Friday, July 18, 2008
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What Batman Means To Me
By now, the first wave of excited movie-goers and Batman fans should be leaving myriad movie theatres, having seen the first showing of The Dark Knight. Hopefully, they're raving. In any case, I was thinking about Batman tonight, and the question occured to me: why exactly is Batman so popular? And on a personal level, why do I prefer Batman to Superman?
I suppose I could say that Batman has no powers whereas the Man of Steel has powers out the proverbial wazoo, meaning that Batman is so awesome and such a superhero that he doesn't even need laser vision or the ability to lift a semitruck to fight the Forces of Evil. I might also note that Batman is a bit more realistic; after all, it is entirely possible that some real-world millionaire might learn martial arts skills, buy or make weapons and a costume, and start creeping around city streets. Supes, on the other hand, is essentially an alien being come to help us. If Independence Day is any guide, most aliens would rather blow us to bits.
But it occurred to me that there's another reason I like Batman, which is that Batman is vastly more human than Superman, or most other superheroes for that matter. I don't mean "human" as in "not immortal" or, in the case of Peter Parker (Spider-Man), "socially-awkward-and-romantically-inept-yet-with-a-heart-of gold". I mean human as in "flawed".
See, something that's always bugged me about Superman is that he is the quintessential Nice Guy. His alter ego, Clark Kent, puts up this constant front of "Naive Farm-Boy From Smallville", while Supes himself is often known as the Big Blue Boy Scout (nothing against Boy Scouts, of course. I'm just saying.) Superman is the perfect hero, the good guy that sweeps in to fight the Forces of Evil. The one time he even inches towards turning to the dark side, the moment's significant enough to get him a whole movie (Superman III). And, in the end, he heroically overcomes his evil nature and becomes Mr. Nice Guy once again.
Batman, on the another hand, is anything but a Nice Guy. Even his alter-ego, Bruce Wayne, is less than wholesome; in Batman Begins, Bruce frolics in a pool with two lovely young European women. Try to imagine Clark Kent frolicking in a pool with any woman, much less two. And as for Bats himself....well, the best way to illustrate the difference is to use an example from the Justice League animated series. In the episode The Enemy Below, the Justice League is interrogating a captured sniper who attempted to kill Aquaman. Batman takes the guy aside, and says, "Let me give you one word of advice." He then says something very quietly in the guy's ear, and instantly the sniper cracks and tells what he knows. Wonder Woman asks Superman what Batman said, and Superman says, "You don't want to know." And he's probably right. By contrast, in the episode Injustice For All (boy, don't you love how nerdy this conversation has gotten? I know I do), Superman tries to interrogate the captured supervillain Copperhead. But Copperhead just laughs him off. You see, criminals, supervillians, and the like, they don't fear Superman, not really. They do fear Batman. Why?
I think it's because while Batman is not Mr. Nice Guy, he is still a hero. Batman may flirt with the lines between good and evil, justice and blind revenge, but he never crosses that line. Batman is so much more intense and emotionally developed than Superman, which allows him to go places that Superman could rarely go. And yet, he still has a clear concept of the lines between good and evil, and he holds to that line, even in the darkest moments.
Something else I just thought of, and it is a bit religious in nature, so if you're not into religious-type discussion, I humbly ask you to indulge me. Superman gets a lot of comparisons to Christ. Jesus was sent from heaven by his father, Superman from Krypton by his. Etc., etc. etc. I thought about it and it occured to me that Batman himself might make a good Christ-figure as well. See, Superman could easily pass for the Son of God, the perfect one who never sinned. But only Batman could be the Son of Man, the one who came down to Earth and lived among mankind. (Remember in Batman Begins where Bruce does his little trip in Asia?)
Superman is not one of us, Batman is .If Christianity was just like Superman, then, to me, it would have stopped with the idea that God is perfect and we're not, end of story. But it didn't stop there (take note, spammers) The point of Christianity is more like Batman; that someone came down, was part of us, knows our fears and our feelings, and yet rises above that to save us from ourselves. I'm not saying we should all start praying to Batman now, but even so....it's interesting to think about.
