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

[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!

[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

[Riffster]

I'd lean towards Bats, but Spidey is close

[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.

[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.

[Mego Milk]

Bruce Wayne?
Why are you dressed like Batman?

[SUP-Ronin]

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

[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)

[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.