You could've almost mentioned how almost all of his villains are Dark parallels of Batman. Mr Freeze showcases trauma and how that can affect a person, similar to Batman's. Two-Face and Poison Ivy symbolize obsession gone too far. Bane is the only villain who has physically broken The Batman and shows what happens if Bruce lets his brawn take control instead of his brains. Scarecrow takes the whole fear schtick to a whole nother level, Man-Bat is a literal reverse of Batman, Prometheus' origin (the villain, not the Greek Titan) mirrors Batman since his parents were criminals killed by corrupt cops in an alleyway, Penguin and Carmine Falcone represent Ego, Riddler is a mix of Ego and Obsession (Fanatic Narcissism, Egocentrism and Megalomania). Ra's Al Ghül represents what would happen to Bruce if he takes his mission too far. Red Hood is a representation of Batman's philosophy and how it may be flawed. And of course The Joker is the ideological antagonist to Batman. Order v Chaos.
I did mention this? Like I said that the villains respond to trauma poorly and Batman responds to it well. And elaborated on the point. But great case-by-case analysis here!
Lol, half of the villains you mentioned are like that just because the writers thought it was cool. You're looking too deep into something that's simple.
My mother passed away when i was 10 and it left me in a deep depression for years to come, as a teen I started getting into comics, commonly batman. I resonate personally with Batman because he also lost his parents but instead of letting it sink him into a pit of darkness, he uses it as motivation. As Batman he can make sure that no one else feels the pain he faced. The fact that a man who was once a broken child who stood over his parents remands in a ally weeping, can stand to the level of godlike beings like Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green lantern and many more. Batman inspires me to use my pain to help others instead of letting it consume me. And thats why Batman is my favorite character in all of media.
Wow, thank you for sharing that. I'm so glad Batman was able to help you in that way. While I can't possibly imagine myself fully in your shoes, one of the great things about stories like Batman is that they allow us to get a glimpse of another's experience in a way that just being told about them can't do. So please know that I mean it when I say I am so appreciative of you leaving this message, and I wish you all the best in channeling your pain into helping others.
I genuinely have a very similar, however instead of batman (who is my second favorite dc superhero) I chose Nightwing to be my favorite character in all of fiction, who I believe embodies who I want to be more than anything-- someone who has been through something horrific, i.e. losing his parents, and has coped with it and has worked through it, and doesn't let that swallow him up, he does the opposite. he becomes someone extremely well-liked in-universe because of the sense of optimism he embodies, and the hope he brings wherever he goes. (I'm surprised he hasn't become a blue lantern in continuity(as far as I know))
Be strong dragon, you are not alone... The Batman lives forever in us and that, that’s make us connected trough his legacy, connected trough a choice, the choice of willing to be and do good in a dark and nearly always bad world, a choice that represents not only pure justice but the only way to concretize a man that never existed in this worlds but always did in our heart being more real than anything else in that same world, a man that in the image of our soul smiles at us proud like the father that will always be guiding us with a symbol... 🦇 We are the Batman 🖤
I feel so bad for Batman, he does what he does so others won't have to and won't have to experience what he went through, even tho he knows he is never going to be happy he still does what he does for others, that just makes my heart melt for him and that's why I love him so much!! He is the best superhero because of his character not because he can beat the whole justice league or because he is feared through out his whole rouges gallery, it's because of his character.
That's also like Jesus, like if you're in the dance boat as Him as in believing in Him, He takes all the suffering. And also the world is black and evil white and black
Most Important thing to take away from analyzing Batman is that there are three personas: Batman, Playboy Bruce Wayne, and Actual Bruce Wayne. So many people miss this. Very few stories explore this.
@@xoxo1274 The degree of separation between Clark and actual Clark is nowhere as extreme as Batman's is, considering that Clark Kent leads a much simpler and less traumatic life compared to Bruce Wayne. Im surprised that there isn't more stories exploring Bruce Wayne with DID(that isn't done horribly)
Turning 50 years old soon. Reading Batman my whole life but really understanding the character at the age of 16. The Batman animated series is one of the greatest examples of Batman ever.. That awesomeness just transposed onto Justice League
Thanks! I appreciate that a lot. You can help by sharing with friends and family, or by trying to make the video visible to other creators, by tweeting it at them for example. Anything to get the word out!
Well said. Sure everybody has his favorites but I think that it's impossible to say that these three aren't the best superheroes by story and character standerts.
Frank millers dark knight returns is a bad choice for a comparison between batman and superman. Neither hero is at their best in that story. This is because that story is a dark deconstruction of superheros. Superman could so easily have chosen to be a evil or just uncaring, but he, alone and without the catalyst of a personal faling or a tradigy chooses to give a shit and always be the better man. Superman represent eternal optimism and inspire us to be the best versions of ourself. He is the counter argument to the; power corrupts, absolut power corrupts absolutely, statement. He is and have always been the greatest superhero. And batman himself agrees with this.
Thanks for commenting! I love hearing other people's opinions on this subject. I completely agree that TDKR is not a representation of Superman and Batman as a whole, but I don't think that means we can't take specific moments from the book and show how they are broadly applicable to the characters as a whole. I completely agree with your points about what makes Superman great as well, I think you hit the nail on the head with your point about the "absolute power..." saying. I would just argue that Batman is more compelling because he chooses to take on that power. It's true that Superman doesn't have a trauma in his past (although he does come from the tragedy of Krypton's destruction), but I don't think that diminishes in any way the powerfullness of Bruce as a young boy choosing to achieve power to prevent anyone else from experiencing tragedy. I would argue that, though it is inspiring that Superman is good without tragedy, it's even more inspiring that Batman makes himself into a superhero in order to overcome his tragedy. But of course this is subjective and there's nothing wrong with you finding Superman's story more inspiring than Batman's!
And here is why superman is my favorite hero. Is not because he can do supernatural powerful things, or because he is the most powerful superhero. Is because everytime i start to give up believe in humanity and goodness, he is the guy who remembers me that, there is still hope in the world.
I can't really fathom in how complex this character is, like I honestly thought he was a crime-fighting superhero that was just human and was meant for only kids. But wow I'd learn much more from this video that made me love him even more . Batman will forever be my all time favorite super hero. I have a deep admiration for him . He represents us all in a way and by far one of the best characters of all time.
Batman is just cool. He is a superhero without superpowers, he doesn't kill (or tries not to), he is INSANELY smart, and he is just build different. Being able to keep up with people like superman. A man mind you that got hit so hard in the face by shazam a black hole was created and he lived!
I like stories where its 1. Only really Batman and not the entire bat family 2. The artist embraces the gothic architecture as well as the grim atmosphere 3. Use of other villain's who are not just the Joker or are not new, the older ones get sidelined a lot as simply background pieces in the art.
