This is the part of the blog where I talk about Batman

The Dark Knight

I'm often seen wearing clothing that has the bat symbol on it. If I'm being honest, most of the time I don't buy it. Don't let this detour you from this point: I love the character of Batman. I remember my brother Ian and I watching the animated show after school. I remember watching the 60's show on vacation because, well it's Batman. Later on of course I was able to watch Tim Burton's Batman movies that lead into the not so good Joel Shumaucker films. 

Eventually Batman returned in the infamous Dark Knight Trilogy. Between that there was also the beautiful Arkham Video games, where you get to be Batman. If you weren't able to tell, I'm definitely into comic culture at this point, so the next step logically is to read comics.

I read (and own) many great Batman titles: Batman: Long Halloween, Batman: Hush, Batman: Prey, Batman: The Court of Owls, and lastly the classic The Dark Knight Returns. I will say this about comic books; they are an amazing form of writing and art. As someone who is a visual person, it's like reading a script as you see people performing what you are reading. It's a cool form of writing that I do feel is under appreciated because it's labeled as "childish". That is for another time but comics are really cool.

Why Batman?

It's often said about Batman that he's too popular. There is some truth to it if I'm being honest. Most people like Batman for his sheer fighting skills. I mean if anyone watched the movie Batman V Superman most people walked out talking about the warehouse scene. It's just brutal and shows that he's not some guy in a Bat costume.

I get asked by other comic book and movie fans, why Batman? I mean literally you got Superman who is all powerful, Flash who runs so fast he can literally go through time, and Martian Man-hunter who can read minds and mess with people. Why the heck would you choose someone like Batman?

Some people argue that he's a human and that's what makes him cool but I think you could argue that with a few characters. I like Batman for a couple of reasons. I love that he's a detective and uses his mind, his conviction to do what's right, and lastly how he is broken but endures on.

Great Minds!

Batman is considered the "World's Greatest Detective" in the comics. Although that is debatable, he's a very smart man. I love that factor about his character. Bruce Wayne, spent time before he became Batman to learn from great minds about how to use head. Often like I said earlier, people just think of Batman being a brute and beating people to a pulp. Batman does do this but Batman also uses his head. 

One of the greatest Batman stories shows that Batman prepares for battle because sometimes you need to be ahead of the enemy. Even if this enemy happens to be the Justice League. 

In the JLA story, Tower of Babel, Batman had plans on each member of the Justice League. Obviously he was over-confident (one of his many flaws) and someone used them against the Justice League. Now some would argue this is cruel but the rationale makes complete sense. If one of the members went rogue (which never happens...eye roll) they would be able to take them down. 

Batman also shows his minds brilliance when he takes on people like the Riddler. I mean the whole gimmick of the Riddler is to challenge Batman's mind. An example of this is in the story Hush, Batman in the end deduces that Riddler was a bigger part of Hush's plot to take Batman down. Even in the midst of the Riddler figuring out who Batman was under the mask, Batman not phased mentions that him now knowing The Riddler used the Lazarus Pit (something that heals people or brings them back from the dead) that Ra Al Ghul would send assassins after him to kill him. Batman not only figured out the main guy behind the plot against him but also now has the cards in his hand to keep his identity a secret. Batman uses his knowledge to his advantage and this is only one example. Batman's mind is pretty awesome.

No killing...

"People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy and I can’t do that as Bruce Wayne. As a man I’m flesh and blood, I can be ignored, I can be destroyed, but as a symbol, as a symbol I can be incorruptible. I can be everlasting."
Bruce Wayne

The "no killing" rule Batman has annoys people. I think they think it's insane that he doesn't kill people like the Joker. I mean the guy literally just kills without remorse. I mean most people would think the worlds a better place, right?!

Yet Batman holds to this standard, that justice is not won by killing, but rather by letting them go through the proper channels. Obviously people know Gotham isn't the best city in the world, so of course it's an ever revolving door. Yet in spite of this, Batman holds to this conviction.

I love that about the character. He does what he thinks is right. He doesn't get swayed by others but thinks only of what he views as right. Some would argue that beating the tar out of bad guys is kind of messed up, but he realizes killing them makes him just as bad as them.

Right or wrong. Agree or disagree. I love the fact he sticks to his guns. I think this has been helpful in my journey as a person. Even if people disagree, it's okay to think differently. Batman doesn't feel the need to defend his view, unless broken by another (because killing is wrong). For me, much of my life was spent being afraid of speaking what I thought.

I mean even just saying I read comics is something that makes me think people might think I'm a child. The thing is, I see guys writing these comics, especially Batman, and him holding to what he thinks. For me, that means the world because it makes me feel okay with being different.

It has impacted my faith. I can now hold to a view and be okay if it doesn't line up with others. To me, that changes my world. In a way, Batman was used to help me see that. I like the fact that he does what he thinks is right. It helps me see that sometimes we have to do something with conviction.

 We endure

One of the greatest quotes of Batman comes from the Nolan-verse Alfred. He says to Batman "Endure, Master Wayne. Take it. They'll hate you for it, but that's the point of Batman. He can be the outcast. He can make the choice that no one else can make, the right choice"(The Dark Knight).

This quote has always stood out to me. Batman is a character who is constantly pushing himself to go beyond his limits. His goal is to continue his mission. One might ask what is his mission? His mission is to protect Gotham and not allow crimes like what happen to him as a child. This means he has to sacrifice and endure trials.

Now I will admit, Batman has a bit of a messiah complex. I think that speaks a lot into who he is as a person. He's broken, not perfect, and human. I can relate to that extremely. That's why I needed Jesus. What I take from how Batman acts is the fact that he fights for what is good and right. He doesn't give up because things get terrible.

For example, even in the midst of a massive earthquake and his city being destroyed (check out No Man's Land), Batman pushes to get order back to the city. At first, he lost faith, but then he got back up and fought for his city. The rest of the story arc of "No Man's Land" is a journey of the Dark Knight restoring order and relationships. 

That's Batman though. He's a man who endures trial in order to hopefully see a day of peace and restoration. Batman may be flawed in his thinking but still is willing to push himself for others.

The Hero Gotham needs...

I realize as I finish this up, how much of a nerd I am but it's just my love for characters who I can relate. Batman is more than just a dude who is super jacked and could beat most people (with prep time... of course). He's a man who holds to his beliefs and acts accordingly to those beliefs.

As a Christian, it inspires me. What I believe and my actions that follow are important. I shouldn't be talking about something unless I'm willing to follow through on it. So often that is something that happens in life. I talk a good game and I end up looking dumb or as a hypocrite because I don't follow through. 

That's what makes Batman so inspiring. He's a man who holds to his convictions. He does what he believes is right, even if others don't understand. He does it because he believes he will be helping others. This is why people are inspired by Batman. He's a symbol of someone who stands up for what he believes and follows through. 

Yes he may be fictional but even a character can inspire others. So how much more can a real person actually inspire others. Batman reminds me of the importance of what I believe and that I need to allow it to seep into my actions. Who knew that Jesus could use Batman to grow in my understanding faith.