“Gods Aren’t Brave; Men Are Brave”
The actual, physical battle between Batman and Superman is brutal and moving – not least because The Dark Knight semi-monologues when he is in a dominant position, and sums up the whole conflict in one sentence: “Gods aren’t brave; men are brave.”
These words resonate throughout the entire movie, and the entire concept of Justice League. As such, for Batman to utter them from a place of false confidence is a fantastic moment. If the entire proceeding is about powerful men fearing a loss of status with the appearance of something above them in the power-chain, then Batman’s words go to the fact that Gods don’t need to be brave, because they already have all the power. Men are brave, because they fight to acquire power, without the privilege that accompanies a God-like position.
But, in the Justice League, the concept of ‘God’ goes far deeper. Wonder Woman and Aquaman are both figures of legend and myth, and have their own connections to deity and the almighty, and all-powerful. But, in both those cases, those heroes side with man more often than not, acting as something of a third-party. Then, of course, there is the brilliant irony that Batman declares “men are brave” (as opposed to ‘man’ is brave), and is soon saved by Wonder Woman.
Then, there is the fact that Superman is only God-like in relation to men. This God-like status, that men find so threatening, is only bestowed upon Superman because humanity defines him that way. Back on Krypton, he would have been just another guy. Ultimately, however, it is this difference in power between ‘God’ and ‘man’ that shifts the perspective of Batman, because when something else enters the power-chain above Superman, it is only Superman that can deal the fatal blow.