On the subject of Batman's religious affiliation, there is some disagreement among fans as well as among writers about whether the character is a mostly lapsed Catholic or a mostly lapsed Episcopalian. There is universal agreement that the character is not an active churchgoer in any faith.

Below: Batman in prayer? If so, it probably isn't a common occurrence for the adult Bruce Wayne. See below for more about this scene from Batman: Dark Detective (2005).

Right: As a child after his parents were murdered, Bruce Wayne said his prayers every night. See below for more about this scene from Secret Origins #6 (1986).

Right: The headstone of Bruce Wayne (Batman): a Christian cross. This type of cross, with its flared rounded ends, is known as a "cross bottony." The cross bottony appears on the flag of Maryland. It is an official symbol of the state of Maryland, whose colonial government was formed by Anglicans who had managed to gain dominance in the originally Catholic colony. The cross bottony is often found on Episcopalian churches and associated with Episcopal/Anglican imagery, although it is not an official symbol of the denomination. This image is from the cover of Teen Titans #18 (2004), written by Geoff Johns, pencilled by Mike McKone and inked by Marlo Alquiza. In this story, titled "Titans Tomorrow: Part Two," the Titans return from a trip to the 31st Century of the Legion of Super-Heroes, but accidentally find themselves ten years into their own future. Bruce Wayne (the original Batman) is dead in this possible near-future, and buried beneath a Christian cross. Tim Drake, the contemporary "Robin" and member of the Titans, confronts his near-future self, who has taken up the mantle and costume of Batman.

Left: When Tim Drake travels ten years into the future, he sees the headstone of Bruce Wayne (Batman): a Christian cross. Note that most of the headstones in this cemetary are not crosses. The choice of a cross for Bruce Wayne's headstone is not an accident, and was not a default choice. Perhaps the future Bruce Wayne will be more actively religious than the contemporary character. This headstone may have been selected by Bruce Wayne's wife, possibly Selena Kyle. A later panel shows Kyle's headstone, which is not a cross, despite the fact that she has been portrayed as a Catholic in some comics. Source: Teen Titans #18 (2004), written by Geoff Johns, pencilled by Mike McKone and inked by Marlo Alquiza; pages 16-17; reprinted in Teen Titans: The Future is Now trade paperback, DC Comics: New York City (2005).

Left: The headstone of Selina Kyle ("Catwoman"), possibly Batman's future wife. Tim Drake ("Robin") visited this cemetary when he accidentally found himself ten years in the future. Catwoman's headstone, as depicted here, is not a cross, but Batman's headstone is. Source: Teen Titans #18 (2004), written by Geoff Johns, pencilled by Mike McKone and inked by Marlo Alquiza; page 19; reprinted in Teen Titans: The Future is Now trade paperback, DC Comics: New York City (2005).

Above: Batman stands before the grave marker of Jason Todd, the second Robin. After Jason died, Batman chose an Episcopalian-style Christian cross for the grave marker. [Source: cover of Batman #639, published by DC Comics (2005), written by Judd Winick, cover art by Matt Wagner; reprinted in Batman: Under the Hood trade paperback (2005).]

Given the wealth of support for both major theories about Batman's religious background (Catholic and Episcopalian), it seems most likely that both are correct, and that Bruce Wayne's father (the source of Batman's surname, English heritage, wealth and social standing) was an Episcopalian, while his mother (the key source of Bruce's early religious upbringing and ingrained religious feelings) was a Catholic.

Bruce Wayne's ancestry or ethnic heritage is touched upon in a few sources, including the graphic novel Batman: Scottish Connection. Anthony Pires, a reader of this page, has helpfully clarified some facts relating to this: In this story, Bruce Wayne is specifically asked if he has Scottish heritage. Batman's surname - "Wayne" - is, in fact, of English origin. From Answers.com (http://www.answers.com/topic/wayne-2; viewed 28 May 2007):

Wayne
Usage: English
From an occupational surname meaning "wagon maker", derived from Old English wægn "wagon".

Despite this textual source refuting Scottish heritage, some fans and commentators have mistakenly referred to Bruce Wayne's "Scottish heritage." This may be due, in part, to their seen the title of Batman: The Scottish Connection without actually reading the book.

As Batman's religious affiliation is listed as "Episcopalian/Catholic (lapsed)" in various places, we have noticed a few people who incorrectly interpret this as an indicator that Batman is a "lapsed Catholic" who has now become an Episcopalian. This is certainly not the case. What is meant is that Batman is an "Episcopalian/Catholic" who is lapsed in the bi-denominational upbringing of his childhood. It is a valid observation that children raised in homes with a split religious identity are more likely to be lapsed or religiously non-observant as adults than children of parents with a united religious identity. Batman is certainly no exception to this trend, although it is possible to think of many reasons other than his parents' inter-faith marriage for his lack of traditional religious observation and identification as an adult.

Batman's religious affiliation was mentioned in Newsweek. (Steven Waldman and Michael Kress, "BeliefWatch: Good Fight", published in Newseek, cover-dated 19 June 2006, page 12):

Many comic book fans regard Batman as an atheist or agnostic, albeit one who has personally witnessed the fact that powerful god-like entities and gods of mythological pantheons actually exist. Batman has appeared in literally thousands of stories, and not all of these are in agreement with regards to the character's theological views. On rare occasions, stories have been published in which Batman has simply identified himself as an atheist or a Christian. It is reasonable to assume that, as with other people, Batman's precise beliefs, spirituality and relationship to God vary over the years, and sometimes shift depending on his experiences. The religious aspects of Batman's character also vary depending on the writer.

Above: During a harrowing experience with time travel Bruce Wayne witnessed once again the murder of his parents at the hands of a mugger. After Batman and Superman have righted the timeline and returned to the proper present, Batman visits the graves of his parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne. The cross on the headstones clearly indicates that Bruce's parents were Christian. [From: Superman/Batman #18 (released 6 April 2005), "Absolute Power" part 5: "Thy Will Be Done . . .", page 21; written by Jeph Loeb, pencilled by Carlos Pacheco, inked by Jesus Merino; reprinted in Superman/Batman: Absolute Power hardcover collection, DC Comics: New York City (2005).]

Above: The stone Christian cross in the middle marks the grave of Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. Batman, further indicating Batman's Christian religious affiliation. Batman's grave is flanked by those of his mother and father. Batman is not really dead. He faked his own death using powerful body chemistry-altering chemicals when Superman was ordered to apprehend him. Clark Kent (Superman), believing that Bruce is truly dead, visits the grave. (Clark is the large man wearing glasses.) Commissioner Gordon restrains an angry Selina Kyle. To the left of Clark can be seen Carrie Kelly, the new Robin, who is in on the plan and has come to retrieve Batman's body. [From: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #4 (1986), DC Comics: New York City; reprinted in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns hardcover edition, DC Comics: New York City (2002), pages 197-198; written and pencilled by Frank Miller, inked by Klaus Janson, colored by Lynn Varley.]

Source: Superman/Batman #16, "Absolute Power" Part 3: "When Time Goes Asunder", page 20; written by Jeph Loeb, pencilled by Carlos Pacheco, inked by Jesus Merino.

