Summary
Batmanis one ofDC’s most bankable properties, but 30 years ago the character was lampooned by a parody that perfectly nailedthe harsh realities of the Dark Knightwith one overtly weird replacement.Batman is DC’s most prolific superhero in media, leaping from the comic book page to the screen as early as 1943. In the modern age of superhero movie mania, Batman is so omnipresent that his various concurrent live-action iterations threaten to confuse modern audiences as his movies continue to reboot with different actors in the leading role.
Batman’s proliferation is no surprise. Setting aside the campy depictions of him in the 1960s, his modern characterization flies in the face of the goody-two-shoes persona that his contemporaries like Superman and Captain America exude, opting instead for the far cooler dark and brooding take on a superhero hellbent on seeking justice without reneging on his strict moral code. Unfortunately, this standoffish personality and the plethora of traits for which he has now become synonymous makesBatman vulnerable to some quality satire- which is something that the 1994 animation,The Tick, capitalized on with relish.
Every Batman Movie Ranked Worst To Best
Batman has taken many forms on the silver screen across decades of cinematic history. Here’s how each movie stacks up against the others.
The Tick’s Batman Parody Reveals The Silliness Of Batman’s Costume
Die Fledermaus Boasts A More Anatomically Correct Costume
The Tickwas an animated adaptation of the comic book franchise of the same name published by New England Comics. The entire comic is a parody of superheroes, althoughthe animated series took aim at Batman in particular with its original character: Die Fledermaus. While The Tick himself embodies a more nebulous superhero stereotype, there is no question which superhero Die Fledermaus is caricaturing thanks to the ridiculous getup in which he operates.
In case it needs any more clarification, Die Fledermaus translates from German as “The Flittermouse,” or “The Bat.”
Die Fledermaus' bat motif is far more overt than Batman’s, with more anatomically correct bat ears that opt to emulate the larger examples within the species. Nevertheless, the oversized ears are where the differences end, as everything from the cowl, skin-tight gray suit, and yellow utility belt look unmistakable. The fact that one ofThe Tick’s silliest characters needs only to make such a subtle change is a stark illustration of justhow silly Batman’s costume looksin the first place.
The Tick’s Batman Parody Nails Several Batman Issues
Die Fledermaus Is All Of Batman’s Worst Traits
Die Fledermaus' exaggeration of Batman’s most questionable traits is pretty stark.The insufferable caricature has a distinct aversion to commitment as he womanizes his way across the series- an obvious satirizing ofBruce Wayne’s flirtatious behaviorin his public life. While Wayne does not treat the women in his life with quite the same level of disrespect as Die Fledermaus, the parallels are hard to ignore given his dalliances extend across multiple movies.
Then there is Die Fledermaus' treatment of his supposed friend, Sewer Urchin. Sewer Urchin embodies the role of a sidekick and is constantly derided by Die Fledermaus throughout the series. This is evidently a commentary onBatman’s questionable treatment of his myriad sidekicks throughout his comic book career - especially those he has adopted. WhileRobin hasn’t been depicted in live-actioncinema for a while, it will be interesting to see how the DCU’sThe Brave and the Boldnavigates this questionable dynamic down the line.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
