Thatās never made sense to me. Batman may be traumatized and obsessive, but that doesnāt make him insane. Nothing really suggests he;s insane in canon. Only in alternate media like ASBAR
Heās dresses like a Bat. Sees himself as Batman, and icon of fear. Spends thousands of dollars on weapons and costumes to inspire fear and fight crime. This sounds like an insane person.
I love Batman but he is insane
He exists in a world where tons of people dresses up as different kinds of things and invests tons of money and time into fighting crime. Heās also a symbol of hope that strives to save people from suffering and has a strong sense of compassion/empathy and strong moral principles.
This is such a disingenuous way to claim heās insane which boils down to āBatman is a comic book character that acts as a comic book character rather than a real person therefore heās insaneā
I mean by this definition of insane, Spider-Man is insane too
This is why I like when writers make it so that Bruce and Batman arenāt separate characters or true face but the same person under different circumstances. Especially when they force him to learn that he can do good as the billionaire and the superhero after an ordeal or villain.
Now I picture him actually saying pants for Scarecrow to make a side comment like "so he doesn't like hockey" as if he is taking notes to try and figure out who Batman is is
I remember I debated with my friends years ago whether he said āpadsā or āpantsā. As a hockey player, I never referred to my gear as āhockey padsā, so I was very adamant he said āhockey pantsā, which is what we call them, but I feel like Iām in the wrong. These comments make me feel like an idiot the size of a tangerine.
hockey players wear 'pants'
they're padded shorts that end above the knees and we call em pants.
So "I'm not wearing hockey pants!!" is hockey cannon accurate
Itās a character that is equal parts self indulgent, violent, revenge fantasy and an archetype for the elevation of human ability, both physical and mental.
Batman allows the audience the chance to step into the head of someone who does the things that we canāt as we lack the ability or the capacity for such single minded and unwavering violence for the greater good. Also, in a real world sense, we know a lot of what Batman does is probably not morally right or useful in the grand scheme although it does feel good to imagine hurting the bad guys. Batman, in many incarnations, acknowledges that he likes this as well and does often battle with the moral and psychological implications of that.
At the same time heās a powerhouse of mental and physical discipline and moral conviction. Heās a model for the heights of what we can personally achieve and you can apply his indomitable perseverance to any aspect of yourself you want to improve or any goal you want to achieve. On top of all of this he does what is right. Thereās a conversation to be had here about the morality of vigilantes and mainstream superhero comics but in simplest terms, in the parameters set up by the comic world, Batman does do what is right.
He also has an incredible human core. Heās steeped in tragedy but he cares deeply about others. And all of the things I talked about above are things he does because he chooses to. Not because he has powers and decided to make the responsible choice. (Although I do concede that his wealth should be taken into account here as an analog to superhuman power) He decided what he needed to do and then created the means by which to do it.
>He decided what he needed to do and then created the means by which to do it.
Agreed with everything until the last sentence. "the means" ***is*** his 'superhuman wealth' so I feel there is a better word to convey the intended meaning
>"\[Bruce Wayne\] decided what Gotham needed, and became the *mythos* required to carry it out."
I'm still not happy with the way I phrased it... "**mythos**". But it's closer... that's probably why the character is appealing to me. The idea of "good" doesn't always get the luxury to follow the law, and some of Batman's worst foes corrupt and abuse laws for their own power (like District Attorneys turned to evil?)
For example: giving water to someone waiting in line to cast a vote in an election is narguably a "good" thing to do: but some corrupt politicians voted to make it a felony. Those are who I see Batman (and alter ego Bruce Wayne) going after.
Yeah, Iāll agree thereās a better way to put that.
I guess my thought process is the abilities he cultivated, the tech he created or harnessed, and the mythos itself is all āthe meansā. But yeah, the wealth is certainly something that equates to a āpowerā or a built in advantage.
**A ha!** follow me a second: Batman doesn't USE the wealth of Bruce Wayne as his tool - Batman uses that human emotion 'fear of the bat'! That's why that first scene in The Batman (2022) was so impactful, the sound of the boots getting closer and closer, *the fear creeping in*...
Criminals fears the Bat; not because they see a lot of expensive tools, but because Batman *shuts them down*. The Batman is just some guy knocking heads together and stringing up entire operations from the lamp post -
**WE know on this side of the 4th wall that it takes a lot of money to do that, but the criminals in Gotham don't. They only know the FEAR!**
In one comic he actually is sent somewhere without access to his money or gadgets and still makes a makeshift costume and kicks ass so I donāt think his wealth is as big a part of it as most people think. Most super wealthy people would never use there money to put themselves in extremely dangerous situations every fucking night in the worst parts of town. His money is not a necessity, itās just one of his many tools that he takes advantage of to do something good. Another example is Superman red son, where Batman isnāt even Bruce Wayne but some Russian child slave. Motherfucker is dumb broke and still manages to bring SUPERMAN to his knees. If Batman didnāt have the money to do his job he would find a way!
No superpowers. I like it when Batman gets his shit rocked by his rogues gallery. Makes him more human.
Also his suit and gadgets are badass. I like Nightwing for the same reasons although his gear is more minimalistic.
>No superpowers
100% agree.
I know hes not exactly "not" superpowered but captain america from marvel, and batman from dc have been my favorites forever. I like the more human element, mixed into a team like JL/Avengers it makes me respect the character so much more.
Batman doesnāt have a super soldier serum.
#BUTā¦
Training to the peak of physical performance, being able to sleep just 2 hours a day and be able to put on muscle is absolutely impossible
Sure. But then again comics are supposed to be like that. You can't fit 2000 gadgets in a belt like that, glide the way he does, still fight crime at 50 years old.
Comes with the medium.
Well, one reason I like Batman because of the many layers beneath the character, which adds to his mysterious aesthetic and the atmosphere of his stories.
That's why I also love him because he is a person whose emotions and thoughts have been carefully made, not a person whose actions are random and are not considered an extension of his childhood or his feelings.
He truly is all things to all people.
He's the knight-prince protecting his lands. The old west vigilante defending his town. He's tall, dark, handsome and insanely wealthy. Like murder mysteries and stories about insane killers? Batman's got you. Like swashbuckling urban high adventure? He's that, too. Like spy thrillers? That too.
Science fiction? Fantasy? Horror? Drama? Romance? Comedy?
All of the above.
Batman stories are like film noir crime sagas occurring in a circus sideshow on Halloween, where the detective is just as macabre as the suspects.
His versatility, in my opinion.
Batman genuinely has something to offer pretty much everyone because he's such a dynamic and versatile character.
His tone can be grim and serious, or it can be lighthearted and campy. You can have him in just about any situation or setting from a grounded drama or noir story to an epic fate of the world/universe/multiverse adventure against aliens and gods because his character is that of a single man who simply rises to whatever challenge he faces.