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Comments (208)
Interesting. Honestly, I don't know why anyone is a big Superman fan. Batman is a much deeper character, for all of the reasons that you described. The only other non-cookie cutter stand-alone comic-turned-movie franchise hero that isn't totally cookie cutter is Spiderman, and though I really do like him as well, I find Batman much more intriguing. He's much more complex. And, actually, now that you mention it...I think that watching him battle the darkness within himself is probably a large part of the appeal. Fascinating.
**gasp** I had the first comment? Awesome! Do I get a prize? Can I do the first comment dance?
I love the last paragraph of this post.
I'll pray to Batman, but never to Wayne. Wayne is the darkside.
and Superman's a ploofe, too
Batman has such cool toys
I wish I possesed the eloquence to write this, for it is exactly why I adore Batman so much more than Sups. Also, that scene from Justice League is so funny! I am eternally indept to the hubby for making me watch all the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. The hubby likes Superman better; he says Sups is a lot more twisted and tortured than people give him credit for: He cites the scene in the last episode of JL when Sups fights Doomsday and mentions how hard it is to live in a world of tissue paper, afraid that even one small mistake on his part could kill millions. Plus, while Bruce lost his parents, Clark lost his planet, home, people, culture and family - ie. he is the last of his kind, a refugee on our world more than a savior. And yet, he remains a force for good instead of hatred.
I respect Superman, but I still prefer Batman. ~ L
This is damn brilliant. I'm really enjoying your posts.
I've always liked Batman the best. He's just a regular guy, who rose to the challenge of being a hero. Plus, it doesn't hurt that Christian Bale is playing him in the movies...*grin*
Thanks for sharing this.
Now, come on... we all know that Star Trek is the true guide to what Extra Terrestrial life is really about. I mean, come on... where have you been? Under a rock??
And so far, no vulcan or klingon has shown themselves to be able to fly...
By the way... I prefer Batman too. He's just... cooler. But X-Men is my very favorite... Wolverine freaking rocks!
Interesting post but superman has more comparisons to christ, batman might make a great christ like fugure but in a vastly different way. He didnt come down from anywhere, he isnt perfect he has a darkside he has his own demons that he must fight, which is what makes him more realistic interesting and someone we could relate to.
I grew up watching the 60s batman who was in personality alot like superman, which sucked. He was so clean so pure so righteous so just it was sickening.
Cool discussion. You're right Batman was invented to be the more human hero during that era when comic books were transforming from empty ideals to more realistic stories. Newer incarnations of superman have become more and more human but he can never fully escape that kinda absurd conception upon which he was built. And also his fans complain big time if any writer actually starts to implement any flaws in Superman's character.
Me, I prefer Batman to Superman just because Superman's an idiot. Really the number of stupid things he does in every incarnation is almost uncountable. And the reason he's stupid is obvious. If he wasn't, there'd never be any challenge for him. He's that powerful. So in order to create dramatic tension, the writers have to make him dumb as dirt. It's the only way.
for me, batman himself is more or less a blank slate. what makes his world interesting are the villians.
Also, everyone in the general public hates Batman, except for a few good souls (who are also generally unpopular). Last I checked Christ wasn't everybody's favorite guy.
I think that your ideas about why Batman is more awesome than Superman are very good. I think his two-sided personality is appealing too... the naive, flamboyant Bruce Wayne vs. the dark vigilante Batman.
Considering how Marvel's claim to glory was "more real, flawed, human heros" (ie Ironman, Spiderman, Punisher, etc) it's important to remember that Batman was the original human hero. Also, one of the best things about Batman, although you don't see it coming up as much these days as it used to with Batman: The Animated Series and Frank Miller's Dark Knight bits, Batman is a detective. This lead to some of the best episodes of any cartoon as I used to be enthralled while he unraveled the case, figuring out who was doing this and how to get to them. The Clayface episode was the best.
I can't wait to hear what you think of the new movie. I think you will definitely appreciate a lot of aspects of it. That's all I'm going to say because I hate spoilers.
