>>81248443To my knowledge there are 2 reasons why Superman doesn't "patrol" Gotham.
1. Superman doesn't have the mental capacity to solve a lot of Batman's cases. Batman grew up in Gotham so he knows how people from Gotham think. He knows how the city can shape people and their personal values, usually for the worst. It takes a certain kind of person to doubt people and their intentions, to always be looking for their flaws, and to only suspect the worst from others. Superman isn't that person. Superman likes to believe there's some good in everyone and that most people have good intentions. He likes to focus on peoples best qualities and "gifts" as he does with his own. In fact its this kind of thinking that makes Superman who he is and why he is a symbol of hope who inspires people all over the world. Having to deal with Gotham serial killers would potentially emotionally burden Superman to the point that he'd become a less effective Superhero. He'd become angry and frustrated like Batman. Nobody wants an angry Superman.
2. The second reason is just genuine respect for Batman. There's kind of an unwritten rule that you don't fight crime in someone else's hometown. At least not without telling them ahead of time or unless the world is in danger. I've never seen a hometown superhero run into a visitor superhero without some kind of argument happening.
Personally I think Batman shouldn't patrol Metropolis and visa versa because you'd have to LEAVE your home town to do it. The people of your city depend on you when you're a superhero. Theres almost a brand loyalty. If people hear Batman's been in Metropolis for a week they'll start to wonder if he doesn't feel like Gotham is worth saving anymore. On top of that, if they lost a loved one to crime in that week, you know they'd just blame Batman for being out of town and BOOM new Supervillain.
