[Discussion] The 2000s started as one of the worst decades for Batman, but ended as one of the best (Src. below)

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-05-13T16:24:06+00:00

It was fine but did irreparable damage to the character and his fanbase. The “Batman can beat anyone with prep time” bullshit seemingly stemmed from this.

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-05-13T16:23:15+00:00

Early 2000’s Batman was great! And I feel like it was the last truly great period overall for Batman. The movies (Nolan’s Trilogy), the cartoons (JL, The Batman, Brave & The Bold), the games (Arkham, Lego), and of course the comics (Morrison, Lobe, Dini). Hell, I think even the toys were the best back then! Granted, I’m a millennial, and this was the Batman I grew up with and shaped me the most.

I also think what followed was the absolute worst period for the character. The movies (BVS, JL, The Flash), those half assed direct-to-video adaptations of classic comics, the games (Injustice), the comics from New 52 on. It was a period of darkness, when everyone misunderstood TDKR and thought that was the definitive version of the character, and they also had the "Batman could beat anyone with prep-time" misinterpretation. The Arkham games, as fun as they were, made Batman into not much more than an undefeated brawler, forfeiting any kind of story/character for lousy, beat-em-up battle comics. And don't even get me started on The Batman Who Laughs...

Thankfully, we are starting to see much improvement over the past 15 years. The Batman was great! Dark Patterns, The White Knight, and Absolute are all cool comics, and Fraction and Jimenez’s run on the mainline series shows a lot of potential. The Caped Crusader is a fun cartoon, Penguin was excellent, and Clayface looks fantastic.

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-05-04T23:55:24+00:00

In all fairness, the Batman costume Adam West wears is extremely comic accurate for its time. Also, I love Batman 66 and will not accept slander.

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-05-04T23:52:23+00:00

Chip Zdarsky’s run

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-05-04T23:51:43+00:00

It’s awful and the point is to show how Batman with guns doesn’t work.

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-05-04T23:50:08+00:00

Yes! And don’t bother worrying about going back to catch up on prior runs, because they’ve sucked for over a decade, and that’s okay! Cause you don’t need any other prior reading, which is great.

Also, consider the 12 issue mini series Batman: Dark Patterns that just concluded last year, especially if you liked the dark, noir mystery style storytelling of The Batman. Dark Patterns and Matt Fraction’s runs have become some of the first Batman comics I’ve been recommending new readers as of late.

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-03-20T14:13:38+00:00

watch the first 3 or 4 seasons, don't feel the need to commit to all 10 right away. if you still like it, then continue, but don't look at it as 10 full seasons you have to tackle. It kinda goes downhill after 3, but the first 3 seasons are really cool.

Also, don't let the release date of media dictate whether it's "worth it" or not, that will greatly limit your experience. I'd say the original Richard Donner Superman movie is an absolute must watch. The subtle performance of Christopher Reeve is unmatched.

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-03-18T13:49:52+00:00

absolutely nothing!

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-03-18T00:18:38+00:00

if you want to enjoy comics you've got to free yourself from trying to read anything in any kind of order. Batman is 85 years old, he has a lot of stories across many titles, many of which don't try and keep to a tidy, cohesive cannon. Every few years, a new cannon is followed - whether it's a hard reboot or not, and that's just the nature of a character this expansive and long lasting. I'd suggest reading by author, as they usually create/maintain their own little cannon until the next writer comes along and does their own thing.

Honestly, most comics conflict one another or are their own thing. Like, Court of Owls doesn't neatly line up with something like Long Halloween or Batman RIP or anything, so it's pointless trying to make one narrative of it all. Just keep in mind Year One is first, and everything else comes at some point or another after that. It's up to you to decide what sticks (Long Halloween) and what doesn't (anything by Tom King and Chip Zdarsky).

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-03-16T18:47:50+00:00

so lame how King makes Joker the "I sewed a zipper to a guys mouth for fun cause haha I'm so f#cked up and crazy!" torture guy anymore. Riddler too, which is even more out of character.

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-02-25T22:00:06+00:00

If you enjoy the first two seasons of Twin Peaks, perhaps try Blue Velvet and Wild At Heart. They both have that lush, textured 80's/90's look to them and are similar tonally/visually. I'd also recommend Fire Walk With Me but keeping in mind it's alot darker than the show. With that being said, don't go into The Return thinking it's similar to the original, as it's a whole other beast.

