If some guy went around in a Halloween costume in real life, you'd call him a freak and phone the mental asylum.
But if that same guy turned into a green giant, was able to "see" you while being totally blind, started climbing smooth walls with just his bare hands, shot claws out of his knuckles, you'd think differently.
su·per
adjective
Definitions:
1. excellent: having outstanding or excellent qualities ( informal )
a super idea (Excellent qualities? Like being the world's greatest detective, an expert martial artist, scientist, the qualities of having a nigh unbreakable will and a level of athleticism that few if any others have been able to attain?)
2. very great: exceptionally large or powerful (informal)
(Batman's a really big guy, and he's exceptionally powerful whether that's taken to mean his wealth, his physical strength, or the amount of influence he possesses within Gotham City and, as Batman, within the JLA: the most powerful group of heros on the planet)
3. excessive: greater than what is normal (There is no sense in which Batman is NOT greater than normal)
he-ro
noun
Definitions:
1. remarkably brave person: somebody who commits an act of remarkable bravery or who has shown an admirable quality such as great courage or strength of character
ex. a war hero
2. somebody admired: somebody who is admired for outstanding qualities or achievements
ex: heroes of the war against poverty
3. arts- main character in fictional plot: the principal male character in a movie, novel, or play, especially one who plays a vital role in plot development or around whom the plot is structured
(Batman fulfills all three of these definitions of the word "Hero". So he's super, he's a hero, he's a SUPER HERO)
Finally, it's entirely pointless to try to disqualify Batman from being a superhero because he was created to be one, the second ever, mind you, and given that superheroes are fictional there are no set criteria. One is a superhero if he is written as one. Period, even if he doesn't call himself one (when asked just what he was, Bats responded: A detective)
I'm a huge Marvel exclusive but I love Batman.
I think (and I know you'll argue here but i don't care) most DC heroes are stupid. A lot of DC is like, "My lord! THAT monster is an inch taller and can lift three more pounds than yesterday's monster! Who will save us!" It's almost like the Power Rangers. but Marvel people (and Batman) have limits. They're super not cause they can defeat every foe, but because they defeat every foe anyway and mostly without a stupid cop-out or last minute appearance by a guest hero.
Not only does Batman not have powers, but a lot of his villains don't haved powers (none of the villains from the first three movies did). He doesn't need no stinking powers. generally if he fights Superman fairly it's in a Superman mag, not Batman.
Originally posted by Zarathustra
su·per
adjective
Definitions:
1. excellent: having outstanding or excellent qualities ( informal )
a super idea (Excellent qualities? Like being the world's greatest detective, an expert martial artist, scientist, the qualities of having a nigh unbreakable will and a level of athleticism that few if any others have been able to attain?)
2. very great: exceptionally large or powerful (informal)
(Batman's a really big guy, and he's exceptionally powerful whether that's taken to mean his wealth, his physical strength, or the amount of influence he possesses within Gotham City and, as Batman, within the JLA: the most powerful group of heros on the planet)
3. excessive: greater than what is normal (There is no sense in which Batman is NOT greater than normal)
he-ro
noun
Definitions:
1. remarkably brave person: somebody who commits an act of remarkable bravery or who has shown an admirable quality such as great courage or strength of character
ex. a war hero
2. somebody admired: somebody who is admired for outstanding qualities or achievements
ex: heroes of the war against poverty
3. arts- main character in fictional plot: the principal male character in a movie, novel, or play, especially one who plays a vital role in plot development or around whom the plot is structured
(Batman fulfills all three of these definitions of the word "Hero". So he's super, he's a hero, he's a SUPER HERO)
Finally, it's entirely pointless to try to disqualify Batman from being a superhero because he was created to be one, the second ever, mind you, and given that superheroes are fictional there are no set criteria. One is a superhero if he is written as one. Period, even if he doesn't call himself one (when asked just what he was, Bats responded: A detective)
great name - shame about the Horse for Nietzche
A Superhero? I don't even consider Batman to be a " hero ". He's not Batman because he feels some great and altruistic obligation to society. He's Batman for one reason. Revenge. That's not what I think of when I think " hero ". Yes, his actions at times may be heroic but he's not ... Superman. He doesn't drink a glass of milk and tell you to brush your teeth. In the end Batman's just a vigilante. He does things by his OWN rules and refuses to accept the norms of society. Truthfully he can't even be defined. He does what he believes he has to do regardless of the outcome. Whether people love or hate him.
If you've read many comics, you'll know Batman himsef knows there's a HUGE difference between revenge and justice. he's out there to stop what happened to him and his parents, happening to kids, their parents and others! He's not an avenger, he doesnt want rteveneg, he's a protector, he wants JUSTICE! He knows that, i know that, you SHOULD know that
re·venge ( P ) Pronunciation Key (r-vnj)
tr.v. re·venged, re·veng·ing, re·veng·es
To inflict punishment in return for (injury or insult).
To seek or take vengeance for (oneself or another person); avenge.
n. The act of taking vengeance for injuries or wrongs; retaliation.
Something done in vengeance; a retaliatory measure.
A desire for revenge; spite or vindictiveness.
An opportunity to retaliate, as by a return sports match after a defeat.
Batman's not out to seek vengeance for himself or other people? He's not taking vegeance for injurices or wrongs? He's not retaliating? He's not vindictive? Pft. I stand by my comment. Batman's no hero. He does heroic things but his motives have always been based on his own selfish desires to control the chaotic world around him. He follows his OWN rules and no one elses. This is Batman, not Adam West. Adam West was a " Hero ". Batman is a vigilante.
Batman is not about revenge, he is the embodiment of justice.
He started out with vengeful aspirations, but that soon dissapated and evolved into a sense of justice. He is incredibly human, has made mistakes, learns from them, a man of experience and incredible wisdom. He has an incredible mind and is the key human element in the Justice League, without him, it'd be aliens and freaks running things. He provides a super human elemnt to everything he is in, adds credibility to many situations, and is truly essential in the crazy DC universe. He has a super mind both when it comes to philosophy and making sense of any given situaion and in the middle of battle, and has unbelieveable resolve. He is by far the greatest SUPER hero of them all.
Originally posted by Red Superfly
Batman is not about revenge, he is the embodiment of justice.He started out with vengeful aspirations, but that soon dissapated and evolved into a sense of justice. He is incredibly human, has made mistakes, learns from them, a man of experience and incredible wisdom. He has an incredible mind and is the key human element in the Justice League, without him, it'd be aliens and freaks running things. He provides a super human elemnt to everything he is in, adds credibility to many situations, and is truly essential in the crazy DC universe. He has a super mind both when it comes to philosophy and making sense of any given situaion and in the middle of battle, and has unbelieveable resolve. He is by far the greatest SUPER hero of them all.
Exploitation. Hey, no matter how much you know someone, you've always gotta have a slight thought that they aren't you, and you're the only one you can fully trust - and even then...
Which brings a question to my mind. Do you think that Batman has given the JLA a "just in case I go rogue" plan to take care of himself? He's the type of a hero that would do that, I think, because he knows that it would eventually be a huge downfall of society if he used all his techniques against...everyone lol. Think about what he could do to society if he penetrated places with his ninja-like disappearing act he always does, uses all his resources for secret tech, blah blah blah. He'd be worse than if like, Wonder Woman went ballistic.