B is for BATMAN!!

While reluctant to write about Batman this week given the tragedy of Aurora, Colorado, my hope is that this wonderful legend who has grown up with so many of us will not be tainted by the insane doings of a madman. But... Before beginning my "B" post for ABCWednesday I want to express my heartfelt sympathy for the victims of the Aurora tragedy and their families. I wish for all who were savagely touched by this catastrophe, a speedy healing of body, heart, and soul.

"...In Our darkest hour comes our greatest hope...."

In the original version, Batman (or Bruce Wayne - millionaire, playboy, industrialist and philanthropist) assumes his secret identity after witnessing his parents' murder as a child. andvows revenge on all criminals. He trains himself physically and intellectually for this life's mission, and while he has no super powers, he uses his wealth and ingenuity to develop strength and awesome  crime-fighting gadgets.

Batman was created in 1939 by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger.  He first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate" and is still appearing in graphic form in DC Comics. Batman was so popular that by 1940 he gained his own comic book title and line. In this line Batman fights the likes of the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler, Two-Face, Poison Ivy and Catwoman. He is joined and aided by his cohort Robin, his butler Alfred Pennyworth, police commissioner Jim Gordon and occasionally by Batgirl.

In the mid-late 1960's Adam West portrayed Batman in a television series (and 1966 film) that in my humble opinion is still wonderfully entertaining and 'campy' (although many comic fans were put-off by its campiness).  In 1989 Batman turned darker and more life-like in a film starring Michael Keaton, (directed by Tum Burton was produced by Warner Bros). with a sequel in 1992.  In 1995, Batman was portrayed by Val Kilmer in Batman Forever and in 1997 George Clooney played Batman in Batman and Robin.  The latest Dark Knight  movies (first film appearing in 2005 and the last (third) movie opened up this weekend), directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale- produced by Warner Bros. -  portraying an even darker Batman.

Here is the first TV episode. It's 25 min. but even watching just a few minutes is fun.  Dig the styles, the music, the separate "Bruce" and "Dick" poles leading to the Batcave, the computers in the Batcave, the Bat-scope in the Batmobile, the Bat-Boomerang /grapple hook used to reach an apartment many floors up that folds for future use... and how after cutting window guards to enter the Riddler's apartment Batman advises Robin to "watch out for pedestrian safety" and hangs the grating on a Bat-hook he takes out of his pocket.  And there are the riddles they find by literally 'reading between the lines' of a document they receive from the Riddler.

This TV show is much like the comic book format in that each panel or frame has visual and verbal JEWELS waiting to be noticed - in addition to the story itself - or better - ENHANCING the story itself.  Furthermore, these shows are pure tongue-in-cheek entertainment - fun for the whole family and there are numerous ways to turn this into an educational project (at home or at school):

• have the kids read the "ZONKs" "POWs" and ZOKs" with you;
• discuss the use of similes "The Riddler contrives his plots like artichokes, you have to strip off spiny leaves to reach the heart..."   and tons of puns!!!
• talk about the gadgets which were timely then but so out of date now
• and, try to solve the Riddler's riddles, and make up some of your own..Here are three (of many) from this episode (CAUTION: the first is TERRIBLY corny and a pure pun]: 

1. "Before you trip over your cape, Batman, riddle me this: There are are three men in a boat with four cigarettes but no matches, how do they manage to smoke?" 
2. "What is it that no man wants to have yet no man wants to lose?"
3. "When is the time of a clock like a whistle of a train?"

As Batman's character in the comic, TV and movies has been tweaked from simple detective/crime-fighter to campy entertaining crime-fighter to dark crime-fighter, so too have his gadgets. Batman's most awesome asset/gadget (in my opinion) is the Batmobile. There was an exhibit 2012 San Diego Comic-con sponsored by Warner Bros. displaying the various Bat-mobiles and it was a BLAST to see how these vehicles have morphed and grown over the years keeping pace with modern fantasy and technology.  Here are some SUPER photos of the BATMOBILES and their specs. That said, here is a brief, albeit incomplete, view of its transition ---- The first vehicle (not at the exhibit)  from the 1939 comic looked like this:

It was a simple red convertible with no special functions other than serving as a means for crime-fighting transportation. In the 1960's television show (and 1966 movie) the Batmobile was a spiffed-up 1955 Lincoln Futura painted a glossy black with fluorescent stripes. This vehicle was equipped with tons of "gadgets" including a: Bat Ray Projector, anti-theft (and fire) device, "Detect-a-scope, Batscope, Bat Eye Switch, Antenna Activator, Police Band Cut-in Switch, Emergency Automatic Tire Inflation Device, Batphone, a Bat-tering Ram (for knocking down reinforced doors), Bat Smoke Screen, Emergency Bat-turn Lever (releasing a parachute enabling quick turns), Batmobile Bat Computer (in the trunk), a remote Bat Computer Switch and even some Bat shark repellent.

The most recent vehicle by contrast, The Tumbler, as seen in The Dark Knight series, is a modified spiffed-up cross between an armored vehicle and a Lamborghini. It can accelerate from 0-60 in 5.6 seconds, has a 5.7 liter GM V8 engine with an additional 'jet engine' in the back fed by propane tanks.

 ...here's the camouflage version:

The Tumbler has a pair of autocannons mounted in the nose of the car between its front wheels.  In 'attack' mode, the driver's seat moves to the center of the car, and the driver is repositioned lying face down with his head in the center section between the wheels.  This way he has added protection from the multiple layers of armor plating AND this 'center' position enables easier maneuvering. Other 'gadgets' include a rocket launcher, a landing hook, integrated fire-extinguishing system, a stealth mode (which turns off the car's lights and cuts off its main engine, powering the car via an electric motor), explosive caltrops (rope mines released to explode behind the Batmobile and deter pursuing vehicles), heavy armor at the front of the car and both wheels can eject when the vehicle is damaged turning the wheels into Batpods (motorcycle-like vehicles).

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Relating this post to my last one, Batman is a modern antihero who has no special superpowers, and instead fights crime and avenges the death of those close to him using gadgets developed by Wayne Enterprises. The power of Batman, is that even without superpowers, smart enterprising 'regular' guys can fight back injustice. And, while the Dark Knight movies are dark and not for all kids, the Batman figure and story (in addition to its life lessons) can provide wonderful learning opportunities:

• The TV series has wonderful play on words- watch for puns and similes which abound, and solve the Riddler's wacky clues (all of which are play on words);
• The comics provide great visual and verbal literacy sources for readers of all ages be they reluctant or gifted;
• The "ZAPS" "POWS" and "ZOWIE"s provide wonderful reading opportunities and kids/students can create their own sound effects and onomatopoeia words for additional fun;
• The comics, TV and movie gadgets can be wonderful springboards for your kids creating communicators and defensive or offensive gadgets of their own.

 *****

One final point worth mentioning - especially in the wake the the Aurora Colorado tragedy - Batman started out with a gun and got rid of it!  The New Yorker Magazine has an online article "Batman's Gun" (posted by Jill Lepore) in which Ms. Lepore notes that:

In a story published in October of 1939, Batman used a handgun to shoot a vampire...He used a gun again in the next episode to fire some shots at two evil henchmen...At the time, Detective Comics just hired a new editorial director...named Whiney Wllsworth...When Kane submitted his next story..."Ellsworth said to take the gun out," Kane remembered..Superheroes weren't soldiers or policemen. They were private citizens. Villains carried guns.

Maybe it's time to disarm Batman again, and most of Americans. Guns for hunting are one thing - while I don't hunt and never will, I understand why others want to.  I am not sure why everyone needs assault weapons and Kevlar vests....  Maybe its time for politicians to rethink gun control laws.

***** What do you think? What does Batman mean to you?  Please share you loves and insights in the comments. Have a great week and  thank you for your visit.

 *****

Answer to the Riddler's riddle:  

1. "How did they manage to smoke?  They threw one cigarette overboard and made the boat a cigarette lighter"....again, wonderful puns.
2. "A law suit"
3. "When it's two to two" (Robin toots this and sounds like a train)

What does Batman mean to you?  Please share you loves and insights in the comments. Have a great week and  thank you for your visit.

Anti-Heroe's...Is it Time for Superman to Roll Over?