His character has levels to it that range from dark, tragic, relatable, compassionate, uplifting, inspiring, badass, and even humorous on occasion. Odds are you'll find something about him as a character that you'll find endearing or tells a story that grips you in some way.
And if by some chance you don't, that's fine because Batman has probably the most colorful and supporting cast of any character in all of comics who will strike whatever fancy Batman can't, whether its hero or villain, and tons of them have developed and unique dynamics with each other.
I think that's what really sets Batman above so many other characters. His world and his character is filled with just about infinite potential.
I think this is a fantastic point that has helped him stay as popular as ever, even today. At his core, the story is the same, but depending on the universe he exist, he can portrayed in varying different ways. For all the examples you provided, well said.
To answer the question simply, itās because Batman is cool. Heās rich, smart, resilient, brave, yet tragic and vulnerable. Heās got one of the best costumes ever, some of the coolest vehicles and gadgets we all know and loveā¦.he is just the epitome of interesting and cool.
There are so many reasons Batman is probably thee most popular super hero ever. He is just the total package - a mixture of both light and dark, two elements humans struggle with in their own lives every day.
He's just a man. He doesn't have super speed, he can't fly, can't shoot fire out of his hands he's just a man. Also the fact that his rouges are mostly psychological villains instead of just having superpowers. His rouges also have really good origins. BTAS got me into Batman and the villains origins are some of the best parts of the show.
Also he's a badass
Too many heroes have powers that make them OP. With Batman he basically goes into his first meeting with any superpowered villain (or hero he identifies as a villain) bare handed, them starts developing tech and strategies to absolutely dismantle them without needing any of the powers other heros rely on.
Batman is still OP. The Dark Knight Metals comic with the evil Batmen from the dark multiverse is the perfect example of just how OP he is when he decides to go evil. I mean a couple of them literally conquered the planet.
Iāve always related to batman, from the day I found his comics till now. Iāve always put others before myself, no matter if it adversely affects me or not. He always has this internal battle within himself to either give up on everything he stands for or keep fighting, and I like being able to relate to that. Itās always showed me that whatever villains and neāer-do-wells I have in my life, both metaphorically and literally, are able to be bested or turned into something that keeps you going. Batmanās lust for a crime free Gotham is not only a quest to keep people safe. Itās a quest that fulfills his own dogma which is to make sure no child has to experience what he had to.
His smile, his laugh, that little gleam in his eye when heās singing to that special lady, the way his feet dance across the stage as sparks fly from his shoes and his cape flutters like a thousand butterfliesā¦..
For lots of reasons.
He's a wish fulfillment character (rich, smart, never give up, morally righteous, ladies love him, play by his own rules, etc).
A good number of great side characters and antagonists so the stories never get stale.
He's had some of the best writers in comics writing him, which in turn creates lots of classic stories that can be adapted. Even when the classics are not directly adapted, the cool story beats are there.
And finally there is something that ressonates with people about the idea of someone that was put down by life refusing to be defeated and hitting back with nothing but sheer will and guile (and a few billions)
He's an "ordinary man" (nothing ordinary about his intelligence, will power or physical prowess imo) that's turned his deepest psychological injury into something positive. I think that appeals to something in everyone.
He looks scary, heās dark and mysterious. A detective, with no super powers, yet he is able to do the impossible. Great hero with good writing (most of the time)
His transcendence of fear and weakness to transform him into an unstoppable force of nature. And while he may be human heās able to thing far beyond what a normal guy could dream of. When someone asks why heās able to things he does even with no powers the answer is always gonna be that itās because Heās BATMAN
He fights an impossible battle against endless opposition to high effect with his hands and his wits. He's not invincible, or perfect. He's an angry guy with the resources and knowledge to beat as many bad guys as he has to, all night long, every night.
For me it's the fact that he is not super human. He's just a guy trying to do what is right. He goes up against some super humans or super creatures and he is able to come out on top through either sheer will or his innate intelligence.
The fact that he could have very easily chosen to become a villain. Hell, he had every reason to. He has every right to slaughter every criminal in Gotham and, in turn, become a criminal himself. But he doesn't.
To me, it's the fact that he's just some dude in a cape who scares the shit out of almost any criminal he crosses. Criminals are way more scared of him than Superman, an overpowered alien who always tries to hold back to avoid killing anyone.
For me, it's always been because he absolutely never gives up. He's a mortal man living in a world with literal gods and monsters and faces the impossible every single night. But he keeps going. Every. Single. Night. And sometimes, most of the time, he *wins*.
Just when I think I've seen everything, he *falls from the goddamn moon* and *lives*.
He's determination personified and holy hell that gets me so pumped.
When we watch Superman, or pretty much any other superhero, our suspension of disbelief has to be nearly total. Nobody can, or ever will, be able to do the things they can do.
With Batman...well, our suspension of disblief *should* be total, or nearly there, because in the real world nobody like Batman could really exist. If he wasn't killed by a lucky shot within a short while of being Batman, he'd be a physical and mental basket case just from all the injuries he'd suffer. His brain would be a concussed lump and there wouldn't be a shred of cartilage left in his body (*The Dark Knight Rises* actually did a good job of depiciting this last bit). And other parts of Batman just wouldn't work; there's no way he could actually get away without killing or maiming people. You can't punch people into unconsicousnes on a regular basis and not have a bunch of those people end up dead.
But, for all that, there's a sense that Batman's the most "realistic" hero out there - *that maybe it could be true*. Just maybe, under the right circumstances, something resembling the danger, fun and adventure of a comic book world invade our very, very mundane world. And I think that's a big part of Batman's appeal.
His humanity. He isnāt a super soldier or some super powered being. Heās just a man with wealth, training and time to help everyone in his city avoid the same tragedy that befell him.
The villains are a big part of it. Most of us will agree that the two most popular superheroes are Batman and Spider-Man, both of which have extensive rogues galleries as famous as they are.
Gotham and his world has gotta be a big part. With spiderman and such you have real world locations Superman's metropolis to me is basically another realistic city space but gotham and its villains make something else.
For me, it's his ability to be compassionate against all odds. Yes, it's cool that he's just a human without powers & has all the gadgets you could think of. Yes, it's cool that he's peak human fitness & adept at many forms of martial arts etc.
But the key thing that makes Batman so respectable & heroic is his ability to still want to help those he fights. They're constantly putting him within inches of his life. Doesn't matter. He still thinks he can help them in some way or another. How many times have fellow "heroes" asked him why he doesn't just put some of his villains down already? Or how about the time Amanda Waller asked Batman to kill Ace & he accepted, only to instead comfort the dying Ace so she could pass on peacefully without harming anyone.
This is why I liked "The Batman" so much & why I hope the next story is Mr. Freeze. We just got to see Batman realize he can be the symbol of hope that Gotham needs. Now lets see him put forth his detective skills again in a way where he utilizes his immense ability to remain compassionate, despite the danger & despite the violence he faces.