From: Alex Johnson, "At the comics shop, religion goes graphic: Judeo-Christian themes woven into comic books you might not expect", published on MSNBC.com, 25 April 2006 (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12376831/; viewed 2 May 2006); re-posted by Worldwide Religious News (http://wwrn.org/article.php?idd=21302; viewed 2 May 2006):

Superman, for the record, is probably Methodist, while Batman is most likely a lapsed Catholic or Episcopalian.

From: Steven Waldman and Michael Kress, "Beliefwatch: Good Fight", published in Newsweek, 19 June 2006 issue (posted online on 12 June 2006: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13249146/site/newsweek/; simultaneously posted on BeliefNet.com under headline "Holy Superheroes": http://www.beliefnet.com/story/193/story_19306_1.html; viewed 14 June 2006):

...Adherents.com, has analyzed dozens of comic-book characters [and] says Batman may not be the churchgoing type, but glimpses of the crosses on his parents' gravestones may mean he's a lapsed Roman Catholic or disaffected Episcopalian...

From: Lynn Arave, "Superhero/ Super savior? Religious imagery plentiful; local leaders worry about Superman's morals", published 8 July 2006 in Deseret Morning News (http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,640192870,00.html; viewed 15 May 2007):

The June 19, 2006, issue of Newsweek contained a list of the "suspected" religions of superheroes... Newsweek also listed Spider-Man as a Protestant, The Thing as Jewish, The Hulk as a lapsed Catholic, Daredevil as a Catholic, Batman as a lapsed Catholic or disaffected Episcopalian and Captain America as a Protestant...

The Newsweek article is online at www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13249146/site/newsweek/.

An important part of Batman's religious history which is sometimes forgotten by the general public was that before donning the cape and cowl he travelled in the Orient for many years, studying in various monasteries of Eastern religions. His teachers during this time were for the most part Buddhists, and Bruce Wayne actively studied not only martial arts but also various Eastern religious philosophies, practices, and mysticism. Bruce Wayne's travel and training in the Orient is not simply a creation of the 2005 movie Batman Begins, which made this time period a vividly portrayed major part of the film. This part of Bruce Wayne's history is a long-established part of the character's mythos, and the key element in understanding how a pampered rich boy became one of the world's greatest hand-to-hand combatants.

In addition to his past Buddhist training, even the contemporary Batman of Gotham City can be regarded as a sort of quasi-Buddhist in some ways. Acclaimed comic book writer Grant Morrison referred to Batman as "the super-confident, zen warrior" of his Justice League of America stories. (See Morrison's notes on page 66 of the script for Batman: Arkham Asylum, printed in the 15th Anniversary edition of this graphic novel.)

In Detective Comics #599, part of the 3-part "Blind Justice" story arc that commemorated Batman's 50th anniversary, flashbacks about Batman's training in the Orient show him studying under Chinese and Japanese spiritual/martial arts teachers, both speak in Buddhist language, referring to "the Way" (the Eight-Fold Path), seeking "enlightenment" and "enduring suffering." Bruce Wayne states that during this time he was not just training martial arts, but was studying "Eastern mysticism" and seeking "spiritual discipline." In addition to studies with Japanese and Chinese masters, Bruce also studied in Korea and Thailand. This gave Bruce Wayne exposure to a broad cross-section of world Buddhism, encompassing most of the religion's major branches. Mahayana Buddhism is predominant in China, Japan and Korea, while the older Theravada Buddhism is practiced in Thailand. Other comic book stories as well as the movie Batman Begins (2005) make it clear that Batman studied in Tibetan, where he was exposed to Tibetan Buddhism (or Vajrayana Buddhism), typically regarded as the third most significant branch of contemporary Buddhism (although sometimes classified as a subset of Mahayana Buddhism). Images and further details about Bruce Wayne's Buddhist studies are shown below.

Bruce Wayne studied Buddhism, participated in Buddhist practices such as meditation, and spoke in clearly Buddhist terms during his time in the Orient. Nevertheless, Batman is not known to have ever overtly identified himself as a Buddhist, nor is known to have practiced Buddhism in any religious sense since returning to Gotham and embarking on his career as Batman. Certainly there are those who would regard Batman's overt (and arguably self-serving) use of physical violence as a "solution" to Gotham's crime problem as a rather non-Buddhist approach. This would constitute a reductionist view of the possibility of Buddhist characters and Buddhists in general, as most Buddhist cultures have longstanding traditions of Buddhist warriors and Buddhist vigilantes. This is beside the point, however, as Bruce Wayne is not a Buddhist.

Batman's religious and theological beliefs, including the specific (but by no means all-encompassing) question about whether or not (and how) he believes in God are, of course, a separate matter from the character's religious upbringing and religious affiliation. As the facts about a person's religious history, upbringing and family background do not change, it is possible to reveal these facts about a character without limiting the ability of future writers to take the character in different directions with regards to his current religious beliefs and practices.

See also: "Batman Crucified: Religion and Modern Superhero Comic Books," by Bruce David Forbes (http://wacc.dev.visionwt.com/wacc/publications/media_development/archive/1997_4/batman_crucified_religion_and_modern_superhero_comic_books)

The character of Batman was created in 1939 by Jewish comic book artist Robert Kahn (24 October 1915-3 November 1998), who is better known by his adopted professional and legally-changed name, Bob Kane. Jewish comic book writer Bill Finger was the co-creator of the character, although he was not officially credited. The major, influential early comic book characters at both DC Comics (then known as "National Publications") and later at Marvel were created by predominantly by Jewish writers and artists. Yet Batman was clearly non-Jewish, as were nearly all of the characters produced by this generation of comics professionals. Like nearly all major superhero characters created during the 1930s and 1940s, Batman was based on a sort of "all-American" template, including having a vaguely but not overtly identified Christian background. Batman has, for example, been shown celebrating Christmas many times throughout his long history. Some historians find themes of Jewish assimilation in characters such as Batman, who succeeded in masking his truly unusual heroic self via his successful, normal-seeming and quintessentially American Bruce Wayne identity.

Although Batman's Christian background (as opposed to a non-Christian background) is essentially taken as a given among writers and fans alike, the character's precise denominational affiliation has been a matter of disagreement.

Visually there is so much similarity between Episcopalian churches, cemeteries, graveyard headstones, clerical dress, Christian iconography, etc., that these religious elements as they have been drawn in Batman comics over the years could be interpreted as either Episcopalian or Anglican. We are not aware of any comics in which Batman himself has explicitly been identified as belonging to either denomination.

Chuck Dixon's Batman: The Chalice (2000), which is set within mainstream DC Universe continuity, portrayed Batman as a believing Christian and the latest in a long line of guardians of the Holy Grail. Although it is canonical within DC continuity, this volume has been criticized by some reviewers for presenting Batman out of character. Regardless of whether or not the degree to which Batman expesses Christian belief in this story is in keeping with how he has been portrayed previously, The Chalice does not appear to address whether Batman is Catholic or Episcopalian. The Holy Grail and its defense could be an element in either Catholicism or Episcopalianism (which is the American province of the Anglicanism, which is headed by the Church of England). Clearly this story of the Holy Grail and Batman as its hereditary defender would seem entirely out of place for a purely Reformation Protestant, so while failing to solidly identify Batman as either Catholic or Episcopalian, the story lends credence to the notion that he is one or the other (or both).

