7 Reasons Why Batman Is the Ultimate Superhero You’ll Love Forever

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The first superhero film I watched in a cinema was Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man way back in 2002 when I was just ten years old. Naturally, I have a soft spot for Spider-Man, but Batman remains my top pick among superheroes, and there are several factors behind this preference. Interestingly, one aspect that Batman and Spiderman share is one of the reasons why I prefer Batman. Contrary to many ’90s kids, I didn’t spend my childhood reading comic books or watching Batman: The Animated Series, as I was more into shows like Ed, Edd n Eddy and, starting from the age of nine, South Park.

You don’t have to be a die-hard fan of Jack Reacher or Friday the 13th series to appreciate their new installments. Similarly, my reading experience includes both Batman: Year One and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller, as well as other notable storylines. This means I’m not entirely new to Batman’s portrayals in comics versus movies. Batman is a classic character with a long-lasting appeal; he’ll continue to inspire movies and graphic novels for many decades to come, given that he enters the public domain in 2035.

1) He’s Not a “Super” Hero

Stripped of his wealth and the devices his wealth provides, Batman is essentially an ordinary man – just Bruce Wayne. There’s a certain charm in that idea, even though we anticipate seeing him again in future films or comics. His presence still carries a sense of gravity and importance, as if there are real consequences to consider.

In a more conversational style: Superman can seem dull since he’s practically indestructible. On the other hand, Spider-Man and even Batman have their own set of powers and challenges. While Spider-Man faces a villain like the Glider-riding, heavily armed Green Goblin, Batman doesn’t have any superpowers. He relies on his armor, but it’s not invulnerable. What makes Batman interesting is that he struggles with his own past memories, which makes him as human as anyone else. A story is usually more captivating when the character we’ve come to know has flaws and mortality.

2) The Strength of Tim Burton’s Two Movies

The first time I witnessed Tim Burton’s cinematic phenomenon, Batman, remains etched in my memory for an unusual reason: Blockbuster Video didn’t have posters for the films on their rental cases, leading me to mistakenly pick up Batman: The Movie. I was greatly dismayed, but persevered and attempted to watch it. However, as Batman began to pummel a shark while dangling from a helicopter, I quickly lost interest and turned it off.

Once I found the perfect fit, I grew fond of it, especially since Burton crafted a Gotham City that mirrored his own gothic sensibilities and notably because of Jack Nicholson’s portrayal. Prior to witnessing Batman, I had already seen The Shining, which meant I watched the Stephen King adaptation at an age that was likely too young (though it didn’t scare me as much as captivate me). On the positive side, it allowed me to anticipate a Nicholson performance to be eccentric. My expectations were met. At the moment, Batman Returns didn’t appeal to me as much, but I still recognized its merit. Nowadays, if not for a specific Christopher Nolan masterpiece, I would claim Batman Returns as the finest Batman movie ever made.

3) The Orphan Factor

Superman’s Kryptonian parents and his father on Earth eventually passed away, while Spider-Man also lost his parents at a young age. However, when someone is asked to imagine an orphaned superhero, Batman often comes to mind first. This is because the story of Batman’s origin has been portrayed in numerous films, and the alleyway scene where Bruce Wayne witnesses the loss of his parents carries a deep emotional impact due to the regret associated with his fear causing them to be in that very alleyway.

As a film enthusiast, there’s no denying that Batman is the superhero who instantly springs to mind when I ponder over an orphaned hero. What sets him apart from other heroes is his extraordinary resilience in the face of adversity, despite lacking any conventional superpowers. Instead, he relies on his unyielding spirit and determination, a product of his damaged psyche. This dark past compels him to be a beacon of hope for his city, a selfless altruist.

Losing my parents at a young age was not due to a gunman in an alley, but rather to the relentless grasp of cancer. I may not have the means to acquire a Batwing, but I can relate to the man in a way that transcends the silver screen. His story is one of overcoming trauma, a testament to human strength and resilience. It’s a choice we all face: succumb to despair or transform our pain into a force for good, helping others navigate their own trials.

4) The ’90sness of Batman Forever

Joel Schumacher’s movie “Batman Forever” is one of the more entertainingly extravagant films from the ’90s, although it’s not flawless. It was popular and well-received by audiences, despite lacking the complexity found in Burton’s “Batman” or “Batman Returns.

Similar to many kids growing up in the ’90s, I often tuned in to watch “Batman Forever” when it was broadcast on TV. Although I recognized that it fell short compared to its predecessors, I still found pleasure in watching it much like I enjoyed movies such as “Jumanji”, “Small Soldiers”, and “Anaconda”. If there’s one director’s cut of a superhero movie that really ought to be re-released, it would be the Schumacher Cut of “Batman Forever”. This release could potentially generate significant profits for Warner Bros. and transform a somewhat mindless blockbuster into something more nuanced, focusing on the character of Batman. Moreover, it would serve as a farewell to the late Val Kilmer’s fans, who appreciated his portrayal of Bruce Wayne in this film. It appears that many of the scenes deleted from “Forever” centered around the psychological aspects of Kilmer’s Wayne.

5) The Strength of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight

It’s challenging to envision any superhero movie surpassing Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight.” Although some might say it could have been slightly shorter, it’s virtually flawless. The way it built upon the tone and world introduced in “Batman Begins” and made it feel like a real, lived-in universe is impressive. It ranks among the greatest blockbusters ever produced.

The enduring power of Batman’s lore is evident in its ability to be reimagined effectively by diverse directors like Christopher Nolan, Tim Burton, Matt Reeves, and others, each offering unique interpretations. Despite their distinct styles, they have all managed to create captivating, realistic worlds from the source material. Even without considering that Batman will soon enter public domain, there would be filmmakers for the long term who would present their own perspectives on Batman’s character, symbolism, and ideological standpoints.

6) The Rogues Gallery

Speaking of Spider-Man again, it’s worth noting that he stands out as the one hero who could potentially challenge Batman in terms of an impressive lineup of complex characters to face off against. However, when it comes down to it, Batman still takes the lead, largely because many of these characters are just as messed up, if not more so, than Batman himself, and frequently use their troubled minds to their advantage.

One advantage of the Rogues Gallery is that Gotham City provides an ideal habitat for them. It’s already gloomy and dilapidated, giving these criminals significant influence over it at any given time, often more than both the elected officials and the citizens who voted for them. Batman plays a crucial role in preventing the misdeeds of lesser criminals such as Roman Sionis, Salvatore Maroni, and Carmine Falcone from spiraling out of control. Similarly, he keeps notorious figures like The Joker, Penguin, Mr. Freeze, and Poison Ivy behind bars (until they manage to escape).

7) His Paternal Nature

There’s a charming quality in characters who act as guardian figures towards others, regardless if they share a familial bond with them. For instance, Batman, or rather Bruce Wayne, has consistently demonstrated this characteristic. In fact, it was one of the film’s redeeming qualities, even though it was nominated for a Razzie (award for worst movie). This can be seen in “Batman & Robin.

However, Batman isn’t just a father figure to the Robins like Damian Wayne and others; in many ways, he also functions as a guardian for all of Gotham City. Despite the fact that he doesn’t always receive recognition for his efforts, and the criminal justice system could undoubtedly be more effective at detaining villains, Batman remains dedicated to protecting the city’s citizens, even though they are unaware of his true identity.

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2025-06-03 23:45