,APP5DIX 
,ON ,BATMAN & ! ,PROBLEM ( ,CON/ITU5T ,P[] 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,DAVID ,GRAEB] 

,TEXT 3 

,APP5DIX3 ,ON ,BATMAN & ! ,PROBLEM ( ,CON/ITU5T ,P[] 

  

,I AM APP5D+ ?IS PIECE1 O/5SIBLY AB\T ! ,*RI/OPH] ,NOLAN FILM ,! ,D>K ,KNI<T ,RISES-- ! LONG V]SION ( A PIECE PUBLI%$ UND] ! TITLE 0,SUP] ,POSITION0 9 ,! ,NEW ,9QUIRY 9 #bab --AS IT EXP&S ON !MES ( SOV]EIGNTY & POPUL> CULTURE BROA*$ 9 ! ?IRD ESSAY 9 ?IS BOOK4 ,9 ?AT ESSAY1 ,I NOT$ ?AT !RE W]E ?REE HI/ORICALLY 9DEP5D5T ELEM5TS ?AT ,I BELIEV$ CAME TOGE!R 9 \R NOTION ( 0! /ATE10 :I* ,I DESCRIB$ AS SOV]EIGNTY1 BUREAUCRACY1 & 7H]OIC7 POLITICS4 ,MY ?\<TS ON SOV]EIGNTY1 H[EV]1 W]E ONLY M9IMALLY DEVELOP$1 SO ,I ?\<T IT MI<T 9T]E/ ! READ] TO SEE SOME FUR!R REFLECTIONS ON ! SUBJECT1 WRITT5 9 ! SAME BROAD1 DISCURSIVE VE94 

,ON ,SATURDAY1 ,OCTOB] #a1 #b#a#a1 ! ,N,Y,P,D >RE/$ SEV5 HUNDR$ ,OCCUPY ,WALL ,/REET ACTIVI/S AS !Y W]E ATTEMPT+ TO M>* ACROSS ! ,BROOKLYN ,BRIDGE4 ,MAYOR ,BLOOMB]G JU/IFI$ IT ON ! GR\NDS ?AT PROTE/]S W]E BLOCK+ TRAFFIC4 ,FIVE WEEKS LAT]1 ?AT SAME ,MAYOR ,BLOOMB]G CLOS$ D[N ! NE>BY ,QUE5SBORO ,BRIDGE TO TRAFFIC = TWO SOLID DAYS TO ALL[ = %OOT+ ( ,*RI/OPH] ,NOLAN'S LA/ 9/ALLM5T ( HIS ,BATMAN ,TRILOGY1 ,! ,D>K ,KNI<T ,RISES4 

,MANY REM>K$ UPON ! IRONY4 

,A FEW WEEKS AGO1 ,I W5T TO SEE ! FILM ) SOME FRI5DS FROM ,OCCUPY--MO/ ( :OM HAD !MSELVES BE5 >RE/$ ON ! BRIDGE BACK 9 ,OCTOB]4 ,WE ALL KNEW ! MOVIE WAS BASICALLY ONE LONG PIECE ( ANTI-,OCCUPY PROPAG&A4 ,?AT DIDN'T BO!R US4 ,WE W5T TO ! !AT] HOP+ TO HAVE FUN ) ?AT FACT1 9 MU* ! SPIRIT ( SOMEONE :O WAS NOT A RACI/1 OR A ,NAZI1 & W\LD GO TO WAT* A SCRE5+ ( ,BIR? ( A ,NATION OR ,TRIUMPH ( ! ,WILL4 ,WE EXPECT$ ! MOVIE TO BE HO/ILE1 EV5 (F5SIVE4 ,BUT NONE ( US EXPECT$ IT TO BE BAD4 

,I'D LIKE TO REFLECT H]E1 = A MOM5T1 ON :AT MADE ! FILM SO AWFUL4 ,BECAUSE1 ODDLY1 IT'S IMPORTANT4 ,I ?9K ! UND]/&+ ( A LOT ( ?+S--AB\T MOVIES1 VIOL5CE1 POLICE1 ! V]Y NATURE ( /ATE P[]--CAN BE FUR!R$ SIMPLY BY TRY+ TO UNRAVEL :AT1 EXACTLY1 MADE ,! ,D>K ,KNI<T SO BAD4 

,ONE ISSUE ,I ?9K WE %\LD GET /RAI<T FROM ! \TSET4 ,! FILM REALLY IS A PIECE ( ANTI- ,OCCUPY PROPAG&A4 ,SOME /ILL D5Y IT4 ,*RI/OPH] ,NOLAN1 ! DIRECTOR1 W5T ON RECORD TO 9SI/ ! SCRIPT WAS WRITT5 BE=E ! MOVEM5T EV5 />T$1 & HAS CLAIM$ ! FAM\S SC5ES ( ! OCCUPATION ( ,NEW ,YORK 70,GO?AM07 W]E REALLY 9SPIR$ BY ,DICK5S'S ACC\NT ( ! ,FR5* ,REVOLUTION1 NOT BY ,[,S ITSELF4 ,?IS /RIKES ME AS DIS+5U\S4 ,EV]YONE KN[S ,HOLLYWOOD SCRIPTS >E REWRITT5 CONT9UALLY OV] ! C\RSE ( PRODUCTION1 (T5 TO ! PO9T :]E !Y 5D UP LOOK+ NO?+ LIKE ! ORIG9AL TEXT2 ALSO1 ?AT :5 IT COMES TO MESSAG+1 EV5 DETAILS LIKE :]E A SC5E IS %OT 70,I KN[1 LET'S HAVE ! COPS FACE (F ) ,BANE'S FOLL[]S RI<T 9 FRONT ( ! ,NEW ,YORK ,/OCK ,EX*ANGE607 OR A M9OR *ANGE ( WORD+ 70LET'S *ANGE 'TAKE CONTROL (' TO 'OCCUPY' 07 CAN MAKE ALL ! DIFF]5CE4 

,!N !RE'S ! FACT ?AT ! VILLA9S ACTUALLY DO OCCUPY ,WALL ,/REET1 & ATTACK ! ,/OCK ,EX*ANGE4 

,:AT ,I'D LIKE TO >GUE IS ?AT IT'S PRECISELY ?IS DESIRE = RELEVANCE1 ! FACT ?AT ! FILMMAK]S HAD ! C\RAGE TO TAKE ON ! GREAT ISSUES ( ! DAY1 :I* RU9S ! MOVIE4 ,IT'S ESPECIALLY SAD1 BECAUSE ! FIR/ TWO MOVIES ( ! TRILOGY--,BATMAN ,BEG9S & ,! ,D>K ,KNI<T--HAD MOM5TS ( G5U9E ELOQU5CE4 ,BY MAK+ !M1 ,NOLAN DEMON/RAT$ ?AT HE DOES HAVE 9T]E/+ ?+S TO SAY AB\T HUMAN PSY*OLOGY1 & P>TICUL>LY1 AB\T ! RELATION ( CREATIVITY & VIOL5CE 7IT'S H>D TO IMAG9E A SUCCESSFUL ACTION FILM DIRECTOR W\LDN'T74 ,! ,D>K ,KNI<T ,RISES IS EV5 MORE AMBITI\S4 ,IT D>ES TO SPEAK ON A SCALE & GR&EUR APPROPRIATE TO ! TIMES4 ,BUT AS A RESULT1 IT /UTT]S 9TO 9COH]5CE4 

,MOM5TS LIKE ?IS >E POT5TIALLY 5LI<T5+1 = ONE ?+1 BECAUSE !Y PROVIDE A K9D ( W9D[1 A WAY TO ?9K AB\T :AT SUP]H]O MOVIES1 & SUP]H]OES 9 G5]AL1 >E REALLY ALL AB\T4 ,?AT 9 TURN HELPS US ANSW] ANO!R QUE/ION3 ,:AT IS ! REASON = ! SUDD5 EXPLOSION ( SU* MOVIES TO BEG9 )--ONE SO DRAMATIC ?AT IT SOMETIMES SEEMS COMIC BOOK-BAS$ MOVIES >E REPLAC+ SCI-FI AS ! MA9 =M ( ,HOLLYWOOD SPECIAL EFFECTS BLOCKBU/] ALMO/ AS RAPIDLY AS ! COP MOVIE REPLAC$ ! ,WE/]N AS ! DOM9ANT ACTION G5RE 9 ! SEV5TIES8 