Batman has personally witnessed the power of religion and the veracity of various religious beliefs many times. These experiences extend the beyond the beliefs of the religions he has the most experience with personally (Christianity and Buddhism). In Batman #552, a rabbi's knowledge of the Jewish belief that the sound of breaking glass can repel spirits helps him and Batman deal with Ragman's renegade rag-spirits. In the critically acclaimed DC Comics graphic novel Batman/Houdini: The Devil's Workshop (pub. 2003, an Eisner Award nominee), Houdini repelled a vampire with a Star of David necklace.

Influential DC Comics writer Elliot S! Maggin (a self-identified observant Jew) has stated flatly that he thinks of Bruce Wayne/Batman as Episcopalian. Maggin said that he explicitly identified the character as an Episcopalian in his DC Comics novel Kingdom Come (Warner Books, February 1999), which was an adaptation of the near-future DC Universe graphic novel Kingdom Come, by Mark Waid and Alex Ross. Kingdom Come is widely regarded as one of the best, most literate comic book-based novels ever written. (Read our review of this book here.)

On the other hand, Frank Miller has stated that the Bruce Wayne/Batman is Catholic. Miller's writing about Batman has been more widely read and far more influential on how the character is handled anything written by Maggin. (Maggin is known for his important work on Superman, who is focal character in Kingdom Come.) Frank Miller is the author of such character-defining modern Batman stories as Batman: Year One (largely the basis for the movie Batman Returns) and The Dark Knight Returns. Miller has said that Batman and Daredevil were so obviously Catholic that to write them any other way would be completely nonsensical.

DC Comics writer Chuck Dixon and artist Graham Nolan had a memorable collaboration producing Batman comics. On his official website Dixon discussed Christianity in comics (http://www.dixonverse.net/NEWSITE/ARTICLES/christ.html) and describes their view of Batman: "Graham Nolan and I had an ongoing argument about whether Bruce was raised Catholic or Protestant. I recently conceded to Graham than he must be Catholic. No Protestant ever suffered guilt the way Bruce does."

The Dark Knight and Prayer

In a scene from Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (left), Batman has recently returned to action after a decade of retirement. While diffusing a bomb, Batman considers praying. He observes, "And if I had the time or the right -- I'd say a prayer." [Source: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1 (1986), DC Comics: New York City; reprinted in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns hardcover edition, DC Comics: New York City (2002), page 50; written and pencilled by Frank Miller, inked by Klaus Janson, colored by Lynn Varley.

It is clear why Batman doesn't have the time for prayer at this moment: he is facing a bomb which is set to go off any second. But the other limitation that prevents him from praying is interesting. Bruce Wayne appears here to be musing that he doesn't have "the right." This is likely due to a feeling of spiritual unworthiness on his part. There could be a number of reasons for Batman to feel that way, most likely of which are either a feeling that he has committed too much evil and violent acts in his role as a vigilante, or a feeling that because he has not prayed or attended church services for so long during times when his life wasn't in danger, a sudden prayer now would be dishonorable or fall on deaf ears.

Frank Miller has clearly his stated his viewpoint that is a Catholic. The Batman of The Dark Knight Returns is, for the most part, not actively or overtly religious. But nor does he appear to be agnostic or unbeliever, as the character has been portrayed by some other writers.

Batman: The Knight Returns is not a "canonical" story and is thus not considered an official part of mainstream DC Comics continuity. It is, however, one of the most critically acclaimed comics in history, and is considered one of the most important and influential Batman stories ever published.

Further Discussion of Bruce Wayne's Episcopalian Versus Catholic Background

Those who believe that Batman comes from an Episcopalian family generally consider his immensely wealthy and aristocratic social standing, a niche that is certainly associated with Episcopalians more than any other American denomination. Proponents of this theory can also cite an old 1950s comic showing one of Bruce Wayne's ancestor Anthony Wayne (a Revolutionary War hero) buried in St. David's Episcopal Church Cemetery in Radnor, near Philadelphia.

However, a considerable amount of time passed between the Revolutionary War and the birth of Bruce Wayne, and it would certainly have been possible for the character's intervening forebearers to have converted or married into Catholic families. Despite the relative degree of poverty among first- and second-generation Catholic immigrants to America, there have always been wealthy Catholics in the country, going back to the Revolutionary War period, during which time devout Catholic families such as the Carroll family of Maryland and the Fitzsimons family of Pennsylvania controlled vast land holdings and were among the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Bruce Wayne's wealth and social status may be characteristic of Episcopalianism, but it does not preclude Catholicism. Moreover, if Bruce Wayne's Gotham is (as many believe) an analogue for Chicago, one could point out that Catholicism generally and wealthy Catholic families specifically are far more prevalent than Episcopalians in the Chicago area.

Were there only the character of Bruce Wayne to consider, there might be a larger continent of people who think of him as Episcopalian. However, a number of major and influential writers of the character in recent times (including Frank Miller) clearly believe Batman comes from a Catholic background, and write about the character with that textural detail in mind. This is because, from a psychological perspective, the character seems overwhelmingly Catholic and not at all Episcopalian. "Bruce Wayne," one should remember, is not Batman's true self, as far as the character is concerned, but is a mere front used to turn suspicion away from those who might try to learn his true identity. Batman consciously puts on an act when he appears in public as Bruce Wayne. Bruce Wayne's fun-loving, jovial and relatively narcissistic personality are intentional deceptions on Batman's part.

The brooding, vengeful, purpose driven (or clearly obsessed) Dark Knight is who Batman really is. He is constantly aware that he is not a normal person living a normal life, and he isn't even capable of relating to people who strive for such a life. Batman's mission is driven by the singular fact of having witnessed the murder of his parents when he was a child. Guilt, retribution and a desire for social justice intermingle in the character's psyche to create the peculiar motivations that compel him to dress as a bat and physically confront criminals.

Above: Batman, shocked, exclaims "God in Heaven!" No, this isn't a scene from Towing Jehovah, nor is this necessarily an expression of sincere religious belief. Batman here simply demonstrates his Christian background with a thoroughly Christian-sounding bit of profanity. Had he been Jewish (which he is not), Batman might have exclaimed "Oy vey!" or "Gotenu!" [Source: Detective Comics #598 (March 1989), DC Comics: New York City, page 5; reprinted in Batman: Blind Justice trade paperback, DC Comics: New York City (1992); written by Sam Hamm (writer of the movies Batman, 1989, and Batman Returns, 1992), pencilled by Denys Cowan, inked by Dick Giordano.]

It is interesting to contrast the origin and character of Batman with that of rival Marvel Comics' most popular character, Spider-Man (Peter Parker). These two super-heroes could hardly be farther apart in disposition. Effervescent Parker is the epitome of everyman humanity compared to the almost inhuman, some would say monstrous, spirit of vengeance the Batman has crafted himself into. Yet the tragic events which launched both characters onto the path of the hero (or vigilante) was remarkable similar: The murder of Peter Parker's parental Uncle Ben and the murder of Bruce Wayne's parents. If anything, Parker's tragedy should have triggered far more guilt and obsession, as he was more directly culpable because he let the killer escape from an earlier crime when he could easily have stopped the man. Traditionally, young Bruce Wayne bears no such burden of guilt (although the movie Batman Begins introduced some small but unjustified childlike feelings of responsibility). In a literary sense, the difference between Parker's homey Protestant upbringing and Batman's Catholic background provides a plausible explanation for why such similar motivations produced such dissimilar results. (Of course, concepts such as Catholic guilt and Protestant commonness are often literary traditions or conventions more than real-world phenomena.)

