Who is more famous, recognizable, across the globe? Batman or Spider-Man?

[samurainoir]

Within the past decade I'd say it's pretty much tied given the fact that they have both had high profile movie series.

In my limited travels to Mexico/South America and Asia (Japan, Hong Kong/China and Thailand), I'd say both are pretty much on equal footing. Even more than Superman. I love collecting foreign Superhero stuff and I have much more Batman and Spiderman stuff from Asia and Mexico from the past decade than I do Superman. I think I might have even stumbled across more X-Men Stuff than Superman (or at least Wolverine stuff)!

Although in terms of world-wide merchandising/movies/tv, Batman has had more longevity and exposure to sink into the worldwide culture, starting with the sixties TV series boom which saw the movie and show travel the world long before Spiderman movie franchise catapulted him around the world. Generationally speaking, Batman might have the upper hand here.

[Wee67]

Commenting anecdotally, I would lean Batman. Even in some of the places I have visited in Asia and Africa where there is less Western influence, I always see Batman and, more likely, Batman knock-off products. Its so close, however, it could just be the places I've visited.

BTW, Mike, Supes does not see the world-wide merchandising that either Bats or Spidey see these days (again, anecdotal)

[SUP-Ronin]

I didn't read this whole thread because I didn't want it affect my choice, I am going with Batman.

[Mego Milk]

Bruce Wayne?
Why are you dressed like Batman?

[Mikey]

Superman

But, if it's a choice between Batman and Spider-man, I have to go with Batman.

I think Spider-man is mostly popular in the Western World ... Batman (because of his age) is popular everywhere.

[Orion]

I'm going to have to go with Batman on this one. A very tough question, but in my opinion the longevity of the character gives him the edge.

[Riffster]

I'd lean towards Bats, but Spidey is close

[Earth 2 Chris]

Batman, but Spider-Man has now settled into the collective consciousness of most of the planet as well. I remember as a kid my parents knew about Superman and Batman, but had no clue about the Marvel guys, except for Captain America! Spidey has been around for several generations now, and most folks 50 and under have been exposed to him at one time or another.

Chris

[johnnystorm]

Yup...The Pow! Zap! Bam! (where'd you get Bop? ) sound effects are inescapable when it comes to the general public's interpretation of comic books. Thanks William Dozier....

I fixed it...BAM!

I must have been JAZZed-up on java when I BOPped instead of BAMming!
Or maybe I was just subconciously thinking of the musical Bat-villains like The Minstrel & Chandel!

[jds1911a1]

Hec I think your question is flawed. Spiderman is without a doubt the brightest star in the marvel universe. I don't think the same can be said for batman - Superman holds that distinction despite the greater success of the last Bat film over the last superman film. We don't see news articles week in and out abou the Kane family suing for all the rights like the Siegel and Shyster (er Shuster) families

[vulcan2074]

Batman of Course
Sammy

[kingdom warrior]

Batman! Put his Bat logo up around the world and it's instantly recognized. A spidey symbol may take a few more seconds to get for the average person.

[Hector]

But then...I googled Bat Man...and I got a whopping 101,000,000...

Never mind...

[Hector]

Well not scientific but I googled "Spiderman" and got 21,000,000 results.
Googled "Batman" and got 76,600,000 results.

I think the answer is Batman!

Rich

The google search is very deceiving because Spidey is spelled two ways...the correct one, Spider-Man...and the often misspelled one...Spiderman.

So taking that into consideration...you add 21 million for Spiderman...and 49 million for Spider-Man...for a combined grand total of 70 million...so basically very close to Batman.

[toys2cool]

I think they're both just as recognizable, if you know Spidey you know Batman and the same thing the other way around