Only just started the video but I take issue with what the Psychologist use quoted said about Bruce doing with his tragedy what takes most people years to do. I fundamentally disagree with this statement. It could just be a matter of opinion but to me Bruce didn’t decided in a matter of days that he was going to walk the path that ultimately would lead to his becoming Batman. I believe it was something that over the years between his parents’ death and him dawning the cowl that formed into something beyond himself. I believe over the years he realized his inability to cope with the tragedy as Bruce Wayne, and thus needed to become someone else, something else, as a way to avoid directly facing what had happened and come to terms with it. I believe that Bruce did attempt to cope in normal healthy ways to begin with. Once he accepted that he was unable to he made the decision to become Batman. Someone who did not need to cope with the tragedy because Batman’s parents weren’t killed, Bruce’s were. Becoming Batman to hide himself from the horrific event. Hence why every night he dawns the cowl. Why he allowed the Batman persona to completely consume his life and wore the cape and cowl more than he didn’t wear them. Because once the cowl was on Bruce’s pain, fear, and trauma did not exist within himself. They’re all acknowledged as events that have happened to Bruce but never accepted or embraced. Bruce the identity, as an ego, or person is still in that alley kneeling over his dead parents, scared, alone, traumatized and racked with unfathomable pain and guilt and fear. Unable to leave that alley because it would mean he has to accept what happened and leave his parents behind. Doing this however would mean Bruce must acknowledge the tragedy and acknowledge that Batman doesn’t need to exist anymore.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! I really appreciate your engagement with the video. I think you'll find that a lot of what you have to say is discussed at length later in the video, but as for how quickly Bruce made the vow to avenge his parents, it definitely differs in different adaptations. I think the psychologist is referring specifically to the original origin story, in which Bruce takes a vow a couple days after his parents die to avenge them (you can see the image from that original comic in the video when I'm discussing the subject). So yes, while I think it's not exactly against the idea of Batman to say that he took more time, and that's certainly how it's been characterized sometimes before, it still is, I think, a useful point to say that the versions where he does make a pledge immediately can teach us something. I hope you like the rest of the video! Thanks for watching and commenting. :)
I'm glad to hear that! I'm not a Christian myself, but I do think that there can be powerful lessons taught from religious stories. It is no surprise to me that these same lessons would be paralleled in the "modern mythology" of superheroes.
Batman. His name is just badass. It makes me sad, honestly sad...Bill Finger, a great man who gave us the greatest character of ALL-TIME. He died and hero, never got credits for what he did. This character will never die. Bill was an angel straight from heaven and a gift to humanity.
I just like that Batman is pretty much the only hero (I can think of) who doesn’t have any actual powers and he isn’t granted what he has by complete chance or is born with it. He just worked damn hard, and there is no reason that nobody else can get themselves into the sort of psychical state he did
I feel a good way to understand Batman is thru the concept of the bodhisattva. This is one who’s transcends concepts yet stays to save everyone who has not yet transcended.
Batman is the greatest Superhero of all time. A terrible tragedy happened to him but instead of letting the situation control him, he got up, stopped whining and took control of the situation and set meaningful goals for himself. Batman can own anything and everything and yet he chooses to spend his money on charity and on his mission as Batman to rid the world of crime sacrificing his body, health, joy and peace in the process. He is our collective rage at injustice and oppression. He is a man searching the dark alleys of his mind to bring balance to an unjust world. He is a social activist. When we step back to gaze long upon the great Batman tapestry, when we look for the common thread woven through it by Kane, Finger, Fox, O’Neil, Englehart, and that endless line of creators, those who have come and gone as well as those who are still weaving, what do we see? We see a hero. We see someone we’d want on our side, a figure we’d love to call forth from our shadows and hurl at those who would do us wrong. We see that part of ourselves that wants to scare all of life’s bullies away, and we like it. He is driven. He is like a revolutionary who stands up to tyrants or the activists who fight against great odds to make this world a better place. Out of tragedy, great good can arise.
This was so good to listen to. I learned so much from this and I feel closer to the character of Batman. Please do one for black panther and spiderman if you may. I appreciate the hard work you put into this. Really top notch quality work brotha.
Hey, thanks so much! I did a short video covering a piece of Spider-Man's character that you can check out on my channel. I have one on Superman coming out soon, and I plan to put more together on Spider-Man too. Look out for those!
Loved your video. You really understand the character of Batman. I once had a trauma in my life and after that I was always feeling alone angry, and was really sad. Batman teach us that instead of doing what I did, we could use our trauma as meaning. Thanks for The Video.
"I'm condemned to use the tools of my enemy to defeat them. I burn my decency for someone else's future. I burn my life to make a sunrise that I know I'll never see. And the ego that started this fight will never have a mirror or an audience or the light of gratitude. So what do I sacrifice? Everything!" ―Luthen Rael
Thank you! There will definitely be more, but I also have some other video ideas that I'm working on at the moment. I think if you liked this, you'll like them too!
The biggest point you make on which i wholeheartedly agree, is the fact Batman is the aspirational hero of a post-industrial society. He embodies the antique, "knightly" code of honor, uphold justice, protect the weak and vulnerable, and strike against the forces which would threaten them and what they hold dear. It is an aspirational, romantic return to values which appear forsaken to a post industrial inhabitant.
After watching this video I have to say that your research and analysis was absolutely phenomenal. I’m sure you spent a lot of time and effort into this video essay, but it truly paid off!!!
About Batman's Identity: THANK YOU. i never knew Greg Weidman said that about Batman, but once i got more into Batman's stories and sort of study the character by myself, i come up with the conclusion that Bruce Wayne/Batman is indeed three different characters in one. Wayne, as I call it: The man that everyone sees, the egocentric billonarie playboy that carries the Wayne Legacy. Bruce: The man under the mask, the man who has a heart, who feels, who can be broken, the humanity. Batman: The man with the mask, the symbol who can seem cold and emotionless, fearless and even sassy. The Dark knight. Those three personas make Bruce Wayne aka The Batman as a character.
As a Christian, I can declare that I personally have gotten close to Batman due to his morals and his mental strength. As someone that has struggled in that department (as along with many others) I find it reassuring in a way. This was an amazing analysis, thank you so much.
One misconception in this video, and in general about the comparison to Superman here, is that line of "being good should always be harder than being bad". The thing for Superman is, it is harder to be good, just in a different way. It's often pointed out how Superman could just snap and become King of the World with the powers he has, and also force his will onto the world and "make it make sense" as Batman says, but he doesn't. Instead, he takes the "harder" route and leads people by example, trying to help them better themselves by showing them that there's a better way than just the "easy" way, and that working for and earning things makes them more worth it, even if it is harder. Any good Superman story shows this in his nature. In any good conflict in Superman comics, the villains are always challenging his morals and his good nature rather than just his physical abilities.
🤣 “ I can use some air support....since I can’t fly, at all.......now would be good.” And once again I’m reminded why I actually own (and am presently wearing) jewelry with a Batman logo.
Just found and watched this video. Really good, love the idea that batman is a Shepard figure. It speaks to this unspoken idea that is core to how Batman wants to help others. Further, it plays into his own self-destructive tendencies required for him to start being batman. Something I want to note, that wasn't touched on, but is in line with the general message is that Batman is very forgiving towards criminals. In the sense that he seems to genuinely try to help them, and allow them a better way of life. At least when he's not trying to prevent something bad from happening. You see this in the Dark Knight Returns with the gangs, the comics with Clayface, all the time with Catwoman, in the injustice universe his whole M.O., in the fact his rouges go to an asylum rather than prison. It almost doesn't fit with his character, but also completely fits like a puzzle piece cut on the color of a grove, it doesn't look like it will fit, but it makes a more whole puzzle.