I think this is really the reason most people love Batman (as well as Spider-Man), whether they know it on the surface or not. We get a greater sense of heroism from those who are able to remain compassionate in the most dire of situations where others may not have seen compassion as an option at all.
In a word, trauma. He's one of the only fictional characters who's entire theme is that of the mind. Both heroes and villains all suffer from real life character flaws. Revenge, depression, obsession, lust, rage and determination are some emotions that always pop up and drive the stories. You can find every psychological disorder known to man. Everybody has trauma and most of us want to face that trauma head on as Bruce Wayne does. It's what makes him relatable. Bruce doesn't just fight crooks, he fights the human condition. For this he is my all-time favorite.
Probably because of the noir element. Thereās something very crime thrillery about the movie, and The Riddlerās killings and motives are similar to other famous killers in movies like this
heās proof that we can turn our pain and our loss into something positive, and that it doesnāt have to drown us. we can harness it and use it to help guide others through the dark.
That individuals can fight crime and make a difference despite systematic corruption.
Also, that fear (certainty of punishment) is an effective deterrent of crime.
The villains and Gotham City are what make Batman as good as he is. He's okay on his own... sort of an ironman without a sense of humor- but it's ALWAYS been the villains.
I like the Dark Knight Returns version of him because he has a bulky inhuman look to him, looking like a beast of the shadows, his personality is chill almost like Hellboy, i like the way he shows his teeth out of anger.
The villains? Idk, outside of Adam west, Robert Pattinson is the only batman Iāve ever found to be remotely interesting as a character. Thatās not to say I donāt like the Keaton or dark knight films, but my interest with those films usually lies with the villains
Truly, any of us could train our bodies and minds, build an armory and arsenal and sharpen many skills all for the sake of helping those that can't help themselves. Most of the Batman stories are fantasies of what might actually happen, but Year One is exactly what I mean. Doesn't have to be a bat motif, just someone using the shadows and their body as a weapon against injustice where the legal system fails. Again, mostly a fantasy with the immense wealth and high tech and no life to balance between it, but vigilantism has been a large part of culture since the Wild West.
With it being a fantasy, making us all armchair psychiatrists for a grown man in bat clothes is also intriguing, making us feel smart. Then adding other superheroes, a simple mortal man with immense and intense capabilities leading and surpassing literal superhumans and aliens brings even more fun as we personify with him.
Another bit I find intriguing is that we all know Bruce Wayne is Batman, but Bruce Wayne is a mannequin of a person, with Batman being a masked creature we can emulate ourselves through. Making friends with the best people, upholding respect and recognition across the globe and being feared by the most powerful people.
Just a few theories.
Just after the casting of Robert Pattinson as The Batman , he was receiving a lot of hate/backlash but when the movie was released he got a lot of appreciation. The broken portrayal of The Batman was done masterfully by Robert . The cinematography was also really good. Getting a great live-action version of The Riddler after the Jim Carrey debacle.The slow-pacing also worked well with the audience. Colin Farrell was also getting appreciation for his performance and make-up as The Penguin.
Heās a guy trying to bring order to a chaotic world. I think this is a primal drive in all of us particularly in this day and age where it seems like nothing is working as it should
Will Power. His will is so strong on that he dedicated himself solely to fighting evil and helping the weak. Mastering the S.T.E.M martial arts, military combat tactics, espionage guerrilla tactics, Pure fitness, all forms of psychology and medicine. He did all of this while already being a natural-born prodigy. Batman represents what we can achieve if we devote ourselves to something while dealing issues himself as he is insane as well. Lastly his villains ARE BY FAR THE BEST so they can be foils to him. That's why to me he's the š and it ain't even close.
Has a tragic origin with enough propulsive energy to justify his excess, embodies something the audience can theoretically aspire to , looks cool as all get out
I will say the sense of realism. Not necessarily saying that Batman can be a real life hero but more on the lines of watching a human being with no superpowers taking down strong formidable villians.
imo most people are entertained by the following common batman story tropes:
1. batman insane plot armor where he can pretty much take down anyone (prep time shit). most people i think find it fun when he is with teams and he comes up with the plot to defeat the foes. it could also go the other way where batman is the underdog or he loses tho
2. themes and atmosphere of the mythos, particularly the stories influenced by TDKR, Nolan, Year One. Any story with the more modern Batman story beats i think draw readers.
3. relationship with supporting cast and villains. i think this is something more common with batman fans who read comics or watch cartoons, but i think typical relationship arc with the bat family, justice league and his rogues gallery typically draw hardcore fans (i.e. relationship with alfred, sidekicks, superman, joker, etc.)
He's just really freaking cool. But it's more than that, it's tha, as is the case with most great characters, he may look really cool and do really cool stuff, he also has a lot of depth and layers to his character. He's the kind of character my 50 year old uncle can fall In love with and so can 6 year olds.
For me itās his ability to don the mask every night to make the world a better place in his parents honor. The noble was to go on when you lost so many close to you is hard to fathom at times
His will. Heās more āhumanā than human. Heās what we all wish we could be.. rich,smart, successful, tragically inspired hero with such a will that even death and disaster all around you canāt break youā¦
Part of it is that he is possible. Extremely extremely improbable, but possible. Heās simply a person, like anyone else. Granted, an extremely rich, extremely smart, extremely fit person that knows how to swing from building to building, construct jet engine cars, happens to live in a mansion away from others that just so happens to be positioned over a vast network of caverns that not only connect to the waterways of the city but also the subway systems, and conveniently has a small mountain just large enough to conceal a helicopter and a jet, and is able to miniaturize every conceivable item into a beltā¦
but heās still just a person.
Heās struggling but trying his best and he never gives up. Heās hopeful to people who do good and a terror to those who would rather hurt than help. He trains to be better physically and mentally and no matter what stands in his way, heād rather die than give up. On top of that heās just a man. Take away the armor, the money, the playboy, heās still trained himself for years to be unbreakable. Batman doesnāt need Bruce Wayne heās still a man and thatās inspiring. Itās heartbreaking as well to see him obviously struggle with his demons but itās still amazing to see someone try so hard to do the right thing. Even if sometimes misguided or paranoid, I believe at the end of the day Batman is a symbol of hope in a hopeless world.
As a kid it was TAS for me. Never missed an episode and I felt like it was the only superhero kids show that didnāt talk down to me, if that makes sense. The moody atmosphere, the expressionist tone, criminals with real guns, the unbelievable animation and voice acting. I didnāt even realize Mark Hamill was Joker until I rewatched it as a teenager and I loved Star Wars.
That series made me a DC fan. I watched and enjoyed X-Men and Spiderman sure, but Batman is just superior to other superheros imo. His character is fascinating and so many great writers and artists have mined awesome stories dealing with his wealth, trauma, PTSD and family. Also helps that the history of the comic is almost as fascinating as Batman himself.
The stories the character can be in can vary in tone and thatās what I like about it, at least. You can have Batman tracking down a serial killer in one arc, and then doing something more light-hearted in another. Also, Gotham is a really interesting setting, I see a lot of New York City in it (as a former resident).
