Why I love 'The Batman'

This line of thought has been existent in my mind since I read a post comparing Batman with Superman a few years ago. And after watching the movie 'The Dark Knight', I have decided to put it down in as much detail as I can remember.

Compared to other superheroes, I love Batman the most. And it is not just the mystery and the glamour that he carries best, it is also because of the following reasons:

1) He does not have superpowers
Superman can fly. He has X-Ray vision. He also has superhuman power that no one else has. In case of Spiderman too, it is his agility and supernatural strength that makes him what he is. Everyone in the team of The Fantastic Four has his or her own superpowers. Batman has none. He is an ordinary man with no gift whatsoever. And still he can do what he does.

How often can ordinary men strike fear in hardcore criminals? The Batman has created such a scare among the goons and mafia dons of Gotham City that just a look of the Dark Knight makes them run for safety. And he does this with just gadgets and guts!


2) His energies are focussed
Show a damsel in distress or an old woman about to be crushed by speeding truck, and you know Superman or Spiderman will come to the rescue. Nothing bad about it. Except that, most superheroes waste a lot of time and effort, by wanting to make a difference anywhere and everywhere. They assume responsibility of the wellbeing of the entire human race, just because they are "gifted".

Not the case with Batman. He picks his battles. He is clear that he will fight crime and criminals. His energies and time are not split across all the calamities human beings bring upon themselves.


3) He does not fight alone
Yes, like almost every superhero, the Batman too has a secret identity. but unlike most superheroes, he does not work alone. He is open to ask for support, and make himself vulnerable to that extent. His butler, Alfred, the engineer who works on his suits, gadgets and vehicles, his girlfriend, all know that it is Bruce Wayne who 'moonlights' as the Batman. In the movie 'The Dark Knight', the auditor conducting a due diligence check on Wayne Enterprises also comes to know about him, and the Batman is fine with that. He is also open to the idea of growing his team, and including Robin and Batgirl.

While this does make him vulnerable, it saves him the trouble and dilemma of whether to reveal his identity to people he is "hiding" from. This makes it very difficult to blackmail him into anything.


4) He is ok even with being branded a criminal
The Batman is clear about his goals. He exists to fight crime. Other things don't matter much to him. He is ok with breaking laws to achieve his objective, and he is also ok with being branded a criminal. He is not in it for the fame or appreciation.


5) He is a superhero by choice
It was his vow that Bruce Wayne became Batman. He was not gifted with great powers, and therefore great responsibilities. It was him who decided his power, and it was him who decided his responsibilities.

What's more, he can stop whenever he wants. And still, every day, he becomes the Batman by choice and by his commitment to his vow. You can't force him into becoming the Batman, it is entirely his choice. And this makes me admire him more.