Living for a cause that we may never ourselves personally see and learning to turn our greatest fears into our greatest strengths. Honestly this video perfectly summarizes the reason why so many people (including myself) have always loved Batman
Bruce and Dick are the perfect foils for each other. While Barbra only joined as a by-product of feeling Batman was a symbol that needed reinforcement, Dick needed Batman's help. Batman did for Dick what no one could do for Bruce at that age. He gave him *real* help. The cops arrested Bruce's parent's killer, but were bound by law to only go so far. Batman gave Dick a choice! Get revenge and kill his parents' killer, or get vengeance by helping Batman as Robin. Bruce was *forced* to step aside. Dick was given a choice! On a side note: Barbra is also an unnecessary character, only invented in the 80s because the writers felt Batman and Robin needed a girl on the team since the public was beginning to feel they were homosexuals. They couldn't have that on a kids' show! My how times have changed!
don't give today's media ideas....soon they're totally going to rewrite batman and robin into the gayest couple ever. I hear they want to rewrite Superman as a black trans' or whatever...like look...I have nothing against gays, trans or any race. But instead of re-writing characters, they should simply create new characters. They want a Black Superman? By all means they could create a black character 100x stronger than superman, but call him something other than Superman...you know?
@@thetaorobertshow265 100% I’d love to see a black Batman and Superman, I’m black I love the idea but making them gay and ruining our childhood nostalgia..? Nahh g😂😂
@@Mouseman358 well, ypu know how it goes nowadays 😂 one little tweak ain't enough...when they tweak something...dude, they tweak the living fuck out of that character 😂
Bruce’s plea at his parents’ grave was absolutely heartbreaking … here is a man who virtually gave up on living, and now he finally finds a chance for a normal life. And yet his guilt is so deep that he pleads for his “promise” to be forgiven. The sad thing is, HE made the promise to HIMSELF, and he’s struggling with his desire for a normal life pitted against his sense of duty to keep that promise.
It's weird, because I've always been a big fans of characters who don't have powers but can still keep up with and even surpass those with universe shattering and reality warping powers. I'm also a big fan of Sherlock Holmes and other detectives, as well as phantom thieves Arsene Lupin and mad scientists. Yet Batman has never been more than an afterthought on my favorites list. It was always Spiderman for Marvel and Flash for DC. This video does a good job explaining why I should look again at Batman. It also does a good job at debating those who think Batman's "no guns/ no killing" rule is dumber than Superman hiding his identity with glasses (which, that itself is more ingenious than most people realise). While, yes, killing the Joker (or any rogue, for that matter) will eliminate the threat once and for all, it will also shatter everything Batman is. Injustice and Flashpoint are good examples of illustrating this. And this is all coming from me, who watched the cartoons and shows but isn't as versed in the comics as many others.
Batman is the best because he has no superhuman abilities, yet he consistently defy the odds and brings justice with huge amount of will and determination. Thus the Dark Knight is superior.
Batman is my favorite fictional character of all time and I’ve never been able to articulate why he resonates with me nearly as well as you were able to in this video. Great job!
Amazing video! I thought it was interesting you described Superman as deterministic since typically that philosophy is shown in a dark sense, but I can see positively too from the video. It’d be cool if you did a whole video on Superman!
Wow such a great content. I loved the psychological and philosophical aspects of THE BATMAN. And also the comparison between Nightwing and Batman. Keep making such videos, and thanks a lot for this one. +1 sub :)
Dude I watch this analysis time and time again and everytime l learn something new. Excellent work. Each time I am having trouble or am stuck at something, I ask myself “What would Batman do?” He’s such an inspiration.
Well I don't think that we should say that Batman is better than Superman. I always thought that Superman is about people dealing with great potential and Batman is about people dealing with great tragedy, which you made a good point of. As Batman after being confronted with tragedy chouse to do good and his villains chouse to do evil, Superman chouse to do good after being confronted with greatness. Look at Lex Luthor, Superman's archenemy, he is the smartest man alive, and he chouse to do evil. I really like a moment from All-Star Superman when Superman says to Luthor: "If you really cared you could have saved [the world] a long time ago".
This is a great take! I love the idea that Luthor foils Superman in that same way as Batman's villains foil him. And I don't personally think that Batman is "better" (though I do like him more as a character), as I agree that's kind of tough to say objectively. I just wanted to make the argument here for the sake of the video. In fact, I have a video I'm working on right now that argues why Superman is the greatest superhero of all time. So stay tuned for that!
My opinion is that Batman is the best DC superhero but Spider-Man will always be my all time favorite superhero. Batman is my second favorite and Iron man is in third place.
Dude. This was great. I'm about to watch the animated series again and I think I'll see it a bit differently now. Could you make some videos about batman's iconic villains and how they reflect part of batman, himself? Ide really like to hear what you think about these subjects. :)
One problem with Jokers "One bad day" is Context'who you are also affects how you deal with a crisis Bruce was a rich child from a healthy loving home who also had Alfred to guide him and learn on and Gordon BUT: 'Joker' was an adult, a struggling comedian , struggling to keep his family financially secure who had to turn to the mob
This video is very interesting and your referencing sources is adding more value to this video. good luck with your this project and to be honest , this video deserves more views (1,727) than this.
Thank you so much for this! I actually have more videos in the pipeline, I just want to get enough ready so that I can release consistently for a while and make sure I don't miss any months. Stay tuned!
Batman is arguably the greatest hero ever. Him more than any other hero I can relate to and empathize with. Not his brilliant mind, his bravery, perfect physical condition, his dedication, discipline or his wealth. But I can relate to his grim, brooding, depressed personality. And overcoming adversity. I'm not a very happy or well adjusted person so Batman more than any other hero I can understand how he feels inside. For all of his many qualities, he is a deeply troubled, flawed, traumatized person but despite that he overcomes all those negative obstacles to be the best person he can be. And I admire that about him. And in the comics, animated series and movies he has proven himself to be worthy of standing amongst gods. And despite having no superhuman powers he's admired, respected and feared by his fellow heroes. He's a selfmade man who wasn't born with extraordinary abilities, just his determination to be more than a mere mortal got him to his status as an invaluable member of a league of superheroes who knows that without their powers they wouldn't be nowhere near his level. By the way besides the comics, tv series and movies the best representation of Batman is Batman The Animated Series, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. Voiced by the late, great Kevin Conroy. His voice was perfect for Batman, exactly as I would imagine him to sound like.
This video was amazing and I loved the different lenses like religion and absurdity you looked into as well. I agree with all of it except for the black and white worldview you say Batman has. If he does have a black and white worldview why does he try to help the Joker in the Killing Joke, Joker is evil but Batman still believes there is good in him. If he has a black and white worldview then why doesn't he kill villains, he doesn't because he sees the gray area in life he believes in redemption. He also as the no kill rule because like you said if he kills someone, he submits to the idea that his parents died for no reason and he can't have that. But in the comics as well Bruce gives money and jobs at Wayne Enterprises to former criminals once they come out of prison or if they turned to crime because of money problems. But maybe I'm wrong and maybe those interpretations of the character are not seen as often as the one who does see in black and white. Otherwise this was an amazing video and my favourite superhero is Batman so it was spectacular to see someone dive deep into why Batman is a great hero like I have before.
Hey thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts! You make some great points. I think everything you said is consistent with a black-and-white worldview, though. Batman can believe and good and evil and also believe in redemption from evil. Believing in the binary doesn't mean people can't go back and forth between the categories. In fact, religions that believe rigidly in good and evil often also have concepts of redemption or repentance. So because he wants to redeem these people from their evil, he won't kill them. But as long as they are criminals, they're evil. Full stop. That's my thought at least.