Above: Using Christian terminology familiar to him from his upbringing, Batman states, "The rain on my chest is a baptism -- I'm born again." (This scene takes place soon after Batman has returned from 10 years of retirement from crimefighting, in Frank Miller's non-canonical Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.) [Source: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1 (1986), DC Comics: New York City; reprinted in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns hardcover edition, DC Comics: New York City (2002), page 34; written and pencilled by Frank Miller, inked by Klaus Janson, colored by Lynn Varley.]

From: Bruce Bachand, "Interview: Elliot S! Maggin", published in Fanzing (The Independent Online DC Comics Fan Magazine) Issue #9, August 1998 (http://www.fanzing.com/mag/fanzing09/iview.shtml; viewed 6 December 2005):

Elliot S! Maggin was the principal scriptwriter for DC Comics' Superman titles during the 1970's up until the mid-1980's. He has written two Superman novels (Last Son Of Krypton and Miracle Monday, both which are currently out of print) as well as numerous other stories, articles, interviews and projects. One of his most recent publications is the novel KINGDOM COME (which is available through Warner Books) which came out in February 1998. It is based on the very successful DC comic book mini-series KINGDOM COME by Mark Waid and Alex Ross. (It is well worth mentioning that Ross contributes a number of new painted illustrations to the Maggin novel!). Sales have been steady for the Maggin novelization. It is over one hundred thousand words full of action, characterization, and plot sculpting.

BRUCE BACHAND: Do you see Superman as a man who prays and/or worships God regularly? If so, what would the Man of Steel pray about from your perspective?

ELLIOT S! MAGGIN: I give all my characters religions. I think I always have. It's part of the backstory. It's part of the process of getting to know a character well enough to write about him or her. Jimmy Olson is Lutheran. Lois is Catholic. Perry is Baptist. Luthor is Jewish (though non-observant, thank heaven). Bruce [Wayne] and Batman are both Episcopalian and I said so in the text though it was edited out erroneously. Clark - like the Kents - is Methodist...

Chuck Dixon is a popular and influential comic book writer who has written many of the DC Comics' stories about Batman and other Gotham-basesd characters, including Nightwing. On a page posted on his official website, Dixon has reproduced a somewhat lengthy question about Christianity in comics, along with his response to it. From Chuck Dixon, "Christianity in Comics" page on DixonVerse.net website (http://www.dixonverse.net/NEWSITE/ARTICLES/christ.html; viewed 5 May 2007):

Q: Christianity in comics question
Originally a question asked by VeeGee on January 30, 1999 at the Unofficial Birds of Prey Message Board

I just read a wonderful interview with Scott McDaniel where he let people know he was a Christian, and that you were too. I just recently returned to a relationship with Christ (although He never left). I have been thinking about why past attempts at Christian comics/characters have not been as well received as their secular counterparts. I remember the line Marvel tried to start several years ago... but each book cost $5.00. I would LOVE to see comic adaptions of Frank Perenti (sp?) books and other projects that really intertwine the fantasy of comics and faith in Christ. I kind of enjoyed John Byrne's Wonder Woman novel--I thought it would have made a better comic "event" than "Genesis" did. Are there a lot of Christian creators in comics? Are there any other characters besides,Nightcrawler, who are devout in their faith? What are your thoughts? I guess the bottom line for me is that "with great power..." ya'know, comics reach a lot of people and in a world like the one we live in-messages of hope and faith and turning to Christ are few and far between. I find it ironic that DC would have several mini-series about the devil; "Underworld Unleashed", and the new Vertigo series but wouldn't let Rick Veitch have Christ in a single issue of Swamp thing.

Thanks for your time==I know this may be a touchy subject for some people. I do not want to start a debate..besides God always wins anyway (*wink*)

Chuck Dixon: To paraphrase George Foreman, "I think Christ and comics are a GREAT combination." I've always been disturbed by the portrayal of religious figures in comics. They're usually portrayed just this side of Dr Doom. I was guilty of it a few times in my own career (at least one time, anyway). But I think I've made it right over the past few years with postive religious figures in the comics. I don't go too heavy with it 'cause these characters aren't mine. But a belief in God is certainly evident with many of the folks I write and religion is a part of their world as well as a consistant morality. It's a "dirty little secret" that many folks in comics are devoutly religious. Some of the most devoted people I've met have been in this field. Wrong or right, when I was a kid Batman and Tarzan were role models for me along with Jesus. I don't see any reason why I can't include Him in my work.

Scott McDaniel and I have discussed doing a comic book with a Christian theme. He has some wild ideas for a book that would entertain even those who didn't heed the call.

I think each creator sees the characters in their own lights. Scott McDaniel and I agree that Dick Grayson finds solace in religion. He's never been the cynical brooder that Bruce Wayne can be at times. Even though both went through the same childhood trauma Dick sought answers outside of himself. I think that's the basis of his belief in Christianity.

Graham Nolan and I had an ongoing argument about whether Bruce was raised Catholic or Protestant. I recently conceded to Graham than he must be Catholic. No Protestant ever suffered guilt the way Bruce does.

I find it peculiar that the idea of comic book heroes being Christians is "controversial". How many of our heroes are Buddhists or Druids or some other world religion and never raise an eyebrow? Maybe Christianity is too close to home and we want our heroes to have a more exotic belief system?

When I wrote Moon Knight over at Marvel I wanted to explore the fact that Marc Spector was Jewish. I was uncomfortable with the fact that a Jew wielded a power born of Egyptian myth. I wanted to deal with this in a storyline. My editor told me to ignore that aspect of his personality. And I was told this by an editor who is a Jew. Is there something in the mind of comics fandom and professionals that finds religion repugnant? Or are they simply avoiding the familiar?

From: "At DC Comics, Diversity Is No Laughing Matter", published on AOLTimeWarner.com website, 1 November 2001 (viewed 20 December 2005; http://www.bluecorncomics.com/atdccom.htm):

"The original creators of comics, 60 or 70 years ago, were almost all Jewish and Italian kids from various parts of New York," notes DC Comics Executive Vice President and Publisher Paul Levitz. "And the characters they created were pseudo-whitebread Episcopalian. It was almost de rigueur back then to paint people in this idealized American image. Today we have artists and writers of all ethnicities on four different continents."

A Jewish comedian claimed not long ago that he grew up thinking that all the comic-book superheroes were Jewish, because, like, say, Goldman and Federrman, all their names end in "man": Spiderman, Batman, Superman...

For the record, with due respect to my Jewish brothers and sisters, Batman was an Episcopalian, and Superman a Methodist, as you can read here [http://www.adherents.com/lit/comics/comic_collage.html].

...Superman is not the only superhero thought to be religious... Batman is said to be a lapsed Anglican or Catholic (because of the crosses on his parents' tombstones)...

From: Barry Caine, "If a superhero lands in the forest, does anyone hear it?" (Movie Guy column), published 24 July 2006 in Oakland Tribune (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_20060624/ai_n16506776; viewed 12 July 2007):

..."Superman Returns," which opens at 10 p.m. Tuesday... Superman's pending resurrection is inspiring super conjecture. For instance, Newsweek's "With Beliefnet.com" column has dubbed the Man of Steel a Methodist.

...while we're on the subject, the article uses data gleaned from Adherents.com to imbue other superheroes with their likely religious orientations...

