Daily Comics Digression #14: The Hero We Need, But Don't Deserve

Daily Comics Digression #14: The Hero We Need, But Don't Deserve

Let's talk about why Batman and Superman are two of the most important superheroes, just behind Spider-Man in significance. First off, the importance of these two is due to the fact that these characters basically invented what superheroes are: caped costumes, secret identities, special abilities, and a distinctly American vision of vigilantism. Bruce Wayne-Batman and Clark Kent-Superman represent two different sides of the same coin in regards to power fantasy, one that especially appeals to young men. Like night and day, they are both related parts of the same function. Today, we're going to focus on Batman specifically.

Bruce Wayne, the billionaire philanthropist who masquerades as Batman at night, represents a kind of life fantasy that many still possess. Is it not the American Dream to become rich and successful, the envy of all? Wayne, not unlike James Bond, lives a high society life and has many romances with beautiful women. However, unlike Bond's rakish personality, Wayne is able to have his hedonistic lifestyle cake and eat it too through his philanthropy. Bruce is a facade, after all. He doesn't really put his worth into his public reputation as a shallow playboy. He really, in fact, only does those indulgent things to cover for the fact that he has a heart of gold, giving countless fortunes away to charity all while trying to make his city a better place through his superhero persona. In one respect, Batman represents the American ideal of trying to have it all, both in material possessions and in moral conscience.

Batman himself represents many things. He stands for the common man who is able to better himself through mental discipline and training. Batman strains the definitions of the superhero; seeing as he does not actually possess any super powers, yet he overcomes impossible challenges due to the humanistic idea that man can triumph over his world though self improvement. Batman also stands for the kind of vigilantism that sees corruption in the world and seeks to change it. He's a one man revolution. A young man looks at Batman as an implausible ideal, yet also one that should be pursued. A paradox of morality, Batman upholds the law while breaking many laws and societal norms, serving a higher form of justice.

Plus, he's very, very cool.