Batman: Why New 52 is a great starting point for new readers

Image Source: DC Comics Digital

Making the hero look human

Batman isn’t a superhuman. However, he definitely acts and fights like he is. Through proper planning, Batman has a strategy and gadget that will get him out of all sorts of dangerous situations. During New 52, we saw Batman put in positions that he couldn’t just fight his way out of. Moments where he looked vulnerable as a hero.

The best example came in Court of Owls. Bruce was captured by the Court of Owls (an ancient group who controlled Gotham from the shadows) in a maze for over a week. Bruce was alone with no food or natural sunlight. He started to go crazy and started hallucinating from the water that was drugged. It’s rare that you see Batman look weak and almost helpless. All he had was his intelligence and will to live. Thankfully, that was enough for him to overcome the Court of Owls and their strong and skilled henchman the Talon.

Every hero has to look beatable otherwise they wouldn’t be interesting. Making Batman look weak made his enemies’ defeat that much more gratifying. Especially for new fans who don’t know that Batman is more than just a fighter in an expensive costume.