Episode 5 of gestational education podcast Hard Ticket came out this Friday, featuring a clash between Batman Begins and Man of Steel. Much like the latter’s fugly step-sequel, Batman v. Superman, things don’t go well for the titular man of steel.
As the superhero comic book industry began in 1938 with the release of Action Comics #1, so too shall we start this discussion with the big blue Boy Scout himself. Superman has been an icon of pop culture since his debut, when he was introduced to the world by Jewish immigrants Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Much like the emblem on his chest, Superman is a symbol of hope; a character who any comic book reader should know will always recognize the good in others, never give up on anyone, and always do the right thing. Zach Snyder’s Man of Steel is about a character who happens to also be named Superman. It could be blamed on the post 9/11 era of political discourse, or the desire to contrast the DCEU with the MCU, but the reality is that Man of Steel just isn’t a good interpretation of Superman, nor does it work well as a standalone product. Without spoilers, James Gunn’s Superman is an excellent adaptation of the beloved character that has contrast with the MCU, fits into the sociopolitical landscape of our time, and is also just a good movie. I hate to say it, but if we continue making excuses for films like Man of Steel, we will never defeat Zach Snyder. Jeff, I know you like Watchmen, despite the fact that the movie undermines every point made in the comic, but we need to win this war. Dallas has chosen a side, and has thus become my enemy. Do the right thing. Punch Zach Snyder’s filmography in the dick.
Speaking of dicks, Batman Begins was the first film to star the dark knight since Batman & Robin (Robin’s name is Dick Grayson, that’s why the joke works). There’s an argument to be made concerning how well Nolan adapts Batman as a character, but we have to at least acknowledge that the end product is a genuinely good movie. Since Batman’s debut in 1939’s Detective Comics #27, there have been multiple interpretations of the character. The original Bob Kane and Bill Finger Batman was a basic superhero, existing in an era when supervillains were few and far between. It’s where we get the more Mob-focused elements of the movie. From there, he became a classic silver then bronze-age comic hero, fighting supervillains while amassing a stable of sidekicks. Campy dialogue and a massive rogue’s gallery paved the way for Adam West’s Batman, but there was eventually a backlash. In 1986, critically acclaimed misogynist Frank Miller wrote and drew for The Dark Knight Returns, a story set in an alternate future which dove headfirst into the dark side of the dark knight. Despite its departure from the canon, the story has left a lasting impression on the character which we see in full effect on the set of Batman Begins. It’s just actually a good movie and I really don’t have anything negative to say about it other than the decision to remove his Bat-nipples.
Comparing these two movies is like comparing the Robins. Damian is easily the best—fuck you. Batman Begins blows Man of Steel out of the water harder than Jeff blows me when I ask nicely. I think it prudent, in closing, to expand on the infamous My Cocaine quote from this week’s winner. Alfred tells Bruce that we fall so that we can learn to pick ourselves up again. In the comics, Dick Grayson tells Bruce that we fall because we’re pushed. We get up to push back. I say we fall because balancing is hard. We get up because Man of Steel is playing and fuck that.
Hard Flickit 