batman. Even if it is only a fight for your movie going dollars.