While Batman and Robin are the Dynamic Duo, Superman's partnership with the Dark Knight is about as iconic. Bruce and Clark are the biggest DC Comics superheroes and arguably the most popular comic book characters of all time. Even after Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice attempted to answer the question, one of the most prominent debates among comic book fans remains: Who would win, Batman or Superman?
Although recent media, like the DCEU and Injustice universe, interprets the World's Finest duo as "frienemies" or straight-up adversaries, Batman and Superman's friendship significantly outweighs their rivalry. Since the cover of 1940's World's Fair Comics, the Man of Steel and the Caped Crusader have teamed up far more than they've fought. Today, the two are the highest-ranking members of the Justice League, just next to their other DC Trinity member, Wonder Woman.
In Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's Batman #612, one of the issues in the Hush storyline, Bruce visits Metropolis with Catwoman where he finds Superman controlled by Poison Ivy. Batman manages to hold Clark off with a kryptonite ring. Meanwhile, Catwoman searches for Lois Lane in the Daily Planet, throwing her off the building to bring Superman out of Ivy's control. This plan works, but one of the key players to defeat Superman was actually Superman himself. Interestingly enough, Clark actually gave Batman the kryptonite ring all the way back in 1987's Superman #2 by John Byrne. After the heroes defeat Poison Ivy, Superman tells Bruce, "Now, more than ever, I know I gave the ring to the right person."
This Batman/Superman scuffle actually makes Clark a more complex character than fans give him credit. Superman always wants his most-trusted allies, like Batman, to have all the resources they need to defeat him. Clark actually wants Bruce to beat him here. Bruce consistently tries as hard as he can when he battles Superman. On the other hand, Clark barely ever tries. Superman instinctively restrains his full power, giving heroes like Batman a chance to defeat him. Even when he's mind-controlled by Poison Ivy in Batman #612, Superman gives Batman a clear opening to win. It just goes to show that even a possessed Superman is on Batman's side deep down if the Caped Crusader is on the side of good.
Even though Superman and Batman are some of the most popular characters of all time, admiring their friendship has become more of a difficult task. It's easy to see why, though; Superman and Batman's fights are some of the coolest to see. The Batman: Hush storyline is one of the most notable examples of their camaraderie persisting even with an intense battle. Even though fans want to see an entertaining action struggle between the two icons, it's more satisfying to see the Man of Tomorrow shake hands and establish trust with the World's Greatest Detective afterward.