Because of the crosses on his parents' gravestones, Batman is either a lapsed Roman Catholic or a disaffected Episcopalian...

In fact, most superheroes have religious backgrounds, according to adherents.com. Batman is a lapsed Catholic or Episcopalian...

Even superheroes need a superhero, I guess.

The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Rowan Douglas Williams (1950- ) is the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury.

One of Rowan Williams' favorite TV shows is "The Simpsons." Adherents.com has a page of religious affiliations of comic book characters and they say Batman is an Episcopalian. Cowabunga, dude!

Above: "Thank God": Is Batman actually thanking God, or is he simply using an expression? He is probably simply using a expression, without thinking about it very much. His former sidekick, Stephanie Brown (known as "The Spoiler" and briefly as the fourth "Robin") died two pages previous, and even then Batman didn't do or say anything that seemed explicitly religious. Clearly, Batman is glad that the city-wide gang war that Spoiler inadvertently instigated is over, but in this scene he certainly isn't kneeling to say a prayer of thanks in the traditional sense. [Source: Batman #633 (December 2004): "War Games Act 3, Part 8: No Going Back", DC Comics: New York City, page 30; written by Bill Willingham, pencilled by Kinsun; reprinted in Batman: War Games, Act Three: EndGame trade paperback, DC Comics: New York City (2005).]

Religion is one area comics have always misrepresented. Characters are either agnostic or devout, as if there were no in-between. Batman is, in many respects, a character that could be ripe for religious conflict. However, that's never really been the case with Batman as religion has been almost non-existent in the Batman mythos. That makes a Holy Grail story a tough sell.

Bruce Wayne is, apparently, from a long line of Grail guardians. One day he receives a package addressed to his father. The contents, the Holy Grail. Batman is immediately examining the cup for scientific evidence of its spiritual veracity, but at the same time is professing to be a believing in Christ. There's certainly nothing wrong with Batman being a Christian, but it seems totally out of nowhere. Batman believing in a higher power? Who knew? Answer: No one.

The Chalice, written by veteran Chuck Dixon, is not an Elseworlds tale -- this happens in-continuity and features a number of Batman villains all trying to stake a claim on the cup that caught Christ's blood. It seems that the location of the Grail could be kept secret for millennia until it went through the postal service and wound up on Wayne's door.

The majority of baddies, including the non-descript Merivingians (who claim to be blood-descendants of Christ) feel thrown in just to make things interesting. The only foe that works is Ra's Al Ghul, who's obsession with immortality includes a health amount of fervor for the Grail. His vast intelligence, however, is transformed into crude thuggery.

The Chalice poses an interesting idea -- What if Batman were given the Holy Grail? However, the Bat doesn't want to do anything with it, just keep it safe. So what makes this a "Batman" tale? Nothing. This could have been a non-superhero tale and probably would have been better. Though Dixon is trying for something profound, The Chalice is just a bunch of loose ends wrapped around the holiest item known to modern man. It doesn't help that John Van Fleet's art feels muddy and distilled, instead of showing the power of the events surrounding the hunt for the Grail...

This book disappoints on many fronts. The characterization of Batman as a Christian soldier was totally out of character. Batman and Alfred were constantly in utter awe of the Grail, a side of them that did not work for me. I generally think it is best to keep religion out of comics.

The Chalice, by Chuck Dixon and illustrated by John Van Fleet is a promising concept, but ultimately fails by having too many cameos of the rogues gallery and not dealing with Batman's existential ponderings.

While one reviewer mistakingly asserts religion should not be in comics (after all, religion is such an important part of peoples lives, it is hard to imagine that these characters should not be developed likewise), I disagree, it is that unlike Miller's Daredevil, where religion is dealt with on a somewhat real level, this comic is more interested in "Indiana Jones" type serial comic action than dealing with real questions with possible answers.

I, however, still found the story enjoyable. Batman learns that he is to protect the Holy Grail (the bloodline obligation story is weak as another reviewer noted) and does his best to do so. The grail heals him when he takes a step in faith after being wounded, and he proposes to Batgirl/Oracle that the grail can restore her as well - she lacks faith and turns down the opprotunity. This should have been fleshed out more and could have been a compelling story - why some take the step toward faith, and others do not.

The artwork is good, but not oustanding or compelling. The story too short, but the ending is outstanding and allows the reader to see Batman for who he is - a man who will never give up, but also one who will submit his ego for the good of all, for he knows his strengths and his limitations.

Above: Batman visits and then swing away from the church which is the location of a memorial to his recently killed sidekick, Stephenie Brown, a.k.a. "Spoiler" and (briefly) "Robin." [Source: Detective Comics #810 (late October 2005): "War Crimes Part 3: A Consequence of Truth", DC Comics: New York City, page 2; written by Andersen Gabrych, pencilled by Pete Woods, inked by Tommy Castillo; reprinted in Batman: War Crimes trade paperback, DC Comics: New York City (2006).]

So, if you were going to dress up like a bat and fight crime, what church would you attend?

That was the question put to Captain Comics a few weeks ago, and after much thumb-sucking, he decided Batman was probably Catholic. His reasoning was (A) Bruce Wayne's parents were accepted readily in wealthy East Coast social circles; (B) Batman's sense of guilt; (C) Superman, his polar opposite, is likely Protestant; and (D) nuns also dress in black.

OK, just kidding about that last one. But, as you can see, the Captain's other reasons were pretty flimsy. Fortunately, his readers came swinging to the rescue:

"If (Batman's) America has any similarities to ours, there was a lot of anti-Catholic bias in its history," wrote Leah via the Internet. "I have trouble picturing a Catholic Wayne family being fully accepted in high society (in the '40s), money or not. My vote would be high-church Episcopalian/Anglican, which is basically the same as Catholicism as far as beliefs go but would have been more socially acceptable."

Jeff Trexler of Dallas came to much the same conclusion.

"Your column on superhero religion ... jogged my memory back to an old (1950s) Batman time-travel story where he met his ancestor 'Mad' Anthony Wayne, a Revolutionary War hero. (Mad Anthony) was from the British elite families who colonized the area around Philadelphia, and he is buried in the cemetery appropriate to the Wayne family's wealth, status and pedigree: St. David's Episcopal Church Cemetery in Radnor."

So is Gotham's guardian Episcopalian? John McDonagh of Worcester, Mass., found different evidence of more recent vintage:

"The recent Batman: Scottish Connection (1998) seems to point to Batman's being of Scottish descent, making him more likely a Presbyterian." [Actually, Bruce Wayne specifically states that he has no Scottish heritage in this story.] Further, he said, in Final Night No. 4 (1996) former Green Lantern Hal Jordan mentions "the harsh God you believe in ... Batman." Could Batman be a Calvinist?

"I gotta say," Trexler said," (Batman's) obsession with the darker side of human nature makes me wonder if he wouldn't be more at home in hard-core Calvinist Presbyterianism, although there IS an ardent, albeit relatively small group of Calvinists even in the contemporary Episcopal church."

McDonagh agreed -- sort of -- by noting that "there are fundamentalist Protestant denominations and groups that are more extreme than even pre-Vatican II Roman Catholicism was."

Those are pretty strong arguments, and the Captain is forced to concede them. Of course, he could muddy the waters a bit by noting that the Wayne ancestor mentioned in Scottish Connection -- Sir Gaweyne de Weyne -- was a Crusader, and therefore a Catholic. And the Dark Knight DOES hang around in that cathedral-like Batcave...