,:Y1 9 ! PROCESS1 >E FAMILI> SUP]H]OES SUDD5LY BE+ GIV5 COMPLEX 9T]IORITY3 FAMILY BACKGR\NDS1 EMOTIONAL AMBIVAL5CE1 MORAL CRISES1 ANXIETY1 SELF-D\BT8 ,OR :Y 7EQUALLY TRUE BUT LESS REM>K$-ON71 DOES ! V]Y FACT ( !IR RECEIV+ A S\L SEEM TO =CE !M TO ALSO *OOSE SOME K9D ( EXPLICIT POLITICAL ORI5TATION8 ,ONE C\LD >GUE ?AT ?IS HAPP5$ FIR/ NOT ) A COMIC-BOOK *>ACT]1 BUT ) ,JAMES ,BOND1 :O 9 HIS TRADITIONAL 9C>NATION1 AS PRET]NATURAL FOIL ( EVIL MA/]M9DS1 WAS ALWAYS A K9D ( C9EMATIC V]SION ( ! SAME ?+4 ,CAS9O ,ROYALE GAVE ,BOND PSY*OLOGICAL DEP?4 ,& BY ! V]Y NEXT MOVIE1 ,BOND WAS SAV+ 9DIG5\S COMMUNITIES 9 ,BOLIVIA FROM EVIL TRANSNATIONAL WAT] PRIVATIZ]S4 

,SPID]MAN1 TOO1 BROKE LEFT1 JU/ AS ,BATMAN BROKE RI<T4 ,9 A WAY ?IS MAKES S5SE4 ,SUP]H]OES >E A PRODUCT ( !IR HI/ORICAL ORIG9S4 ,SUP]MAN IS A ,DEPRESSION-]A DISPLAC$ ,I[A F>M BOY2 ,BATMAN1 ! BILLIONAIRE PLAYBOY1 IS A SCION ( ! MILIT>Y9DU/RIAL COMPLEX ?AT WAS CREAT$1 JU/ AS HE WAS1 AT ! BEG9N+ ( ,WORLD ,W> ,I,I2 ,PET] ,P>K]1 A PRODUCT ( ! SIXTIES1 IS A SM>TASS WORK+-CLASS KID FROM ,QUE5S :O GOT SOME?+ WEIRD %OT 9TO HIS VE9S4 ,BUT AGA91 9 ! LATE/ MOVIE1 ! SUBTEXT BECAME SURPRIS+LY EXPLICIT 70Y\'RE NOT A VIGILANTE10 SAYS ! POLICE COMM&]1 0Y\'RE AN AN>*I/6073 P>TICUL>LY 9 ! CLIMAX1 :]E ,SPID]MAN1 W\ND$ BY A POLICE BULLET1 IS RESCU$ BY AN \TBREAK ( WORK+-CLASS SOLID>ITY AS DOZ5S ( CRANE OP]ATORS ACROSS ,MANHATTAN DEFY CITY ORD]S & MOBILIZE TO HELP HIM4 ,NOLAN'S MOVIE WAS ! MO/ POLITICALLY AMBITI\S1 BUT IT ALSO FALLS ! MO/ OBVI\SLY FLAT4 ,IS ?IS BECAUSE ! SUP]H]O G5RE DOES NOT L5D ITSELF TO A RI<T-W+ MESSAGE8 

,C]TA9LY1 ?IS IS NOT ! CONCLUSION CULTURAL CRITICS HAVE T5D$ TO COME TO 9 ! PA/4 

,:AT1 !N1 CAN WE SAY AB\T ! POLITICS ( ! SUP]H]O G5RE8 ,IT SEEMS REASONABLE TO />T BY LOOK+ AT ! COMIC BOOKS1 S9CE ?IS IS :]E EV]Y?+ ELSE 7! ,T,V %[S1 C>TOON S]IES1 BLOCKBU/] MOVIES7 ULTIMATELY CAME FROM4 ,COMIC-BOOK SUP]H]OES W]E ORIG9ALLY A MID-C5TURY PH5OM5ON & LIKE ALL MID-C5TURY POP CULTURE PH5OM5A1 !Y >E ESS5TIALLY ,FREUDIAN4 ,?AT IS TO SAY1 9S(> AS A WORK ( POPUL> FICTION HAD ANY?+ TO SAY AB\T HUMAN NATURE1 OR HUMAN MOTIVATIONS1 A C]TA9 POP ,FREUDIANISM IS :AT ONE W\LD EXPECT4 ,SOMETIMES ?IS EV5 BECOMES EXPLICIT1 AS 9 ,=BIDD5 ,PLANET1 ) ITS 0MON/]S FROM ! ,ID40 ,USUALLY1 IT'S JU/ SUBTEXT4 

,UMB]TO ,ECO ONCE REM>K$ ?AT COMIC BOOK /ORIES ALREADY OP]ATE A LITTLE BIT LIKE DREAMS2 ! SAME BASIC PLOT IS REPEAT$1 OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVELY1 OV] & OV]2 NO?+ *ANGES1 EV5 AS ! BACKDROP = ! /ORIES %IFTS FROM ,GREAT ,DEPRESSION TO ,WORLD ,W> ,I,I TO PO/W> PROSP]ITY1 ! H]OES--:E!R ,SUP]MAN1 ,WOND] ,WOMAN1 ! ,GRE5 ,HORNET1 OR ,DR4 ,/RANGE--SEEM TO REMA9 9 AN ET]NAL PRES5T1 NEV] AG+1 ALWAYS FUNDAM5TALLY ! SAME4 ,! BASIC PLOT TAKES ! FOLL[+ =M3 A BAD GUY--MAYBE A CRIME BOSS1 MORE (T5 A P[]FUL SUP]VILLA9--EMB>KS ON A PROJECT ( WORLD CONQUE/1 DE/RUCTION1 !FT1 EXTORTION1 OR REV5GE4 ,! H]O IS AL]T$ TO ! DANG] & FIGURES \T :AT'S HAPP5+4 ,AFT] TRIALS & DILEMMAS1 AT ! LA/ POSSIBLE M9UTE1 ! H]O FOILS ! VILLA9'S PLANS4 ,! WORLD IS RETURN$ TO NORMAL UNTIL ! NEXT EPISODE :5 ! EXACT SAME ?+ HAPP5S ONCE AGA94 

,IT DOESN'T TAKE A G5IUS TO FIGURE \T :AT'S GO+ ON H]E4 ,! H]OES >E PURELY REACTION>Y4 ,BY ?IS ,I MEAN 0REACTION>Y0 9 ! LIT]AL S5SE3 !Y SIMPLY REACT TO ?+S2 !Y HAVE NO PROJECTS ( !IR [N4 7,OR TO BE MORE PRECISE1 AS H]OES !Y HAVE NO PROJECTS ( !IR [N4 ,AS ,CL>K ,K5T1 ,SUP]MAN MAY BE CON/ANTLY TRY+1 & FAIL+1 TO GET 9TO ,LOIS ,LANE'S PANTS4 ,AS ,SUP]MAN1 HE IS PURELY REACTIVE47 ,9 FACT1 SUP]H]OES SEEM ALMO/ UTT]LY LACK+ 9 IMAG9ATION4 ,BRUCE ,WAYNE1 ) ALL ! MONEY 9 ! WORLD1 CAN'T SEEM TO ?9K ( ANY?+ TO DO ) IT O!R ?AN TO DESIGN EV5 MORE HI<-TE* WEAPONRY & 9DULGE 9 ! OCCASIONAL ACT ( *>ITY4 ,9 ! SAME WAY IT NEV] SEEMS TO OCCUR TO ,SUP]MAN ?AT HE C\LD EASILY 5D WORLD HUNG] OR C>VE FREE MAGIC CITIES \T ( M\NTA9S4 ,ALMO/ NEV] DO SUP]H]OES MAKE1 CREATE1 OR BUILD ANY?+4 ,! VILLA9S1 9 CONTRA/1 >E REL5TLESSLY CREATIVE4 ,!Y >E FULL ( PLANS & PROJECTS & IDEAS4 ,CLE>LY1 WE >E SUPPOS$ TO FIR/1 )\T CONSCI\SLY REALIZ+ IT1 ID5TIFY ) ! VILLA9S4 ,AFT] ALL1 !Y'RE HAV+ ALL ! FUN4 ,!N ( C\RSE WE FEEL GUILTY = IT1 REID5TIFY ) ! H]O1 & HAVE EV5 MORE FUN WAT*+ ! ,SUP]EGO PUMMEL ! ]RANT ,ID BACK 9TO SUBMISSION4 

,( C\RSE1 ! MOM5T Y\ />T >GU+ ?AT !RE'S ANY MESSAGE 9 A COMIC BOOK1 Y\ >E LIKELY TO HE> ! USUAL OBJECTIONS3 0,BUT !SE >E JU/ *EAP =MS ( 5T]TA9M5T6 ,!Y'RE NO MORE TRY+ TO TEA* US ANY?+ AB\T HUMAN NATURE1 POLITICS1 OR SOCIETY ?AN1 SAY1 A ,F]RIS :EEL40 ,& ( C\RSE1 TO A C]TA9 DEGREE1 ?IS IS TRUE4 ,POP CULTURE DOES NOT EXI/ 9 ORD] TO CONV9CE ANYONE ( ANY?+4 ,IT EXI/S = ! SAKE ( PLEASURE4 ,/ILL1 IF Y\ PAY CLOSE ATT5TION1 ONE WILL ALSO OBS]VE ?AT MO/ POP CULTURE PROJECTS DO ALSO T5D TO MAKE ?AT V]Y PLEASURE 9TO A K9D ( >GUM5T4 