This is so very well written. I never really thought about which of the two I like more and I'm realizing that it reallyis Batman.
Funny thing, Bobby's dad just bought the old Batman (with Adam West) movie on Blueray disc for him. I can't wait to watch it, since it's been years. Break out the shark repellent!
This one really SHOULD be featured!
Excellent post. Superman is really too goody two shoes. And that curl on that forehead always makes me shudder = /
@woodrowwilson -
!
Superman exposes his face. :(
I looooved this!
I've always been a fan of all superheroes, but I loved superman and batman equally. Some people may shake their heads at me and say that it's impossible (like being a cubs and a sox fan) but I can appreciate both of their qualities and faults and cannot choose one over the other.
As for Batman being a Christ-like figure, I'm going to have to disagree with you. While your argument is a good one, Christ did come down and he did live among us and he was truly human, but he was still without sin, which Batman is not and is no where near being. Also Christ was a friend to sinners and to the nobodys. He came not to just save the innocent, but also the bad guy. and Batman has a low tolerance for bad guys (understandably) and is unforgiving, but that's why he is human.
I know my argument is no where near as eloquent and well written as yours (hence the reason I spent more time in the art studio then at the debate club) but that's all I got.
there was one thing I wanted to mention about superman. I love him because he is an illegal alien who stands for truth, justice and the american way. Why can't we all just look at superman and realize that immigrants make america the way it is? lol.
@silentautumnlife - Amen!!! I totally agree with you there!
@musicisoxygen - yaaayy! you win the Golden Kewpie Doll! (incidentally, I agree, Batman has much more depth. )
@muzical_writer735 - I'm rather fond of it myself. :P
@Edgebreak - I wonder what that makes Alfred?
@qccan - not to mention, in Superman Returns, he got Lois pregnant and walked out on her? what's up with that?
@yingforyouryang - oh yeah. Batarangs FTW!
@empress8411 - yeah, I don't mean to knock Superman too much, I suppose. Heh, heh. Batman's still better, though. And Justice League was awesome.
@Blue__Summer - that's another thing, most superheroes get their powers by accident, Batman made himself a superhero. How much more heroic can you get?
@Papillon_Mom - or shoot lasers, or heat vision, or....
yeah, X-Men's cool, too. I didn't even mention anyone from the Marvel comics universe....
@The_Moesta - Batman as a Nice Guy....I shudder at the thought.
@silentautumnlife - indeed it does sound familiar....cool. Maybe I should start praying to Batman now. :P
@nephyo - like in Superman III when Gus Gorman (in disguise) gave him the evil kryptonite? If I were Superman, and my only weakness were green glowing rocks, I'd be a bit, oh...alarmed if anyone gave me a green glowing rock, wouldn't you?
@woodrowwilson - oh, yeah. Batman's villains rock.
@sigma_C_eq - excellent analogy...and yet both have their small core of devoted fans. yaaayy!
@Ufbad - Feat of Clay? I just watched that last night! Cool.
@EilisAngelos - I'm still intent on seeing the Adam West movie. *envy envy envy*
@Legendairy - well.....you know what to do....*wink wink*
@jaded_maudlin - you won't see Batman with a curl, I promise you that.
@be_lie - yep...and his only disguise is a pair of glasses. I mean, that's not exactly foolproof, is it?
@buckeyegirl31 - you're welcome. ooh, a Mini!
@TheSecretLifeOfPandas - infidel! begone!
:P you have a really good point there. Batman isn't perfect, no. But he's still cool.
the only thing people like Superman coz he has a immortal ability and it was such a power we never possess
that's why we all love supernatural, sci-fi, fantasy things :)
i'm Batman fan for sure :)
this post is very interesting , thanks for sharing thought
@VaultESL - :flees: aah! i'm sorry that my views are different from yours!!!!
lol. yes, batman is cool. I'm a fan.
I'd also like to point out that the evil kryptonite is red and not green, hellooo!
so he accepted it. I mean gosh, it's an easy mistake.
ha ha.