Why Batman?
Why do we love Batman? Weird that it’s so enthralling that a rich man with parental issues dressed up as a bat in a universe overflowing with bright, colorful aliens and gods. Batman has appeared across pages since 1939, so long that he’s one of the most recognizable and treasured characters in history. It’s not the way he dresses that separates him from most superheroes; it’s because he’s the most analyzed, deconstructed, and captivating to traverse in all shapes of media and literature. Despite the darker and grimy nature, Batman inspires his audience across all ages and demographics.
It seems obvious Batman shouldn’t be a relatable character, a million-dollar playboy by day, a crime-fighting protector by night. We’re no faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a tank, and can’t jump over the Shanghai Tower in one single leap. So he has no superpowers, he’s only human, no different than me and you, therefore making him relatable and attainable. What I’m saying is that even you can be Batman. No, I don’t mean you can be Phoenix Jones from Seattle, WA, but you can become a symbol of hope. Don’t bother saying, “I can never show hope to other people” or “No one is a symbol of hope in our world” because we already have people who have shown hope. Look at Ke Huy Quan, Tyler Perry, or Oprah Winfrey because they have represented what hope looks like in their life.
So now, how does Batman show hope? Just like us, he’s a man that understands the system is too broken and corrupt, so he had to take the law into his own hands to make things right. Batman is the hero who protects us from the monsters that hide in the shadows because he is a monster created by those same shadows. He’s attacked a secret organization assassinating significant figures; if that sounds familiar, he’s defeated terrorists, arsonists, and serial killers. He shines his beacon of hope in the sky every night to strike fear into those criminals who harm us. We may not have the money, body, and intelligence like Batman, but we can stand up to those who make the shadows our greatest fear.
“I am vengeance, I am the night, I AM BATMAN!”
-Batman: The Animated Series