@LetsTakeALook that actually does not make any sense though because the concept of good and evil inherently would mean that people are who they are. Either good or evil. Acknowledging that people can go from evil to good or vice versa is admitting that Batman does in fact believe that people are gray and not one or the other. Otherwise he wouldn’t have taken Jason Todd under his wing because he first met Jason as a criminal. Or even Batman himself. If he believed in a simplistic good or evil world view then why does he not turn himself in as vigilantes are illegal. Which goes against the law and goodness that you say Batman is so aligned with. Ultimately you saying that Batman is so rigid with his perspective is not only false but makes him out to be a hypocrite. As well as not giving him enough credit for his intelligence and understanding nuance. Otherwise good video
i agree with the majority of your points. However the main thing that i disagree with is Batman pushing people away and losing his loved ones because they don’t commit to his mission. I believe batman pushes people away because he is afraid to lose them the way he lost his parents. the biggest example of this to me is in the long halloween and dark victory. he starts off the story trusting in harvey dent he literally says “i believe in harvey dent”. but later in the story harvey “dies”. the man bruce knew as harvey is no longer there. bruce again is abandoned by the people he cares about. his parents were taken from and in a different way harvey was as well. we see later in dark victory that batman pushes commissioner gordon away because of his fear of being close to people and losing the people he loves. it’s only through robin that batman learns to trust again. i loved the video but i highly recommend you watch the lego batman movie because that movie understood that aspect of his character much better than you in my opinion.
I agree that this is an aspect of why Batman pushes people away in some versions of the character. But you have to remember there are also some where Batman is a great father (and father figure). Batman isn't always afraid of opening himself up to others intrinsically. He is afraid of doing so because he's afraid that connections will jeopardize his mission, which he doesn't want to let fall from the top of his priorities. The LEGO Batman movie is great! I actually just rewatched it last week. And it totally nails that aspect of Batman! But that's not the end of the story. If Dick could fully embrace Batman's mission, then he wouldn't have to push him away, because his connection to Dick wouldn't come before their shared mission. You can see in Mask of the Phantasm-he isn't inherently afraid of making another connection, he feels like he'd be betraying his parents if he did. Thanks for commenting!
I'd like to see a kind of part 2 to this. More focusing on Jason Todd. While I do think Todd wants to tear down Bruce's "leap of faith" by presenting the cold, hard fact that innocents can still die if murderers aren't killed before any future victims are, he also does do it out of a sense of justice. In some iterations, Todd doesn't care whether or not Batman sees the world as he does, and just wants it to be safer for innocent, lawful people. And he takes this notion to the extreme by killing every dangerous, lawless person he comes across. I always thought anti-heroes were more psychologically interesting than normal heroes. Their distinct lack of care if they appeal to the ethics of others and just want to meat out their own ends. Whether because they think those ends or moral or just self-sufficient. Also, final point, i can't help but view it as illogical to admit that people can die "for no reason at all" and still live up to an ideal like how Bruce does. It'd make more sense if he sees that the world doesn't make sense and chooses to spend his life making it make sense by force. But I suppose this wouldn't be as heroic.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! I love hearing different viewpoints on this stuff. I think you're right that I could have made a clearer distinction between Jason Todd and The Joker, and their motivations. Perhaps if I re-did the video, I would incorporate your thoughts. On the topic of Batman and the world making sense, I didn't mean to convey that he does admit that people can die for no reason at all, because he is there to stop it. He forces the world to make sense, by preventing that from happening. Without a guardian angel, the world would be the one Bruce saw in the alley as a kid. But he destroys that world and makes his own around him.
I thought Batman was out for Vengeance on all criminals but when I saw him as a save innocent lives that's when I knew he might be after the scum but he'll always choose to save lives before going after the criminals
You could've almost mentioned how almost all of his villains are Dark parallels of Batman. Mr Freeze showcases trauma and how that can affect a person, similar to Batman's. Two-Face and Poison Ivy symbolize obsession gone too far. Bane is the only villain who has physically broken The Batman and shows what happens if Bruce lets his brawn take control instead of his brains. Scarecrow takes the whole fear schtick to a whole nother level, Man-Bat is a literal reverse of Batman, Prometheus' origin (the villain, not the Greek Titan) mirrors Batman since his parents were criminals killed by corrupt cops in an alleyway, Penguin and Carmine Falcone represent Ego, Riddler is a mix of Ego and Obsession (Fanatic Narcissism, Egocentrism and Megalomania). Ra's Al Ghül represents what would happen to Bruce if he takes his mission too far. Red Hood is a representation of Batman's philosophy and how it may be flawed. And of course The Joker is the ideological antagonist to Batman. Order v Chaos.
I did mention this? Like I said that the villains respond to trauma poorly and Batman responds to it well. And elaborated on the point. But great case-by-case analysis here!
Bloody marvelous point!
What about Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum lol
Well done bro. I never thought about it like that for a couple that you mentioned
Lol, half of the villains you mentioned are like that just because the writers thought it was cool. You're looking too deep into something that's simple.
My mother passed away when i was 10 and it left me in a deep depression for years to come, as a teen I started getting into comics, commonly batman. I resonate personally with Batman because he also lost his parents but instead of letting it sink him into a pit of darkness, he uses it as motivation. As Batman he can make sure that no one else feels the pain he faced. The fact that a man who was once a broken child who stood over his parents remands in a ally weeping, can stand to the level of godlike beings like Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green lantern and many more. Batman inspires me to use my pain to help others instead of letting it consume me. And thats why Batman is my favorite character in all of media.
Wow, thank you for sharing that. I'm so glad Batman was able to help you in that way. While I can't possibly imagine myself fully in your shoes, one of the great things about stories like Batman is that they allow us to get a glimpse of another's experience in a way that just being told about them can't do. So please know that I mean it when I say I am so appreciative of you leaving this message, and I wish you all the best in channeling your pain into helping others.
You are GOATED well done I hope you are doing well
I genuinely have a very similar, however instead of batman (who is my second favorite dc superhero) I chose Nightwing to be my favorite character in all of fiction, who I believe embodies who I want to be more than anything-- someone who has been through something horrific, i.e. losing his parents, and has coped with it and has worked through it, and doesn't let that swallow him up, he does the opposite. he becomes someone extremely well-liked in-universe because of the sense of optimism he embodies, and the hope he brings wherever he goes. (I'm surprised he hasn't become a blue lantern in continuity(as far as I know))
This comment about made me cry bro
Be strong dragon, you are not alone... The Batman lives forever in us and that, that’s make us connected trough his legacy, connected trough a choice, the choice of willing to be and do good in a dark and nearly always bad world, a choice that represents not only pure justice but the only way to concretize a man that never existed in this worlds but always did in our heart being more real than anything else in that same world, a man that in the image of our soul smiles at us proud like the father that will always be guiding us with a symbol... 🦇 We are the Batman 🖤
I feel so bad for Batman, he does what he does so others won't have to and won't have to experience what he went through, even tho he knows he is never going to be happy he still does what he does for others, that just makes my heart melt for him and that's why I love him so much!! He is the best superhero because of his character not because he can beat the whole justice league or because he is feared through out his whole rouges gallery, it's because of his character.
Wonder woman:Why do you push Robin so hard is it so he turns out like you Batman:So he doesn't turn out like me
That's also like Jesus, like if you're in the dance boat as Him as in believing in Him, He takes all the suffering. And also the world is black and evil white and black
Yes!! Oh my gosh I think the same thing I love the psychological things about batman
The scene in BAS where he cries over the grave of his parents is heartbreaking honestly
Could Batman beat Goku tho?
My Brain: So you will watch a 40 minutes essay about Batman while you have to do a essay of your own??
Me: Yes, I think I will.
Just copy the essay
That's what I'm doing right now. Don't call me out like that ;-;
🍪
ADHD baby
I love this. Thank you. 👍🏻👍🏻
Most Important thing to take away from analyzing Batman is that there are three personas: Batman, Playboy Bruce Wayne, and Actual Bruce Wayne. So many people miss this. Very few stories explore this.
