Reading List (Super behind but reading them nonetheless):
DC: Currently figuring that out
Marvel: Read above
Image: Killadelphia, Nightmare Blog
Other: The Antagonist, Something is Killing the Children, Avatar: TLAB
Manga: My Hero Academia, MHA: Vigilanties, Soul Eater: the Perfect Edition, Berserk, Hunter X Hunter, Witch Hat Atelier, Kaiju No. 8
While its a great story, I don't recall Superman and Ultraman really going head to head which seems more like what the OP is looking for. But still definitely worth reading.
I'm sure Ultraman and Superman have faced off directly on other occasions but can't recall specifically.
Same, and while i often enjoy Ennis work (particularly Preacher and his Punisher runs) , i didn't enjoy what i read of the Boys. Most of the time i don't find Ennis' skewering of superheroes very entertaining and feel like other writers have been able to satirize them more effectively. That said, really enjoy the amazon series quite a bit although thus far i think i prefer S1 over S2
I quite liked the GN series as a whole story. No doubt that Ennis is a terrific storyteller. The arcs were well written and the whole story evolved to the unfortunately inevitable conclusion--although I did not suspect the ending story twist at all.
That being said, I also nearly hated the GN in equal measure because of several factors.
1- the complete ineptness of the "supes"
2nd- the mustache twirling evil of every single supe in the story with very very few exceptions. That got old real quick. You mean in a world with hundreds of superpowered people--they're ALL jerks who don't want to help their fellow man? Maybe realistic but hardly entertaining.
3-Butcher's nigh-Bat-God ability to plan for every possible scenario and to manipulate everyone around with incredible ease. I much prefer the TV version--he at least screws up from time to time.
4- Other than Hughie really no protagonists to root for. Again I get that was the point of the series--nobody is really a "good guy" in the Boys, but it made for depressing reading at times
Yeah, I have the first three volumes of Preacher and keep meaning to get back to it. Really liked it so far, and I have his complete Hellblazer run as well.
Basically I like him more when he isn't skewering superheroes.
I think this is a major issue for me. It's just as unrealistic as the idealism, just on the exact opposite end of the spectrum. There is also the fact that superheroes are designed to function in fantastical worlds not like ours, so pointing out how they would't work realistically is always a "yeah, no shit Captain Obvious" thing for me.
I do like Hughie and Starlight in the show a lot, along with Maeve. At least as far as season 1 goes. And I think the Karl Urban factor helps Butcher tremendously.
I think for point 2, they are created by the industrial military complex (or however it goes in the story- i cant remember now) as instruments of control but who are themselves controlled by smarter people - they know that, they know they are both powerful and impotent but to placate them they are just indulged to whatever hedonistic delights they are willing to fall for.
And thats a pretty accurate reflection of the characters actual ceeation and history in the comics. Dcs getting Superman was probably one of the biggest hustles of 20th century, Bill Finger couldnt even get his name on the tagline for Batman, and ceeator of wonderwoman was an 'interesting' guy to say the least. Whilst DC presents their characters as paragons of virtue or relentless justice, behind it all is no justice.
That does make it a bitter read, but its a bitter industry with a dreadful past, which the author lays bare