麻豆约拍

Unlike most of the other members of the superhero fraternity, Batman has no superpowers. As Rachel states on the podcast: “He’s just a bloke with a costume.” An ordinary man, he trained and honed his skills to emerge as the ultimate crimefighter. But, as he’s a regular human, he’s also vulnerable and, as Johnny points out, “mortality has to be the bedrock of a good superhero.” And, despite his very human qualities, the other superheroes respect him. Even though he can’t shoot lasers out of his eyes and stuff like that.

AGAINST: He’s a failure

It’s not just that Batman’s fighting crime, it appears as if he’s CONSTANTLY fighting crime. The city of Gotham is infested with supervillains and there are more and more emerging all the time. Rather than stopping crime, it seems Batman is attracting it. Are these supervillains engaged in supervillainery because Batman exists? And when he does apprehend criminals, they’re simply handed over to the (not very effective) police force and then inevitably escape again. Perhaps a more permanent solution to these criminal masterminds would be more effective? He could lethally despatch figures like the Joker, or, with his billions, pay someone else to do the deed. As Stevie helpfully points out: “Just go on the dark web. Sorted.”

Batman has changed significantly over the years, from the campy 1960s TV version to the more brooding noirish Dark Knight of the movies directed by Christopher Nolan (and many other versions in between). It’s in this later, grittier incarnation that its revealed that young Bruce Wayne (Batman’s alter ego) fell into a pit of bats (as you do) but overcame his subsequent morbid fear of flying mammals and then found a way to weaponise his phobia to become the insectivorous saviour of Gotham City.

Russell Kane

With all his gadgets and technology, Batman has a huge carbon footprint.

FOR: He’s a success

Batman’s alter-ego, billionaire Bruce Wayne, disguises his covert, crimefighting activities by using his enormous corporation to acquire equipment and superhero paraphernalia. This suggests his business enterprises generate huge amounts of profit. He has the technological capability of a small nation that he’s put together himself. In a cave. And at least some the panel feel he is a responsible businessman, with Stevie stating: “He’s so emo, he pays his taxes.”

AGAINST: He’s an eco-nightmare

With all his gadgets and technology, Batman has a huge carbon footprint. He flies everywhere alone, his powerful supercomputer is running all the time and even the bat signal uses huge amounts of power (and, as Johnny points out, “what happens in the daytime?”) He even defeats and destroys maverick scientists such as Mr Freeze and Poison Ivy who are trying to save the planet. Yes, they want to destroy all humans in the process, but they did want to save the planet. And to cover Batman’s tracks, Wayne Industries has to order tens of thousands of every item the Caped Crusader needs. Where does the rest of it go? Landfill? Charity shop?

AGAINST: He’s the face of inequality

Gotham is a crime-ridden sewer and getting worse on Batman’s watch. But, as he’s a 1-percenter, perhaps that’s the way he likes it? Could Bruce Wayne be a narcissist capitalist who wants to maintain the status quo to solidify his privileged position? Even his sidekick Robin is, as Russell mentions, “a vulnerable kid from a vulnerable background,” who is possibly on a zero hours contract. Batman’s crimefighting agenda would probably be more successful if he just funded some better policing in his town and stumped up for some CCTV.

It can’t be denied that Batman’s sleek, black look, with cape and optional utility belt, is pretty stylish. Though, over the years, some of his styling has, as Russell notes, “something bondage-y about it”. He frequently displays his metrosexual side by wearing a healthy amount of mascara around his eye-holes and Stevie, in particular, was rather taken with his costume in the film Batman and Robin that featured quite prominent nipples.

AGAINST: He may be responsible for Covid-19

This is a bit of a stretch, but Bruce Wayne does spend a lot of time with bats and, as Russell mentions, “probably has a pangolin sandwich in the fridge”. With his poor approach to mask-wearing (it only covers the top half of his face) and his apparent lack of concern for the environment (as highlighted above), was Batman patient zero? It sounds crazy, but you just never know.

So how did the panel decide - is Batman evil or genius? You’ll have to listen to Evil Genius with Russell Kane to find out.