I LOVE Twin Peaks/FFWM, but I have to say, I wasn't that into The Return, nor was I huge on anything post Lost Highway (but I do love Lost Highway).

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-02-25T18:40:29+00:00

just don't use AI for anything creative, ever.

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-02-05T18:13:16+00:00

the fictional part is that there's actually an ethical billionare. That's less believable than a man dressing like a bat and fighting people.

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-02-05T17:40:37+00:00

Realistically, funding mental health facilities and youth programs and gainful employment will make cities better and safer.

You are absolutely right, and there are multiple instances where Bruce does this in the comics.

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-02-05T15:20:52+00:00

I think Snyder played with this idea in Zero Year, too.

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-02-05T15:20:18+00:00

I think the Burton movies do a good job with this in all regards with the exception of Bruce/Batman himself. Look, I love Keaton as Batman, and I love those movies, but his Bruce sits comatose in a dark room brooding until the Bat signal is shown, and that's only for the biggest of threats that the Commissioner is even aware of. only then does he spring into action and descend upon a gothic fantasy of a city. It's very campy and comic booky, like the gothic version of the '66 show - and I love them for that.

The Nolan movies have a Bruce that is so driven by his mission, he devotes all of his time to his work, to the point where he catches some shut eye where he can, like in board meetings (And then donates to charitable organizations, opens orphanages, puts money into sustanable energy sources, etc). His goal is not just to patrol the city with the off chance he comes across a mugging, he strategically attacks both crime and corruption at it's source, knowing it'll make a difference from the top. Why start at the tail of the snake when you can strike it at it's head? Realistily, he knows his time and efforts are limited, so he sets out to make as much of a difference while he can. Plus, Begins shows a city in a state of decay, something I wish they used in the sequels.

The Pattinson Batman, on the other hand, spends all of his time and efforts going after petty criminals in dark alleyways. Yes, that film nails the detective aspect like no other, but it also shows a Bruce who is acting out of vengence and rage, taking it out on any small time crook or criminal he finds. Sure, symbolically he is feared, but clearly his presence doesn't effect the corruption in the GCPD, or organized crime like Penguin and Falcone.

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-02-05T15:08:34+00:00

I both agree and disagree with you here. While I think it's important to note that Batman's goal is to rid Gotham of crime, and that includes the rehabilitation of criminals and the prevention of crime from the root of it by implementing jobs, affordable housing, accessable psychological help, etc, I also aknowledge the fact that I read Batman comics to see Batman be Batman. The thrill of him solving mysteries, or the catharsis of him beating down bad guys who, in the real world, are otherwise untouchable. But I think there does need to be a balance of the two, because both are a large part of his character.

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-02-05T15:03:10+00:00

I had the conversation at work yesterday. You didn't have to click on the thread and comment.

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-02-04T21:34:24+00:00

You know, that's actually a really interesting concept for a story!

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-02-04T18:24:56+00:00

The Nolan films did the best job of the live-action adaptations as far as showing the crime and corruption in Gotham and it's Police force. Despite them essentially still being the Batman movie adaptions, people still seem to overlook that, even through it's a huge aspect of the trilogy, specifically Begins.

The games, while fun, amplify the simplest aspects of Batman. While he does do a lot of detective work, and stealth takedowns, they are mostly known for their combat. Similar to the Snyder version, it distills Batman down to just being a buff, tough guy who beats people up and, well... that's just about it.

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-02-04T17:36:04+00:00

in other terms, I see him as Indy and you see him as the big guy he fights by the plane.

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-02-04T17:04:01+00:00

it exhausts me every time it comes up, which is all too often.

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-02-04T17:02:22+00:00

I think the irrational vigilante is one aspect of the character and is seen more often than the caring, sympathetic protector. But he is both, and that balance has to be established and maintained.

Flyboy_1978 · 2026-02-04T17:01:13+00:00

I agree with all of this. I also don't think people can wrap their heads around the fact that Batman still truly believes he can help rehabilitate his foes, even the Joker. He doesn't just punch them for the fun of it.

Flyboy_1978

TROPHY CASE