Like the three jokers
So the real question is which is which🤔🧐🤔🤔
Superman alsi has three personas reporter clark, actual clark amd superman clark
ua-cam.com/video/Yh05M9qWniQ/v-deo.htmlsi=hdHDDkCu4Zfg7FbJ
@@xoxo1274 The degree of separation between Clark and actual Clark is nowhere as extreme as Batman's is, considering that Clark Kent leads a much simpler and less traumatic life compared to Bruce Wayne. Im surprised that there isn't more stories exploring Bruce Wayne with DID(that isn't done horribly)
Turning 50 years old soon.
Reading Batman my whole life but really understanding the character at the age of 16.
The Batman animated series is one of the greatest examples of Batman ever..
That awesomeness just transposed onto Justice League
He is one of the most iconic legendary character in fiction
batman is a vile remnant of the worst mighty whiteys tarzan in particular.
This video deserves more attention. You deserve more attention.
Thanks! I appreciate that a lot. You can help by sharing with friends and family, or by trying to make the video visible to other creators, by tweeting it at them for example. Anything to get the word out!
@@LetsTakeALook Already tweeted this video out to my followers (some of which are creators).
@@javierpupo8042 That's awesome! Thank you so much! You can follow me at @letstakealook1, if you feel so inclined
maybe the death of he's parntes was fate creating the criminal s worst fear and it's batman
@@LetsTakeALook crahing through the roof in a one horse soaping tree all the fields we go laughing all the weeeeeee ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!!!!!
I've read many comic, and seen many cartoons. Batman has always been my favorite superhero. Closely followed by Superman and Spider-Man.
Couldn't agree more
Well said. Sure everybody has his favorites but I think that it's impossible to say that these three aren't the best superheroes by story and character standerts.
what I like about batman that he's badass
Could they beat Goku tho?
@@NBM1942 Superman would
Why do we fall sir? So that we can learn, to pick ourselves up. You haven't given up on me Alfred? Never.
I wish i sounded so smart when i spoke
Haha thanks
Let's Take A Look 👀 OP has
@@LetsTakeALook This is well made
I accept you
Frank millers dark knight returns is a bad choice for a comparison between batman and superman. Neither hero is at their best in that story. This is because that story is a dark deconstruction of superheros. Superman could so easily have chosen to be a evil or just uncaring, but he, alone and without the catalyst of a personal faling or a tradigy chooses to give a shit and always be the better man. Superman represent eternal optimism and inspire us to be the best versions of ourself. He is the counter argument to the; power corrupts, absolut power corrupts absolutely, statement. He is and have always been the greatest superhero. And batman himself agrees with this.
Thanks for commenting! I love hearing other people's opinions on this subject. I completely agree that TDKR is not a representation of Superman and Batman as a whole, but I don't think that means we can't take specific moments from the book and show how they are broadly applicable to the characters as a whole. I completely agree with your points about what makes Superman great as well, I think you hit the nail on the head with your point about the "absolute power..." saying. I would just argue that Batman is more compelling because he chooses to take on that power. It's true that Superman doesn't have a trauma in his past (although he does come from the tragedy of Krypton's destruction), but I don't think that diminishes in any way the powerfullness of Bruce as a young boy choosing to achieve power to prevent anyone else from experiencing tragedy. I would argue that, though it is inspiring that Superman is good without tragedy, it's even more inspiring that Batman makes himself into a superhero in order to overcome his tragedy. But of course this is subjective and there's nothing wrong with you finding Superman's story more inspiring than Batman's!
@@LetsTakeALook thanks for the reply. You have my subscription from now on.
@@Kristian.B.Kristiansen Thanks for commenting! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on future videos.
as one man said, "power doesn’t corrupt, it reveals". Superman's power reveals what kind of a man he is: the greatest hero.
And here is why superman is my favorite hero. Is not because he can do supernatural powerful things, or because he is the most powerful superhero. Is because everytime i start to give up believe in humanity and goodness, he is the guy who remembers me that, there is still hope in the world.
Holy shit, I’m not even 10 mins in and this is such a great character analysis and thesis, great work my guy
Hey thanks so much!
I can't really fathom in how complex this character is, like I honestly thought he was a crime-fighting superhero that was just human and was meant for only kids. But wow I'd learn much more from this video that made me love him even more . Batman will forever be my all time favorite super hero. I have a deep admiration for him . He represents us all in a way and by far one of the best characters of all time.
Batman is just cool. He is a superhero without superpowers, he doesn't kill (or tries not to), he is INSANELY smart, and he is just build different. Being able to keep up with people like superman. A man mind you that got hit so hard in the face by shazam a black hole was created and he lived!
I like stories where its 1. Only really Batman and not the entire bat family 2. The artist embraces the gothic architecture as well as the grim atmosphere 3. Use of other villain's who are not just the Joker or are not new, the older ones get sidelined a lot as simply background pieces in the art.
Man of culture I see
Legends of the dark knight is my favorite
Only just started the video but I take issue with what the Psychologist use quoted said about Bruce doing with his tragedy what takes most people years to do. I fundamentally disagree with this statement.
It could just be a matter of opinion but to me Bruce didn’t decided in a matter of days that he was going to walk the path that ultimately would lead to his becoming Batman. I believe it was something that over the years between his parents’ death and him dawning the cowl that formed into something beyond himself. I believe over the years he realized his inability to cope with the tragedy as Bruce Wayne, and thus needed to become someone else, something else, as a way to avoid directly facing what had happened and come to terms with it.
I believe that Bruce did attempt to cope in normal healthy ways to begin with. Once he accepted that he was unable to he made the decision to become Batman. Someone who did not need to cope with the tragedy because Batman’s parents weren’t killed, Bruce’s were. Becoming Batman to hide himself from the horrific event. Hence why every night he dawns the cowl. Why he allowed the Batman persona to completely consume his life and wore the cape and cowl more than he didn’t wear them. Because once the cowl was on Bruce’s pain, fear, and trauma did not exist within himself. They’re all acknowledged as events that have happened to Bruce but never accepted or embraced.
Bruce the identity, as an ego, or person is still in that alley kneeling over his dead parents, scared, alone, traumatized and racked with unfathomable pain and guilt and fear. Unable to leave that alley because it would mean he has to accept what happened and leave his parents behind. Doing this however would mean Bruce must acknowledge the tragedy and acknowledge that Batman doesn’t need to exist anymore.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! I really appreciate your engagement with the video. I think you'll find that a lot of what you have to say is discussed at length later in the video, but as for how quickly Bruce made the vow to avenge his parents, it definitely differs in different adaptations. I think the psychologist is referring specifically to the original origin story, in which Bruce takes a vow a couple days after his parents die to avenge them (you can see the image from that original comic in the video when I'm discussing the subject). So yes, while I think it's not exactly against the idea of Batman to say that he took more time, and that's certainly how it's been characterized sometimes before, it still is, I think, a useful point to say that the versions where he does make a pledge immediately can teach us something.
I hope you like the rest of the video! Thanks for watching and commenting. :)
i had loss and used it to better me... so what they say is wrong! we CHOOSE to do it or not.
Batman still even then has a reason to exist.
As a Christian, I appreciate the parallels you drew between Batman and the Bible. God bless.
I'm glad to hear that! I'm not a Christian myself, but I do think that there can be powerful lessons taught from religious stories. It is no surprise to me that these same lessons would be paralleled in the "modern mythology" of superheroes.