,HORROR FILMS PROVIDE A P>TICUL>LY UNSUBTLE EXAMPLE ( H[ ?IS WORKS4 ,! PLOT ( A HORROR MOVIE IS1 TYPICALLY1 SOME K9D ( /ORY ( TRANSGRESSION & PUNI%M5T--9 ! SLA%] FILM1 P]HAPS ! PURE/1 MO/ /RIPP$-D[N1 LEA/ SUBTLE EXAMPLE ( ! G5RE1 Y\ ALWAYS SEE ! SAME MOVEM5T 9 ! PLOT4 ,AS ,C>OL ,CLOV] LONG AGO NOT$ 9 H] MAGI/]IAL ,M51 ,WOM51 & ,*A9SAWS1 ! AUDI5CE IS FIR/ TACITLY 5C\RAG$ TO ID5TIFY ) ! MON/] 7! CAM]A LIT]ALLY TAKES ! MON/]'S PO9T ( VIEW7 AS HE HACKS AWAY AT ! 0BAD GIRLS10 & ONLY LAT]1 %IFT+ TO LOOK+ ?R\< ! EYES ( ! &ROGYN\S H]O9E :O WILL EV5TUALLY DE/ROY HIM4 ,! PLOT IS ALWAYS A SIMPLE /ORY ( TRANSGRESSION & PUNI%M5T3 ! BAD GIRLS S91 !Y HAVE SEX1 !Y FAIL TO REPORT A HIT-&-RUN ACCID5T1 MAYBE !Y'RE JU/ OBNOXI\S1 /UPID TE5AG]S2 AS A RESULT1 !Y >E EVISC]AT$4 ,!N ! VIRG9AL GOOD GIRL EVISC]ATES ! CULPRIT4 ,IT'S ALL V]Y ,*RI/IAN & MORALI/IC4 ,! S9S MAY BE M9OR & ! PUNI%M5T UTT]LY DISPROPORTIONATE1 BUT ! ULTIMATE MESSAGE IS3 0,( C\RSE !Y REALLY DES]VE IT2 WE ALL DO2 :ATEV] \R CIVILIZ$ EXT]IOR1 WE >E ALL FUNDAM5TALLY CORRUPT & EVIL4 ,! PRO(8 ,WELL1 LOOK AT Y\RSELF4 ,Y\'RE NOT EVIL8 ,IF Y\'RE NOT EVIL1 !N :Y >E Y\ GETT+ (F ON WAT*+ ?IS SADI/IC CRAP80 

,?IS IS :AT ,I MEAN :5 ,I SAY ! PLEASURE IS A =M ( >GUM5T4 

,NEXT TO ?IS1 A SUP]H]O COMIC BOOK MI<T SEEM PRETTY 9NOCU\S4 ,& 9 MANY WAYS IT IS4 ,IF ALL A COMIC IS DO+ IS TELL+ A BUN* ( ADOLESC5T BOYS ?AT EV]YONE HAS A C]TA9 DESIRE = *AOS & MAYHEM1 BUT ?AT ULTIMATELY SU* DESIRES NE$ TO BE CONTROLL$1 ! POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS W\LD NOT SEEM TO BE P>TICUL>LY DIRE4 ,ESPECIALLY BECAUSE ! MESSAGE /ILL DOES C>RY A HEAL?Y DOSE ( AMBIVAL5CE1 JU/ AS IT DOES ) ALL ?OSE CONTEMPOR>Y ACTION-MOVIE H]OES :O SEEM TO SP5D SO MU* ( !IR TIME SMA%+ UP SUBURBAN %OPP+ MALLS & SU*LIKE4 ,MO/ ( US W\LD LIKE TO SMA% A BANK OR %OPP+ MALL AT LEA/ ONCE 9 \R LIVES4 ,& AS ,BAKUN9 PUT IT1 0! URGE = DE/RUCTION IS ALSO A CREATIVE URGE40 

,/ILL1 ,I ?9K !RE IS REASON TO BELIEVE ?AT AT LEA/ 9 ! CASE ( MO/ COMIC-BOOK SUP]H]OES1 ! MAYHEM DOES HAVE V]Y CONS]VATIVE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS4 ,TO UND]/& :Y ?\< ,I WILL HAVE TO 5T] 9TO A BRIEF DIGRESSION ON ! QUE/ION ( CON/ITU5T P[]4 

,CO/UM$ SUP]H]OES ULTIMATELY BATTLE CRIM9ALS 9 ! NAME ( ! LAW--EV5 IF !Y !MSELVES (T5 OP]ATE \TSIDE A /RICTLY LEGAL FRAMEWORK4 ,BUT 9 ! MOD]N /ATE1 ! V]Y /ATUS ( LAW IS A PROBLEM4 ,?IS IS BECAUSE ( A BASIC LOGICAL P>ADOX3 NO SY/EM CAN G5]ATE ITSELF4 ,ANY P[] CAPABLE ( CREAT+ A SY/EM ( LAWS CANNOT ITSELF BE B\ND BY !M4 ,SO LAW HAS TO COME FROM SOMEPLACE ELSE4 ,9 ! ,MIDDLE ,AGES ! SOLUTION WAS SIMPLE3 ! LEGAL ORD] WAS CREAT$ BY ,GOD1 A BE+ :O1 AS ! ,OLD ,TE/AM5T MAKES ABUNDANTLY CLE>1 IS NOT B\ND BY LAWS OR EV5 ANY RECOGNIZABLE SY/EM ( MORALITY 7AGA91 ?IS ONLY /&S TO REASON3 IF Y\ CREAT$ MORALITY1 Y\ CAN'T1 BY DEF9ITION1 BE B\ND BY IT74 ,OR IF NOT BY ,GOD DIRECTLY1 !N BY ! DIV9ELY ORDA9$ P[] ( K+S4 ,! ,5GLI%1 ,AM]ICAN1 & ,FR5* REVOLUTION>IES *ANG$ ALL ?AT :5 !Y CREAT$ ! NOTION ( POPUL> SOV]EIGNTY--DECL>+ ?AT ! P[] ONCE HELD BY K+S IS N[ HELD BY AN 5TITY ?AT !Y CALL$ 0! PEOPLE40 ,?IS CREAT$ AN IMM$IATE LOGICAL PROBLEM1 BECAUSE 0! PEOPLE0 >E BY DEF9ITION A GR\P ( 9DIVIDUALS UNIT$ BY ! FACT ?AT !Y >E1 9 FACT1 B\ND BY A C]TA9 SET ( LAWS4 ,SO 9 :AT S5SE CAN !Y HAVE CREAT$ ?OSE LAWS8 ,:5 ?IS QUE/ION WAS FIR/ POS$ 9 ! WAKE ( ! ,BRITI%1 ,AM]ICAN1 & ,FR5* REVOLUTIONS1 ! ANSW] SEEM$ OBVI\S3 ?R\< ?OSE REVOLUTIONS !MSELVES4 ,BUT ?IS CREAT$ A FUR!R PROBLEM4 ,REVOLUTIONS >E ACTS ( LAW-BREAK+4 ,IT IS COMPLETELY ILLEGAL TO RISE UP 9 >MS1 OV]?R[ A GOV]NM5T1 & CREATE A NEW POLITICAL ORD]4 ,9 FACT1 NO?+ C\LD POSSIBLY BE MORE ILLEGAL4 ,CROMWELL1 ,JEFF]SON1 OR ,DANTON W]E ALL CLE>LY GUILTY ( TREASON1 ACCORD+ TO ! LAWS UND] :I* !Y GREW UP1 JU/ AS MU* AS !Y W\LD HAVE BE5 HAD !Y TRI$ TO DO ! SAME ?+ AGA9 UND] ! NEW REGIMES !Y CREAT$1 SAY1 TW5TY YE>S LAT]4 

,SO LAWS EM]GE FROM ILLEGAL ACTIVITY4 ,?IS CREATES A FUNDAM5TAL 9COH]5CE 9 ! V]Y IDEA ( MOD]N GOV]NM5T1 :I* ASSUMES ?AT ! /ATE HAS A MONOPOLY ( ! LEGITIMATE USE ( VIOL5CE 7ONLY ! POLICE1 OR PRISON GU>DS1 OR DULY AU?ORIZ$ PRIVATE SECURITY1 HAVE ! LEGAL RI<T TO BEAT Y\ UP74 ,IT'S LEGITIMATE = ! POLICE TO USE VIOL5CE BECAUSE !Y >E 5=C+ ! LAW2 ! LAW IS LEGITIMATE BECAUSE IT'S ROOT$ 9 ! CON/ITUTION2 ! CON/ITUTION IS LEGITIMATE BECAUSE IT COMES FROM ! PEOPLE2 ! PEOPLE CREAT$ ! CON/ITUTION BY ACTS ( ILLEGAL VIOL5CE4 ,! OBVI\S QUE/ION1 !N3 ,H[ DOES ONE TELL ! DIFF]5CE BETWE5 0! PEOPLE0 & A M]E RAMPAG+ MOB8 

