10 Reasons No matter how old you are, you will have some memory or other of the caped crusader running around Gotham City stopping crime. He’s a character so embedded into our collective subconscious that you can certainly not get through a week without coming across one of his exploits in one way or another. From iconic comics to blockbuster movies, TV shows and even his ingenious Arkham video-game sequel, Batman is definitely history’s most commercially successful superhero of all time. Nevertheless, commercial success does not always guarantee greatness, so here are 10 reasons why the Dark Knight is the greatest of all-time...
1 He’s just a man Although many of the comic world superheroes were merely human until they stumbled upon some sort of radioactive spider, Batman is merely a man. He can neither fly nor feel superstrength, but he manages to reach the pinnacle of his potential. He can get beaten and end up with a broken back - and he doesn’t just heal out of nowhere. It takes Bruce Wayne ages to get back up on his feet to fight crime (although it takes Christian Bale just a couple of scenes in the movie). This relatable feeling of vulnerability, and his admirable perseverance, is what makes everyone love (or at least not hate) Batman.
“Nanananana, Batman!”
2 The Bat symbol Simple yet symbolic, the Batman symbol is one of the most recognisable on Earth, in fiction or otherwise (second only to, perhaps, McDonalds). You’ve definitely doodled it at least once on a school book or message pad. It’s simple, stark, and conjures up notions of justice and compassion. In short, it’s everything a symbol should be, and once you see that Bat-Signal in the sky, you know the situation is dire and the Dark Knight is in need.
3 He uses human mind as a weapon Despite not having any superpowers, the Dark Knight managed to utilise his mind to the maximum. He mastered numerous types of martial arts, engineered unmatched gadgets and he somehow always employs brilliant tactics. He doesn’t go all guns blazing into a fight. Instead, he watches, plans and confronts his enemies on his own terms. His mind is his real power.
4 The vital no-killing code Batman’s code is a testament to his compassion: brutality is sometimes necessary, but murder is never justified. Although many perceive him as a vigilante, Batman’s code is evidence that justice drives him, not revenge.
5 The iconic origin story Joe Chill, the crook who gunned down Bruce Wayne’s parents before his eyes is a pretty well known story. But it’s the fact that there’s a huge gestation period after the murder of his parents. It took Bruce years of training his body and mind, and careful use of his inherited wealth, to achieve the physical and mental position of the Bat - he didn’t just wake up the next day and start flying out of his window. This is what makes his origin story stand out – it’s the closest you can get to reality and makes him unlike any other.