...where he ought to have a lot of company. Matt (Daredevil) Murdock is a well-established Catholic of Irish descent whose mother is a nun. (A number of terrific stories have emerged from the conflict between his deeply felt beliefs and his secret life as a vigilante.) Other established Catholics in comics include Kyle (Green Lantern) Rayner and Helena (Huntress) Bertinelli in the Justice League, the X-Men's Kurt (Nightcrawler) Wagner, Eve (Nightshade) Eden and even Frank (the Punisher) Castle.

Janos (Blackhawk) Prohaska is a lapsed Catholic who lost his faith when the Nazis (and later, the Soviets) overran Poland and now claims to be an atheist. Perhaps he should join the Justice League, which has a manifest angel (Zauriel) as a member. Or have a chat with the Spectre, who claims to be the actual Wrath of God!

Elsewhere in funnybookland, Clark (Superman) Kent of Smallville, Kan., and Wally (Flash) West of Blue Valley, Neb., are almost certainly Protestants. Dick Grayson, the former Robin now called Nightwing, is a professed Christian of indeterminate denomination.

Which is not to say that comics are a Christians-only playground. Most superheroes haven't had a faith established, but those that have are all over the ecclesiastical map.

Jewish superheroes abound, including the X-Men's Kitty (Shadowcat) Pryde, Al (Atom Smasher) Rothstein, Vance (Justice) Astrovik, Rory (Ragman) Regan, Eric (Dr. Fate II) Strauss, Leonard (Doc) Samson, Sabra of the Israeli Super Agents, Seraph of the Global Guardians and dozens of other characters, major and minor.

There aren't many overt Muslims, but the Arabian Knight is one of them. Connor (Green Arrow) Hawke was raised in a Zen Buddhist monastery and follows the tenets of that belief. Roy Harper, the former Green Arrow sidekick called Arsenal, grew up on a Navajo reservation. Other American Indian characters like Red Wolf, Thunderbird and Wyatt Wingfoot almost certainly follow the beliefs of their tribes. The Japanese mutant, Sunfire, is a Shintoist. And do I really need to explain Brother Voodoo?

Then there are the religions that don't correspond to real-world beliefs. The Greco-Roman gods appear routinely in comic books and were instrumental in the origins of Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, Donna (formerly Wonder Girl) Troy, Aquaman, Sub-Mariner and, of course, Hercules. Thor, quite naturally, swears by his father, Odin, and the other Norse gods. Jack Kirby's New Gods believe in "The Source." The Martian Manhunter has mentioned Hronmeer and other deities of Mars, while only the priests of Thanagar know what Katar (Hawkman) Hol believes.

Which is as it should be. The world of comics is full of deities, demigods and demons, all part of a rich tapestry of colorful mythology designed to tell exciting, engaging stories. An abiding faith can make a fictional character more interesting and believable, but it can't be a blueprint for the real world. We flesh-and-blood types still have to figure out the Big Questions for ourselves.

Is Batman Catholic, Episcopalian, or Presbyterian? [link to news article in Houston Chronicle: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/religion/446482.html]

Superman is most assuredly a Protestant, writes Andrew Smith, who pens a "Captain Comics" column for the Scripps Howard News Service. But there's a lot of debate over Batman (I've read enough of his pontificating over man's fallen nature to swear he's some breed of Calvinist). Overall in Smith's rundown of superhero religion, Judaism comes out on top. "Captain Comics" doesn't note that this makes more sense when you consider the "fathers" of the modern comic superhero, Superman's Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, were both Jewish.

Batman has clearly heard Paul's Biblical phrase "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). Does Batman believe in salvation? Good question... Many readers probably think Batman is more likely to believe in damnation than salvation. Above: Batman tells Dr. Leslie Thompkins to "work out her damnation" on her own. Dr. Thompkins is one of Batman's oldest friends. Indeed, she was there for him in his childhood, from the time his parents were murdered. But when Batman learned that Dr. Thompkins had withheld life-saving medical treatment from his former sidekick, Stephanie Brown (a.k.a. "Spoiler" and, briefly, "Robin"), the Dark Knight was not particularly forgiving. [Source: Batman #644 (late October 2005): "War Crimes Part 4: Judgment at Gotham", DC Comics: New York City, page 22; written by Bill Willingham, pencilled by Guiseppe Camuncoli, inked by Sandra Hope; reprinted in Batman: War Crimes trade paperback, DC Comics: New York City (2006).]

Batman compares the Batcave to a church
PLUS: a mystical element to Batman's origin

On this same page, Miller also introduces a seemingly mystical or totemistic element to Batman's origin. In Batman's recollection, he pictures himself falling into a hole on his estate at the age of six. After being swarmed by bats, young Bruce sees a poweful, ancient bat-like entity. Bruce recalls the entity "claiming me as his own." Later, in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #2, Batman has been severely injured during a fight with the leader of the "Mutants" street gang. Upon returning the bat cave, Batman seeks healing or a renewal of power and again goes to the place where he encounted the bat-like entity. He again sees this being. Finally, in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #4, as Bruce prepares to battle Superman, he contemplates of the bat-like entity (page 187). Is he communing with it? Praying to it? Wayne seems to regard this bat-like entity as something very real.

These scenes seem to supplement or fall outside the commonly accepted account of Batman's origins. It is not entirely clear if (or to what extent) Bruce Wayne's encounters with this "ancient" bat-like entity are literal, versus being purely symbolic or spiritual in nature. Given the number of times that the childhood roots of Batman have been recounted without reference to this bat-like being, it seems likely that this is a non-canonical element present only in Miller's The Dark Knight Returns.

Text from: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1 (1986), DC Comics: New York City; reprinted in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns hardcover edition, DC Comics: New York City (2002), pages 18-19; written and pencilled by Frank Miller, inked by Klaus Janson, colored by Lynn Varley:

[After chasing a rabbit on his family estate, 6-year-old Bruce Wayne falls into a deep hole hidden in the brush. Hundreds of bats swarm around him, mostly seen rather than heard in the darkness.]

YOUNG BRUCE WAYNE: Oof! OWW!

[Bruce rubs his knee, which hurts from his fall. Bats continue to swarm around him.]

YOUNG BRUCE WAYNE: No! Go way! Go WAY!

[The bats are gone. There is silence. Bruce looks up. A single pair of glowing eyes can be seen peering through the darkness.]

NARRATION/ADULT BRUCE'S RECOLLECTION: Then . . . something shuffles out of sight . . . Something sucks the stale air . . . and hisses.

[The shadow of a mysterious being falls over young Bruce as he sits with his back against a cave wall.]

NARRATION/ADULT BRUCE'S RECOLLECTION: Gliding with ancient grace . . . Unwilling to retreat as his brothers did . . . Eyes gleaming, untouched by love or joy or sorrow . . . Breath hot with the taste of fallen foes . . . the stench of dead things, damned things . . .

[The face of the bat or bat-like entity is seen. It seems to have intelligence behind its eyes, and it seems to have fire in its mouth, almost like a dragon.]

NARRATION/ADULT BRUCE'S RECOLLECTION: Surely the fiercest survivor -- the purest warrior . . . Glaring, hating . . . claiming me as his own.

Dreaming . . . I was only six years old when that happened. When I first saw the cave . . . huge, empty, silent as a church, waiting as the bat was waiting.