@@LetsTakeALook if your not Christian I assume you’re an atheist.
@@kordellswoffer1520 Jewish atheist
@@LetsTakeALook so you’re a person of Jewish background but are an atheist in belief.
@@LetsTakeALook I’m Christian so I share his sentiments about you including the stories in the video rather nice.
Very good. You have a great understanding of the dark knight
Thank you Xbarconnection!
@@LetsTakeALook I wish Batman can get a happy ending.
Batman.
His name is just badass.
It makes me sad, honestly sad...Bill Finger, a great man who gave us the greatest character of ALL-TIME. He died and hero, never got credits for what he did. This character will never die. Bill was an angel straight from heaven and a gift to humanity.
I loved this video, was pretty cool, I always loved Batman and this video summons up almost all the reasons! +1 sub
Thank you! I really appreciate it. Feel free to share with friends and family who you think might enjoy it!
I just like that Batman is pretty much the only hero (I can think of) who doesn’t have any actual powers and he isn’t granted what he has by complete chance or is born with it. He just worked damn hard, and there is no reason that nobody else can get themselves into the sort of psychical state he did
I feel a good way to understand Batman is thru the concept of the bodhisattva. This is one who’s transcends concepts yet stays to save everyone who has not yet transcended.
I wasn't familiar with the idea, but that makes a lot of sense! Thanks for sharing
Yes now that you say it, it reminds me of Theravada Buddhism.
Batman is the greatest Superhero of all time. A terrible tragedy happened to him but instead of letting the situation control him, he got up, stopped whining and took control of the situation and set meaningful goals for himself. Batman can own anything and everything and yet he chooses to spend his money on charity and on his mission as Batman to rid the world of crime sacrificing his body, health, joy and peace in the process. He is our collective rage at injustice and oppression. He is a man searching the dark alleys of his mind to bring balance to an unjust world. He is a social activist. When we step back to gaze long upon the great Batman tapestry, when we look for the common thread woven through it by Kane, Finger, Fox, O’Neil, Englehart, and that endless line of creators, those who have come and gone as well as those who are still weaving, what do we see? We see a hero. We see someone we’d want on our side, a figure we’d love to call forth from our shadows and hurl at those who would do us wrong. We see that part of ourselves that wants to scare all of life’s bullies away,
and we like it. He is driven. He is like a revolutionary who stands up to tyrants or the activists who fight against great odds to make this world a better place. Out of tragedy, great good can arise.
This video is so underrated needs more views.
Thank you so much! Feel free to help get the word out!
This was so good to listen to. I learned so much from this and I feel closer to the character of Batman. Please do one for black panther and spiderman if you may. I appreciate the hard work you put into this. Really top notch quality work brotha.
Hey, thanks so much! I did a short video covering a piece of Spider-Man's character that you can check out on my channel. I have one on Superman coming out soon, and I plan to put more together on Spider-Man too. Look out for those!
@@LetsTakeALook superman is gonna be lit
Loved your video.
You really understand the character of Batman.
I once had a trauma in my life and after that I was always feeling alone angry, and was really sad. Batman teach us that instead of doing what I did, we could use our trauma as meaning.
Thanks for The Video.
I'm so glad Batman helped you learn how to respond to trauma in your own life. That is the power of these stories.
Batman doesn’t give up not matter what life throws at him he continues to get up and fight.
A regular man turns himself into a symbol and a force of nature.
"I'm condemned to use the tools of my enemy to defeat them. I burn my decency for someone else's future. I burn my life to make a sunrise that I know I'll never see. And the ego that started this fight will never have a mirror or an audience or the light of gratitude. So what do I sacrifice? Everything!" ―Luthen Rael
This is fantastic. Great job. I can’t wait to see more character studies.
Thank you! There will definitely be more, but I also have some other video ideas that I'm working on at the moment. I think if you liked this, you'll like them too!
The biggest point you make on which i wholeheartedly agree, is the fact Batman is the aspirational hero of a post-industrial society.
He embodies the antique, "knightly" code of honor, uphold justice, protect the weak and vulnerable, and strike against the forces which would threaten them and what they hold dear. It is an aspirational, romantic return to values which appear forsaken to a post industrial inhabitant.
After watching this video I have to say that your research and analysis was absolutely phenomenal. I’m sure you spent a lot of time and effort into this video essay, but it truly paid off!!!
Thank you so much! Comments like this make my week :)
@@LetsTakeALook Lego Batman movie is to me the best portrayal.
This is simply the best video about Batman that I have ever found, thank you so much.
That means so much to hear! Glad you enjoyed it.
The main Danny Elfman Batman theme will always justify why I love Batman
This video is something I frequently visit when I feel like I need to be inspired again.
That's a super high compliment, thanks!
About Batman's Identity: THANK YOU.
i never knew Greg Weidman said that about Batman, but once i got more into Batman's stories and sort of study the character by myself, i come up with the conclusion that Bruce Wayne/Batman is indeed three different characters in one.
Wayne, as I call it: The man that everyone sees, the egocentric billonarie playboy that carries the Wayne Legacy.
Bruce: The man under the mask, the man who has a heart, who feels, who can be broken, the humanity.
Batman: The man with the mask, the symbol who can seem cold and emotionless, fearless and even sassy. The Dark knight.
Those three personas make Bruce Wayne aka The Batman as a character.
Great summary of that idea, and so glad you liked the video!
This vid made me cry. I love Batman so freaking much!
I think it’s that Batman is iconic, but has even better rogues gallery making him both a very popular hero and villains!
As a Christian, I can declare that I personally have gotten close to Batman due to his morals and his mental strength. As someone that has struggled in that department (as along with many others) I find it reassuring in a way. This was an amazing analysis, thank you so much.
3:00 That is incredible. I forgot he feared bats
Edit: Loved it. Thanks
One misconception in this video, and in general about the comparison to Superman here, is that line of "being good should always be harder than being bad".
The thing for Superman is, it is harder to be good, just in a different way. It's often pointed out how Superman could just snap and become King of the World with the powers he has, and also force his will onto the world and "make it make sense" as Batman says, but he doesn't. Instead, he takes the "harder" route and leads people by example, trying to help them better themselves by showing them that there's a better way than just the "easy" way, and that working for and earning things makes them more worth it, even if it is harder.
Any good Superman story shows this in his nature. In any good conflict in Superman comics, the villains are always challenging his morals and his good nature rather than just his physical abilities.
🤣 “ I can use some air support....since I can’t fly, at all.......now would be good.”
And once again I’m reminded why I actually own (and am presently wearing) jewelry with a Batman logo.
That last point about Moses and batman was so good. I never would have seen that if you hadn't pointed it out to me.
Just found and watched this video. Really good, love the idea that batman is a Shepard figure. It speaks to this unspoken idea that is core to how Batman wants to help others. Further, it plays into his own self-destructive tendencies required for him to start being batman.
Something I want to note, that wasn't touched on, but is in line with the general message is that Batman is very forgiving towards criminals. In the sense that he seems to genuinely try to help them, and allow them a better way of life. At least when he's not trying to prevent something bad from happening. You see this in the Dark Knight Returns with the gangs, the comics with Clayface, all the time with Catwoman, in the injustice universe his whole M.O., in the fact his rouges go to an asylum rather than prison. It almost doesn't fit with his character, but also completely fits like a puzzle piece cut on the color of a grove, it doesn't look like it will fit, but it makes a more whole puzzle.
