realism

[circa81]

Does anyone ever wish that Batman was like more realistic, ala batman begins? Isn't it wired how in the batman comics the situations are, for the most part, realistic, (relatively speaking) and at the same time they are in a universe that has aliens and androids and stuff like that. That's one thing that's always sorta bugged me about the justice league. I mean, it's always awesome to see batman outdoing the powered people, but I think it takes away from the character to have him set in a universe like that. Personally, when I read batman comics, I sorta pretend that the rest of the DC universe don't exist; that it is it's own separate universe. Am I the only one who feels this way? And please people, if you don't agree, what's the point in replying and just saying, "no, I don't agree?"

 

[CConn]

I don't agree either. The beautiful thing about Batman - the beautiful thing about comics in general - is that you can have dark and gritty and light and campy and everything in between all that once. It caters to all tastes, and all interpretations.

Personally, I love it all. From the grittiness of, say, No Man's Land, to the lighthearted throwback stories in Robin: Year One, if it's written well, I love reading it.

I mean, there's nothing wrong with you preferring the realistic stuff - everyone has their preferences - but I do hope it isn't limiting your horizons in terms of reading material. You could be missing out on some really great stories by pretending things don't exist.

 

[bestever23]

^ I agree that It's good to have a mixture of both

but honestly I like the dark gritty batman and I hate HATE that they killed the dark batman with "one year later" and with grants silly storyline. I swear batmans campy now. sure I know I didn't want batman a dick like he was before but now he's just too nice

 

[dude stannis]

Am I the only person that loved paranoid a**hole Batman?

 

[Bat-Hombre]

Batman is a superhero, he fought monsters in his first issue. So there is only need for "bat-realism" not realism. I have no problems batman fighting ghosts, zombies, mutants or something like that. But somehow i don't like him fighting aliens.

 

[circa81]

No dude love, I prefer the a$$hole batman LOL!

 

[CLARKY]

In general, I concur with Cconn.
but IMO realism isn't necessary. I think it kills the character and make him temporal. DC is Marvel-ising Batman and I think it is a big mistake.
This thread is not about Batman's personality but I do hate paranoid ******* Batman.
Anyway I think it is necessary to read a believable comic book but not a realistic one.
Without falling in the campy thing, it is possible to write a dark superhero without being "batman begins" realistic. I don't think batman begins was a realistic approach but a demystified approach, and I think it is a big big mistake even if it surely perfectly fits into
today society.

 

[The Joker]

If Batman was more realistic, then the Joker would have been killed by someone long ago.

And a Batman world without the Joker is not a world I want to know

 

[circa81]

That's true Doc. I wonder how they'll deal with that issue in the next batman movie.

 

[Fledermaus]

If you like to pretend the rest of the DCU doesn't exist when you read Batman, you should check out some Detective and Batman back issues from about 89-90 to right before Knightfall. There's barely a mention of any other DCU characters.

 

[CConn]

Am I the only person that loved paranoid a**hole Batman?

The only time I've ever liked it was in Batman: Fugitive. That was the only comic (save for maybe DKR) where Batman being that a**hole seemed warrented, and actually made the story as a whole better because of it.

In the long run, now that we're back to a more...relaxed Batman, I do see how the paranoid Batman served a purpose, though. I mean, I think Batman's whole character arc over the past 20, 30 years now would've been a bit less interesting without him falling to the dark side, or whatever, for that decade or so. Simply put; I only like it in hindsight.

^ I agree that It's good to have a mixture of both

but honestly I like the dark gritty batman and I hate HATE that they killed the dark batman with "one year later" and with grants silly storyline. I swear batmans campy now. sure I know I didn't want batman a dick like he was before but now he's just too nice

Even in Dini's comics?

I mean, it seems like to me, Morrison is writing the lighter, comic book-y Batman, while Dini's still keeping Bats sorta gritty and dark. Like you said, not an *******, but definitely dark.

 

[Cobblepot]

circa81, I agree with you. I also tend to block out all of Batman's adventures with Aliens, other planets and even the JL.
I like reading these stories, but when I think of Batman. I just think of him without the rest...

 

[dude stannis]

Some times Batman vs. aliens really works. JLA: New World Order is the prime example. It was closer to Die Hard than say Aliens, War of the Worlds etc.

 

[bestever23]

I think it's cool that batman vs predator or other weird things like that but do I take them as "rea;" in the comic world? no but It's just a elsewords but In the JLA it's ok because some are aliens but I won't lie and say it's a lil werid seeing batman fighting darkseid or something like that.and also what Dini's stories are you talking about? just wonding what stories he did with batman resently

 

[CConn]

I think it's cool that batman vs predator or other weird things like that but do I take them as "rea;" in the comic world? no but It's just a elsewords but In the JLA it's ok because some are aliens but I won't lie and say it's a lil werid seeing batman fighting darkseid or something like that.and also what Dini's stories are you talking about? just wonding what stories he did with batman resently

He's the current writer on Detective. His run started with #821.