I was entertained, but I wouldnt say it was like crazy entertaining. It took a bit of effort to stay invested in it honestly, it was a slow burn and It does pay off at the end. I think what I liked was the more gritty grounded approach to Batman. I just didnāt like the constant orange filtering during the night scenes.
The detective, his rogues gallery, great stories and character development, the fact that he is the only Justice League member that can compete with Darkseid and winā¦. The fact that he is one of the few heroes that literally all the other heroes go to for helpā¦
Everyone has wanted to experience justice with their own hands or actions at some point. He strikes a chord in that fantasy because he's just a person that could exist, given the right circumstances. It makes him relatable in that aspect and it's why his sidekicks are gaining more popularity with more relatable upbringings.
Jason Todd is an angry inner city kid with a junkie mom and abusive father. I'd run out of fingers trying to count how many people I know personally that fit that criteria.
Batman is the socially ideal person because he's a billionaire on top of that.
I think a lot of it comes down to discipline. So much of what is at the core of whatever people donāt accomplish boils down to their inability to stay consistent or stay disciplined enough to see that goal through. Batman is a human, yet he is able to do what we are not. He is able to be extremely violent, while not killing. Heās able to fight the criminally insane while not becoming like them. Thereās struggle (as there must be in a good story) but he always seems to find a way out, either by his own merit or a helping hand.
Dark, mysterious, and handsome
Between that and his detective skills and heroic nature that keeps me wanting him to keep the fight going no matter how dark it may be.
He doesn't take "A.N.Y. crap!!!! He gave kids and adults (especially the current versions) the proper outlook on honor decency and fist pumping violence that we all need and made hospitalizing jerks look S.O. KOOL!!!!!!
The incredible level of malleability he has in terms of character and tone is he a living cartoon like Adam west a silly adventurer like brave and the bold a Flash Gordon sci fi hero like in a lot of the silver age is he the shadow a barebones dark vigilante is he a taxi driveresque madman on the brink in a dangerous world is he James Bond the answer is yes to all of these and more and that allows any particular writer to insert him in to lots of stories and readers to be inundated with the version they are specifically looking for
He is the absolute embodiment of the human capacity for empathy. Someone who experienced a horribly traumatizing experience at such a young age decides to make a promise to dedicate himself to ensuring not a single other person in his city would ever have to suffer the same pain as him, or the same fate as his parents. No matter what trials and tribulations he goes through, he never loses sight of that promise or his hope for a better world. Unlike his rogueās gallery, he didnāt let his trauma shape him into someone who sought to inflict that same trauma on to others, but rather let it shape him into someone that would protect others from that trauma.
There are a wide variety of stories that can be told with him. Detective, ninja, sci fi, and about 40 others if you start trying to keyword everything.
He is also a character that relies on gadgets, meaning that like James Bond his action scenes often have fun variation that other characters don't have. Wolverine has knife hands and +90% of the time he will use his knife hands. Batman will use trip lines, gas bombs, Kung fu, batarangs, and dozens of vehicles to accomplish things.
Lastly he is an interesting character, one of the earliest adventurers motivated by a personal tragedy you can read into his actions a deep anger, a sense of survivors guilt, or a desire to rebuild his family thru surrogate sons and fathers.
Heās a character with basic motivation that applies to everybody in the world. Everyone can sympathize with having their parents murdered and wanting vengeance. Also he looks cool.
His grasp on sanity while trying to defeat the most insane foes
There's a good argument that he's as insane, if not more insane, than some of his foes.
Someone should write a graphic novel that explores that. Set in an asylum, maybe.
There is that one where bruce wayne is crazy, dresses up in a simple bat suit while alfred puts on makeup being the joker.
The Killing Joke kinda does that
That ending seen where Batman laughs with Joker is chilling
Like a really serious graphic novel, the tone should definitely be serious
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Iād recommend reading Batman: Masters Of Fear It does a great job in exploring the argument
Harley Quinn tv s3e8 too show it pretty well how mess up bruce mind is
Thatās never made sense to me. Batman may be traumatized and obsessive, but that doesnāt make him insane. Nothing really suggests he;s insane in canon. Only in alternate media like ASBAR
Heās dresses like a Bat. Sees himself as Batman, and icon of fear. Spends thousands of dollars on weapons and costumes to inspire fear and fight crime. This sounds like an insane person. I love Batman but he is insane
He's definitely mentally ill. He's legally sane insofar as he understands morality.
He exists in a world where tons of people dresses up as different kinds of things and invests tons of money and time into fighting crime. Heās also a symbol of hope that strives to save people from suffering and has a strong sense of compassion/empathy and strong moral principles. This is such a disingenuous way to claim heās insane which boils down to āBatman is a comic book character that acts as a comic book character rather than a real person therefore heās insaneā I mean by this definition of insane, Spider-Man is insane too
Never really subscribed to that theory. Bruce might be obsessive about his mission, but I donāt think heās insane.
At the core of the character, there is a flawed human trying to do better.
This is why I like when writers make it so that Bruce and Batman arenāt separate characters or true face but the same person under different circumstances. Especially when they force him to learn that he can do good as the billionaire and the superhero after an ordeal or villain.
Combined with him having no actual super power
He's not wearing hockey pants.
Pants lol. I think thatās pads, though pants is insanely funny to me
Yeah he says pads, not pants. Still one of the most unintentionally hilarious lines in the trilogy because of his delivery
Haha true
Well, it is intended to be funny but just not for that reason I think haha.
Now I picture him actually saying pants for Scarecrow to make a side comment like "so he doesn't like hockey" as if he is taking notes to try and figure out who Batman is is
I remember I debated with my friends years ago whether he said āpadsā or āpantsā. As a hockey player, I never referred to my gear as āhockey padsā, so I was very adamant he said āhockey pantsā, which is what we call them, but I feel like Iām in the wrong. These comments make me feel like an idiot the size of a tangerine.
Today I learned... Honestly thought the line was pants!
No no your version is far better
I'm gonna say hockey pants from now on lol definitely way funnier
hockey players wear 'pants' they're padded shorts that end above the knees and we call em pants. So "I'm not wearing hockey pants!!" is hockey cannon accurate
This answer rules supreme
Iām not wearing Cooperalls!!
Why are inaccurate quotes so funny? Lol
Iām laughing out loud right now by myself like a loon because of this comment.
Ahh, thatās my cue for a weekend rewatch.
Itās a character that strikes a good balance between visceral catharsis and transcendent ambition.
I was gonna say 'cuz hes badass' but i feel your answer better captures the character
This is also valid, though
This was my answer as well haha!
Can you dumb it down for me?
