"With our combined strength, we can end this destructive conflict and bring order to the galaxy." - Anakin Skywalker

"Father, please help me." - Luke Skywalker

"What's the most you ever lost on a coin toss?" - Anton Chigurh


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While the SW blogs have pondered such 'who-would-win' questions, I believe it is Superman vs. Batman that remains most expressive, the most descriptive, and the most relevant today.

To summarize...

Batman is the gritty, dark, loner (usually) fighting in the sewers, below ground and at the heights of power. He is witness to darkness at every level of society; it is a part of him. Although his day-time façade is one of cold professional aloofness, it is his evening guise that shows his true colors. Batman, and those around him, frequently end up bloodied, bruised, and broken. Despite this, he will never stop fighting for justice until he is victorious...or dead.

Superman is the boy-scout, the idealist, the man who flies above the fray to see the good that is in all people. He will endure any hurt, any pain, any insult, to ensure justice is served without prejudice. He is a picture of restraint despite his powers. He remains forever hopeful that mankind will come to their own rescue one day. Until then, he can be counted on to preserve truth and justice with every ounce of his being.

The nature of the question begs one to look at the various strengths and weakness of each being, including physical prowess, mental faculties, and sheer will. The only conclusion I ever come to is that at the end of such a contest desolation alone will remain. And regardless of who physically survives, it is the general population that will suffer as they watch their heroes decimate each other along with any hope for the future.

Nothing will survive.

However, the answer isn't that simple. The question doesn't really ask 'who would win' but 'how can they both survive'. HOW CAN THEY BOTH WIN? But it's more than that, the question is HOW CAN WE ALL WIN?

HOW CAN A BATTLE BETWEEN TWO TITANS FIGHTING FOR THE SAME GOAL ENSURE THEY AND WE AREN'T DESTROYED IN THE PROCESS?!

The answer is clear: THEY ONLY WIN, WE ONLY WIN, IF THEY WIN TOGETHER.

Within Star Wars, we have only to look at Anakin and Luke. Each fights for the same goal in their own way: to end conflict, to end fear, to end injustice. Each suffers at the hands of darkness as a result of their own egos, their own fear, and their own desires. While Luke is seen as good and Anakin as bad, neither can reach their ultimate goal...until finally, they unite. Despite severed limbs, bloodied faces, and deep anger, each finally recognizes that they need each other to bring peace into their lives and into the lives of those around them.

It's quaint to say that only through cooperation can real progress be made, but it doesn't make it any less true IMHO. I remain hopeful that regardless of the nature of the conflict, that both heroes will recognize they are part of the same coin...a coin upon which much rests.

End.