,!RE IS NO OBVI\S ANSW]4 

,! RESPONSE BY MA9/REAM1 RESPECTABLE OP9ION IS TO TRY TO PU% ! PROBLEM AS F> AWAY AS POSSIBLE4 ,! USUAL L9E IS3 ! AGE ( REVOLUTIONS IS OV] 7EXCEPT P]HAPS 9 B5I<T$ SPOTS LIKE ,GABON1 OR MAYBE ,SYRIA72 WE CAN N[ *ANGE ! CON/ITUTION1 OR LEGAL /&>DS1 BY LEGAL MEANS4 ,?IS ( C\RSE MEANS ?AT ! BASIC /RUCTURES WILL NEV] *ANGE4 ,WE CAN WITNESS ! RESULTS 9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES1 :I* CONT9UES TO MA9TA9 AN >*ITECTURE ( /ATE1 ) ITS ELECTORAL COLLEGE & TWO P>TY-SY/EM1 ?AT--:ILE QUITE PROGRESSIVE 9 #a#g#h#i--N[ MAKES US APPE>1 9 ! EYES ( ! RE/ ( ! WORLD1 ! POLITICAL EQUIVAL5T ( ! ,AMI%1 /ILL DRIV+ >\ND ) HORSES & BUGGIES4 ,IT ALSO MEANS WE BASE ! LEGITIMACY ( ! :OLE SY/EM ON ! CONS5T ( ! PEOPLE DESPITE ! FACT ?AT ! ONLY PEOPLE :O W]E EV] REALLY CONSULT$ ON ! MATT] LIV$ OV] TWO HUNDR$ YE>S AGO4 ,9 ,AM]ICA1 AT LEA/1 0! PEOPLE0 >E ALL LONG S9CE DEAD4 

,WE'VE GONE !N FROM A SITUATION :]E ! P[] TO CREATE A LEGAL ORD] D]IVES FROM ,GOD1 TO ONE :]E IT D]IVES FROM >M$ REVOLUTION1 TO ONE :]E IT IS ROOT$ 9 %E] TRADITION--0!SE >E ! CU/OMS ( \R ANCE/ORS1 :O >E WE TO D\BT !IR WISDOM80 7,& ( C\RSE A NOT 9SIGNIFICANT NUMB] ( ,AM]ICAN POLITICIANS MAKE CLE> !Y'D REALLY LIKE TO GIVE IT BACK TO ,GOD AGA947 

,?IS1 AS ,I SAY1 IS H[ !SE MATT]S >E CONSID]$ BY ! MA9/REAM4 ,= ! RADICAL ,LEFT1 & ! AU?ORIT>IAN ,RI<T1 ! PROBLEM ( CON/ITU5T P[] IS V]Y MU* ALIVE1 BUT EA* TAKES A DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE APPROA* TO ! FUNDAM5TAL QUE/ION ( VIOL5CE4 ,! ,LEFT1 *A/5$ BY ! DISA/]S ( ! TW5TIE? C5TURY1 HAS L>GELY MOV$ AWAY FROM ITS OLD] CELEBRATION ( REVOLUTION>Y VIOL5CE1 PREF]R+ NONVIOL5T =MS ( RESI/ANCE4 ,?OSE :O ACT 9 ! NAME ( SOME?+ HI<] ?AN ! LAW CAN DO SO PRECISELY BECAUSE !Y DON'T ACT LIKE A RAMPAG+ MOB4 ,= ! ,RI<T1 ON ! O!R H&--& ?IS HAS BE5 TRUE S9CE ! RISE ( FASCISM 9 ! TW5TIES--! V]Y IDEA ?AT !RE IS SOME?+ SPECIAL AB\T REVOLUTION>Y VIOL5CE1 ANY?+ ?AT MAKES IT DIFF]5T FROM M]E CRIM9AL VIOL5CE1 IS SO MU* SELF-RI<TE\S TWADDLE4 ,VIOL5CE IS VIOL5CE4 ,BUT ?AT DOESN'T MEAN A RAMPAG+ MOB CAN'T BE 0! PEOPLE0 BECAUSE VIOL5CE IS ! REAL S\RCE ( LAW & POLITICAL ORD] ANYWAY4 ,ANY SUCCESSFUL DEPLOYM5T ( VIOL5CE IS1 9 ITS [N WAY1 A =M ( CON/ITU5T P[]4 ,?IS IS :Y1 AS ,WALT] ,B5JAM9 NOT$1 WE CANNOT HELP BUT ADMIRE ! 0GREAT CRIM9AL03 BECAUSE1 AS SO MANY MOVIE PO/]S OV] ! YE>S HAVE PUT IT1 0HE MAKES HIS [N LAW40 ,AFT] ALL1 ANY CRIM9AL ORGANIZATION DOES1 9EVITABLY1 BEG9 DEVELOP+ ITS [N--(T5 QUITE ELABORATE-- SET ( 9T]NAL RULES & REGULATIONS4 ,!Y HAVE TO1 AS A WAY ( CONTROLL+ :AT W\LD O!RWISE BE COMPLETELY R&OM VIOL5CE4 ,BUT FROM ! RI<T-W+ P]SPECTIVE1 ?AT'S ALL ?AT LAW EV] IS4 ,IT IS A MEANS ( CONTROLL+ ! V]Y VIOL5CE ?AT BR+S IT 9TO BE+1 & ?R\< :I* IT IS ULTIMATELY 5=C$4 

,?IS MAKES IT EASI] TO UND]/& ! (T5 O!RWISE SURPRIS+ AFF9ITY BETWE5 CRIM9ALS1 CRIM9AL GANGS1 RI<T-W+ POLITICAL MOVEM5TS1 & ! >M$ REPRES5TATIVES ( ! /ATE4 ,ULTIMATELY1 !Y ALL SPEAK ! SAME LANGUAGE4 ,!Y CREATE !IR [N RULES ON ! BASIS ( =CE4 ,AS A RESULT1 SU* PEOPLE TYPICALLY %>E ! SAME BROAD POLITICAL S5SIBILITIES4 ,MUSSOL9I MI<T HAVE WIP$ \T ! MAFIA1 BUT ,ITALIAN ,MAFIOSI /ILL IDOLIZE ,MUSSOL9I4 ,9 ,A!NS1 N[ADAYS1 !RE'S ACTIVE COLLABORATION BETWE5 ! CRIME BOSSES 9 POOR IMMIGRANT NEI<BORHOODS1 FASCI/ GANGS1 & ! POLICE4 ,9 FACT1 9 ?IS CASE IT WAS CLE>LY A POLITICAL /RATEGY3 FAC$ ) ! PROSPECT ( POPUL> UPRIS+S AGA9/ A RI<T-W+ GOV]NM5T1 ! POLICE FIR/ )DREW PROTECTION FROM NEI<BORHOODS NE> ! IMMIGRANT GANGS1 !N />T$ GIV+ TACIT SUPPORT TO ! FASCI/S 7! RESULT WAS ! RAPID RISE ( AN OV]TLY ,NAZI P>TY4 ,R\<LY HALF ( ,GREEK POLICE W]E REPORT$ TO HAVE VOT$ = ! ,NAZIS 9 ! LA/ ELECTION74 ,BUT ?IS IS JU/ H[ F>-RI<T POLITICS WORK4 ,= !M1 IT IS 9 ?AT SPACE :]E DIFF]5T VIOL5T =CES OP]AT+ \TSIDE ( ! LEGAL ORD] 7OR 9 ! CASE ( ! POLICE1 SOMETIMES JU/ B>ELY 9SIDE IT7 9T]-ACT :]E NEW =MS ( P[]1 H5CE ORD]1 CAN EM]GE4 

,SO :AT DOES ALL ?IS HAVE TO DO ) CO/UM$ SUP]H]OES8 ,WELL1 EV]Y?+4 ,BECAUSE ?IS IS EXACTLY ! SPACE ?AT SUP]H]OES1 & SUP]-VILLA9S1 ALSO 9HABIT4 ,AN 9H]5TLY FASCI/ SPACE1 9HABIT$ ONLY BY GANG/]S1 W\LD-BE DICTATORS1 POLICE1 & ?UGS1 ) 5DLESSLY BLURR+ L9ES BETWE5 !M4 ,SOMETIMES ! COPS >E LEGALI/IC1 SOMETIMES CORRUPT4 ,SOMETIMES ! POLICE !MSELVES SLIP 9TO VIGILANTISM4 ,SOMETIMES !Y P]SECUTE ! SUP]H]O1 AT O!RS !Y LOOK ! O!R WAY1 OR HELP4 ,VILLA9S & H]OES OCCASIONALLY TEAM UP4 ,! L9ES ( =CE >E ALWAYS %IFT+4 ,IF ANY?+ NEW W]E TO EM]GE1 IT C\LD ONLY BE ?R\< SU* %IFT+ =CES4 ,!RE'S NO?+ ELSE1 S9CE 9 ! ,D,C & ,M>VEL UNIV]SES1 ,GOD1 OR ,! ,PEOPLE1 SIMPLY DOESN'T EXI/4 

