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Essay Subject:
Examines Superman and Batman.... More...
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4 Pages / 900 Words
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Paper Abstract:
Examines Superman and Batman. How each superhero represents two different ideals. How each has appeal for different publics. The dualistic way of life of both heroes. The secret identity or alter ego of each. Concept of mythic heroism. Early origins of the two fantasy figures; their back stories. Their interaction with arch-villians.
Paper Introduction:
This research examines the comic-book superheroes Superman and Batman as representative of two different ideals appealing to two different demographic populations. The research will compare attributes of each figure with a view toward identifying discrete meanings of heroism that find resonance in those who valorize one superhero over the other.
To arrive at contrasts between Superman and Batman, it is first necessary to identify what they may have in common. The most obvious attribute that they share is a double existence. They are apart from the common horde of humanity, special in ways that the rest of humankind can only dream of, or more exactly in ways that illustrate the importance of mythic presence in the psyche if not in everyday experience (Campbell 12). To be sure, both Superman and Batman are fantasy figures, but t
Text of the Paper:
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What distinguishes Batman's circle of interaction is the preoccupationwith arch-villains, the Joker the most famous. Grown to manhood, ClarkKent has discovered that as Superman he can fly, has super strength, plus x-ray and heat vision, and is invulnerable to every mode of physical attackon earth except exposure to kryptonite, the mineral residue from the planetKrypton. Available online, .Kunzle, David M. Eachvillain is continually engaged in attempting a major power play that bodesill for Gotham City, and each gets his comeuppance (to return another day). Eachhero has a secret identity or alter ego (mild-mannered reporter Clark Kentfor Superman, millionaire Bruce Wayne for Batman) that also puts him wellwithin the scheme of ordinary human experience. Clark is a reporter at the Daily Planet in Metropolis--just nearenough action and doom in the ordinary world to intervene as Superman andfix things that go wrong. Warner Bros. This research examines the comic-book superheroes Superman and Batmanas representative of two different ideals appealing to two differentdemographic populations. Becausehe is entirely human Batman cannot fly, and he is not invulnerable. Thus does mythic heroismbecome imaginatively attainable. Batman: Psychic Trauma and Its Solution." Journal of Popular Culture 28 (Spring 1995): 171-78.Campbell, Joseph. Superman and Batman each live in a city that can be identified withNew York, but their respective back stories have the effect of portrayingeveryday urban experience and their experience as superheroes differently.Clark's all-American image is consistent with the collegiality of asupporting cast of everyday people that includes Clark's editor PerryWhite, reporter and sometime girlfriend Lois Lane, and cub reporter JimmyOlsen, each of whom functions as confidant or friend-in-need, as occasionarises. Starring Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder. The most obviousattribute that they share is a double existence. In the 1989 film Batman, theJoker turns out to have murdered Bruce Wayne's parents. Works CitedBatman. The only other constant presence outside the inner circlethat of Commissioner Gordon, who is necessary to summon Batman to action.Only in the Batman motion pictures made since 1989 do female love interestsappear. 1989.Brody, Michael. Warner Bros. When Gotham City is in trouble Commissioner Gordonsends for Batman via the Bat Signal, which shines as a searchlight abovethe city. Princeton: Bollingen/Princeton UP, 1949Jourdain, William F. They are apart from thecommon horde of humanity, special in ways that the rest of humankind canonly dream of, or more exactly in ways that illustrate the importance ofmythic presence in the psyche if not in everyday experience (Campbell 12).To be sure, both Superman and Batman are fantasy figures, but their mythic-heroic character is the residue of their extension into ordinaryimagination. They stand for something while extending themselves to fightcrime and arch-villains. Batman has a crime-fighting colleague, Robin, whose secret identity is Dick Grayson. The Hero With a Thousand Faces. Batman, with his cave, lab, utility belt, etc., is the brains behindthe brawn, a sophisticated man of the world alert to discern peril andready to combat it, a hero who knows how to deploy which weapon when, andwith a bit of suavity. Directed by Tim Burton. Batman and Robin inhabit an insularpersonal existence, as far as a supporting cast is concerned, with theWayne family butler and Bruce's mentor Alfred the only ordinary mortal inon the secret. Witnessing the double murder motivated Bruce to develop skills asathlete and criminologist to fight crime; fortunately, he is rich andbrilliant and can afford the required investment. The Superman ethos is one of open-hearted Heartland determination,whereas Batman's determination must be qualified by some adjective, such asdark or grim. As an infant,Superman (né Kal-El) was transported from the doomed planet Krypton viaspace ship by his scientist father Jor-El. Superman may not be a fool (Clark Kent must be literate to be areporter), but physical strength is his main asset, and his all-Americanpresence bespeak the American optimism and confidence of popularimagination, as well as demographic segments that associate themselves withit. To arrive at contrasts between Superman and Batman, it is firstnecessary to identify what they may have in common. Superman is specifically, programmatically, andfamously engaged in preserving truth, justice, and the American way. These distinct typesdemonstrate distinctions between their appeal. This distinction owes something tothe fact that Superman may rely on super strength, whereas Batman, lackingsuch power, must depend on his wits and darker motivation. "The Golden Age Batman." 1996. Superman tends to be responsive to criminal behavior once ithas been identified; Batman seeks out opportunities to outwit criminals asthey are planning their dastardly deeds. The details of the dualistic way of life, familiar aspects of popularculture, differ in a variety of ways, and it is in the details thatdifferent core adherents to one hero or the other can be inferred.Superman, designated the man of steel, first emerged in 1938 as a comicstrip written and drawn by Jerry Siegel and Joseph Shuster and wasportrayed in radio, television, and motion picture (Kunzle). Origins of Batman, who debuted in a comic book in 1939, are darker.When Bruce Wayne was a mere lad, he and his parents were on their way homefrom the theatre when they were accosted by a criminal who shot his parentsdead. The research will compare attributes of eachfigure with a view toward identifying discrete meanings of heroism thatfind resonance in those who valorize one superhero over the other. Gotham City's name implies much about Batman. The ship landed in the AmericanHeartland, and the infant, to be named Clark, was recovered and reared byJonathan and Martha Kent as an all-American boy. But in the Batmancomic-book anthology there are also such villains as Dr. Doom and Dr. Death(Jourdain), names that reinforce the Gothic milieu Batman inhabits. Batman can be thought of as the thinking man'ssuperhero, at once plausibly human and heroic. Batman's mise en scènein comics and films is decisive; what could be termed Gothic Deco artdirection is consistent with the gloomy origins of Bruce Wayne's creationof the Batman persona and mission. Hecompensates for this with a variety of crime-fighting aids that suggesttheir function: the utility belt, Batmobile, Batplane, Batarang, Batrope,Batboat, and the Batcave (containing a criminology lab and storage spacefor all other aids). Bruce and Dick as Batman and Robin go into action. 2 1 ed.Superman. Clark Kent's Metropolis is an energetic, all-American milieu, acity perhaps in peril from such villains as Lex Luthor but at all timesrepresentative of a distinctively American character--with Superman's help. Batman's careerhas been viewed as a mechanism for resolving psychological trauma such aswitnessing one's parents' murder (Brody 272ff). The back storyof Superman is essential to understanding his appeal. "Comic Strip." Britannica Deluxe Edition CD ROM. 1983.
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