Looking to choose your friends more carefully? Just ask a potential buddy this question: Who’s the ultimate superhero–Superman or Batman? Or maybe it’s Wolverine? Or Spider-Man? What better time to see how comic-to-movie superheroes stack up now that “Superman Returns” is in theaters? Here is a look at four of the big guys.
ALIAS
SPIDER-MAN: Peter Parker, photographer and mopey student.
BATMAN: Bruce Wayne, playboy and millionaire.
SUPERMAN: Clark Kent, starched-shirt reporter for the Daily Planet.
WOLVERINE: James Howlett, a.k.a. Logan, mountain man and loner.
FASHION SENSE
SPIDER-MAN: The cobweb mask with big bug eyes makes him the snappiest dresser of the superheroes. Peter, on the other hand, tends to wear jeans.
BATMAN: Goes Goth and likes to kink it up when in costume. Wears his underwear–a black codpiece–on the outside. Bruce is a natty dresser.
SUPERMAN: A little odd. Likes to wear his red underwear on the outside and delights in the snug fit of Lycra. Clark shops at Brooks Brothers.
WOLVERINE: Unlike the other X-Men’s Paris runway attire, Wolverine shops where Paul Bunyan does. And he likes the facial and chest hair.
BAGGAGE
SPIDER-MAN: Mom and Dad killed; kindly aunt threatened; uncle later killed.
BATMAN: Enough to fill a jumbo jet; witnessed his parents being killed, turned batty when he got trapped in a bat cave.
SUPERMAN: Still dealing with separation anxiety from his home planet; overly protective of host family.
WOLVERINE: Father figure William Stryker gave him his adamantium claws. Kids never appreciate their father … figures.
COOLEST POWER/GADGET
SPIDER-MAN: Makes cobwebs shoot out like Silly String from his palms, a trick that enables him to swing from skyscraper to skyscraper. Many more.
BATMAN: Not many superpowers, but has a wicked set of wheels and an industrialized-looking Bat Cave.
SUPERMAN: Can see through everything, moves faster than a speeding bullet, is more powerful than a locomotive, yadda, yadda, yadda. This man’s got it all.
WOLVERINE: His retractable razor claws and ability to heal himself quickly.
LOVE INTEREST/SIDEKICK
SPIDER-MAN: In the film series, Mary Jane Watson, a cutie with her own baggage. Peter’s a bit of a loner, but chums around with wealthy schoolmate Harry Osborn.
BATMAN: Quite a few women turnstiling through his life, so let’s forget about Catwoman. Seems to most prefer the company of Robin and Alfred the butler.
SUPERMAN: Smitten with journalist Lois Lane, who possesses bullish tenacity and great legs. Hangs out with photog buddy Jimmy Olsen.
WOLVERINE: He has the other X-Men, but he’s really anti-social. One of the only reasons he’s stuck around is because he has the hots for Jean Grey.
SHOULD SEEK HELP FOR:
SPIDER-MAN: Gaining confidence, so he’s not mealy-mouthed around women. Could benefit from being a tad more Zen about his superpowers.
BATMAN: Everything. Is anti-social, narcissistic and aloof. The urge for vengeance gnaws at his tortured soul.
SUPERMAN: Being too mild-mannered; he needs to re-read “Winning Through Intimidation.”
WOLVERINE: Needs anger-management classes and could use help with trust and control issues.