,9S(> AS !RE IS A POT5TIAL = CON/ITU5T P[] !N1 IT CAN ONLY COME FROM PURVEYORS ( VIOL5CE4 ,& 9DE$1 ! SUP]VILLA9S & EVIL MA/]M9DS1 :5 !Y >E NOT M]ELY DREAM+ ( COMMITT+ ! P]FECT CRIME OR 9DULG+ 9 R&OM ACTS ( T]ROR1 >E ALWAYS S*EM+ ( IMPOS+ A ,NEW ,WORLD ,ORD] ( SOME K9D OR ANO!R4 ,SURELY1 IF ,R$ ,SKULL1 ,KANG ! ,CONQU]OR1 OR ,DOCTOR ,DOOM EV] DID SUCCE$ 9 TAK+ OV] ! PLANET1 A HO/ ( NEW LAWS W\LD BE CREAT$ V]Y QUICKLY4 ,!Y W\LDN'T BE V]Y NICE LAWS4 ,!IR CREATOR W\LD D\BTLESS NOT HIMSELF FEEL B\ND BY !M4 ,BUT ONE GETS ! FEEL+ ?AT O!RWISE1 !Y W\LD BE QUITE /RICTLY 5=C$4 

,SUP]H]OES RESI/ ?IS LOGIC4 ,!Y DO NOT WI% TO CONQU] ! WORLD--IF ONLY BECAUSE !Y >E NOT MONOMANIACAL OR 9SANE4 ,AS A RESULT1 !Y REMA9 P>ASITICAL (F ! VILLA9S 9 ! SAME WAY ?AT POLICE REMA9 P>ASITICAL (F CRIM9ALS3 )\T !M1 !Y W\LD HAVE NO REASON TO EXI/4 ,!Y REMA9 DEF5D]S ( A LEGAL & POLITICAL ORD] :I* ITSELF SEEMS TO HAVE COME \T ( NO:]E1 & :I*1 H[EV] FAULTY OR DEGRAD$1 MU/ BE DEF5D$1 BECAUSE ! ONLY ALT]NATIVE IS SO MU* WORSE4 

,!Y >5'T FASCI/S4 ,!Y >E JU/ ORD9>Y1 DEC5T1 SUP]-P[]FUL PEOPLE :O 9HABIT A WORLD 9 :I* FASCISM IS ! ONLY POLITICAL POSSIBILITY4 

,:Y1 MI<T WE ASK1 W\LD A =M ( 5T]TA9M5T PREMIS$ ON SU* A PECULI> NOTION ( POLITICS EM]GE 9 E>LY- TO MID-TW5TIE?-C5TURY ,AM]ICA1 AT JU/ >\ND ! TIME ?AT ACTUAL FASCISM WAS ON ! RISE 9 ,EUROPE8 ,WAS IT SOME K9D ( FANTASY ,AM]ICAN EQUIVAL5T8 

,NOT EXACTLY4 ,IT'S MORE ?AT BO? FASCISM & SUP]H]OES W]E PRODUCTS ( A SIMIL> HI/ORICAL PR$ICAM5T3 ,:AT IS ! F\NDATION ( SOCIAL ORD] :5 ONE HAS EXORCIZ$ ! V]Y IDEA ( REVOLUTION8 ,& ABOVE ALL1 :AT HAPP5S TO ! POLITICAL IMAG9ATION8 

,ONE MI<T BEG9 H]E BY CONSID]+ :O >E ! CORE AUDI5CE = SUP]H]O COMICS4 ,MA9LY1 ADOLESC5T OR PREADOLESC5T :ITE BOYS4 ,?AT IS1 9DIVIDUALS :O >E AT A PO9T 9 !IR LIVES :]E !Y >E LIKELY TO BE BO? MAXIMALLY IMAG9ATIVE & AT LEA/ A LITTLE BIT REBELLI\S2 BUT :O >E ALSO BE+ GROOM$ TO EV5TUALLY TAKE ON POSITIONS ( AU?ORITY & P[] 9 ! WORLD1 TO BE FA!RS1 %]IFFS1 SMALL-BUS9ESS [N]S1 MIDDLE MANAG]S1 5G9E]S4 ,& :AT DO !Y LE>N FROM !SE 5DLESS REPEAT$ DRAMAS8 ,WELL1 FIR/ (F1 ?AT IMAG9ATION & REBELLION LEAD TO VIOL5CE2 SECOND1 ?AT1 LIKE IMAG9ATION & REBELLION1 VIOL5CE IS A LOT ( FUN2 ?IRD1 ?AT1 ULTIMATELY1 VIOL5CE MU/ BE DIRECT$ BACK AGA9/ ANY OV]FL[ ( IMAG9ATION & REBELLION LE/ EV]Y?+ GO ASKEW4 ,!SE ?+S MU/ BE CONTA9$6 ,?IS IS :Y 9S(> AS SUP]H]OES >E ALL[$ TO BE IMAG9ATIVE 9 ANY WAY1 IT C\LD ONLY BE EXT5D$ TO ! DESIGN ( !IR CLO!S1 !IR C>S1 MAYBE !IR HOMES1 !IR V>I\S ACCESSORIES4 

,IT'S 9 ?IS S5SE ?AT ! LOGIC ( ! SUP]H]O PLOT IS PR(\NDLY1 DEEPLY CONS]VATIVE4 ,ULTIMATELY1 ! DIVISION BETWE5 LEFT- & RI<T-W+ S5SIBILITIES TURNS ON ONE'S ATTITUDE T[>DS ! IMAG9ATION4 ,= ! ,LEFT1 IMAG9ATION1 CREATIVITY1 BY EXT5SION PRODUCTION1 ! P[] TO BR+ NEW ?+S & NEW SOCIAL >RANGEM5TS 9TO BE+1 IS ALWAYS TO BE CELEBRAT$4 ,IT IS ! S\RCE ( ALL REAL VALUE 9 ! WORLD4 ,= ! ,RI<T1 IT IS DANG]\S2 ULTIMATELY1 EVIL4 ,! URGE TO CREATE IS ALSO A DE/RUCTIVE URGE4 ,?IS K9D ( S5SIBILITY WAS RIFE 9 ! POPUL> ,FREUDIANISM ( ! DAY3 :]E ! ,ID WAS ! MOTOR ( ! PSY*E1 BUT ALSO AMORAL2 IF REALLY UNLEA%$1 IT W\LD LEAD TO AN ORGY ( DE/RUCTION4 ,?IS IS ALSO :AT SEP>ATES CONS]VATIVES FROM FASCI/S4 ,BO? AGREE ?AT ! IMAG9ATION UNLEA%$ CAN ONLY LEAD TO VIOL5CE & DE/RUCTION4 ,CONS]VATIVES WI% TO DEF5D US AGA9/ ?AT POSSIBILITY4 ,FASCI/S WI% TO UNLEA% IT ANYWAY4 ,!Y ASPIRE TO BE1 AS ,HITL] IMAG9$ HIMSELF1 GREAT >TI/S PA9T+ ) ! M9DS1 BLOOD1 & S9EWS ( HUMANITY4 

,?IS MEANS ?AT IT'S NOT JU/ ! MAYHEM ?AT BECOMES ! READ]'S GUILTY PLEASURE1 BUT ! V]Y FACT ( HAV+ A FANTASY LIFE AT ALL4 ,& :ILE IT MI<T SEEM ODD TO ?9K ANY >TI/IC G5RE IS ULTIMATELY A W>N+ AB\T ! DANG]S ( ! HUMAN IMAG9ATION1 IT W\LD C]TA9 EXPLA9 :Y1 9 ! /AID =TIES & FIFTIES1 EV]YONE DID SEEM TO FEEL !RE WAS SOME?+ VAGUELY NAU<TY AB\T READ+ !M4 ,IT ALSO EXPLA9S H[ 9 ! SIXTIES IT C\LD ALL SUDD5LY SEEM SO H>MLESS1 ALL[+ ! ADV5T ( SILLY1 CAMPY ,T,V SUP]H]OES LIKE ! ,ADAM ,WE/ ,BATMAN S]IES1 OR ,SATURDAY MORN+ ,SPID]MAN C>TOONS4 ,IF ! MESSAGE WAS ?AT REBELLI\S IMAG9ATION WAS OKAY AS LONG AS IT WAS KEPT \T ( POLITICS & SIMPLY CONF9$ TO CONSUM] *OICES 7CLO!S1 C>S1 ACCESSORIES AGA971 ?IS HAD BECOME A MESSAGE ?AT EV5 EXECUTIVE PRODUC]S C\LD EASILY GET BEH9D4 

