The reason I love Batman is because his one true fear is really relatable

Warning: Spoilers for Batman No. 149!

Batman’s His greatest fear is his most relatable. I think I speak for everyone when I say that we’ve all wanted to be Batman at some point. Who hasn’t? He’s Batman. But if you’re like me, you stopped wanting to be Batman a long time ago because the goal seemed unattainable. After all, he’s practically superhuman and isn’t afraid of anything. How can I be Batman?

I am surprised when I read Batman #149 by Chip Zdarsky, Michele Bandini and Steve Lieber, and I found out what Bruce Wayne’s greatest fear is: mortality. That’s right, the guy who jumps over tall buildings and fights gods among men is afraid of dying. Shocking, I know. But more specifically, Batman is afraid of growing old and eventually dying a slow death.

As shocking as it may be, it’s painfully relatable. It certainly is for me, and something tells me other readers feel the same way. This fear allows Batman to be what he rarely is for readers: relatable.

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Batman is afraid of getting old

And finally die … slowly

Previously, Batman battled his evil “persona”, Zur-En-Arrh, who managed to clone his own Robin from Bruce Wayne’s DNA. When Zur is defeated, Bruce must race against time to save his clone (basically, he must save himself), as he is rapidly aging and is expected to die of old age within weeks, officially taking Red Hood’s place as the most tragic Robin. The closer the clone gets to death, The real Bruce must face his own fears of deathwhich leads both versions of Bruce Wayne to talk about the idea of ​​slowing down until death is near.

Both versions of Batman end up expressing their fear of growing old and slowing down. It is obviously grim for them to imagine Batman (as a concept) going from being fast, agile and effective to becoming slower and slower and slower. Until one day Batman becomes so slow that he is not only less effective; he actually stops move as we all do in deathBatman compares it to losing control – something he has fought for his entire life – while his clone is fixated on death and therefore can never create a new memory.

This fear is the most human Batman has shown in years

Batman is finally identifiable again

I don’t want to sound like a tough guy, but there are a few things I fear. At the top of that list is dying. To me, death means two things: it means venturing into the unknown, whatever awaits us in death, and it means my body is slowly failing me. My fit, capable body will one day rust away like an overused car part. Running, walking on my own, holding a pencil – all of these basic things that I take for granted will one day be impossible as I grow older. That scares me, and Strangely enough, it is also frightening for Batman.

Not everyone can identify with a billionaire who jumps into action (when dressed as a bat), but many of us can relate to what he fears. It’s such a human fear for someone who is often portrayed as more than a man, a fear we all know. Rather than feeling out of character for Batman, this fear feels like a previously untapped level of Batman that reveals more of his character to readersFor a character that is difficult to identify with, this fear of death gives Batman a character trait that goes beyond being a brooding creature of habit.

Batman #149 is now available from DC Comics.

BATMAN #149 (2024)
	Author: Chip Zdarsky Artists: Steve Lieber, Michele Bandini Colorist: Nick Filardi Letterer: Clayton Cowles Cover artist: Jorge Jiménez

Batman

One of DC’s most famous heroes, Batman is the superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Shaped by the tragedy of his parents’ deaths, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective and tactician. Bruce recruits a whole family of allies and henchmen and leads the war against evil as the Dark Knight of his hometown of Gotham City.

Created by

Bob Kane, Bill Finger

Alias

Bruce Wayne

alliance

Justice League, Outsiders, Batman Family

Race

Human

FIRST APP

Detective Comics No. 27 (1939)

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