Marvel Comics and DC Comics were both founded in the 1930’s as, naturally, comic book publishers. Today they form 70% of the comic book market. By 2016, that market as a whole had hit a record high of $1.085B in both physical and digital comic book sales (Johnston, 2016) (Comichron, 2016). Some of the highest selling comic series currently in print have strong NCC themes. These include DC’s Batman and Marvel’s The Punisher series.
Batman or Bruce Wayne, is a bat-themed vigilante that carries out what he considers to be justice within the corrupt, crime-infested Gotham City. (Halevy and Cooper, 2016) (DC Comics, 2017). Bruce Wayne is the billionaire owner of Wayne Enterprises and inherited his wealth and desire to fight crime after witnessing his parents being mugged and then murdered. DC describes him as “both a leader and a hero.” (DC Comics, 2017). In the typical Batman comic however, Batman is being hunted by the police, mostly due to his violent solutions to crime. “[He] distrusts the police and willingly breaks the law in order to enforce his own values of what he considers justice.” An interesting example occurs in the very first Batman comic: Batman No.1 1940, in which Batman executes a mental patient by hanging him from his Batplane. Using a toxic serum, an evil scientist had mutated the mental patient into a very strong, enraged monster, locked him in a truck, and was planning to use him to rob a bank. Batman kills the truck driver with the Batplane’s mounted machine gun, then makes a noose with his Batrope, lowers it down, and hangs the monster while he’s attempting to crawl out of the truck wreckage. The monster’s corpse is casually dragged along behind the Batplane, and Batman remarks, "He's probably better off this way." (Cracked, 2012). Interestingly enough, Batman had created and used an antidote to this serum just a few pages earlier, but did not attempt, or even think to use the antidote on the monster. Despite this, Batman is considered a superhero and is often compared to Superman, who by stark contrast, “is willing to fight alongside the law,” and has “faith in the American criminal justice system.” (Halevy and Cooper, 2016)
Somewhat similar to Batman is the Punisher. Also known as
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics (formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group) is an American publisher of comic books and related media. Marvel, founded by Martin Goodman, started in 1939 as Timely Publications, and by the early 1950s had generally become known as Atlas Comics. Marvel 's modern incarnation dates from 1961, the year that the company launched The Fantastic Four and other superhero titles created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and others. Marvel is a very successful company and has survived for 75 years so far.
Batman contradicts his morals while he is fighting the mutant leader and when he is about to shoot him he stops himself with “though that means crossing a line I drew for myself thirty years ago”. While Batman did not kill the mutant leader, earlier on Batman shoots a mutant grunt with a machine gun and faded blood is splattered behind the criminal holding a baby captive (Miller, 64). Later on in the novel Batman says to the joker “a gun is a coward’s weapon, a liars weapon” (Miller, 149). Batman has power to stick to his morals, to take on the evil of Gotham City, and to make the decision to deliver justice no matter whose side of the law he is. However, in the novel he has clearly stated that killing someone crosses his morals and that he despises guns yet he uses them to kill criminals. Batman crosses his golden rule of not killing criminals and shows that he will go above his own moral code of justice.
Lastly, Bruce Wayne uses his massive wealth and intelligence to build gadgets, utilities, and tools all in an effort to stop villains—most of whom are not mortal. We have to realize that Batman is still a mortal man, and can be killed if due so. Therefore, not only does he have the intelligence to build whatever to defeat his foes, but he also has the cunningness to defeat them as well. This is evident in the Batman television series from 1966 to 1969, with Adam West. Moreover, many of these works that he creates has also caused him lots of pain and trouble that he self-situated himself in. One of the key examples is him battling Bane, where all his utilities has no use, and he was pummeled by him.
The Dark Knight (2008), directed by Christopher Nolan, demonstrates the idea of good versus evil. Batman is known as the protagonist, and Joker is known as the ultimate villain. The representation of crime in the film is seen from the actions of both characters. The film essentially depicts the act of deviance meaning, “behaviour that violates social norms, including laws”. In normality the government would have the greatest amount of power, but in the Gotham city, power is complex. There is minimal structure of law and order in Gotham city due to powerful people like Batman and the Joker. Citizens of Gotham city can no longer fight for themselves in a world filled with supernatural powers. Therefore, the only hope that citizens have rest in the hands of Batman. Although Batman attempts to save Gotham city from Joker’s criminal intentions. Batman, however, also plays a role in deviant activity while attempting to catch the Joker. Realistically, Batman violates the moral code due to destructive behaviour, and putting the lives of citizens at harm. He does not care for social norms, nor whether his acts are of legality. He is devoted to combat organized crime with Harvey Dent, a district attorney in Gotham city. Batman is in fact, the definition of crime, he understands but does not abide to individual rights and social contracts which make up the rule of law. In addition, the man behind Batman, Bruce Wayne also portrays a form of deviance by disguising himself as Batman.
Is this modern concept much different than other stories we have grown up watching from an early age? I believe there are many similarities in stories of superheroes and comic many of us grew up reading and watching on Saturday mornings. Batman, a well-known super hero, fought crime in Gotham and was the “Dark Knight” that restored peace in his community. While Batman did not kill the criminals he was chasing after he did bring them to justice!
There’s no question that the battle between comic book companies will never end. But nothing stands out more than the feud between Marvel and DC. With both companies, having their ups and downs, we can only compare whose moment is now, and whose moment is coming. With character development and storylines are too opinionated to compare, like comparing an apple with an orange, we can only judge on who’s making more money.