,WE CAN CONCLUDE3 ! CLASSIC COMIC BOOK IS O/5SIBLY POLITICAL 7AB\T MADM5 TRY+ TO TAKE OV] ! WORLD71 REALLY PSY*OLOGICAL & P]SONAL 7AB\T OV]COM+ ! DANG]S ( REBELLI\S ADOLESC5CE71 BUT ULTIMATELY1 POLITICAL AFT] ALL4.<#a#g#a.> 

,IF ?IS IS SO1 !N NEW SUP]H]O MOVIES >E PRECISELY ! REV]SE4 ,!Y >E O/5SIBLY PSY*OLOGICAL & P]SONAL1 REALLY POLITICAL1 BUT ULTIMATELY1 PSY*OLOGICAL & P]SONAL AFT] ALL4 

,! HUMANIZATION ( SUP]H]OES DIDN'T />T 9 ! MOVIES4 ,IT ACTUALLY BEGAN 9 ! EI<TIES & N9ETIES1 )9 ! COMIC BOOK G5RE ITSELF1 ) ,FRANK ,MILL]'S ,! ,D>K ,KNI<T ,RETURNS & ,ALAN ,MOORE'S ,WAT*M5--A SUBG5RE ( :AT MI<T BE CALL$ SUP]H]O NOIR4 ,AT ?AT TIME1 SUP]H]O MOVIES W]E /ILL WORK+ ?R\< ! LEGACY ( ! SIXTIES CAMP TRADITION1 AS 9 ,*RI/OPH] ,REEVE'S ,SUP]MAN S]IES1 OR ,MI*AEL ,KEATON'S ,BATMAN4 ,EV5TUALLY1 ?\<1 ! NOIR SUBG5RE1 PROBABLY ALWAYS SOME:AT C9EMATIC 9 ITS 9SPIRATION1 CAME TO ,HOLLYWOOD AS WELL4 ,ONE MI<T SAY IT REA*$ ITS C9EMATIC PEAK 9 ,BATMAN ,BEG9S1 ! FIR/ ( ! ,NOLAN TRILOGY4 ,9 ?AT MOVIE1 ,NOLAN ESS5TIALLY ASKS1 0,:AT IF SOMEONE LIKE ,BATMAN ACTUALLY DID EXI/8 ,H[ W\LD ?AT HAPP58 ,:AT W\LD IT ACTUALLY TAKE TO MAKE AN O!RWISE RESPECTABLE MEMB] ( SOCIETY DECIDE TO DRESS UP AS A BAT & PR[L ! /REETS 9 SE>* ( CRIM9ALS80 

,UNSURPRIS+LY1 PSY*$ELIC DRUGS TURN \T TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE H]E4 ,SO DO SEV]E M5TAL HEAL? ISSUES & BIZ>RE RELIGI\S CULTS4 

,IT IS CURI\S ?AT COMM5TATORS ON ! MOVIE NEV] SEEM TO PICK UP ON ! FACT ?AT ,BRUCE ,WAYNE1 9 ! ,NOLAN FILMS1 IS BORD]L9E PSY*OTIC4 ,AS HIMSELF HE IS ALMO/ COMPLETELY DYSFUNCTIONAL1 9CAPABLE ( =M+ FRI5D%IPS OR ROMANTIC ATTA*M5TS1 UN9T]E/$ 9 WORK UNLESS IT SOMEH[ RE9=CES HIS MORBID OBSESSIONS4 ,! H]O IS SO OBVI\SLY CRAZY1 & ! MOVIE SO OBVI\SLY AB\T HIS BATTLE ) HIS [N CRAZ9ESS1 ?AT IT'S NOT A PROBLEM ?AT ! VILLA9S >E JU/ A S]IES ( EGOAPP5DAGES3 ,RA'S AL ,<UL 7! BAD FA!R71 ! ,CRIME BOSS 7! SUCCESSFUL BUS9ESSMAN71 ! ,SC>ECR[ 7:O DRIVES ! BUS9ESSMAN 9SANE47 ,!RE'S NO?+ P>TICUL>LY APPEAL+ AB\T ANY ( !M4 ,BUT IT DOESN'T MATT]--!Y'RE ALL JU/ %>DS & TESS]A ( ! H]O'S %ATT]$ M9D4 ,AS A RESULT1 WE DON'T HAVE TO ID5TIFY ) ! VILLA9 & !N RECOIL 9 SELF-LOA?+2 WE CAN JU/ 5JOY WAT*+ ,BRUCE DO ?AT = US4 

,!RE'S ALSO NO OBVI\S A POLITICAL MESSAGE4 

,OR SO IT SEEMS4 ,BUT :5 Y\ CREATE A MOVIE \T ( *>ACT]S SO D5SE ) MY? & HI/ORY1 NO DIRECTOR IS 5TIRELY 9 CONTROL ( HIS MAT]IAL4 ,! FILMMAK]'S ROLE IS L>GELY TO ASSEMBLE !M4 ,9 ! MOVIE1 ! PRIM>Y VILLA9 IS ,RA'S AL ,<UL1 :O FIR/ 9ITIATES ,BATMAN 9TO ! ,LEAGUE ( ,%AD[S 9 A MONA/]Y 9 ,BHUTAN1 & ONLY !N REVEALS HIS PLAN TO DE/ROY ,GO?AM TO RID ! WORLD ( ITS CORRUPTION4 ,9 ! ORIG9AL COMICS1 WE LE>N ?AT ,RA'S AL ,<UL 7A *>ACT] 9TRODUC$1 TELL+LY1 9 #a#i#g#a7 IS 9 FACT A ,PRIMITIVI/ & ECOT]RORI/1 DET]M9$ TO RE/ORE ! BALANCE ( NATURE BY R$UC+ ! E>?'S HUMAN POPULATION BY R\<LY #ii P]C5T4 ,! MA9 WAY ,NOLAN *ANG$ ! /ORY IS TO MAKE ,BATMAN BEG9 AS ,RA'S AL ,<UL'S DISCIPLE4 ,BUT 9 CONTEMPOR>Y T]MS ?AT1 TOO1 MAKES A SORT ( S5SE4 ,AFT] ALL1 :AT IS ! M$IA /]EOTYPE ?AT IMM$IATELY COMES TO M9D--AT LEA/ S9CE ! DIRECT ACTIONS AGA9/ ! ,WORLD ,TRADE ,ORGANIZATION 9 ,SEATTLE--:5 ONE ?9KS ( A TRU/-FUND KID :O1 MOV$ BY SOME UNFA?OMABLE S5SE ( 9JU/ICE1 DONS BLACK CLO?+ & A MASK1 & TAKES TO ! /REETS TO CREATE VIOL5CE & MAYHEM1 ?\< ALWAYS 9 A WAY CALCULAT$ NEV] TO ACTUALLY KILL ANYONE8 ,LET ALONE ONE :O DOES SO 9SPIR$ BY ! TEA*+S ( A RADICAL GURU :O BELIEVES WE NE$ TO RETURN TO ! ,/ONE ,AGE8 ,NOLAN MADE HIS H]O A ,BLACK ,BLOC DISCIPLE ( ,JOHN ,Z]ZAN :O BREAKS ) HIS =M] M5TOR :5 HE REALIZES :AT RE/OR+ ,$5 WILL ACTUALLY 5TAIL4 

,9 FACT1 NONE ( ! VILLA9S 9 ANY ( ! ?REE MOVIES WANTS TO RULE ! WORLD4 ,!Y DON'T WI% TO HAVE P[] OV] O!RS1 OR TO CREATE NEW RULES ( ANY SORT4 ,EV5 !IR H5*M5 >E TEMPOR>Y EXP$I5TS--!Y ALWAYS ULTIMATELY PLAN TO KILL !M4 ,NOLAN'S VILLA9S >E ALWAYS AN>*I/S4 ,BUT !Y'RE ALSO ALWAYS V]Y PECULI> AN>*I/S1 ( A SORT ?AT SEEM TO EXI/ ONLY 9 ! FILMMAK]'S IMAG9ATION3 AN>*I/S :O BELIEVE ?AT HUMAN NATURE IS FUNDAM5TALLY EVIL & CORRUPT4 ,! ,JOK]1 ! REAL H]O ( ! SECOND MOVIE1 MAKES ALL ( ?IS EXPLICIT3 HE'S BASICALLY ! ,ID BECOME PHILOSOPH]4 ,! ,JOK] IS NAMELESS1 HE HAS NO ORIG9 O!R ?AN :ATEV] HE1 ON ANY P>TICUL> OCCASION1 :IMSICALLY 9V5TS2 IT'S NOT EV5 CLE> :AT HIS P[]S >E OR :]E !Y CAME FROM4 ,YET HE'S 9EXORABLY P[]FUL4 ,! ,JOK] IS A PURE =CE ( SELF-CREATION1 A POEM WRITT5 BY HIMSELF2 & HIS ONLY PURPOSE 9 LIFE APPE>S TO BE AN OBSESSIVE NE$ TO PROVE TO O!RS FIR/1 ?AT EV]Y?+ IS & CAN ONLY BE POETRY--& SECOND1 ?AT POETRY IS EVIL4 

