1. The Heroes Are More Than The Costumes They Wear
Ever since he began wearing a cape and cowl and fighting crime in Gotham, Bruce Wayne unwittingly developed a dependency on his Batman persona. In
The Dark Knight Rises, Bruce Wayne has lost his sense of self because Batman is not needed when the film begins and Bruce does not know how to move on. One of the major themes of the entire film is Bruce Waynes rediscovery of his will to live. In truth, it is not just about a will to live, but a desire to have a life beyond Batman and beyond the pain Bruce has used his alter ego to fight. It takes several months, but Bruce Wayne is ultimately successful in returning as Batman to eliminate one last threat to Gotham and then retire. In retirement, Bruce is satisfied with knowing that he has created an enduring symbol of all that can be good in Gotham and imparted his knowledge and resources to a worthy successor in John Blake. Tony Starks dependence on Iron Man starts out as being much more physical. The arc reactor in his chest that powers the suit also keeps shrapnel from piercing his heart. Tony was already famous, but once he confessed he was a superhero, Iron Man became the star. This made it harder for Tony to separate himself from his alter ego, even when he could operate the suit without actually being inside it. As Tony tells Pepper in
Iron Man 3, the suits are a part of him. His armor has been the cocoon that hid Tony away, protecting him not just from physical harm, but also from having to deal with his emotional challenges. The suits are a welcome distraction from his posttraumatic stress disorder and relationship problems with the woman he loves. Only when Tony Is forced to work without his armor is he able to confront his demons and overcome them. He rediscovers his identity on a fundamental level and comes to realize what he values most in Pepper and their relationship. He removes his physical dependence on the arc reactor in his chest and, by extension, his dependence on the suits. He is Tony Stark; he is Iron Man, with or without the armor. Obsessive drive is not uncommon in great men, fictional or otherwise. This can turn something remarkably positive into something incredibly harmful. Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark nearly destroyed their lives when they lost themselves within their heroic personas. It is a testament to their strength and determination that they were able to will themselves into saving the day while creating a better life for themselves and the people they care for. What similarities have you spotted in the films, readers? Let us know in the comment section below!