10 Problems With Batman Nobody Wants To Admit

1. It Never Ends

One of the more surprising and satisfying developments of Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy is that it offered Bruce Wayne's story something it had never had before: an ending. All other peeks into the future of Batman involved him continuing on as the Caped Crusader, until either he died (The Dark Knight Strikes Again), was replaced by a young protege (Batman Beyond) or simply sat at home commanding a fleet of Bat-Bots (Kingdom Come). None of which were particularly satisfying, or brought his character arc or personal journey to a real ending.

It was just Bruce Wayne's lot in life to be constantly fighting crime, chasing the catharsis and closure he so desperately needed, for his whole life. That's something which doesn't get addressed often enough. When does it end? At the climax of The Dark Knight Rises, Bruce Wayne offers the ultimate sacrifice to Gotham City €“ seemingly dying so he can rescue the populace from a nuclear weapon €“ and, really, how much more can he do than that? That he's later glimpsed by Alfred living it up in Italy with Catwoman is besides the point. He's sort of earned a retirement, hasn't he.

In the comics, meanwhile, he's been around for 75 years, and doesn't look like he's going to stop any time soon. He's more than deserved a break, has made up for his parents' senseless murder several times over. The biggest problem with Batman is the same as all superheroes. He can never stop. He'll never complete his quest, never reach closure. His mission never ends. If it did, the comics would end. He's a hamster spinning endlessly on a wheel for our amusement.

Hm, that got dark. Remember the Bat-Usi?