Living for a cause that we may never ourselves personally see and learning to turn our greatest fears into our greatest strengths. Honestly this video perfectly summarizes the reason why so many people (including myself) have always loved Batman
One of the few times the UA-cam algorithm recommends something I’m interested in. You sir just earned a sub. Great vid👍🏾
I like this guy he's smart without talking really slowly and pausing
This is absolutely great. Love an in-depth look at my favorite fictional character. Would love to read the “Batman and Psychology” book.
You should! It's an excellent read, so many of the ideas in this video come from that book.
Bruce and Dick are the perfect foils for each other. While Barbra only joined as a by-product of feeling Batman was a symbol that needed reinforcement, Dick needed Batman's help.
Batman did for Dick what no one could do for Bruce at that age. He gave him *real* help. The cops arrested Bruce's parent's killer, but were bound by law to only go so far. Batman gave Dick a choice! Get revenge and kill his parents' killer, or get vengeance by helping Batman as Robin.
Bruce was *forced* to step aside.
Dick was given a choice!
On a side note: Barbra is also an unnecessary character, only invented in the 80s because the writers felt Batman and Robin needed a girl on the team since the public was beginning to feel they were homosexuals. They couldn't have that on a kids' show!
My how times have changed!
don't give today's media ideas....soon they're totally going to rewrite batman and robin into the gayest couple ever. I hear they want to rewrite Superman as a black trans' or whatever...like look...I have nothing against gays, trans or any race. But instead of re-writing characters, they should simply create new characters.
They want a Black Superman? By all means they could create a black character 100x stronger than superman, but call him something other than Superman...you know?
@@thetaorobertshow265 100% I’d love to see a black Batman and Superman, I’m black I love the idea but making them gay and ruining our childhood nostalgia..? Nahh g😂😂
@@Mouseman358 well, ypu know how it goes nowadays 😂 one little tweak ain't enough...when they tweak something...dude, they tweak the living fuck out of that character 😂
@@thetaorobertshow265 everything you said couldn’t have been said better.
I think they made batgirl in the 60s or earlier
5:12 bro is comparing Batman to our lord and savior Jesus Christ. It’s a great vid btw keep up the good work
Bruce’s plea at his parents’ grave was absolutely heartbreaking … here is a man who virtually gave up on living, and now he finally finds a chance for a normal life. And yet his guilt is so deep that he pleads for his “promise” to be forgiven. The sad thing is, HE made the promise to HIMSELF, and he’s struggling with his desire for a normal life pitted against his sense of duty to keep that promise.
This is some real gold level stuff...
I love Batman he shows you can be evil but still be a force of good
wow this was really well done. subbed
Glad you liked it! More to come. Your channel is great!
Words cannot express how satisfying this video was/is (and satisfying is just one word to describe it).
It's weird, because I've always been a big fans of characters who don't have powers but can still keep up with and even surpass those with universe shattering and reality warping powers. I'm also a big fan of Sherlock Holmes and other detectives, as well as phantom thieves Arsene Lupin and mad scientists. Yet Batman has never been more than an afterthought on my favorites list. It was always Spiderman for Marvel and Flash for DC. This video does a good job explaining why I should look again at Batman.
It also does a good job at debating those who think Batman's "no guns/ no killing" rule is dumber than Superman hiding his identity with glasses (which, that itself is more ingenious than most people realise). While, yes, killing the Joker (or any rogue, for that matter) will eliminate the threat once and for all, it will also shatter everything Batman is. Injustice and Flashpoint are good examples of illustrating this.
And this is all coming from me, who watched the cartoons and shows but isn't as versed in the comics as many others.
Glad this resonated with you! And btw, I have another video that defends Superman disguising himself with glasses haha
Batman is the best because he has no superhuman abilities, yet he consistently defy the odds and brings justice with huge amount of will and determination. Thus the Dark Knight is superior.
He does have superhuman abilities though, analyzing his insane feats.
I know this was made a year ago but damn this needs a lot more attention.
Batman is my favorite fictional character of all time and I’ve never been able to articulate why he resonates with me nearly as well as you were able to in this video. Great job!
This is a great video essay! I think I actually understood Batman more as a human thanks to this, as well as the myth. Keep up the good work man ⛷
This is why I love batman and Especially the Arkham games they nail every aspect of batman
Damn, all his villains have such equally tragic origins
Batman is pretty much a badass in most shows he is in
Iron man after saving the entire universe: am I a joke to you?
Batman and the justice league saves the entire universe on daily basis tho
Yes .Iron man is a joke. He is just a parody of batman.
This definitely one of the best analysis of Batman I have ever seen
What a fantastic exploration of the character of batman. Now, onto your spiderverse essay.
I love how you brought up both sides of Batman v Robin as most comment sections close their minds after seeing either clip.
Amazing video! I thought it was interesting you described Superman as deterministic since typically that philosophy is shown in a dark sense, but I can see positively too from the video. It’d be cool if you did a whole video on Superman!
Superman is definitely on my short list! And look out for a shorter video about a small aspect of him soon!
Always know more at once then you let others know, what batman taught me. Always be a step ahead.
I originally thought he became the Batman out of vengeance he wanted to take the law into his own hands
Batman's my favorite superhero. I love Spiderman but I can't put him above the Dark Knight.
Batman is incredible as a caracter and as meaning
The Batman v Superman intro blows me away everytime. And I say to myself he is the greatest character ever created in the history of fiction.
Great video. i especially enjoyed the Batman vs Spider-Man and Superman comparisons.
Thanks Matt, those are definitely some deep subjects. Each comparison could honestly be a video in it's own.
He's also an escape artist so even if you take away his utility belt you still find a way out
Was wearing a batman tee-shirt at the end of your 40 minute batman essay just a little too much?
Fair point. Clearly I missed the mark on that one
@@LetsTakeALook
Wear it with pride.
Batman is one of my favourite super heroes and Waiting For Godot is one of my favourite plays, now it makes sense
Wow such a great content. I loved the psychological and philosophical aspects of THE BATMAN. And also the comparison between Nightwing and Batman. Keep making such videos, and thanks a lot for this one.
+1 sub :)
Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!
Dude I watch this analysis time and time again and everytime l learn something new. Excellent work. Each time I am having trouble or am stuck at something, I ask myself “What would Batman do?” He’s such an inspiration.
Well I don't think that we should say that Batman is better than Superman. I always thought that Superman is about people dealing with great potential and Batman is about people dealing with great tragedy, which you made a good point of.
As Batman after being confronted with tragedy chouse to do good and his villains chouse to do evil, Superman chouse to do good after being confronted with greatness. Look at Lex Luthor, Superman's archenemy, he is the smartest man alive, and he chouse to do evil. I really like a moment from All-Star Superman when Superman says to Luthor: "If you really cared you could have saved [the world] a long time ago".
This is a great take! I love the idea that Luthor foils Superman in that same way as Batman's villains foil him. And I don't personally think that Batman is "better" (though I do like him more as a character), as I agree that's kind of tough to say objectively. I just wanted to make the argument here for the sake of the video. In fact, I have a video I'm working on right now that argues why Superman is the greatest superhero of all time. So stay tuned for that!
My opinion is that Batman is the best DC superhero but Spider-Man will always be my all time favorite superhero. Batman is my second favorite and Iron man is in third place.
Dude. This was great. I'm about to watch the animated series again and I think I'll see it a bit differently now. Could you make some videos about batman's iconic villains and how they reflect part of batman, himself? Ide really like to hear what you think about these subjects. :)
Hey thanks! There's definitely more to say about the villains, there are like a ton I didn't have room for in this video.