The San Diego Comi-con 2012 is over and it was an awesome event and my panel "Transforming Graphic Novel Readers into Graphic Novel Writers" was a blast! Leading kids/adult graphic novelists Jenni and Matt Holm (Babymouse  and Squish),  Jimmy Gownley (Amelia) and Joe Kelly (I Kill Giants, Superman vs. The Elite, Ultimate Spider-Man, and many more) all spoke about tools and skills they needed to successfully publish their works and gave suggestions for aspiring graphic novelists. Educators Katie Monnin, PhD., and James Bucky Carter, PhD., related how education can help. What sticks out most is that:

• Written work is rarely successful the first draft, or even the first try.  NEVER get discouraged.  Just stay open to constructive criticism and constant editing;
• Structure is really important in writing graphic novels.  Writers/illustrators must structure the story, the panels, the pages, and they must structure their working time and day;
• Panelists agreed that developing 'real' characters was the trick to successful work and readers must be able to relate to them;
• While writing the story is important, equally important is being able to 'lay out the story' so art, text and panels flow smoothly.
• Classroom attention should be directed not only to literacy building (both visual and verbal literacy), but to teaching executive functions such as structure and organization, attention to detail, and the encouragement of creativity and creative alternatives.

We also discussed the changing role of 'hero' in popular culture, and how the anti-hero is growing in importance and popularity. The big question which was posed by Joe Kelly years ago and developed in his new film, Superman vs. The Elite:   

•  Is Superman out of date? Has his role of super-hero been replaced by awesome but ego-centric, crime-fighting anti-heroes?
• Why is it that we frequently ask about  Superman's place in our culture today, but Spidey, Batman ("The Dark Knight"), XMen, and so many other superheroes' 'potency' in our world of fantasy and fiction are rarely questioned?

According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antihero

In fiction, an antihero^[1] (sometimes antiheroine as the feminine) is generally considered to be a protagonist whose character is an "everyman" type of character, in contrast to the larger-than-life qualities of an archetypal hero. The term dates to 1714,^[2] although literary criticism identifies the term in earlier literature...^[3]

Unlike traditional heroes, antiheroes are not as fabulous as the traditional ones. They may be corrupt, oppressive, etc., or may merely have no unusual qualities whatsoever (the common definition). They are not villains but not necessarily heroes. They may do bad things but are not evil. They may fight villains, but not for the reason of justice, or if it is for the cause of justice will take an "ends justify the means" stance. Their actions are motivated by their own personal desires, such as revenge. 

In my teaching (and as a parent) I have found that kids do like heroes.  They like heroes such as Harry Potter .... but, they also enjoy villains.

But by age 12, I think something happens, young adults today, in my experience, actually are drifting more towards the anti-heroes.  The Twilight characters, Hunger Games, are full of anti-heroes. Furthermore we love Spidy and Batman who are vigilates - who take punishing crime into their own hands and have no qualms about murdering 'the bad guys' without trial by jury. For further thought and discussion, please leave your opinions in the comments and go watch Joe Kelly's Superman vs. The Elite which addresses this question with grace and humor, action and reflection.

Joe Kelly's Superman vs. The Elite, which came out last month and is available on Blue Ray  and streaming on the web. It puts the question of hero vs. anti-hero out in the open for full question and evaluation. He empowers Superman to wrestle with his goody-two-shoes image and enables him to rise as a more modern but true-to-self hero.

To whet your taste buds, here's a super interview with Joe Kelly - a truly AWESOME superhero in my humble opinion - who claims his work is dark, while I find it wonderfully empowering and uplifting:

And, a trailer...

As a leaning optimist, I'd like to think Superman and true-blooded "good" heroes are not dead.  And, while some flaws are essential to make them real, I believe that not only is there a place for these role models, there is a vital need for them.  I find so many of us floundering in lives of  cynicism, frustrated with our leaders, with politics and economics and need the larger-than-life fluffy role models to aspire to.... That's my take...what's yours?

Both the interview and the film are well worth the visits and views and I'd love to hear what you think about them and the changing role of today's super-heroes.  Please leave your views and takes on this subject (and tell us who your favorite heroes/anti-heroes are) in the comments.

Thanks for the visit, please come again!

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