Worldview in pop culture #3: Batman, Part 1:

In the midst of a dark Gotham night, a shot rings out. And then another. Events have begun to unfold that will change the fate of this fictional city forever. On that night, the fate of one man would become tied to a sense of justice. The death of his parents would haunt him for years. His name: Bruce Wayne. But you probably know him better as Batman.

Batman became a part of popular culture in 1939 with the release of the first Batman comic book. He has since existed as one of the most popular DC comic figures, having several full-length movies to his name, numerous graphic novels, and one campy 60's show. The Caped Crusader, The World's best detective, or the Dark Knight, as dark as he may be, has always stood as a beacon of justice in a city of crime, Gotham. His sense of justice and his refusal to take life are perhaps his two most defining characteristics. His most recent surge of popularity came from the trilogy of movies directed by Christopher Nolan. Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises have redefined the legend by adding an incredible amount of realism and dark themes. The new movies are far removed from the earlier incarnations of Batman in that 60's show (pun highly intended). But these movies come with much more than awesome, stellar, and excellent plot lines, explosions, graphics, cinematography, and acting. They come with a worldview.

Batman Begins is, in short, the story of how Bruce Wayne became Batman. It is natural to think that a boy who watched his parents be shot in cold blood by a criminal would develop a hunger for justice. But as Bruce grew up, he was haunted by a sense of responsibility for his parents' deaths, and a fear of bats. But he overcame that fear, and actually became it. He became Batman. He became an idea. The theme of overcoming fears was definitely among Nolan's target themes for the movie. But another theme that sticks from the movie is that of justice with compassion. When Batman completes his training, he is told that he is ready to lead the League of Assassins, but first he must demonstrate his dedication to justice by executing a farmer who is accused of murder. Batman refuses. What comes next is best roughly quoted:

Ras: “Your compassion is a weakness your enemies will not share.”

Wayne: “Exactly. That's what separates us from them.”

Batman's devotion to justice is just as strong as his devotion to life. And while he fights criminals in a way that no one else can, ruthlessly, directly, ignoring the bureaucracy of proper police work, (and as Batman, for pete's sake), he still believes in the idea of a fair trial. While fighting monsters, he does not become a monster himself. This theme is expounded upon even further in The Dark Knight, when Batman even refuses to kill the Joker himself. (The Dark Knight also contains a fabulous scene with two boats, in which the passengers of both refuse to kill the others.)

How great an idea is this, that Batman, master of disguise, theatrics, and face-kicking ninja martial arts, is also a defender of life. He stands for what is right, never wavering from his convictions. He does whatever is necessary to fight crime, and defends the entire city of Gotham from destruction at the hands of Ras. In The Dark Knight, he goes so far as to assume the identity of a criminal himself so as to protect the legacy of Harvey Dent. In Batman, Nolan has made a hero that you can root for, not because he is perfect, but because he fights for what is right. That is an idea that I can get behind.

~Steven Hamilton