Poll: Would you want to be Batman? Why or why not?

[gorfias]

Would you want to be Batman? Why or why not?

I think it says something about our world view and phsycie regarding this.

I mean, Batman's life is one of extremes.

He is a billionaire with no money troubles. Work doesn't suck. No spouse or boss messing with him. Good looking, healthy and can score with babes if he wants.

But, his parents were murdered before his eyes. His life sucks. During his free time, he is being beaten, acid spit on him, shot at. His love interests are murdered with abandon. You would think it sucks to be him, yet, I think the average nerd or geek like myself would love to be him any way. Why?

 

[Chewster]

No. He's rich but also damaged goods. Who the fuck needs a lifetime of personal hangups and getting a weekly ass kicking?

And even though he can score with babes, when does he ever actually do so? The guy is too mental to pull it off.

Though I guess that depends on which Batman we're talking about.

 

[Rkiver]

Batman (if he were real) has clear psychological problems. Having suffered from some in the past, I rather not do so again, so I'll bow out of being Batman.

Green Lantern on the other hand.....

 

[gorfias]

Batman (if he were real) has clear psychological problems. Having suffered from some in the past, I rather not do so again, so I'll bow out of being Batman.

Green Lantern on the other hand.....

The most cool thing I recall about Green Lantern: he likes Chili. I like Chili. Other than that, he was a bland character with a cool ability. I look forward to the movie.

No. He's rich but also damaged goods. Who the fuck needs a lifetime of personal hangups and getting a weekly ass kicking?

And even though he can score with babes, when does he ever actually do so? The guy is too mental to pull it off.

Though I guess that depends on which Batman we're talking about.

True, in my opinion, any new writer/ artist you might as well be speaking of a new continuity. Still, I think it says something about one's socio-religious-political world view if you actually wanted to be him. I would. Totally nuts.

 

[GothmogII]

This is the most politically charged question this forum has ever seen! And the religious implications are staggering.

Still, I wouldn't want to be Batman, his life isn't so great. Even if is the life of the most awesome non-powered superhero ever.

 

[spaceman12]

Batman is an artistic representation of psychosis.

- Batman does not voluntarily cooperate with anyone
- Batman uses overwhelming force
- Batman is emotionally withdrawn
- Batman cares for others as objects rather than people, he does not reciprocate mutual respect

Rorschach was a parody of the batman, a nihilistic psycho driven by inner demons.

 

[soulfire130]

I'm too lazy to be any superhero let alone Batman who has no powers( so his superhero-ing is extremely hard), expert at acrobatics, hand-to-hand expert, and is the ultumate technological smart-ass. With psychological problems to boot. I'll pass.

 

[Wayward Man]

He lost is parents, and it litterally drove him nuts. Who would want that?

Some people find their lives so static that they'd simply go for it, a lack of motivation and excitement in life fails to even stir the imagination for some.
I would be Batman, I would be the man taking justice into his own hands and not for all the righteous reasons, for the excitement, for something new.

On another note is this too serious? Perhaps, but that's what you get for putting Batman in this section.

 

[GothmogII]

Batman is an artistic representation of psychosis.

- Batman does not voluntarily cooperate with anyone
- Batman uses overwhelming force
- Batman is emotionally withdrawn
- Batman cares for others as objects rather than people, he does not reciprocate mutual respect

Rorschach was a parody of the batman, a nihilistic psycho driven by inner demons.

I bet you wouldn't say any of that to his face.

Heh, anyway, that's not really true at all:

1: Batman has worked with others plenty of times, and although, yes, many writers like to present him as the ultimate lone wolf who needs no-one, that doesn't mean he hasn't needed help from time to time or aided others when they needed him. Hell, he's a founding member of the Justice League!

2: Sort of true. A key character point is that Batman never kills. You're sort of right in the overwhelming force area that he often commits serious bodily harm against his foes, however, so does Superman. (Actually, this is something that heroes across the board are often guilty of, not just Batman.)

3: Again, depends on the writer, but yeah, mostly yes. However, this is mainly because when he's Batman, he's 'on the job', it's all business. He's had his share of love and loss of the side you know.

4: Again, writers. Sometimes he's a complete jackass towards those around him. This is not however an ingrained character trait, and he is shown to care deeply about those around him and being extremely protective of those few who he could call friend.

5: Rorschach was not a parody/deconstruction of Batman specifically, but rather of the type of attitude that certain Superheroes could fall victim to on account of whoever was writing that character at the time Batman included. The type of uber-violent, nihilistic avenger out to crush criminal activity.

 

[Knight Templar]

I would like to be on good terms with the Batman, but I would not wish to have his brand of mental issues, amazing though they may be.

 

[Skeleon]

Nah, he's always brooding because of his past.
He's got something wrong with his head.

I would like to be on good terms with the Batman, but I would not wish to have his brand of mental issues, amazing though they may be.

This, basically.

 

[Baked Cake]

I would rather be the 1960s batman, portrayed by Adam West. He is always prepared for anything, and will always win. And is awesome.

 

[Agema]

Batman is an artistic representation of psychosis.

- Batman does not voluntarily cooperate with anyone
- Batman uses overwhelming force
- Batman is emotionally withdrawn
- Batman cares for others as objects rather than people, he does not reciprocate mutual respect

Rorschach was a parody of the batman, a nihilistic psycho driven by inner demons.

No, of course Rorschach was not a parody of Batman. Fairly obviously, it's Night Owl in Watchmen who is more themed along Batman lines: owls and bats being nocturnal flying creatures, reliance on gadgets and science, etc. Batman is certainly not nihilistic; he's essentially just a vigilante who happens to be psychologically damaged and obsessed with justice. Considering his corporate wealth and pillar of the community background, maintenance of order, working with the police and state, I'd argue the underlying philosophy and politics of Batman are conservative more than anything else.

Rorschach was a homage to / parody of some libertarian/Objectivist goon superhero of little fame.

 

[GrimTuesday]

Of course, then I could use my Batanti-depressants and stop being a brooding little girl.

I think that might be the only thing he doesn't have on that belt of his.

 

[GloatingSwine]

Rorschach was a parody of The Question, a nihilistic psycho driven by inner demons.

Fixed that for you. In fact, had the license been available, Alan Moore was going to write Watchmen with the charlton comics characters (The Question, Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, etc).