Batman: Literary Triumph

     I am drawn to a specific type of story. I love Sherlock Holmes, Jason Bourne, The Count of Monte Cristo, Batman, and I recently read a novel called Shogun. All of the characters in these stories don't have a rags-to-riches tale. They aren't unwilling heroes, they aren't fulfilling some grand destiny, and they never rejected the call to be a hero. They start out strong, smart, talented and clever, and - with the exception of Sherlock - are terribly wronged. Be it by chance, conspiracy, or nature, each of the above men are thrown into a world they must adapt to, master, and then ultimately manipulate. I don't know why I like these stories so much;  it's probably an attraction to power at some level. But when you read through the above characters and titles, they are all well renowned works of fiction and literature. Sherlock lives on today, Bourne was Robert Ludlum's greatest triumph, The Count is considered a classic, and Shogun has its merits as well. Does Batman belong in that list?

Nothing about this guy isn't cool

     There's been a long, intellectual debate if comics can be art. I think they settled on "yes," though the answer wasn't that simple. But, more specifically, can a "superhero" by a triumph of literature? In general, I doubt it, with Batman, certainly.
     Like The Count of Monte Cristo, Batman was wronged at a young age, trained and learned in solitude, inhereted a buttload of money, returned home in a disguise and was loved and famous. Like Jason Bourne, his family was taken from him and he broke down. Like Sherlock, he has an encyclopedic knowledge and understanding of the world around him and solves crimes on higher plane than the police. (Actually, I think the Batman story borrowed heavily from all of those characters, as well as Zorro.)
     My fascination with Batman began at a young age. I liked his cool cave, fast car, and that he threw batarangs. He was in a simply perfect cartoon that caught me at the right age. But I was also into Spider-man and Superman and The Ninja Turtles when I was young, and all of those interests have essentially faded (meaning I don't express them in public too often). But I still find Batman very compelling.
     He's terribly human. He fails all the time. He once had a Robin die under his watch (there have been multiple Robins, each less gay than his predecessor). Another partner was paralyzed by The Joker. He's been tricked and manipulated by women he loved. He's had his back literally broken by a nemesis. He has to live with these failures and deal with them daily, and they play with his mind and are a backdrop for every decision he makes. Reading his stories is very similar to reading about more respected characters from literature's annals.

This blog exists to justify more cool pictures

     He's not like other superheroes. Superman is fun because you get to see just how strong he is. But every comic kind of has to one-up the previous comic. He lifts a car, then a plane, then a boat, then a building, then an asteroid. He once saved the whole universe by restarting its energy or something. Pretty soon you realize that to make Superman interesting, he has to be an idiot. He has super strength and speed, but somehow decides to stop and talk, real close, to the bad guy with kryptonite behind his back. Superman's stories lose their hold after a while, because of course he's going to win. His dog is stronger and smarter than all of us.
     I could go on and on. In fact I plan to, some other time(s). I think Batman is worth reading, simply because he's downright interesting. Not just in a "wow he just beat up 17 people!!" way, but simply as a character with flaws, depth and struggles.

     If you'd like to try reading some Batman, the "graphic novel" (fancy term for "collection of comics") called Batman: Hush is phenomenal. The artwork is stunning, the characters and plot move fast, and the story is very clever. Go sit in Borders Barnes and Noble, buy a coffee and read it.
     (I like to believe that if you buy a drink you aren't stealing so much as paying for a service.)

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