DCComics.com Johnny Depp & Christian Bale’s ‘Public Enemies’ Vs. ‘Superman/Batman: Public Enemies’
With Monday’s announcement of the newest installment in the DC Universe animated films, it seemed only natural to compare Superman and Batman’s run as “Public Enemies” to Johnny Depp’s turn as John Dillinger, the legendary American bank robber headlining Michael Mann’s film “Public Enemies,” out in theaters today.
Justice League
Romantic Chemistry: While Batman and Superman don’t make nearly as pretty a couple as Depp’s Dillinger and Marion Cotillard’s Billie, the chemistry between both characters (at least in Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness’ six issue run) is definitely there. With Lex Luthor as the main villain trying to get rid of DC’s two most recognizable heroes, Superman would be the Dillinger character here… making Batman DC’s own Marion Cotillard. He has a bit more whoop-ass in him than Cotillard’s Billie, but she certainly can give him a run for his money when it comes to withstanding torture.
Johnny Depp
Celebrity Status: John Dillinger was as much a national celebrity in his time as Johnny Depp is in ours. Superman and Batman were caped crusaders and celebs in their own right, but prove far more recognizable and easier to find than Dillinger did — as proven by the many fight scenes in the DC series and anticipated movie, and one hysterical scene in “Public Enemies.”
Christian Bale
Batman: “Superman/Batman: Public Enemies” stars Batman, and Christian Bale (as Melvin Purvis in “Public Enemies”) played Batman. Maybe that one was a bit too easy.
The Problem With Ego: As Superman says in volume three of Loeb and McGuinness’ series, “Luthor’s a master manipulator, but he has one weakness… his ego.” Dillinger, much like Luthor in just about every storyline he’s involved in, faces the same concept of invincibility; a flaw that, like Luthor’s ego, inevitably does lead to his downfall and defeat.
Batman
Villainous Politicians: J. Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup in “Public Enemies”… no, you don’t see his junk in this film) needs to capture John Dillinger to convince the government to pass a bill for a federal police force. Lex Luthor needs to have Superman taken down so his own guilt behind a Kryptonic asteroid headed to Earth is masked. One is successful, one is not. History should give you that answer.
Superman
Public Enemies: Dillinger, while more of a threat to the federal coffers than the American people, was deserving of his spot as Public Enemy Number One… and the public loved him for it. Superman — and Batman by association — was framed by Lex Luthor, and had both allies and enemies turn on him to try to bring him in. It’s a hard-knock life trying to preserve justice… maybe earning their titles of public enemies would have made Superman and Batman’s lives far easier.
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