And now the cobwebs grow and the dust thickens in here as it does in me -- and he laughs at me, curses me. Calls me a fool. He fills my sleep, he tricks me. Brings me here when the night so long as my will is weak. He struggles relentlessly, hatefully, to be free -- I will not let him. I gave my word. For Jason.

Never. Never again.

Text from: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #2 (1986), DC Comics: New York City; reprinted in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns hardcover edition, DC Comics: New York City (2002), page 87-88; written and pencilled by Frank Miller, inked by Klaus Janson, colored by Lynn Varley:

[Carrie Kelly, the newly appointed "Robin" has just helped bring a severely injured Batman back to the Batcave after his battle with the leader of the street gang known as the "Mutants." Alfred was attempting to administer first aid to Batman, but the aging crimefighter rose from the hospital bed and now walks deeper into the Batcave.]

BATMAN (thinking): The cave . . . I leave them behind me . . . I leave . . . it all behind me . . . I go . . . to the dark place . . . where I first met you . . . before my parents died . . . before I learned what I am. I'm dying but I can't die . . . I'm not finished yet. ...And you're not finished with me. Then . . . something shuffles out of sight . . . something sucks the stale air . . . and hisses.

[A glowing pair of eyes peers from the darkness.]

BATMAN (thinking): Gliding with ancient grace . . . Eyes gleaming, untouched by love or joy or sorrow . . . Breath hot with the taste of fallen foes . . . the stench of dead things, damned things . . . surely the fiercest survivor . . . the purest warrior . . . glaring, hating . . . claiming me as your own.

[The face of the ancient bat-like entity, its mouth seemingly filled with fire, appears once again, and Bruce Wayne smiles despite his injuries.]

Text from: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #4 (1986), DC Comics: New York City; reprinted in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns hardcover edition, DC Comics: New York City (2002), page 187; written and pencilled by Frank Miller, inked by Klaus Janson, colored by Lynn Varley:

ALFRED: . . . healing quite poorly, Master Bruce. Shall I prepare another stimulant? Why delay your very first cardiac arrest?

BATMAN (thinking): Oliver -- Maybe Oliver was right . . . all along . . . crazy as it sounds . . .

[Batman here seems to be thinking about what Oliver Queen (a.k.a. Green Arrow) recently said, that the world isn't big enough for both Batman and Superman.] ALFRED: . . . bloody walking hospital bed . . .

BATMAN: That's enough, Alfred.

[Bruce Wayne/Batman is donning battle armor and preparing for his upcoming fight with Superman.]

BATMAN (thinking): . . . when you came for me . . . in the cave . . . I was just six year old . . . You were ancient . . . nothing . . . nothing could kill you . . . but the war . . . it did not begin then . . . No . . . it was . . . two years later . . . when her necklace caught on his wrist . . . when he shoved his pistol to her jaw and pulled the trigger . . . and everything my mother was struck the pavement as a bloody wad . . .

[Batman's memory of the bat-like entity from the batcave is shown.]

BATMAN (thinking): That night . . . began thirty years of hunting theives and murderers . . . Is that what you intended?

Young Bruce Wayne's prayer to avenge the death of his parents

Above and Left: Young Bruce Wayne witnesses the brutal murder of his parents. He subsequently prays to God every night to ask for help to avenge his parents by waging war on all criminals. Source: Secret Origins #6 (September 1986), page 3; reprinted in Batman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told, Volume Two, DC Comics (2007), page 5; written by Roy Thomas, pencilled by Marshall Rogers, inked by Terry Austin.

Text from scene above, from Secret Origins #6 (September 1986), pages 2-3; reprinted in Batman: The Greatest Stories Ever Told, Volume Two, DC Comics (2007), page 4-5; written by Roy Thomas, pencilled by Marshall Rogers, inked by Terry Austin:

Thomas Wayne: Enjoy the movie, Martha?

Martha Wayne: I suppose so. That Rudolph Valentino isn't really my type, though.

Mugger: He aint, huh? Well, maybe I am!

Thomas Wayne: Huh? Hey-- What is this??

Mugger: A stick-up, buddy. I'll take that necklace, you're wearing, lady!

Young Bruce Wayne: Father . . . ?

Mugger: Stay back, you! Don't try playin' hero on me!

Thomas Wayne: Leave my wife alone, you filthy--

[Thomas Wayne lunges at the mugger, intent on protecting his family.]

Mugger: You asked for it!

Sound Effect: BLAM BLAM

[The mugger shots Thomas Wayne. Bruce Wayne and his mother watch as Bruce's father falls dead.]

Martha Wayne: No!! Y-You've killed him!

Mugger: Shuddup-- And gimme that sparkler!

[The mugger grabs the necklace around Martha's neck.]

Martha Wayne: Help, police-- HELP!

Mugger: I said shuddup-- If you know what's good for you!

[The mugger tears the necklace from Martha Wayne's neck, shoving her head against a corner on a lamp post. Beneath the street light, Bruce Wayne's mother crumples to the pavement. Bruce Wayne kneels before the fallen bodies of his mother and father. The mugger runs off intot he darkness. Tears drop from Bruce's eyes.]

Young Bruce Wayne: Father . . . M- Mother . . .

Narration: Bruce Wayne is left a wealthy boy by the unsolved murder of his socialite parents. But all the money in the world can't buy back his parents' lives . . . or still the turmoil in his young heart.

New location: We see the inside of Bruce Wayne's bedroom. His uncle peaks through the door. Bruce Wayne is already kneeling beside his bed, folding his hands together and bowing his head in prayer.]

Uncle Philip: Don't forget to say your prayers, Bruce.

Young Bruce Wayne: I never forget them, Uncle Philip.

Uncle Philip: There's a good lad. Good night.

Bruce Wayne (praying silently): --and I swear by the spirits of my parents to avenge their deaths, by spending the rest of my life warring on all criminals! Please, dear God -- Help my keep my promise! I'll do anything--!

Below, this scene is recapitulated in another source: Bruce Wayne recalls the night his parents died, when he said a prayer and swore to avenge his his parents. A bat appears to him, which he sees as an omen, a sign of the symbol he will use in his war on criminals. These memories or images appear to Bruce Wayne after he was exposed to a psychoactive pharmaceutical agent produced by his enemy, the Scarecrow. Later he recalls the same scene, appearing essentially the same, while not under the influence of any chemical agents: "I swear by the spirits of my parents to avenge their deaths by spending the rest of my life warring on all criminals. A Bat! It's an omen! I shall become-- [Batman].

Source of excerpt below: Batman: Dark Detective #2, page 14; reprinted in Batman: Dark Detective trade paperback (DC Comics, 2006), page 40; written by Steve Englehart, pencilled by Marshall Rogers, inked by Terry Austin:

Below: Batman thinks back on the night that he prayed and swore to avenge the death of his parents. Source of excerpt below: Batman: Dark Detective #3, page 16; reprinted in Batman: Dark Detective trade paperback (DC Comics, 2006), page 86; written by Steve Englehart, pencilled by Marshall Rogers, inked by Terry Austin:

Bruce Wayne Talks to His Deceased Father and Receives the Bat Symbol

During his first foray into amateur crime-fighting, Bruce Wayne is severely injured by common street criminals and prostitutes who are clearly unafraid of him, despite his fighting prowess. Bruce Wayne manages to get himself home to his mansion. While he lies dazed and bleeding, he realizes that he needs a way to make criminals afraid of him, so he can more effectively fight crime. Bruce Wayne speaks directly to his deceased father, whose murder has inspired him to embark on this unusual path. As if in answer to Bruce's pleas, a bat crashes through a window. Bruce Wayne now knows the symbol he will use to create fear in criminals: a bat.

