Yes. Selflessness and dedication make a hero
Since we all know superheroes aren’t real, trying to have this argument using real world conditions is nothing short of ridiculous. As a result, I shall use comic books, film and television the basis of my argument.
Most people feel the Caped Crusader shouldn’t be considered a superhero because he doesn’t have a super power; they are wrong. Batman might not have any conspicuous or over-the-top powers like other heroes do, but his superior intellect combined with deduction, will and intimidation put him a step above other superheroes and mere men.
Batman might not be able to lift cars over his head or run really fast but brains will always win over brawn.
Doubters also state that Batman’s wealth is the source of his equipment and in turn his powers, but that analysis is superficial. Sure, an unlimited credit card helps a bunch if you don’t have superpowers, but it still doesn’t make you a hero; you have to make it a part of your life.
Ever since the murder of his parents, Bruce Wayne has been working hard at honing his skills. He spent his entire fortune and life fighting to keep the world protected from evildoers everywhere. When he takes off his costume, he is still Batman, and even if he didn’t have any money, he’d probably be doing the same thing — just thuggin’ on a budget.
For example, in the elseworld’s story “Red Son” he is a poor communist hero who still manages to defeat Superman in hand to hand combat before killing himself and inspiring other “Batmen” to don the cowl in resistance to Superman’s tyrannical and communist rule. You can’t buy that type of determination and drive with all the money in the world.
In conclusion, Batman might not be able to fly, move things with his mind or lift really really heavy objects but his ability to go that extra mile and do whatever it takes with his very limited power is what makes him a hero.
-Osi Aken’Ova/The Daily
No. Paying to be super does not make a hero
We all saw “The Dark Knight.” No one could question Batman’s ability, courage and constant God-complex to always protect Gotham City from its fiendish foes. Batman lives in a city of “darkness” in which he strikes fear into the crime-infested streets of Gotham, but when stripped of it’s frightful façade, Gotham is truly just another city with a high crime rate. Most of the villains, no matter how psychotic and terrifying, are just normal powerless people. Come on, “The Penguin” is a fat guy in a tux and top hat.
This brings us to Batman, or Bruce Wayne, who is truly just the ridiculously rich power player of Gotham. Yes, Bruce has the depressing death of his parents and the “I am misunderstood” middle-school angst, but this only makes him a hero, not a superhero. Besides fighting, driving fast tank-cars and talking like there is a piece of sandpaper stuck in his throat, Batman has no actual powers.
Other superheroes have some sort of ability or gift that distinguishes them from regular people, thereby making them truly super. No kid was ever accepted to Professor Xavier’s School for the Gifted because their daddy donated money for new X-men suits.
Yes, Batman had to conquer his greatest fear to become the hero that he is.
Yes, Batman has some crazy ninja moves.
Yes, he can drive across rooftops, jump off buildings and somehow glide through the air with his giant bat wings, but at the end of the day he is an ordinary guy with a bottomless spending account.
He pays to be a superhero, but in doing this makes himself the poser of the superhero world. The whole concept would seem so much more incredible if it was not just a spoiled guy in a bat costume.
-Cole Priddy/The Daily
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Raven 2 years, 2 months ago
That is untrue, if it entertains even one person, then it's not a waste of either. You waste more time when you give people articles that piss them off (like articles about whether or not Greek organizations suck). You also waste time when you put out stuff that people can, and will, misinterpret (that one cartoon that people thought advocated rape).
But this...this is a nice, stress-free article to read.
Achilles 2 years, 2 months ago
What a waste of paper and time.
TheAntiTrevorClark 2 years, 2 months ago
He's not "super," and that's a contributing factor to his awesomeness. He's a very human figure dealing with human limitations, yet he still kicks more ass than the average donkey abuser.
leimapapa 2 years, 2 months ago
To be a "super" hero, a character has to have something "super" about them. Batman really only has an above average intellect. Although he does have a super amount of money...
Also, that first comment was a douche-y waste of everyone's time. Minus double points.
qm 2 years, 2 months ago
Batman is a superhero precisely BECAUSE he has no powers and is still able to keep up with the likes of the Justice League. And if you're going to argue that it doesn't count because he was born into money, you'd have to discount a huge chunk of superheroes because they were born into their powers. Same sort of birthright argument.
To the first commenter: This is decently written (especially for the Daily) and much less rage-inducing than the Opinion columns. Just because you have no interest in the topic doesn't mean it's a waste. Try not to be so rude on something in the L&A section that's supposed to be lighthearted and college-age appropriate?