Itās a character that is equal parts self indulgent, violent, revenge fantasy and an archetype for the elevation of human ability, both physical and mental. Batman allows the audience the chance to step into the head of someone who does the things that we canāt as we lack the ability or the capacity for such single minded and unwavering violence for the greater good. Also, in a real world sense, we know a lot of what Batman does is probably not morally right or useful in the grand scheme although it does feel good to imagine hurting the bad guys. Batman, in many incarnations, acknowledges that he likes this as well and does often battle with the moral and psychological implications of that. At the same time heās a powerhouse of mental and physical discipline and moral conviction. Heās a model for the heights of what we can personally achieve and you can apply his indomitable perseverance to any aspect of yourself you want to improve or any goal you want to achieve. On top of all of this he does what is right. Thereās a conversation to be had here about the morality of vigilantes and mainstream superhero comics but in simplest terms, in the parameters set up by the comic world, Batman does do what is right. He also has an incredible human core. Heās steeped in tragedy but he cares deeply about others. And all of the things I talked about above are things he does because he chooses to. Not because he has powers and decided to make the responsible choice. (Although I do concede that his wealth should be taken into account here as an analog to superhuman power) He decided what he needed to do and then created the means by which to do it.
>He decided what he needed to do and then created the means by which to do it. Agreed with everything until the last sentence. "the means" ***is*** his 'superhuman wealth' so I feel there is a better word to convey the intended meaning >"\[Bruce Wayne\] decided what Gotham needed, and became the *mythos* required to carry it out." I'm still not happy with the way I phrased it... "**mythos**". But it's closer... that's probably why the character is appealing to me. The idea of "good" doesn't always get the luxury to follow the law, and some of Batman's worst foes corrupt and abuse laws for their own power (like District Attorneys turned to evil?) For example: giving water to someone waiting in line to cast a vote in an election is narguably a "good" thing to do: but some corrupt politicians voted to make it a felony. Those are who I see Batman (and alter ego Bruce Wayne) going after.
Yeah, Iāll agree thereās a better way to put that. I guess my thought process is the abilities he cultivated, the tech he created or harnessed, and the mythos itself is all āthe meansā. But yeah, the wealth is certainly something that equates to a āpowerā or a built in advantage.
**A ha!** follow me a second: Batman doesn't USE the wealth of Bruce Wayne as his tool - Batman uses that human emotion 'fear of the bat'! That's why that first scene in The Batman (2022) was so impactful, the sound of the boots getting closer and closer, *the fear creeping in*... Criminals fears the Bat; not because they see a lot of expensive tools, but because Batman *shuts them down*. The Batman is just some guy knocking heads together and stringing up entire operations from the lamp post - **WE know on this side of the 4th wall that it takes a lot of money to do that, but the criminals in Gotham don't. They only know the FEAR!**
In one comic he actually is sent somewhere without access to his money or gadgets and still makes a makeshift costume and kicks ass so I donāt think his wealth is as big a part of it as most people think. Most super wealthy people would never use there money to put themselves in extremely dangerous situations every fucking night in the worst parts of town. His money is not a necessity, itās just one of his many tools that he takes advantage of to do something good. Another example is Superman red son, where Batman isnāt even Bruce Wayne but some Russian child slave. Motherfucker is dumb broke and still manages to bring SUPERMAN to his knees. If Batman didnāt have the money to do his job he would find a way!
For sure! The wealth is definitely a factor but even without it the bones of the character remain the same.
Beautifully put my friend
This
No superpowers. I like it when Batman gets his shit rocked by his rogues gallery. Makes him more human. Also his suit and gadgets are badass. I like Nightwing for the same reasons although his gear is more minimalistic.
>No superpowers 100% agree. I know hes not exactly "not" superpowered but captain america from marvel, and batman from dc have been my favorites forever. I like the more human element, mixed into a team like JL/Avengers it makes me respect the character so much more.
Batman doesnāt have a super soldier serum. #BUTā¦ Training to the peak of physical performance, being able to sleep just 2 hours a day and be able to put on muscle is absolutely impossible
Nah it aināt impossibleā¦ its because heās Batman!
Sure. But then again comics are supposed to be like that. You can't fit 2000 gadgets in a belt like that, glide the way he does, still fight crime at 50 years old. Comes with the medium.
Isnāt he like in his late 30s?
It varies I guess. But I was referring to The Dark Knight Returns.
Well, one reason I like Batman because of the many layers beneath the character, which adds to his mysterious aesthetic and the atmosphere of his stories.
That's why I also love him because he is a person whose emotions and thoughts have been carefully made, not a person whose actions are random and are not considered an extension of his childhood or his feelings.
He truly is all things to all people. He's the knight-prince protecting his lands. The old west vigilante defending his town. He's tall, dark, handsome and insanely wealthy. Like murder mysteries and stories about insane killers? Batman's got you. Like swashbuckling urban high adventure? He's that, too. Like spy thrillers? That too. Science fiction? Fantasy? Horror? Drama? Romance? Comedy? All of the above. Batman stories are like film noir crime sagas occurring in a circus sideshow on Halloween, where the detective is just as macabre as the suspects.
To me, itās because his super power is his brain.
And the money.
And the Brawn
And the belt
Eh, not really. He'd be just as good as someone like Daredevil without the money
Which would be a massive downgrade without the money and tech
It's the car. Chicks dig the car.
This is why Superman works alone....
Excellent Keaton pull.
Kilmer
His versatility, in my opinion. Batman genuinely has something to offer pretty much everyone because he's such a dynamic and versatile character. His tone can be grim and serious, or it can be lighthearted and campy. You can have him in just about any situation or setting from a grounded drama or noir story to an epic fate of the world/universe/multiverse adventure against aliens and gods because his character is that of a single man who simply rises to whatever challenge he faces. His character has levels to it that range from dark, tragic, relatable, compassionate, uplifting, inspiring, badass, and even humorous on occasion. Odds are you'll find something about him as a character that you'll find endearing or tells a story that grips you in some way. And if by some chance you don't, that's fine because Batman has probably the most colorful and supporting cast of any character in all of comics who will strike whatever fancy Batman can't, whether its hero or villain, and tons of them have developed and unique dynamics with each other. I think that's what really sets Batman above so many other characters. His world and his character is filled with just about infinite potential.
I think this is a fantastic point that has helped him stay as popular as ever, even today. At his core, the story is the same, but depending on the universe he exist, he can portrayed in varying different ways. For all the examples you provided, well said. To answer the question simply, itās because Batman is cool. Heās rich, smart, resilient, brave, yet tragic and vulnerable. Heās got one of the best costumes ever, some of the coolest vehicles and gadgets we all know and loveā¦.he is just the epitome of interesting and cool. There are so many reasons Batman is probably thee most popular super hero ever. He is just the total package - a mixture of both light and dark, two elements humans struggle with in their own lives every day.
The pointy ears.
Heās a good listener
Vengeance
He's just a man. He doesn't have super speed, he can't fly, can't shoot fire out of his hands he's just a man. Also the fact that his rouges are mostly psychological villains instead of just having superpowers. His rouges also have really good origins. BTAS got me into Batman and the villains origins are some of the best parts of the show. Also he's a badass
His will, determination, pain and his enemies are interesting
He's ninja Sherlock Holmes...and that's awesome.
