Agency, Hope, and Batman
Hard to believe this was just last week...
A lot of world events happened last week, including the U.S. Election. For many of us, it’s a lot to take in — what it means for Americans and the rest of the world.
Perhaps waiting until now to write this wasn’t the best idea, because my emotions aren’t as raw, and I’ve had time to think and process. I certainly don’t want to come off glib, yet I still want to say something… so here were are.
The fact of the matter is that I do not live in the United States. My situation is different. While Canada is always impacted by whomever becomes elected as President of the United States — and given that I studied international affairs at university, I am very much aware of the scope and importance of this impact – my daily life will not change overmuch, and definitely not just yet.
There is not much I can offer, that amazing and talented people and artists are not already saying and doing. This, and other events in Canada and all around the world, will continue to be there, lingering like black shadows in the peripheral of my vision. Still, there is not much more I can do, apart from what I’m already doing. Donating, listening, uplifting others. Instead of worrying or despairing, I’ll be doing my best to live. To create. To get more involved locally. To spend time with friends and family.
On the night of November 5th, 2024, to distract myself from imagining possibilities and scenarios and far-reaching impacts, I finished reading my paperback of Batman: Wayne Family Adventures Vol. 4. It was delightful and heartwarming and hopeful, and I definitely shed a few tears when closing the book.
Batman has always been my favourite superhero, despite my apathy to many recent live-action representations of his character.[1] I also, up until recently, have resented this image of Gotham as static, as always being awful and with nothing seemingly getting better. Yet in times such as these, I now have a different interpretation of this depiction, and I find some lessons to be gleaned. Sometimes things feel awful and inevitable and constant. There may be no cathartic wish-fulfilment “and they fixed all of the systemic injustices!”[2] Real life is often harsher, with cycles of progress and backtracking that never seem to end.
Nevertheless. In many comic runs, in shows like Batman: The Animated Series, or even in an amazing cozy feel-good webcomic like Batman: Wayne Family Adventures, there is still hope. There is still Batman, and the rest of the “Batfamily,” and their various allies and colleagues, all taking it day by day. All going out and doing their best and helping others, even if it may seem hopeless and unending.
Batman has always been my favourite superhero because in many ways, he is just an ordinary man. Or, not even ordinary – he’s a rich non-superpowered man. Yet instead of rolling around in his wealth, or doing literally anything else, he goes out and fights and uses his wits and technology and skills to try to help.
Batman and the rest of the Batfamily – they never give up for long; they don’t give up on Gotham or its people. They take their pain and trauma and try to prevent anyone else from going through that. Most importantly, Batman doesn’t work alone.
While all of the still-ongoing WFA webcomic is great, especially episodes like “Why We Fight,” I think I like Vol.4 best so far. This season focuses much more on the extended network surrounding Batman, and the cover of the physical edition never fails to stir fragile hope and catharsis within my heart. You have the Batfamily (Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Barbara Gordon, Tim Drake, Cassandra Cain, Stephanie, Damian Wayne, Duke Thomas, Alfred) as well as close associates such as Luke Fox, members of the Justice League, Superman and his family, and even erstwhile villains such as Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy, all looking up with smiles at the illuminated Batsignal.
Hope. Resilience. Community. Personal agency. This is what I took away from finishing Vol. 4, and what I aim to focus on in the months and years to come. This resolution has brought me solace in a world that is on fire and never seems to get better. I need to remember that even in real life – especially in real life – there are people who continue to fight, to hope, to live.
I hope it can bring others some solace as well.
[1] I have not yet watched The Batman (2022), though I keep hearing amazing things. It’s on my list
[2] I love these kinds of stories. Give me angst with a happy ending, give me “they destroyed the empire and built something better in its place.”