This has to be the best analysis I’ve ever seen on UA-cam. Thank you.
Thank YOU!!!
This reminds me, why I tell myself "I'm Batman".
One problem with Jokers "One bad day" is Context'who you are also affects how you deal with a crisis Bruce was a rich child from a healthy loving home who also had Alfred to guide him and learn on and Gordon
BUT:
'Joker' was an adult, a struggling comedian , struggling to keep his family financially secure who had to turn to the mob
True, I would argue this is why Joker is wrong. He has flattened context in his mind
This video is very interesting and your referencing sources is adding more value to this video. good luck with your this project and to be honest , this video deserves more views (1,727) than this.
Thank you so much for this! I actually have more videos in the pipeline, I just want to get enough ready so that I can release consistently for a while and make sure I don't miss any months. Stay tuned!
Batman is arguably the greatest hero ever. Him more than any other hero I can relate to and empathize with. Not his brilliant mind, his bravery, perfect physical condition, his dedication, discipline or his wealth. But I can relate to his grim, brooding, depressed personality. And overcoming adversity. I'm not a very happy or well adjusted person so Batman more than any other hero I can understand how he feels inside. For all of his many qualities, he is a deeply troubled, flawed, traumatized person but despite that he overcomes all those negative obstacles to be the best person he can be. And I admire that about him. And in the comics, animated series and movies he has proven himself to be worthy of standing amongst gods. And despite having no superhuman powers he's admired, respected and feared by his fellow heroes. He's a selfmade man who wasn't born with extraordinary abilities, just his determination to be more than a mere mortal got him to his status as an invaluable member of a league of superheroes who knows that without their powers they wouldn't be nowhere near his level. By the way besides the comics, tv series and movies the best representation of Batman is Batman The Animated Series, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. Voiced by the late, great Kevin Conroy. His voice was perfect for Batman, exactly as I would imagine him to sound like.
0:59 This scene I don't get, why wouldn't He have a Plan for that by *Gliding?*
I have never been so amazed by a video like this in my life
This video was amazing and I loved the different lenses like religion and absurdity you looked into as well. I agree with all of it except for the black and white worldview you say Batman has. If he does have a black and white worldview why does he try to help the Joker in the Killing Joke, Joker is evil but Batman still believes there is good in him. If he has a black and white worldview then why doesn't he kill villains, he doesn't because he sees the gray area in life he believes in redemption.
He also as the no kill rule because like you said if he kills someone, he submits to the idea that his parents died for no reason and he can't have that. But in the comics as well Bruce gives money and jobs at Wayne Enterprises to former criminals once they come out of prison or if they turned to crime because of money problems. But maybe I'm wrong and maybe those interpretations of the character are not seen as often as the one who does see in black and white.
Otherwise this was an amazing video and my favourite superhero is Batman so it was spectacular to see someone dive deep into why Batman is a great hero like I have before.
Hey thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts! You make some great points. I think everything you said is consistent with a black-and-white worldview, though. Batman can believe and good and evil and also believe in redemption from evil. Believing in the binary doesn't mean people can't go back and forth between the categories. In fact, religions that believe rigidly in good and evil often also have concepts of redemption or repentance. So because he wants to redeem these people from their evil, he won't kill them. But as long as they are criminals, they're evil. Full stop. That's my thought at least.
@LetsTakeALook that actually does not make any sense though because the concept of good and evil inherently would mean that people are who they are. Either good or evil. Acknowledging that people can go from evil to good or vice versa is admitting that Batman does in fact believe that people are gray and not one or the other. Otherwise he wouldn’t have taken Jason Todd under his wing because he first met Jason as a criminal. Or even Batman himself. If he believed in a simplistic good or evil world view then why does he not turn himself in as vigilantes are illegal. Which goes against the law and goodness that you say Batman is so aligned with. Ultimately you saying that Batman is so rigid with his perspective is not only false but makes him out to be a hypocrite. As well as not giving him enough credit for his intelligence and understanding nuance. Otherwise good video
i agree with the majority of your points. However the main thing that i disagree with is Batman pushing people away and losing his loved ones because they don’t commit to his mission. I believe batman pushes people away because he is afraid to lose them the way he lost his parents. the biggest example of this to me is in the long halloween and dark victory. he starts off the story trusting in harvey dent he literally says “i believe in harvey dent”. but later in the story harvey “dies”. the man bruce knew as harvey is no longer there. bruce again is abandoned by the people he cares about. his parents were taken from and in a different way harvey was as well. we see later in dark victory that batman pushes commissioner gordon away because of his fear of being close to people and losing the people he loves. it’s only through robin that batman learns to trust again. i loved the video but i highly recommend you watch the lego batman movie because that movie understood that aspect of his character much better than you in my opinion.
I agree that this is an aspect of why Batman pushes people away in some versions of the character. But you have to remember there are also some where Batman is a great father (and father figure). Batman isn't always afraid of opening himself up to others intrinsically. He is afraid of doing so because he's afraid that connections will jeopardize his mission, which he doesn't want to let fall from the top of his priorities. The LEGO Batman movie is great! I actually just rewatched it last week. And it totally nails that aspect of Batman! But that's not the end of the story. If Dick could fully embrace Batman's mission, then he wouldn't have to push him away, because his connection to Dick wouldn't come before their shared mission. You can see in Mask of the Phantasm-he isn't inherently afraid of making another connection, he feels like he'd be betraying his parents if he did. Thanks for commenting!
Could you do a video on the flash next?
Flash is definitely on my list, I'm sure that given enough time I will do a character study on him!
That moses batman connection was brilliant
I'd like to see a kind of part 2 to this. More focusing on Jason Todd. While I do think Todd wants to tear down Bruce's "leap of faith" by presenting the cold, hard fact that innocents can still die if murderers aren't killed before any future victims are, he also does do it out of a sense of justice. In some iterations, Todd doesn't care whether or not Batman sees the world as he does, and just wants it to be safer for innocent, lawful people. And he takes this notion to the extreme by killing every dangerous, lawless person he comes across. I always thought anti-heroes were more psychologically interesting than normal heroes. Their distinct lack of care if they appeal to the ethics of others and just want to meat out their own ends. Whether because they think those ends or moral or just self-sufficient. Also, final point, i can't help but view it as illogical to admit that people can die "for no reason at all" and still live up to an ideal like how Bruce does. It'd make more sense if he sees that the world doesn't make sense and chooses to spend his life making it make sense by force. But I suppose this wouldn't be as heroic.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts! I love hearing different viewpoints on this stuff. I think you're right that I could have made a clearer distinction between Jason Todd and The Joker, and their motivations. Perhaps if I re-did the video, I would incorporate your thoughts. On the topic of Batman and the world making sense, I didn't mean to convey that he does admit that people can die for no reason at all, because he is there to stop it. He forces the world to make sense, by preventing that from happening. Without a guardian angel, the world would be the one Bruce saw in the alley as a kid. But he destroys that world and makes his own around him.
id like this!
The most badass looking superhero of all time.... The greatest and the most badass superhero....
Wow this was an amazing video man, you made the video fly by making me want more
I thought Batman was out for Vengeance on all criminals but when I saw him as a save innocent lives that's when I knew he might be after the scum but he'll always choose to save lives before going after the criminals
I would add Pattinson's Bruce Wayne fully embraces the Batman persona to the extent he struggles to put on the millionaire act.
I am very much considering doing another video just on the new movie
Justice League was my childhood! Love that show so much!