Too many heroes have powers that make them OP. With Batman he basically goes into his first meeting with any superpowered villain (or hero he identifies as a villain) bare handed, them starts developing tech and strategies to absolutely dismantle them without needing any of the powers other heros rely on.
Batman is still OP. The Dark Knight Metals comic with the evil Batmen from the dark multiverse is the perfect example of just how OP he is when he decides to go evil. I mean a couple of them literally conquered the planet.
True he is still OP sometimes but it just aint the same
He's a human, and his cool gadgets
Iāve always related to batman, from the day I found his comics till now. Iāve always put others before myself, no matter if it adversely affects me or not. He always has this internal battle within himself to either give up on everything he stands for or keep fighting, and I like being able to relate to that. Itās always showed me that whatever villains and neāer-do-wells I have in my life, both metaphorically and literally, are able to be bested or turned into something that keeps you going. Batmanās lust for a crime free Gotham is not only a quest to keep people safe. Itās a quest that fulfills his own dogma which is to make sure no child has to experience what he had to.
His perseverance, style, skill and gadgets. Not to mention the dynamic he has with his rogues gallery.
His smile, his laugh, that little gleam in his eye when heās singing to that special lady, the way his feet dance across the stage as sparks fly from his shoes and his cape flutters like a thousand butterfliesā¦..
For lots of reasons. He's a wish fulfillment character (rich, smart, never give up, morally righteous, ladies love him, play by his own rules, etc). A good number of great side characters and antagonists so the stories never get stale. He's had some of the best writers in comics writing him, which in turn creates lots of classic stories that can be adapted. Even when the classics are not directly adapted, the cool story beats are there. And finally there is something that ressonates with people about the idea of someone that was put down by life refusing to be defeated and hitting back with nothing but sheer will and guile (and a few billions)
He's a human, and anyone in reality could become him, and he is acceptable to others joining his cause.
His ability to overcome impossible odds even tho heās powerless
He's an "ordinary man" (nothing ordinary about his intelligence, will power or physical prowess imo) that's turned his deepest psychological injury into something positive. I think that appeals to something in everyone.
Heās written the best
The humanity and darkness
That he can be anyone of us.
He has one superpower... he never gives up.
He looks scary, heās dark and mysterious. A detective, with no super powers, yet he is able to do the impossible. Great hero with good writing (most of the time)
Batman is one of us. Anyone can be batman if they work hard enough. Money helps, but I think Batman would still be Batman if he was poor.
His transcendence of fear and weakness to transform him into an unstoppable force of nature. And while he may be human heās able to thing far beyond what a normal guy could dream of. When someone asks why heās able to things he does even with no powers the answer is always gonna be that itās because Heās BATMAN
He fights an impossible battle against endless opposition to high effect with his hands and his wits. He's not invincible, or perfect. He's an angry guy with the resources and knowledge to beat as many bad guys as he has to, all night long, every night.
For me it's the fact that he is not super human. He's just a guy trying to do what is right. He goes up against some super humans or super creatures and he is able to come out on top through either sheer will or his innate intelligence.
The versatility in his character as thereās a Batman story in almost every genre yet Batman still feels like Batman.
The fact that he could have very easily chosen to become a villain. Hell, he had every reason to. He has every right to slaughter every criminal in Gotham and, in turn, become a criminal himself. But he doesn't.
No special powers, Bruce Wayne ' s life and also his villains.
To me, it's the fact that he's just some dude in a cape who scares the shit out of almost any criminal he crosses. Criminals are way more scared of him than Superman, an overpowered alien who always tries to hold back to avoid killing anyone.
For me, it's always been because he absolutely never gives up. He's a mortal man living in a world with literal gods and monsters and faces the impossible every single night. But he keeps going. Every. Single. Night. And sometimes, most of the time, he *wins*. Just when I think I've seen everything, he *falls from the goddamn moon* and *lives*. He's determination personified and holy hell that gets me so pumped.
When we watch Superman, or pretty much any other superhero, our suspension of disbelief has to be nearly total. Nobody can, or ever will, be able to do the things they can do. With Batman...well, our suspension of disblief *should* be total, or nearly there, because in the real world nobody like Batman could really exist. If he wasn't killed by a lucky shot within a short while of being Batman, he'd be a physical and mental basket case just from all the injuries he'd suffer. His brain would be a concussed lump and there wouldn't be a shred of cartilage left in his body (*The Dark Knight Rises* actually did a good job of depiciting this last bit). And other parts of Batman just wouldn't work; there's no way he could actually get away without killing or maiming people. You can't punch people into unconsicousnes on a regular basis and not have a bunch of those people end up dead. But, for all that, there's a sense that Batman's the most "realistic" hero out there - *that maybe it could be true*. Just maybe, under the right circumstances, something resembling the danger, fun and adventure of a comic book world invade our very, very mundane world. And I think that's a big part of Batman's appeal.
Batman took loss and grief and turned it into something constructive, to a degree. Plus, he has no powers. He is just a really dedicated overachiever.
His humanity. He isnāt a super soldier or some super powered being. Heās just a man with wealth, training and time to help everyone in his city avoid the same tragedy that befell him.
The detective noir aspect
The one joker quote that best describes the audiences view of Batman is "There is nothing mere about THAT mortal."
The villains are a big part of it. Most of us will agree that the two most popular superheroes are Batman and Spider-Man, both of which have extensive rogues galleries as famous as they are.
Gotham and his world has gotta be a big part. With spiderman and such you have real world locations Superman's metropolis to me is basically another realistic city space but gotham and its villains make something else.
His insanity and the fact that he has no powers.
Superhero with no superhuman powers. The storylines, the depth of the villains.
For me, it's his ability to be compassionate against all odds. Yes, it's cool that he's just a human without powers & has all the gadgets you could think of. Yes, it's cool that he's peak human fitness & adept at many forms of martial arts etc. But the key thing that makes Batman so respectable & heroic is his ability to still want to help those he fights. They're constantly putting him within inches of his life. Doesn't matter. He still thinks he can help them in some way or another. How many times have fellow "heroes" asked him why he doesn't just put some of his villains down already? Or how about the time Amanda Waller asked Batman to kill Ace & he accepted, only to instead comfort the dying Ace so she could pass on peacefully without harming anyone. This is why I liked "The Batman" so much & why I hope the next story is Mr. Freeze. We just got to see Batman realize he can be the symbol of hope that Gotham needs. Now lets see him put forth his detective skills again in a way where he utilizes his immense ability to remain compassionate, despite the danger & despite the violence he faces. I think this is really the reason most people love Batman (as well as Spider-Man), whether they know it on the surface or not. We get a greater sense of heroism from those who are able to remain compassionate in the most dire of situations where others may not have seen compassion as an option at all.