Marvel versus DC is a debate that has been reignited with the launch of multiple movies featuring heroes from each universe. Each universe has its own heroes and villains. The subject of this paper is to determine which would be the safer universe. While DC and Marvel both have many characters, only some of the characters in each universe have god-like abilities. Certain characters from the Marvel and DC universe have the ability to end all life in the solar system, galaxy and possibly the universe.
In the world of superheroes, there are numerous that believe they are heroes, while in actuality, they are merely vigilantes. This is demonstrated throughout the world of superheroes, but it is not as prominently demonstrated as in Batman. Batman presents himself as a hero, while he is only an over imaginative vigilante. He is more a vigilante than a hero since he has the ability to stop crime, but doesn’t, he only does deeds for his own benefit, and he helps the law but isn’t part of it. These are only a few ways Batman is a vigilante, rather than a hero. These are mainly based upon the idea of him trying to right his own past.
If criminals are not immediate threats, they 'll be let go. Beowulf follows a similar code. He says to Unferth, “You murdered your brothers, Your own close kin. Words and bright wit/ Won’t help your soul.” (320-323.) Beowulf would not harm anyone unless they would harm innocents. They are also both committed to battling corruption. Beowulf travels many miles from home to aid Hrothgar and fight Grendel. Beowulf knows his heroic duty calls him to protect the people of Daneland, even if they aren 't his. Batman feels it’s his responsibility to fight evil in Gotham. He battles criminals regularly and ultimately ends the Joker 's reign. Batman is not threatened by these enemies, but the people of Gotham are, and thus he fights for them. Batman and Beowulf bear the burden of heroic responsibility well.
The artistic representation of the Batman myth is an important cultural artifact of our time because it represents modern society's thirst for heroic ideals in popular entertainment. Since his creation, readers and viewers have admired Batman's unique ability to battle villainy, transcend the law and administer justice. As cultivators of the noir genre in film as well as in literature, Americans have always identified with this enigmatic hero, who exists on the margins of society and yet represents one of the largest corporations in the world. The evolution of Batman in particular and the superhero genre in general (from comic book to television to film and back again) has seen in the latest adaptation from Christopher Nolan's Batman revamp a veritable tilting point for the character once known as the World's Greatest Detective. This paper will analyze why Batman is an important cultural artifact of our day, how he came into being, what he means for society, and how he will be treated in the future.
Batman is one of the many fictional superheroes which appears in the “American comic books” that is published by the DC comics. The character is a secret identity for Bruce Wayne, the only heir to Wayne Enterprises. Bruce Wayne swore an oath of vengeance when he witnessed the death of his parents;Thomas Wayne and Martha Wayne (Diamond, 2015). Bat man combats criminals in Gotham: a fictional city, with assistance from various characters, for example, his butler Alfred and Gordon; Gotham city police commissioner. Unlike many of the superheroes characters, Batman possesses no powers .Bruce Wayne trained himself intellectually and physically .it is from dedication to training he possessed the useful traits of physical prowess, martial arts skills, detective skills and indomitable will to fight for justice. Though his motive is to combat crime and protect people of Gotham city from criminals, the justice system in most of the times views Batman as a villain and vigilante. He can inflict fear to Gotham city criminals thereby bringing calmness to the city. I identify myself with the Batman character through his selfless will for justice, his strong determination to do good
Marvel vs. DC comics is a battle that began in the early 90’s and has never ceased since. Both gaining an abundant amount of recognition from fans worldwide. From little toddlers to fully grown adults, the numbers continue to spread like wildfire. However, what are the major similarities and differences between both comics? The similarity is that, both incorporated all heroes in one setting, attempted to focus on different genres that disregarded superheroes, and started developing heroes again by adding more personal issues to the comics. For differences, Marvel was set on real world locations while those in DC were more fictional and Marvel heroes developed powers overtime while those in DC were originally born with abilities. These reasoning’s stated above, depict crucial differences between both companies while also providing their similarities which fuse them together.
Thesis/Central Idea: To understand Marvel Comics today, it is important to understand the history of the industry and its name changes from Timely Comics, to Atlas Comics, and lastly Marvel Comics.
Another work by Crutcher emphasizes that ‘Many Lives of the Batman’ and ‘Batman Unmasked’ are bought in three areas: popular culture studies, popular culture as it relates to marketing and consumerism, and the nature of the comic publishing industry. Most writers have examined the impact of Dark Knight Returns on cultural consciousness, politics, and so on. This antihero construction sparks centuries old dialogues on ethics, the kind of business that comprises the bulk of Batman. “The complexities and graphics in the novel and comic of Batman have been defined as his duality with his villains” (Crutcher 66). Due to popularity and the existence of Batman, people began using the Batman symbol as paraphernalia on personal belongings such as clothing, equipment, and supplies.
Now in these days everyone one likes to read comic books since they became part of our society. What makes them interesting is how entertaining they could get giving us different points of views on different stories of superheroes. Many of us believe that “Classic superheroes stories are wildly fun, suspenseful and exciting” (Tom and Matt Morris) forgetting the idea of what really makes a hero. Different perceptions of superheroes are considered based on their wrong actions and way of thinking. Frank’s Miller Batman: The Dark Knight Returns is one of the comic books that make us “rethink the conception of the superhero and press each of us to reconsider some of the fundamental moral principles