Who Is Batman?

When I was a little rug rat, I'd often put my Batman costume on (big towel for a cape and mask) and run around the house, screaming, "Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da BATMAN!"

Hell, I still do.

Oh shit. You believe it, don't you?

But really, early on, I thought Batman was cool. I had the Batman mask. The Batman periscope toy. The Batman dolls. But, uh, I wouldn't consider it a doll. Ahem. I watched the campy 1960's show and would sing the "DA DA DA Batman" theme song over and over until mom and dad would tell me to shut my yap. Today, he is still my favorite superhero. Spidey comes in a far second.

For those of you who do not know who the greatest superhero of all time is, I give you this no-frills description:

Batman is a fictional comic book superhero, co-created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger(although only Kane receives official credit) and published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27 (May 1939). Batman's secret identity is Bruce Wayne, a wealthy playboy and industrialist.

But here's a better one:

Batman, for me, is a very human hero. He has faults like the rest of us. He's damaged, like some of us. When he saw his parents being murdered, it scarred him for life. I've always felt sorry for the character. This hero uses his mind and his inventions to battle foes. There are no superpowers he can fall back on. Batman prefers to work alone because he is afraid of the harm that may happen to those who assist him in his fight against the evil and corrupt. He has had his share of sidekicks, however, like Robin and Batgirl. He is a prime detective, as well. Using his wits, he will employ every source of information to find clues that will lead him to a villain or a cure for some illness a villain has spread. Lastly, Batman wages a war of good and evil within himself, almost continuously. In this degree, I believe we can all say the same about ourselves.

I'm really looking forward to the new movie. I enjoyed the last one. It really gave Batman more depth. It opens in US theatres, nationwide, July 18th. I'll be there, dude, singing, "Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Batman!'

And then, the audience will pounce upon me like a gang of crazed hyenas.