10 Reasons Batman Is RUINING DC Comics
Why the Bat-Family's popularity is secretly DC's Kryptonite.
Created in 1939 by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, Batman is an elder statesman of the DC universe and a staple of the comic book industry. He is the archetype for many other heroes including Nemesis, and Nighthawk. Batman is so popular he is one of the three most recognizable comic book characters alongside Superman and Spider-Man. But fame can bring controversy.
In recent years DC has overly relied on Batman to support their publication. Batman has an overwhelming presence over the DC universe, as he or a member of his Bat-family are present in many of the current comics at DC. The Bat-family is popular among DC fans, but their fame can make it difficult for other characters to have a chance to shine, as comics featuring Batman or a member of the Bat-family always outsell other titles.
There are two schools of thought on Batman within the comic book fan base: the first sees Batman as the most popular character that can do no wrong and single handily holds up the DC universe; the second school views Batman as overpowered and uninteresting, as he solves every problem with his mere presence.
Batman is more divisive than he may appear - at least to those who read DC's comics...
10. He's Basically A Batgod
Batman has an answer for every problem and a gadget to defeat every villain and even his allies. It can be compelling within stories if it feels earned. However, in recent years Batman has become known as the most prepared character within comics. To the extent that stories can become stale if not handled correctly. Mark Waid's Justice League: Tower of Babel comic is the source of the Batgod trope.
Tower of Babel is the story that finds the Justice League facing Batman's contingency plans against them. It is the origin of Batman's extreme preparedness. It shows the extent to Batman's paranoia as he makes Green Lantern blind through subliminal messaging, freezes Plastic Man and even makes Aquaman hydrophobic through fear toxin.
The story itself is a DC classic, but it left a legacy of over-preparedness that allows Batman to dominate any foe, as he has already created a contingency before the battle, which drains any sense of tension.
The Batgod trope is constant throughout DC comics, present in nearly all comics featuring the Caped Crusader. It is the responsibility of great creators to subvert the trope altogether, or to at least make it a little more compelling.