5 Times Batman REALLY Needed Therapy

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1. Batman stands as an emblem of hope and a vigilante who combats crime when the law enforcement system falls short. The flaws within the system have significantly contributed to shaping Batman into his current form.

2. Bruce Wayne, who bears the heavy burden of witnessing his parents’ murder, has gone through numerous hardships in life as part of his ongoing battle against crime. While mental health concerns have become more acknowledged in today’s society, it is worth considering that Batman might also benefit from therapy sessions to address his emotional struggles.

3. In many instances, Bruce Wayne could have sought counseling to work through his personal issues, but instead, he chose to patrol the streets of Gotham and confront criminals as a means to cope with his grief.

Instead of Batman attending therapy potentially altering his character significantly and transforming classic tales into a superhero adaptation of “The Sopranos,” there are crucial instances where seeking professional assistance would have greatly benefited the vigilante. Here are five occasions when Batman might have benefited from counseling, but instead opted to confront villains instead.

1) The Death of Jason Todd

One significant death that deeply affected Batman was Jason Todd’s, orchestrated by the Joker. Although Dick Grayson had been Robin before him, Todd’s brief tenure as Robin would cast a long shadow over Batman for years to come. His death was particularly brutal: he was brutally beaten with a crowbar and then a warehouse explosion added to his tragic end. With no hope left, Batman vowed to seek vengeance on the Joker immediately following this event. However, Superman’s intervention and the Joker’s diplomatic immunity as an Iranian Ambassador thwarted Batman’s plan for revenge. Disappointed but unrelenting, Batman returned to Gotham with a renewed determination to deal harshly with common criminals.

In essence, although the Joker physically carried out the act with a crowbar, it was the fans of the comic book who indirectly orchestrated it, as they were the ones deeply invested in Batman at that time. This event, second only to his parents’ deaths in terms of trauma, paved the way for the darker periods of Batman, culminating in the compelling “Under the Red Hood” storyline of 2005. It’s intriguing to contemplate how different Batman’s dynamic with his resurrected son, Jason, might have been if he had sought help earlier on in his life.

2) Becoming Batman to Begin With

The tragic deaths of Martha and Thomas Wayne serve as the pivotal moment that sets young Bruce Wayne on his path to eventually become the superhero known as Batman. This origin story is one of the most famous and enduring in comic book history, dating back to the Golden Age and still relevant today through adaptations like “Batman: Year One”. However, instead of growing up to travel the world and train to become Batman, perhaps Bruce could have sought help from Alfred by going to a therapist. Or, since he was only a child at the time, maybe it would have been more appropriate for Alfred to arrange therapy sessions for him.

Even if a young Bruce Wayne received sufficient emotional support after his parents’ passing, it doesn’t automatically mean there would be no Batman. Instead, this support might result in a unique and fascinating transformation for the Dark Knight, which could lead to an intriguing change in his approach.

3) The Gotham War

Starting with “Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War,” here’s what unfolded: After enduring immense turmoil in the series “Failsafe” and “Bat-Man of Gotham,” something inside Bruce Wayne seemed to break. Unbeknownst to him, this was due to subtle manipulation from Zur-En-Arrh, a corrupted version of Batman. As a result, Bruce’s mind snapped, leading him to engage in a war against Catwoman. Ignoring everything Selina Kyle (Catwoman) had advised about maintaining Gotham’s safety by decreasing crime, Bruce instead chose to wage war on those she associated with and most of the Bat-Family. This was quite unsettling for him, especially since he lost his hand just before the chaos ensued. Considering this loss alone should have triggered a pause, therapy perhaps, but unfortunately, it didn’t.

Regarding the event, there’s much disagreement about its quality, but one thing that stands out is Bruce’s dramatic outburst, which will likely be remembered. Whether this departure from his usual character was intentionally written by Chip Zdarsky or a later change due to criticism is unclear. However, it’s indisputable that Bruce was in a difficult place at the time and needed assistance. Fortunately, he received help from his family in subsequent storylines, which somehow resolved his issues rather neatly for the Dark Knight. It would have been beneficial for him to consult a professional instead.

4) Cold Days

In the acclaimed graphic novel “Cold Days” by Tom King, there’s a strong possibility that this story could become one of King’s most enduring cult classics during his tenure. The narrative is reminiscent of “12 Angry Men,” as Bruce Wayne comes to understand his mistake in unjustly assaulting Mr. Freeze. Determined to set things right, he manages to join the jury under the guise of Bruce Wayne, gradually convincing the court of Freeze’s innocence. This sudden turn of events from Batman was triggered by the heartache of being stood up by Catwoman during their wedding (or what should have been a wedding). In his emotional distress, he lashed out at Freeze in an uncharacteristic display of anger, which is certainly not one of Batman’s cooler moments.

King’s take on Batman is a contentious one, yet it continues to be a notable bright spot for many readers. Despite the criticism, this narrative offers something positive and unique. It sets itself apart by focusing more on Bruce Wayne as opposed to Batman, a perspective that we could use more of in Batman stories. Additionally, it presents an emotional depth from the character that is seldom seen.

The “Cold Days” storyline in King’s run is brief, consisting of only three issues and a concise plot, making it one of the most distinctive tales for the Dark Knight. However, if Mr. Freeze were here, he might argue that therapy would have been a better alternative to getting beaten up by Batman in a Spider-Man-like black suit moment.

5) Killing the Joker(?) in The Killing Joke

The enigmatic ending of “Batman: The Killing Joke” is a beloved classic among Batman enthusiasts. In this story, the Joker comes close to fatally shooting Barbara Gordon, leading her to adopt the identity of Oracle. This event pushes Batman to the brink, and it appears he may have attempted to strangle or even kill the Joker. This moment, which occurred in 1988, preceded “Death in the Family” by mere months, marking a significant instance where Batman seemed poised to end the Joker’s life (at least according to the narrative).

The image of Batman placing his hands on the Joker has sparked much debate, with many interpreting it as a potential attempt at strangulation or murder. Regardless of how one reads the story, the Joker manages to survive, serving as a stark reminder for Batman. This near-fatal encounter could have prompted Batman to remove his young sidekicks from active duty and engage in some introspection about his own emotions. Such self-reflection could have significantly altered the trajectory of the character, as well as those around him.

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2025-06-29 01:41