Celebrate Batman Day!
Since his appearance in Detective Comics in May, 1939, Batman has endured as one of the best known heroes in comics history. It’s difficult to say why this particular character has captured the imagination and has maintained the spotlight and outshone so many other characters. He was originally invented when DC Comics wanted another superhero to follow the phenomenal success of “Superman”. Although Batman’s initial appearance was only six pages long, his 85-plus year run has proven his significance in the world of comics.
Why Batman? Perhaps he’s endured because, unlike other superheroes, he’s a normal human being without superpowers. His powers come from being rich and having a lot of gadgets, as well as honing his exceptional martial arts and acrobatics skills. But in the end, he’s still a human being, and therefore closer to the rest of us than almost all of the other superheroes. He is not invulnerable (unlike, for example, the “Man of Steel”) and therefore his weaknesses, too, are closer to our own. His origins with the tragic death of his parents giving him the resolve to fight crime, also belie a humanity that gives him a very mortal face.
Another reason for his endurance is that Batman has evolved over the ages. I taught myself to tell time at about the age of six so that I could know when “Batman” was on. The very campy, very cheesy Batman portrayed by Adam West engaged me at that time in my life quite effectively. The evolution from “Caped Crusader” to “the Dark Knight” did not happen overnight, but the comic drew in a more mature audience with Tim Burton’s films in the 1980’s. It reflected a much darker, more profound type of superhero that gave him a much more three-dimensional aspect, and so he evolved as time progressed. Batman now is significantly darker and more down to earth than he used to be. He is more psychologically complex, and as readers we feel his anguish. The need to fight crime comes not from wanting to acquire fame or fortune, but from his early childhood, and an ache deep inside of himself that drives him to do oppose those who would do harm to his beloved Gotham City.
As the popular saying goes, “The most important thing in life is to be yourself. Unless you can be Batman instead. Then be Batman”. And despite the psychological complexity of the character, who wouldn’t want to be Batman? Putting away criminals like the Joker and the Riddler, making out with Catwoman and living your life’s goal to end crime in your city, these are all hallmarks of a life well lived in the service of good. So, if you can be Batman, always be Batman. However, I think someone else has already claimed the job!
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