Tom King: Batman Is The Person, Bruce Wayne Is The Mask

Tom King explains that Bruce Wayne became a mask when his parents were killed, and Batman is the actual person

Batman and Bruce Wayne. Which is the real person? Which is the mask? It’s been a constant question ever since the Dark Knight debuted in comics over 75 years ago. According to current Batman writer Tom King, the real mask belongs to Bruce Wayne.

This is revealed in the recently released Batman #12, in which Bruce Wayne recounts a difficult time in his life just after his parents died and he was still a young boy. Warning,

SPOILERS FOR BATMAN #12 FOLLOW, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

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"I think that’s been Batman since the beginning. This idea, that on some level, Bruce Wayne is the mask. And when he made that vow, he put down that mask. He decided, on almost an existential level, that he can’t live his life for himself anymore. It’s like he said, “I don’t see a point to myself anymore, but I can live my life for others.” He says that the ‘selfish’ part of him is going to go away, the selfish part of him is going to die. I think that’s always been part of the character. I think that’s what [Steve] Englehart had. I think that’s what [Bob] Kane and [Bill] Finger had in the beginning. And certainly what the [Christopher] Nolan movies have in them. This is almost just a literalization of something that’s been around for a long time."

Next: Topm King: Catwoman Is Batman With No Alfred

Be sure to read the full interview over at CBR, where King also talks about what is going on with Gotham Girl, Catwoman, and how the Caped Crusader’s childhood connects to his own. Batman #12 is available now.