A Reunion

As well as being converted to Batman, I've also been busy reuniting with a long-lost friend.

Superman is very much the hero of my youth. He was something I loved “back in the day”, when my own life was probably a lot simpler than it is right now. Superman was the ultimate childhood fantasy for me; he could do everything that I dreamed of doing and more. I really took to the fantastic aspects of the character and sometimes I really felt like I could just rip open my shirt and take off into the skies. Heck, I even had Mom make me a costume. Actually, it was two; the first one wasn’t that convincing as I recall!

Batman, on the other hand, whom I have only recently been made a fan of, is the hero of my maturity. He’s a complex character, with a deep psychology and a strong motivation for putting on the tights and cape. I can admire and explore the character in ways I just can’t do with Superman, who is basically just a modern-day transplant of ancient heroic myths.

Although others might know of other people who have taken a liking to Superman who are by all means mature and “grown up”, I really don’t know anyone who loves Superman the way I do. For me, it’s always a tremendous, exciting joy when the music swells, the shirt is opened, and the people of Metropolis are saved once again.

Here's to the Man of Steel.

Be seeing you,
Steven

Quote of The Day

A bit of a hostorical lesson here:

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
gunpowder, treason and plot,
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,
'twas his intent
to blow up the King and the Parliament.
Three score barrels of powder below,
Poor old England to overthrow:
By God's providence he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, make the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
Hip hip hoorah!

Four hundred years ago tomorrow, folks. Just thought you'd like to know.

Be seeing you,
Steven

A New Geek-Out

Well, folks, I've found a new fuel for my geekism. Those who know me, probably would never guess what it is.

It stalks the night, fighting on the side of righteousness and justice. It is a symbol, terrifying and elemental, to be respected or feared as you will. It is a hero, a myth, a legend for our time.

Its name...is Batman.

First off, some personal background with me and The Bat:

We have none. Except for Batman Begins (which I only just saw last Saturday) I haven't seen any Batman film in full. I guess it just never interested me before now. I don't know why, but I just got this urging--mostly based on word-of-mouth from here and from my friends--to go see the newest film. I went in with the mindset of "How can Batman be a superhero? He doesn't have any special powers; you can't be a superhero without special powers." Fortunately, I was proven right.

Batman is no superhero; giving him such a title would be demeaning. Not that superheroes can't be cool...but Batman is so much more. He has a history that can be explored, roots to his origin that go back deep into his childhood. I would place him in the Hall of Mythic Heroes, alongside Heracles or Perseus or Odysseus. Like Ducard said in the film: "If you make yourself more than just a man, if you devote youself to an ideal, and if they can't stop you, then you become something else entirely...a legend, Mr. Wayne."

Indeed, a major theme of the film is that Batman is something rather than someone. He is a legend, whose name is spoken with fear by criminals and with awe by the people. He is symbol for righting wrongs and bringing justice to the masses. I think it would be cool if the new series picked up on this thread and carried it as an arc for the character to go through. Nothing is certain of course, but judging from this first effort, Christopher Nolan and the gang have what it takes to make this franchise last for at least 3 more films without degenerating.

Batman is such an interesting character. Especially his title: "The Dark Knight". Traditionally, Darkness has been equated with evil or "badness", if you will; knights have been equated with justice, chivalry, bravery, and "goodness". So the fact that Batman has taken on a title which is such an oxymoron--and even dresses in black, traditionally a bad guy's colour--is something that I find endlessly fascinating. It almost makes him seem to be neither good nor bad, but a shade of grey. Almost--we know he's really a "good guy"...right? And I love how Batman (as a story concept, not the character) struggles with the important questions: What is justice? What is revenge? What is the fine line between the two and how close are you willing to get to it?

So I am now a Bat-fan. A newbie, to be sure, but still a fan. Here's to the Dark Knight of Gotham City.