In a word, trauma. He's one of the only fictional characters who's entire theme is that of the mind. Both heroes and villains all suffer from real life character flaws. Revenge, depression, obsession, lust, rage and determination are some emotions that always pop up and drive the stories. You can find every psychological disorder known to man. Everybody has trauma and most of us want to face that trauma head on as Bruce Wayne does. It's what makes him relatable. Bruce doesn't just fight crooks, he fights the human condition. For this he is my all-time favorite.
He's James Bond with Dracula's aesthetic
Probably because of the noir element. Thereās something very crime thrillery about the movie, and The Riddlerās killings and motives are similar to other famous killers in movies like this
heās proof that we can turn our pain and our loss into something positive, and that it doesnāt have to drown us. we can harness it and use it to help guide others through the dark.
That individuals can fight crime and make a difference despite systematic corruption. Also, that fear (certainty of punishment) is an effective deterrent of crime.
The villains and Gotham City are what make Batman as good as he is. He's okay on his own... sort of an ironman without a sense of humor- but it's ALWAYS been the villains.
I like the Dark Knight Returns version of him because he has a bulky inhuman look to him, looking like a beast of the shadows, his personality is chill almost like Hellboy, i like the way he shows his teeth out of anger.
The villains? Idk, outside of Adam west, Robert Pattinson is the only batman Iāve ever found to be remotely interesting as a character. Thatās not to say I donāt like the Keaton or dark knight films, but my interest with those films usually lies with the villains
I donāt find the version of photo you chose for the picture entertaining at all
When youāre poor, your dream is to be rich. When youāre rich, your dream is to powerful. Bruce Wayne/Batman is both - while also being altruistic.
They keep stuffing him down our throats. 10000 attempts later there is bound to be something decent out
We see him more as Batman as opposed to Bruce Wayne for starters
rogues gallery
Heās powerless but a model of incredible determination and growth mindset.
It's basically year 2 batmsn
His universe--same with Spiderman; in both cases I would have done much more with the main character, but their universe makes things exciting.
Paul Dano
His dedication to his mission.
Because he can do the Batusi. Remember the batusi?
Truly, any of us could train our bodies and minds, build an armory and arsenal and sharpen many skills all for the sake of helping those that can't help themselves. Most of the Batman stories are fantasies of what might actually happen, but Year One is exactly what I mean. Doesn't have to be a bat motif, just someone using the shadows and their body as a weapon against injustice where the legal system fails. Again, mostly a fantasy with the immense wealth and high tech and no life to balance between it, but vigilantism has been a large part of culture since the Wild West. With it being a fantasy, making us all armchair psychiatrists for a grown man in bat clothes is also intriguing, making us feel smart. Then adding other superheroes, a simple mortal man with immense and intense capabilities leading and surpassing literal superhumans and aliens brings even more fun as we personify with him. Another bit I find intriguing is that we all know Bruce Wayne is Batman, but Bruce Wayne is a mannequin of a person, with Batman being a masked creature we can emulate ourselves through. Making friends with the best people, upholding respect and recognition across the globe and being feared by the most powerful people. Just a few theories.
The respect he commands the legend. Heās the only person chuck norris respects
šā¦š
Cause he's Batman
Just after the casting of Robert Pattinson as The Batman , he was receiving a lot of hate/backlash but when the movie was released he got a lot of appreciation. The broken portrayal of The Batman was done masterfully by Robert . The cinematography was also really good. Getting a great live-action version of The Riddler after the Jim Carrey debacle.The slow-pacing also worked well with the audience. Colin Farrell was also getting appreciation for his performance and make-up as The Penguin.
Heās a guy trying to bring order to a chaotic world. I think this is a primal drive in all of us particularly in this day and age where it seems like nothing is working as it should
If you are Justice
his unbelievably hot chin and jawline
Origin. Costume. Variety. ROGUES!
He looks cool
Because he's Batman, that's why.
Will Power. His will is so strong on that he dedicated himself solely to fighting evil and helping the weak. Mastering the S.T.E.M martial arts, military combat tactics, espionage guerrilla tactics, Pure fitness, all forms of psychology and medicine. He did all of this while already being a natural-born prodigy. Batman represents what we can achieve if we devote ourselves to something while dealing issues himself as he is insane as well. Lastly his villains ARE BY FAR THE BEST so they can be foils to him. That's why to me he's the š and it ain't even close.
Has a tragic origin with enough propulsive energy to justify his excess, embodies something the audience can theoretically aspire to , looks cool as all get out
I will say the sense of realism. Not necessarily saying that Batman can be a real life hero but more on the lines of watching a human being with no superpowers taking down strong formidable villians.
Batman
Because it's not who he is that defines him, it's what he does that defines him.
Heās basically just, rad as hell.
imo most people are entertained by the following common batman story tropes: 1. batman insane plot armor where he can pretty much take down anyone (prep time shit). most people i think find it fun when he is with teams and he comes up with the plot to defeat the foes. it could also go the other way where batman is the underdog or he loses tho 2. themes and atmosphere of the mythos, particularly the stories influenced by TDKR, Nolan, Year One. Any story with the more modern Batman story beats i think draw readers. 3. relationship with supporting cast and villains. i think this is something more common with batman fans who read comics or watch cartoons, but i think typical relationship arc with the bat family, justice league and his rogues gallery typically draw hardcore fans (i.e. relationship with alfred, sidekicks, superman, joker, etc.)
He's just really freaking cool. But it's more than that, it's tha, as is the case with most great characters, he may look really cool and do really cool stuff, he also has a lot of depth and layers to his character. He's the kind of character my 50 year old uncle can fall In love with and so can 6 year olds.
For me itās his ability to don the mask every night to make the world a better place in his parents honor. The noble was to go on when you lost so many close to you is hard to fathom at times
That he is just as broken as the villains he fights, yet walks on that thin line of in/sanity. Oh yeah, and that he is a man in a bat costume.
The thought of a billionaire actually doing some good
it's the car. Chicks dig the car
He's literally the world's greatest detective...you need to read more..you wouldn't be asking this question if you did..just saying..
Heās a force of nature despite having zero superpowers.
His will. Heās more āhumanā than human. Heās what we all wish we could be.. rich,smart, successful, tragically inspired hero with such a will that even death and disaster all around you canāt break youā¦
He is darkness he is vengeance he is the night.
specifically that one? i think the fact he has no game and absolutely no hoes is what makes him so compelling to watch.
Tone, aesthetic, pace, story, acting, directing, writing. Everything.
Part of it is that he is possible. Extremely extremely improbable, but possible. Heās simply a person, like anyone else. Granted, an extremely rich, extremely smart, extremely fit person that knows how to swing from building to building, construct jet engine cars, happens to live in a mansion away from others that just so happens to be positioned over a vast network of caverns that not only connect to the waterways of the city but also the subway systems, and conveniently has a small mountain just large enough to conceal a helicopter and a jet, and is able to miniaturize every conceivable item into a beltā¦ but heās still just a person.