 

[bestever23]

oh yeah I need to look at that, anyone know what's the storyline right now on detective? is that the one I heard was riddler forgetting he knows baman is bruce and wanting to be a hero? because that is lame. I can except riddler forgetting batmans secret but helping him? really lame

 

[CConn]

All of his issues feature self-contained stories. Although he's hinted they might all tie into something bigger later on.

And Riddler did anything but help Batman in the issue you're talking about. He's become a high-profile private investigator.

 

[bestever23]

Seeing The Riddler and Batman in the batmobile was corny. yet I hope they do put his work on detective on a tradeback. and Jesus can't the writers know what to do with the riddler? I mean he was great in hush and then all hell broke loose on him. He should just be him.Making riddles...that's him

 

[dude stannis]

He should be more of an informant a la Long Halloween/Dark Victory.

 

[CLARKY]

^^well, I disagree Dude love, it worked fine in the books but I think he should be taken more seriously. I have no particular love for the character but I think it's a little bit lame to reduce him to this role ... but that doesn't mean he can't be an informant in the same time.
I wouldn't not go as far as his role in "Hush" or "catwoman: when in Rome" , I thought he was grotesque all along.

The only time I've ever liked it was in Batman: Fugitive. That was the only comic (save for maybe DKR) where Batman being that a**hole seemed warrented, and actually made the story as a whole better because of it.

Exactly my thoughts.

In the long run, now that we're back to a more...relaxed Batman, I do see how the paranoid Batman served a purpose, though. I mean, I think Batman's whole character arc over the past 20, 30 years now would've been a bit less interesting without him falling to the dark side, or whatever, for that decade or so. Simply put; I only like it in hindsight.

Well Personally I think he was great 30 or 20 ears ago, but I don't think he would have been less interesting if he hadn't been that paranoid ******* since 10 years.

I mean, it seems like to me, Morrison is writing the lighter, comic book-y Batman, while Dini's still keeping Bats sorta gritty and dark. Like you said, not an *******, but definitely dark.

I agree. I've never been a fan of Grant Morrisson even in Arkham Asylum, but I think Paul Dini got it. Batman is not an ***hole, but is "definitely dark and gritty" .... what is , according to me, good for the character.
I think because he is not a mega-powerfull paranoid ***hole doesn't mean he can't be dark.I think he can be a detective, a superhero and yet be dark and tormented.
Without the kid side, I think the first cartoon B:TAS had it.

 

[Superman: Idols]

I like the idea that the "realistic" figure like Batman co-exsisting with fantastical charatcers like Superman and Green Lantern. How would a pragmatist like Batman deal with the fact that vampires exist, we are not alone in the universe, and one of Earth's greatest heroes is an alien draped in patriotic colors. If that's not good drama...

 

[CConn]

Well Personally I think he was great 30 or 20 ears ago, but I don't think he would have been less interesting if he hadn't been that paranoid ******* since 10 years.

Looking back at all the comics over the past years, it's really extremely interesting, IMO. I mean, Batman starting off pretty personable in Year One, and Monster Men, and The Long Halloween, then after having his back broken by Bane, seeing him start to really become a perfectionist intent on never failing once, then seeing him become paranoid and choose to push people away for one reason or another (mainly, supposedly, because of the League mindwipe), and then, finally, thankfully, having him realize just how far he had gone, and returning back to his old self OYL.

If all that didn't happen with Batman's personality, what would we have? The same guy having adventure after adventure over the years. While that in itself may be perfectly entertaining on the surface, I'd hardly say it's as interesting as seeing an actual progression in Batman's personality, and seeing the reasons behind that progression.

 

[November Rain]

i just think he should get his ass kicked more often based purely on the fact he's human.

every encounter with a league-esque villain should have him seriously in trouble.

he should be tactical ground leader and that's about in, fieldwork is above and beyond his capabilities unless there is some serious trouble, he could pull some strings but that's about it.

 

[bestever23]

ccon you're so right. I mean the one where batman was afraid he'd be attacked by the justice league and made safe plans only to have ras find them and batman get kicked out of the jl was the best thing batman ever did. love paranoid batman but not I'm a dick batman just "I better watch my back" batman

 

[dude stannis]

i just think he should get his ass kicked more often based purely on the fact he's human.

every encounter with a league-esque villain should have him seriously in trouble.

he should be tactical ground leader and that's about in, fieldwork is above and beyond his capabilities unless there is some serious trouble, he could pull some strings but that's about it.

Batman is fully capable of beating any villain. He should never be seriously in trouble, he should be the reason the League gets out of trouble.