Bat-Quaker

Howdy,

Rather than ruminate on the humbling concept that I'm getting older, I'm going to focus on something else.  Something happier.  And simpler.

Batman is close to being a good Christian role-model.

Now, there's always been the Quaker side of me that ponders my love of comics.  I don't like wrestling or football, so why do I care about people in spandex hitting each other when it is on a piece of paper or in cartoon form?  I think I have another piece of it figured out.

First off; wrestling?  That's two people trying to prove their the best.  Same with sports.  Yes, there may be some small glimpse of an "epic battle between the underdog and the goliath", but to me?  It's just two teams/people/entities going at each other for the fun of it.  With nothing really achieved at the end.  So I retreat to the world of comics where things are actually at stake. 

The way I have seen it (Ever since listening to the Audiobook version of Kingdom Come- Excellent, highly recommended), Batman can be simplified down to one simple concept.  He's a man who doesn't want anyone else's parents to die.  That's it.  Everything he does is in service of that one goal. 

Flip over to Jesus.  Everything he does is in servcie of getting people to God.  Showing them love. 

I argue that Bruce Wayne is showing love... just in a very, very dark, ahem, violent way.  I'm not saying I can still justify his methods.  But his motives?  He's trying to cut back on suffering!  (And in his defence?  A:  He doesn't kill.  B:  Whe he does fight, he always starts off with a low level of violence and builds his way up.  Yes, he wants to stop the criminals, but he doesn't believe in breaking bones "just because".  And if he isn't good enough to stop them?  Then he makes himself better.  Figures out a way to outsmart them.  Batman always finds a way.  ;)  He's cool ike that.)

Show me someone else who spends all their time, resources, and numerous talents to help others.  Who goes to bed wondering if he's done enough.  If he's saved all the people he can.  (Seriously, having your parents' shot and killed in front of you?  And just for jewelry and money?  Yeah, that kinda thing sticks with you.)

So yes, Superman is "better".  Kinder, nicer, more acceptable by government and the masses.  But Batman?  Self-sacrificing.  Smart.  And determinded to save as many people as he can from his nightmare.  I'm okay looking up to those kind of ideals.  (Just, y'know, not emulating -all- his actions.)  Toodles

-PC, reader of many things.  Comics and not.