The Mythology of Batman

Dr. Alex Wainer presented the history and mythology of Batman to Palm Beach Atlantic University students. (Photo credit: Laura Carrell)

What gives Batman his staying power? For scholar Alex Wainer, it’s Batman’s mythic qualities.

Nearly 30 students and faculty gathered in the rotunda of Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Warren Library recently to hear about the 75-year history and prominence of Batman.

An Associate Professor of Communication and Media Studies at Palm Beach Atlantic University, Wainer recently published, Soul of the Dark Knight: Batman as Mythic Figure in Comics and Film. The book showcases how the comics medium created Batman as a mythic character that has become a powerful symbol for many people today.

“Batman has seeped further and further into our consciousness,” Wainer said. “He has resonated with many readers.”

Dr. Wainer started researching and writing the book in the 90’s while he attended Regent University, Virginia Beach.

During the event, Wainer discussed how the character transformed from 2D to be a realistic medium effectively.

“The character of Batman is mythic,” Wainer said. “He functions as a powerful narrative that has significance to many people.”

Wainer gave a history of Batman starting with the invention of the Batman cartoons in 1939 to The Dark Knight Returns.

Wainer talked about how Batman has a social meaning and how Batman changed during the different eras.

“In the 60s, Batman was cool,” Wainer said. “But during the post-9/11 era, Batman began fighting terror or displacing terror.”

Wainer also discussed the decline and rise of Batman. “In the 1940s, Batman began in movies starring B-actors, and having a bright light on Batman,” Wainer said. “In the 1950s, ABC aired a color television series, which used bright, primary colors, and similar costumes to those in the cartoon.”

In 1989, Tim Burton made a Batman that had ”a certain moodiness” to it. “They used cinematographic aspects along with abstract music to bring mythic.”

In 1997, Joel Schumacher’s “Batman” included Robin, along with a costume change that had “nipples on the Batman suit,” causing a freeze in the Batman franchise.

However, Batman rose again eight years later in 2005 with Christopher Nolan.

“Nolan used the grounded reality relative to earlier films and added a psychological realism to it,” Wainer said. “He was creating a legend by perpetrating it with cool stuff such as technology.”

So what about Superman asked one member of the audience.

“Superman is simple and shows truth and justice in the American way,” Wainer answered. “You can do anything and what challenge is there other than Kryptonite? Batman and Superman are mythic in different ways.”

“I found this event very intriguing,” said senior Kent Berame, of the event. “It’s interesting to see how Batman began and how it changed during the years into what it is today.”

Wainer will be at this weekend’s Comic Con, which will be held at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, along with film professor Antonio Zarro, on two panels to discuss Batman’s 75^th anniversary and the exploding DC and Marvel Cinematic and Television universes.

Wainer’s book, Soul of the Dark Knight: Batman as Mythic Figure in Comics and Film and can be at Barnes and Noble and online at Amazon.