Batman and Superman

Those who of know my affinity for the Batman might be wondering why the title isn't "Batman versus Superman." Truth be told, I don't really dislike the 'ol boy scout, and I guess this entry would be to expound on how I see these comic icons in their respective personas and what they might actually represent. Prepare for geek talk! if not...then just stop reading, haha.

The way I see it, Superman will always be everybody's hero, or at least starts out that way. He's the guy who could do it all (although technically he's not a "guy", he's really an alien from outer space...but you know what I mean). And he does do it all, from saving a cat stuck up a tree to fighting interstellar bad ass aliens and saving the day. He hardly breaks a sweat, never let's anyone down, and he never manages to offend the ladies, prepubescent kids and old folk. And more importantly, he never loses. Sure there's the occasional drama of seemingly dying or losing a loved one, but that never really happens. So for the most part, the facts that surround superman from the day he was created still hold true till today. No dead relatives, no dead wife, no dead officemates. Heck, for being the most powerful being in his universe, it's kinda odd that even he's arch enemy is still alive. That also shows just how nice he is.

Well, maybe "nice" is not a fair word. I don't intend to imply that he doesn't actually struggle with some of the more testing decisions he has to make. Yes Superman is a nice guy, but that's not why Luthor is still alive. He's alive because Superman's true virtue of steel is found in his principles. Luckily for Luthor, the Man of Steel is a believer of life and it's sacredness. That is the one ideal that he and Batman have always and will always share- that they will never take a life.

The problem with Superman in the eyes of most people is that he is too darn consistent. He is too resilient. It is easy to scream accusations of him being one-dimensional as a character. But all it really is, is that they no longer want to believe in their childhood heroes. Because fact of the matter is, they don't grow up to be them.

People want to see good men break. I guess simply because men are mostly made of broken parts. People don't want to know that there are giants that walk amongst them, or even hear of the idea. A lot of people might think that they actually hope for good people or persons, but I think they only desire this on a superficial level; on a level that would make us feel comfortable every now and then that humanity is a good thing afterall. Of course, everyone looks for good men too when they need of help. Of course, what a relief it is to have them then. But to really have them around, and cast our shadows against them, I don't think anyone would be too happy about that for that too long. All I know is, at some point in our history, there once lived a perfect man, and they ended up nailing him to a cross.

Anyway I'm veering off course...

The problem of being Superman ( I imagine) is probably the utter loneliness you must feel. Everyone eventually doubts what you really are, most would expect you to fail at some point just to ease their hurt egos, and maybe no one would ever really know how hard it is to stay blameless and true. It is a long and lonely battle, the life a virtuous man.

Not everyone gets a fairytale life, if any at all. And certainly that is the case for Batman. It's not so difficult to see his appeal. An epitome of discipline and will, bourne out of an incident of crime. He is the peak of human ability both physically and intellectually. He is a loner, therefore someone who's made himself free and unanswerable to no one. How many middle-aged men break down on just realizing they are slaves to their work and to wives?

Now Batman is more of a grown-up's superhero. Not that kids don't like him, coz they do (but more for his car and gadgets...and maybe the babes). Now "nice" is not a word you can use with him, but he is indeed a force of good. But he is a dark entity, full of hate and sorrow. Yet out of it is a resolve to fight, to have some semblance of justice in this world and to protect others from a fate such as his. He is the victim turned protector, the mortal champion. Superman is someone who hides in plain sight with a collared shirt and glasses, his true strength and character hidden by a meek exterior. Something I imagine that young men or even women might want to imagine; that they really are beneath whatever exterior, a strong and dangerous people. But with Batman, the transformation and secrecy is on a whole new level entirely. As a stoic, dark and distant individual, his virtue is that he is a man that actually cares. I guess people would like that idea. Despite their crassness and their faults, they actually are people who care. Superman hides his identity, but the Batman hides his true goodness.

