1. Misunderstanding What Works About The Comics
In The Dark Knight Returns, the comic from which Batman V Supermans entire premise is taken, Batman fights Superman, but this is only shocking because it was in contrast to their relationship in the comics, which up until that time (i.e., for the past 40 YEARS) was always depicted as friendly. The story takes place in a dystopian future where Superman is forced into working for the government, so by defeating him, Batman is actually symbolically taking down a corrupt authoritarian empire, while also showing a dark and depressing end to a friendship that was once based on mutual respect and admiration. When you have the characters meet for the first time and fight, you dont have any of that subtext. Its just two guys beating each other up because it looks cool. If we want an MMA fight, there are venues for that. DC is no stranger to taking iconic moments from the comics and putting them on screen in bastardised ways. Remember Bane breaking Batmans back in The Dark Knight Rises? This was based on a moment from Knightfall, a storyline from the 90s where Bane set out to completely break Batmans resolve both emotionally and physically. He released all of the villains from Arkham Asylum and after Batman had exhausted himself dealing with all of them, Bane stepped in and snapped his spine over his knee. It was the culmination of a lot of horrible things and Bruce Wayne was incapacitated for months, so long that he actually had to find a replacement which didnt exactly work out, but I digress. Rises makes it seem like a small obstacle that can be solved with some amateur chiropractic adjustments in a jail cell. They wanted to have that Bane/Batman moment, but they didnt want to actually earn it or do anything useful with it. Bruce walked it off like a case of food poisoning. And look at Man Of Steel. The most impressive thing about Superman is not his super powers, its what he does with those powers that makes him compelling. He uses them to help people, to shine light on a dreary world and inspire us to be better. Having him smash buildings like the Hulk is just meaningless spectacle. Until DC realises why their characters have endured for over 70 years, theyll keep dropping the ball. Can you think of any other ways DC will drop the ball? Do you think theyre on the right track? Let us know in the comments!