,SO H]E WE >E BACK TO ! C5TRAL !ME ( ! E>LY SUP]H]O UNIV]SES3 A PROLONG$ REFLECTION ON ! DANG]S ( ! HUMAN IMAG9ATION2 H[ ! READ]'S [N DESIRE TO IMM]SE ONESELF 9 A WORLD DRIV5 BY >TI/IC IMP]ATIVES IS LIV+ PRO( ( :Y ! IMAG9ATION MU/ ALWAYS BE C>EFULLY CONTA9$4 

,! RESULT IS A ?RILL+ MOVIE1 ) A VILLA9 BO? LIKABLE--HE'S JU/ SO OBVI\SLY HAV+ FUN ) IT--& G5U9ELY FRI<T5+4 ,BATMAN ,BEG9S WAS M]ELY FULL ( PEOPLE TALK+ AB\T FE>4 ,! ,D>K ,KNI<T ACTUALLY PRODUC$ SOME4 ,BUT EV5 ?AT MOVIE BEGAN TO FALL FLAT ! MOM5T IT T\*ES ON POPUL> POLITICS4 ,! ,PEOPLE MAKE ONE LAME ATTEMPT TO 9T]V5E 9 ! BEG9N+ ( :5 COPYCAT ,BATM5 APPE> ALL OV] ! CITY1 9SPIR$ BY ! ,D>K ,KNI<T'S EXAMPLE4 ,( C\RSE !Y ALL DIE HORRIBLY & ?AT'S ! 5D ( ?AT4 ,FROM !N ON1 !Y'RE PUT BACK 9 !IR PLACE1 AS ,AUDI5CE1 :O LIKE ! MOB 9 ! ,ROMAN AMPHI!AT] EXI/ ONLY TO JUDGE ! PROTAGONI/S' P]=MANCE3 ?UMBS-UP = ,BATMAN1 ?UMBS-D[N = ,BATMAN1 ?UMBS-UP = ! CRUSAD+ ,D,A 444 ,! 5D1 :5 ,BRUCE & ,COMMISSION] ,GORDON SETTLE ON ! PLAN TO SCAPEGOAT ,BATMAN & CREATE A FALSE MY? >\ND ! M>TYRDOM ( ,H>VEY ,D5T1 IS NO?+ %ORT ( A CONFESSION ?AT POLITICS IS ID5TICAL TO ! >T ( FICTION4 ,! ,JOK] WAS RI<T4 ,TO A DEGREE4 ,AS ALWAYS1 R$EMPTION LIES ONLY 9 ! FACT ?AT ! VIOL5CE1 ! DECEPTION1 CAN BE TURN$ BACK UPON ITSELF4 

,!Y W\LD HAVE DONE WELL LEAVE IT ?AT4 

,! PROBLEM ) ?IS VISION ( POLITICS IS ?AT IT SIMPLY ISN'T TRUE4 ,POLITICS IS NOT JU/ ! >T ( MANIPULAT+ IMAGES1 BACK$ UP BY VIOL5CE4 ,IT'S NOT REALLY A DUEL BETWE5 IMPRES>IOS BE=E AN AUDI5CE ?AT WILL BELIEVE MO/ ANY?+ IF PRES5T$ >TFULLY 5\<4 ,NO D\BT IT MU/ SEEM ?AT WAY TO EXTRAORD9>ILY WEAL?Y ,HOLLYWOOD FILM DIRECTORS4 ,BUT BETWE5 ! %OOT+ ( ! FIR/ & SECOND MOVIES1 HI/ORY 9T]V5$ QUITE DECISIVELY TO PO9T \T JU/ H[ WRONG ?IS VISION IS4 ,! ECONOMY COLLAPS$4 ,NOT BECAUSE ( ! MANIPULATIONS ( SOME SECRET SOCIETY ( W>RIOR MONKS1 BUT BECAUSE A BUN* ( F9ANCIAL MANAG]S :O1 LIV+ 9 ,NOLAN'S BUBBLE WORLD1 %>$ HIS ASSUMPTIONS AB\T ! 5DLESSNESS ( POPUL> MANIPULABILITY1 TURN$ \T TO BE WRONG4 ,!RE WAS A MASS POPUL> RESPONSE4 ,IT DID NOT TAKE ! =M ( A FR5ETIC SE>* = MESSIANIC SAVIORS1 MIX$ ) \TBREAKS ( NIHILI/ VIOL5CE2#a#g#b 9CREAS+LY1 IT TOOK ! =M ( A S]IES ( REAL POPUL> MOVEM5TS1 EV5 REVOLUTION>Y MOVEM5TS1 TOPPL+ REGIMES 9 ! ,MIDDLE ,EA/ & OCCUPY+ SQU>ES EV]Y:]E FROM ,CLEVEL& TO ,K>A*I1 TRY+ TO CREATE NEW =MS ( DEMOCRACY4 

,CON/ITU5T P[] HAD REAPPE>$1 & 9 AN IMAG9ATIVE1 RADICAL1 & REM>KABLY NONVIOL5T =M4 ,?IS IS PRECISELY ! K9D ( SITUATION A SUP]H]O UNIV]SE CANNOT ADDRESS4 ,9 ,NOLAN'S WORLD1 SOME?+ LIKE ,OCCUPY C\LD ONLY HAVE BE5 ! PRODUCT ( SOME T9Y GR\P ( +5I\S MANIPULATORS 7Y\ KN[1 PEOPLE LIKE ME7 :O >E REALLY PURSU+ SOME SECRET AG5DA4 

,NOLAN REALLY %\LD HAVE LEFT SU* TOPICS ALONE1 BUT APP>5TLY1 HE C\LDN'T HELP HIMSELF4 ,! RESULT IS ALMO/ COMPLETELY 9COH]5T4 ,IT IS1 BASICALLY1 YET ANO!R PSY*OLOGICAL DRAMA MASQU]AD+ AS A POLITICAL ONE4 ,! PLOT IS CONVOLUT$ & B>ELY WOR? REC\NT+4 ,BRUCE ,WAYNE1 DYSFUNCTIONAL AGA9 )\T HIS ALT] EGO1 HAS TURN$ 9TO A RECLUSE4 ,A RIVAL BUS9ESSMAN HIRES ,CATWOMAN TO /EAL HIS F+]PR9TS SO HE CAN USE !M TO /EAL ALL HIS MONEY2 BUT REALLY ! BUS9ESSMAN IS BE+ MANIPULAT$ BY A GAS-MASK-WE>+ SUP]VILLA9 M]C5>Y NAM$ ,BANE4 ,BANE IS /RONG] ?AN ,BATMAN BUT HE'S BASICALLY A MIS]ABLE SORT ( P]SON1 P9+ ) UNREQUIT$ LOVE = ,RA'S AL ,<UL'S DAU<T] ,TALIA1 CRIPPL$ BY MI/REATM5T 9 HIS Y\? 9 A DUNGEON-LIKE PRISON :]E HE WAS CA/ UNJU/LY1 HIS FACE 9VISIBLE BEH9D A MASK HE MU/ WE> CONT9UALLY SO AS NOT TO COLLAPSE 9 AGONIZ+ PA94 ,9S(> AS ! AUDI5CE ID5TIFIES ) A VILLA9 LIKE ?AT1 IT CAN ONLY BE \T ( SYMPA?Y4 ,NO ONE 9 H] RI<T M9D W\LD WANT TO BE ,BANE4 ,BUT PRESUMABLY ?AT'S ! PO9T3 A W>N+ AGA9/ ! DANG]S ( UNDUE SYMPA?Y = ! UN=TUNATE4 ,BECAUSE ,BANE IS ALSO A *>ISMATIC REVOLUTION>Y1 :O1 AFT] DISPOS+ ( ,BATMAN1 REVEALS ! MY? ( ,H>VEY ,D5T TO BE A LIE1 FREES ! D5IZ5S ( ,GO?AM'S PRISONS1 & RELEASES ITS EV]- IMPRESSIONABLE POPULACE TO SACK & BURN ! MANSIONS ( ! #a P]C5T1 & TO DRAG !IR D5IZ5S BE=E REVOLUTION>Y TRIBUNALS4 7,! ,SC>ECR[1 AMUS+LY1 REAPPE>S AS ,ROBESPI]RE47 ,BUT REALLY HE'S ULTIMATELY 9T5D+ TO KILL !M ALL ) A NUCLE> BOMB CONV]T$ FROM SOME K9D ( GRE5 5]GY PROJECT4 ,:Y8 ,:O KN[S8 ,MAYBE HE TOO IS SOME K9D ( ,PRIMITIVI/ ECOT]RORI/ LIKE ,RA'S AL ,<UL4 7,HE DOES SEEM TO HAVE 9H]IT$ ! HEAD%IP ( ! SAME ORGANIZATION47 ,MAYBE HE'S TRY+ TO IMPRESS ,TALIA BY F9I%+ H] FA!R'S WORK4 ,OR MAYBE HE'S JU/ EVIL & !RE'S NO NE$ = FUR!R EXPLANATION4 