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"We cannot seek or attain health, wealth, learning, justice or kindness in general. Action is always specific, concrete, individualized, unique." - Benjamin Jowett

The Rambling


One day you'll wake up with so much anger in your heart. You aren't really sure where it comes from, but you'll have some vague idea. The only other problem with it, is that you don't really know what to do with it.


Who can know the depths of your travelled depression? Who can follow the turnings of the heart by the split second? Who can tell you who you really are?


The questions don't stop. But the illusion is that finding the answers will somehow give you peace. It is no comfort either that whatever we might find ourselves in, our illusion or our truths, we have the capacity to make peace with either one.


You'll wake up one day, and you wouldn't know who you are. You'll hate everyone just because they can't help you remember. You'll hate everyone even more if they don't let you forget.


Oh when the day will come when the mask comes off, what a fearful beautiful day that will be.

....




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"They told me there was nothing out there, nothing to fear. But the night my parents were murdered I caught a glimpse of something. I've looked for it ever since. I went around the world, searched in all the shadows. And there is something out there in the darkness, something terrifying, something that will not stop until it gets revenge... Me." - Bruce Wayne from Batman Begins

Some of the things I've learned so far...

It's easier to build walls than bridges.

10% of the decisions we make are born out of a conscious choice, the rest are born out of habit.

Relatives know you best in ways that are most embarrassing at parties.

People don't change. They can only become better or worse versions of themselves.

Be careful of people who tell you, "welcome to the real world." You wouldn't want their world to be what's real for you.

Few are the tomorrows that actually come; fewer are the yesterdays that come back.

Whatever the situation is, realize that things aren't as great or as bad as you think they are.

A lot of people get out of relationships coz they say they've fallen out of love. Truth is, it didn't work out coz they were never even friends to begin with.

It's not what you know. It's how you say it.

Remember, what doesn't kill you is called torture.

In anything in life, there's a correct answer, then there's the right answer.

The smartest thing you can say when you don't know is, "I don't know."

There is always room for regret, on whether you open or shut your mouth.

It is more helpful to point out sins than to point out sinners.

Don't be ashamed to be afraid of the dark and scary things, that's natural. The real cowards are those who are afraid of beautiful and better things.

Make enemies, so at least you know who your friends are.

Never let anyone mess with what is precious to you.

The world belongs to fighters, not dreamers. But the best fighters are dreamers too.

Sometimes, not everything worth winning can be won.

Everyone needs saving.

Things will keep happening to you until you learn what you need to learn... or until you die.

The "smartest" people are the people who never learn.

Tomorrow will come, it's today that's the problem.

Unless you are certain that your perception is infinite and pure (and it isn't or ever will be), then never judge anyone or anything with so much finality.

Talk and do what you know to be true.

Experience is indeed the best teacher, but that doesn't say anything about the student.

Before anything else, breathe.

My father was right, fear and stupidity are more contagious than any virtue.

"Not right now." is how most regrets and mistakes begin.

Learn to put trash in it's place.

Don't expect people to be as lenient on you as you are on yourself.

No one's lack of self esteem is worth your encouraging lies. You aren't doing an empty can any favors by filling it with air.

With all the words, ideas and things in all the world, remember that the tools of communication should be used to understand and be understood... in the simplest, most efficient way possible.

Time is the most wasted resource.

Everyone gets old, but not everyone grows up.

Life are mostly processes of learning what you need to and unlearning what you don't need.

Life is to be respected.

Remember to start and end the day right.

There is no magic formula. You have to keep walking forward and keep getting up, one moment at a time. (I think I just contradicted myself here...hehe)

Develop a sense of humor. You'll need it.

Saying sorry is the hardest thing to do. (Coz you have to mean it)

It is important to believe in things that are bigger and greater than yourself.

Take vacations and enjoy 'em. If you can, enjoy your work as well.

Chocolate is never a bad idea.

Realize that you are most of the time merely a blind man holding one part of an elephant.

Wisdom and courage is a curse if you have but one and not the other.

It might be a good thing to sometimes have faith in your doubts.

Try to be better. Then try again. And again.

You can't lose if you don't give up.

Love honestly.

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"Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it." -Andre Gide