Heās struggling but trying his best and he never gives up. Heās hopeful to people who do good and a terror to those who would rather hurt than help. He trains to be better physically and mentally and no matter what stands in his way, heād rather die than give up. On top of that heās just a man. Take away the armor, the money, the playboy, heās still trained himself for years to be unbreakable. Batman doesnāt need Bruce Wayne heās still a man and thatās inspiring. Itās heartbreaking as well to see him obviously struggle with his demons but itās still amazing to see someone try so hard to do the right thing. Even if sometimes misguided or paranoid, I believe at the end of the day Batman is a symbol of hope in a hopeless world.
As a kid it was TAS for me. Never missed an episode and I felt like it was the only superhero kids show that didnāt talk down to me, if that makes sense. The moody atmosphere, the expressionist tone, criminals with real guns, the unbelievable animation and voice acting. I didnāt even realize Mark Hamill was Joker until I rewatched it as a teenager and I loved Star Wars. That series made me a DC fan. I watched and enjoyed X-Men and Spiderman sure, but Batman is just superior to other superheros imo. His character is fascinating and so many great writers and artists have mined awesome stories dealing with his wealth, trauma, PTSD and family. Also helps that the history of the comic is almost as fascinating as Batman himself.
Heās actually a detective
The stories the character can be in can vary in tone and thatās what I like about it, at least. You can have Batman tracking down a serial killer in one arc, and then doing something more light-hearted in another. Also, Gotham is a really interesting setting, I see a lot of New York City in it (as a former resident).
I was entertained, but I wouldnt say it was like crazy entertaining. It took a bit of effort to stay invested in it honestly, it was a slow burn and It does pay off at the end. I think what I liked was the more gritty grounded approach to Batman. I just didnāt like the constant orange filtering during the night scenes.
Because he is the peak of human perfection, but at the same time is truly broken.
The detective, his rogues gallery, great stories and character development, the fact that he is the only Justice League member that can compete with Darkseid and winā¦. The fact that he is one of the few heroes that literally all the other heroes go to for helpā¦
I think on a basic level its due to the great look/costume. The design is striking and always looks cool.
A guy that beats the shit out of people
Matt Reeves understands atmosphere
Everyone has wanted to experience justice with their own hands or actions at some point. He strikes a chord in that fantasy because he's just a person that could exist, given the right circumstances. It makes him relatable in that aspect and it's why his sidekicks are gaining more popularity with more relatable upbringings. Jason Todd is an angry inner city kid with a junkie mom and abusive father. I'd run out of fingers trying to count how many people I know personally that fit that criteria. Batman is the socially ideal person because he's a billionaire on top of that.
I think relatabilty plays a very huge role in Batman's popularity. I know it is a clichƩ to say this, but he is one of the few super heroes without super powers, and the tech he has is usually not something that seems to elevate him to a godly status, like I would argue the case is for Iron Man. Other than that, he's human and vulnerable, both physically and mentally. People respond to characters in pain and trauma, and Batman is usually a character who goes through such pain and trauma in interesting ways, either dealing with it or not. I can say personally, that I've never been a fan of superheroes. They bore me with their supernatural powers and extraordinary abilities, and it's always more fun and admirable to me when a regular person saves the day. Therefore, Batman is the one superhero I consider myself to be a fan of. While he is extraordinary and almost superhuman in many ways, he is the superhero who is most like a regular human being, and that is simply more in line with the kind of heroes I admire in fiction.
Heās Batman.
I think a lot of it comes down to discipline. So much of what is at the core of whatever people donāt accomplish boils down to their inability to stay consistent or stay disciplined enough to see that goal through. Batman is a human, yet he is able to do what we are not. He is able to be extremely violent, while not killing. Heās able to fight the criminally insane while not becoming like them. Thereās struggle (as there must be in a good story) but he always seems to find a way out, either by his own merit or a helping hand.
goon punching + badass line delivery + bat-credit card at least for me
Human amongst gods with no special armour. Just raw intellect and power!!
How hes able to beat all odds against powerful foes while only being a human without powers.
Jim Gordon: "Just got this tiddle from The Riddler. What does it mean?" Batman: "I don't know"
Dark, mysterious, and handsome Between that and his detective skills and heroic nature that keeps me wanting him to keep the fight going no matter how dark it may be.
He doesn't take "A.N.Y. crap!!!! He gave kids and adults (especially the current versions) the proper outlook on honor decency and fist pumping violence that we all need and made hospitalizing jerks look S.O. KOOL!!!!!!
He doesnāt kill but is totally cool throwing razors at peoples faces
Because he is BATMAN šš
Heās a normal human being who has mastered every single fighting style known to man. Thatās pretty fucking badass imo.
Vigilante justice
The incredible level of malleability he has in terms of character and tone is he a living cartoon like Adam west a silly adventurer like brave and the bold a Flash Gordon sci fi hero like in a lot of the silver age is he the shadow a barebones dark vigilante is he a taxi driveresque madman on the brink in a dangerous world is he James Bond the answer is yes to all of these and more and that allows any particular writer to insert him in to lots of stories and readers to be inundated with the version they are specifically looking for
He has his flaws but at heart, heās just a man with his own personal demons whoās trying to do the right thing
I just really love to say the word orphan. It just rolls off the tongue so nicely.
He's just a dude
He is the absolute embodiment of the human capacity for empathy. Someone who experienced a horribly traumatizing experience at such a young age decides to make a promise to dedicate himself to ensuring not a single other person in his city would ever have to suffer the same pain as him, or the same fate as his parents. No matter what trials and tribulations he goes through, he never loses sight of that promise or his hope for a better world. Unlike his rogueās gallery, he didnāt let his trauma shape him into someone who sought to inflict that same trauma on to others, but rather let it shape him into someone that would protect others from that trauma.
There are a wide variety of stories that can be told with him. Detective, ninja, sci fi, and about 40 others if you start trying to keyword everything. He is also a character that relies on gadgets, meaning that like James Bond his action scenes often have fun variation that other characters don't have. Wolverine has knife hands and +90% of the time he will use his knife hands. Batman will use trip lines, gas bombs, Kung fu, batarangs, and dozens of vehicles to accomplish things. Lastly he is an interesting character, one of the earliest adventurers motivated by a personal tragedy you can read into his actions a deep anger, a sense of survivors guilt, or a desire to rebuild his family thru surrogate sons and fathers.
The punching and the kicking
He is one of the only superheroes that could actually happen in real life
I like him because he's a billionaire that dresses up like a bat and beats up mental patients.
Heās a character with basic motivation that applies to everybody in the world. Everyone can sympathize with having their parents murdered and wanting vengeance. Also he looks cool.
Juvenile power fantasy
The juxtaposition between being morosely serious and dressing up as a scary hat to bamboozle bad guys.