,CONV]SELY1 :Y DOES ,BANE WI% TO LEAD ! PEOPLE 9 A SOCIAL REVOLUTION1 IF HE'S JU/ GO+ TO NUKE !M ALL 9 A FEW WEEKS ANYWAY8 ,AGA91 IT'S ANYBODY'S GUESS4 ,HE SAYS ?AT BE=E Y\ DE/ROY SOMEONE1 FIR/ Y\ MU/ GIVE !M HOPE4 ,SO IS ! MESSAGE ?AT UTOPIAN DREAMS CAN ONLY LEAD TO NIHILI/IC VIOL5CE8 ,PRESUMABLY SOME?+ LIKE ?AT1 BUT IT'S S+UL>LY UNCONV9C+1 S9CE ! PLAN TO KILL EV]YONE CAME FIR/4 ,! REVOLUTION WAS A DECORATIVE AFT]?\<T4 

,9 FACT1 :AT HAPP5S TO ! CITY CAN ONLY POSSIBLY MAKE S5SE AS A MAT]IAL E*O ( :AT'S ALWAYS BE5 MO/ IMPORTANT3 :AT'S HAPP5+ 9 ,BRUCE ,WAYNE'S TORTUR$ BRA94 ,AFT] ,BATMAN IS CRIPPL$ BY ,BANE HALFWAY ?R\< ! MOVIE1 HE IS PLAC$ 9 ! SAME FETID DUNGEON :]E ,BANE HIMSELF WAS ONCE IMPRISON$4 ,! PRISON SITS AT ! BOTTOM ( A WELL1 SO SUNLI<T IS ALWAYS TAUNT+ ITS 9HABITANTS--BUT ! WELL IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CLIMB4 ,BANE 5SURES ,BRUCE IS NURS$ BACK TO HEAL? JU/ SO HE CAN TRY & FAIL TO SCALE IT1 & ?US KN[ ?AT IT'S HIS FAILURE ?AT ALL[$ HIS BELOV$ ,GO?AM TO BE DE/ROY$4 ,ONLY !N WILL ,BANE BE M]CIFUL 5\< TO KILL HIM4 ,?IS IS CONTRIV$1 BUT PSY*OLOGICALLY1 AT LEA/1 Y\ CAN SAY IT MAKES SOME K9D ( S5SE4 ,TRANSLAT$ ONTO ! LEVEL ( A CITY1 IT MAKES NO S5SE AT ALL3 :Y W\LD ANYONE WANT TO GIVE A POPULATION HOPE & !N UNEXPECT$LY VAPORIZE !M8 ,! FIR/ IS CRUEL4 ,! SECOND IS JU/ R&OM4 ,& NOT ONLY ?AT1 ! FILMMAK]S COMP\ND ! METAPHOR BY HAV+ ,BANE PLAY ! SAME TRICK ON ! ,GO?AM POLICE DEP>TM5T1 :O--9 A PLOT CONTRIVANCE SO IDIOTIC IT VIOLATES EV5 ! /&>DS ( PLAUSIBILITY EXPECT$ FROM A COMIC BOOK-->E ALMO/ ALL LUR$ B5EA? ! CITY & !N TRAPP$ !RE BY WELL-PLAC$ BOMBS1 EXCEPT !N = SOME REASON ALL[$ TO RECEIVE FOOD & WAT]1 PRESUMABLY SO !Y TOO CAN BE TORTUR$ BY HOPE4 

,O!R ?+S HAPP51 BUT !Y'RE ALL SIMIL> PROJECTIONS4 ,?IS TIME ,CATWOMAN GETS TO PLAY ! ROLE USUALLY ASSIGN$ TO ! AUDI5CE1 FIR/ ID5TIFY+ ) ,BANE'S REVOLUTION>Y PROJECT1 !N1 = NO CLE>LY >TICULAT$ REASON1 *ANG+ H] M9D & BL[+ HIM AWAY4 ,BATMAN & ! ,GO?AM POLICE BO? RISE FROM !IR RESPECTIVE DUNGEONS & JO9 =CES TO BATTLE ! EVIL ,OCCUPI]S \TSIDE ! ,/OCK ,EX*ANGE4 ,9 ! 5D1 ,BATMAN FAKES HIS [N DEA? DISPOS+ ( ! BOMB & ,BRUCE 5DS UP ) ,CATWOMAN 9 ,FLOR5CE4 ,A NEW PHONY M>TYR LEG5D IS BORN & ! PEOPLE ( ,GO?AM >E PACIFI$4 ,9 CASE ( FUR!R TR\BLE1 WE >E ASSUR$ !RE IS ALSO A POT5TIAL HEIR TO ,BATMAN1 A DISILLUSION$ POLICE (FIC] NAM$ ,ROB94 ,EV]YONE BREA!S A SI< ( RELIEF BECAUSE ! MOVIE IS F9ALLY OV]4 

,IS !RE SUPPOS$ TO BE A MESSAGE WE CAN ALL TAKE HOME FROM ?IS8 ,IF !RE WAS1 IT W\LD SEEM TO BE SOME?+ ALONG ! L9ES ( ?IS3 0,TRUE1 ! SY/EM IS CORRUPT1 BUT IT'S ALL WE HAVE1 & ANYWAY1 FIGURES ( AU?ORITY CAN BE TRU/$ IF !Y HAVE FIR/ BE5 *A/5$ & 5DUR$ T]RIBLE SUFF]+40 7,NORMAL POLICE LET *ILDR5 DIE ON BRIDGES4 ,POLICE :O'VE BE5 BURI$ ALIVE = A FEW WEEKS CAN EMPLOY VIOL5CE LEGITIMATELY47 0,TRUE1 !RE IS 9JU/ICE & ITS VICTIMS DES]VE \R SYMPA?Y1 BUT KEEP IT )9 REASONABLE LIMITS4 ,*>ITY IS MU* BETT] ?AN ADDRESS+ /RUCTURAL PROBLEMS4 ,?AT WAY LIES MADNESS40 ,BECAUSE 9 ,NOLAN'S UNIV]SE1 ANY ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS /RUCTURAL PROBLEMS1 EV5 ?R\< NONVIOL5T CIVIL DISOB$I5CE1 REALLY IS A =M ( VIOL5CE2 BECAUSE ?AT'S ALL IT C\LD POSSIBLY BE4 ,IMAG9ATIVE POLITICS >E 9H]5TLY VIOL5T1 & !RE=E1 !RE'S NO?+ 9APPROPRIATE IF POLICE RESPOND BY SMA%+ APP>5TLY PEACEFUL PROTE/]S' HEADS REPEAT$LY AGA9/ ! CONCRETE4 

,AS A RESPONSE TO ,OCCUPY1 ?IS IS NO?+ %ORT ( PA!TIC4 ,:5 ,! ,D>K ,KNI<T CAME \T 9 #b#h1 !RE WAS MU* DISCUSSION OV] :E!R ! :OLE ?+ WAS REALLY A VA/ METAPHOR = ! W> ON T]ROR3 H[ F> IS IT OKAY = ! GOOD GUYS 7?AT'S US7 TO GO ADAPT+ ! BAD GUY'S ME?ODS8 

,PROBABLY ! FILMMAK]S W]E 9DE$ ?9K+ ( SU* ISSUES1 & /ILL MANAG$ TO PRODUCE A GOOD MOVIE4 ,BUT !N1 ! W> ON T]ROR ACTUALLY WAS A BATTLE ( SECRET NETWORKS & MANIPULATIVE SPECTACLES4 ,IT BEGAN ) A BOMB & 5D$ ) AN ASSASS9ATION4 ,ONE CAN ALMO/ ?9K ( IT AS AN ATTEMPT1 ON BO? SIDES1 TO ACTUALLY 5ACT A COMIC BOOK V]SION ( ! UNIV]SE4 ,ONCE REAL CON/ITU5T P[] APPE>$ ON ! SC5E1 ?AT UNIV]SE %RIVEL$ 9TO 9COH]5CE--EV5 CAME TO SEEM RIDICUL\S4 ,REVOLUTIONS W]E SWEEP+ ! ,MIDDLE ,EA/1 & ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES W]E /ILL SP5D+ HUNDR$S ( BILLIONS ( DOLL>S FI<T+ A RAGTAG BUN* ( SEM9>Y /UD5TS 9 ,AF<ANI/AN4 

,UN=TUNATELY = ,NOLAN1 = ALL HIS MANIPULATIVE P[]S1 ! SAME ?+ HAPP5$ TO HIS WORLD :5 EV5 ! H9T ( REAL POPUL> P[] >RIV$ 9 ,NEW ,YORK4 

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,JANU>Y #a#g1 #bbb 3 ,APP5DIX -- ,UPDAT$4 

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