This scene can be read as a prayer. Is Bruce Wayne actually speaking to his deceased father? Does his father hear him? Is Bruce Wayne speaking to God, his "Father" in Heaven? On the most literal level, Wayne seems to be addressing his Earthly father, the late Thomas Wayne. Yet even in this scene, it is not clear whether Bruce Wayne has a literal belief that there is an afterlife to which his mother and father have gone. In fact, one could argue that if Bruce Wayne had a normative Christian-type belief in an afterlife, he might have been able to eventually accept the death of his parents enough to begin living a "normal" life. Instead, Bruce Wayne constantly re-lives the murders of his parents and transforms himself into an inhuman engine of vigiliante vengeance.

The three pages below are from: Batman: Year One #1, pages 20-22; republished in Batman: Year One trade paperback, published by DC Comics (2005); written by Frank Miller and illustrated by David Mazzucchelli:

Bruce Wayne's thoughts in this scene:
Father . . . I'm afraid. I may have to die tonight. I've tried to be patient. I've tried to wait. But I have to know. How, father? How do I do it? What do I use . . . to make them afraid? If I ring this bell, Alfred will come. He can stop the bleeding in time. Another of your gifts to me, father. I have wealth. The family manor rests above a huge cave that will be the perfect headquarters . . . even a butler with training in combat medicine . . . yes, father. I have everything but patience. I'd rather die . . . than wait . . . another hour. I have waited . . . eighteen years . . . eighteen years . . . since Zorro. The Mask of Zorro. Since the walk. That night. And the man with frightened, hollow eyes and a voice like glass being crushed.

[In his mind's eye, Bruce Wayne recalls the memory that is never far from his mind: He sits between his parents in a movie theater. He walks away from the theater with his parents. A mugger points a gun at them. The criminal shoots his father and mother, killing them both, before running away into the night. Young Bruce Wayne kneels beside their fallen bodies.]

. . . since all sense left my life. Without warning, it comes . . . crashing through the window of your study . . . and mine . . .

[A bat crashes through the window Bruce is staring at.]

. . . I have seen it before . . . somewhere . . . it frightened me as a boy . . . frightened me . . . yes. Father. I shall become a bat.

Bruce Wayne's Buddhist studies in the Orient

In Detective Comics #599, Bruce Wayne is interviewed by his defense attorneys about the time he spent studying martial arts in East Asia. These scenes include both flashbacks of and Bruce Wayne's own explanations of this time period. These scenes make it clear that Bruce Wayne not only studied martial arts during this time, he also actively studied East Asian religion, particularly Buddhism, and endeavored to follow Buddhist paths - at least while under the tutelage of Buddhist trainers. From: Detective Comics #599 (April 1989), "Blind Justice: Part 2", DC Comics: New York City; written by Sam Hamm, pencilled by Denys Cowan, inked by Dick Giordano; page 5-9:

ATTORNEY: We got the disclosure papers. Someone's done some serious digging into your past -- and they've got you in bed with some pretty unsavory types. Have you had a chance to look at that itinerary?

BRUCE WAYNE: It's basically accurate. For East, Europe -- I was there but . . .

ATTORNEY: A lot of the evidence is circumstantial. Still-- We're going to need a convincing explanation of what you were doing all those year you spent overseas.

BRUCE WAYNE: Well, I was traveling.

ATTORNEY: Bruce, we've got to convince a jury. On the basis of what you've told us, I'm not convinced myself. Now, let's start with the first name in that folder . . . Chu Chin Li. Did you know him?

[Bruce recalls martial being trained in extremely physically demanding martial arts by a Chinese master.]

BRUCE WAYNE: He was my teacher.

ATTORNEY: What the hell did he teach you?

[BRUCE WAYNE'S FLASHBACK: He is in a monastery, with a few monks in the background. Bruce, nearly naked except for trunks, is covered with acupuncture needles.]
CHU CHIN LI: The pain. Has it subsided?

BRUCE WAYNE: My lower back -- still aching. I can't move my arm yet . . . I'm sorry, Sensei. I've allowed my body to fail me.

CHU CHIN LI: It is not a failure of the body. It is a failure of understanding. What is to do good? In a word, it is to endure suffering. Your skills are great. But you are unmindful of The Way, and negligence is an extreme thing.

BRUCE WAYNE: Sensei-- I will purge my heart. I want to succeed in The Way.

CHU CHIN LI: To die without gaining one's aim is a dog's death. The time has come that I must ask you . . . are you . . .

[END OF FLASHBACK]

ATTORNEY: Are you holding out on us?

BRUCE WAYNE: What?

ATTORNEY: You heard me, Bruce. Are you holding out on us? A rich American winds up in some God-forsaken monastery with an old Asian martial arts master??

BRUCE WAYNE: You know how it is. College kids, Eastern mysticism . . . People go through silly phases.

[BRUCE WAYNE'S FLASHBACK: He is in the Chinese monastery, in a martial arts training dojo, fighting an opponent.]

BRUCE WAYNE: You wished to speak to me, Master?

CHU CHIN LI: Yes, my son. You are my dearest pupil. Yet I sense a fatal ambivalence in your heart. The Way is no mere discipline, to be studied and sampled. It is a philosophy of life. It requires absolute submission. There is nothing more I can teach you-- until you choose between this world, and the one you left.

BRUCE WAYNE: My task lies elsewhere, Sensei. I suppose I've known it all along. If I've brought you shame, I am heartily sorry.

[We see Bruce Wayne leaving the Buddhist monastery. END OF FLASHBACK]

ATTORNEY: I don't suppose he tried to-- brainwash you?

BRUCE WAYNE: What??

BRUCE WAYNE: His other pupils included sons of diplomats -- Red Army regulars -- not to mention assorted members of the Chinese mafia. Adding you to the team would've been quite a coup. Rought crowd, all right. The old boy should have stuck with aerobics. Says here he got himself beheaded two years back.

BRUCE WAYNE: Then he won't be testifying, will he?

ATTORNEY: Dammit, Bruce. These accusations are no joke. If you're innocent . . . then tell us the truth. It's your only defense!

[Bruce Wayne pictures himself sitting in court, wearing his Batman costume without his mask on, explaining to the judge that he is "not really a foreign agent," that he's really Batman. Bruce realizes that this won't work.]

ATTORNEY: Korea. Thailand. The Philippines. Come one, Bruce. They can place you smack in the middle of the Golden Triangle . . . A hotbed of drug runners and global racketeers, and this thing with Tsunetomo, your Yakuza pal . . No, let me guess. More martial arts.

OTHER ATTORNEY: Why this obsession?? Do you have a-- pathological fear of muggers?

BRUCE WAYNE: I've explained that. It's more than just . . . learning to fight. It's a spiritual discipline.

[BRUCE WAYNE'S FLASHBACK: He is in a primitive wooden building, a Japanese dojo. Bruce wears Japanese-style robes and sits with his legs folded before a Japanese teacher.]
TSUNETOMO: I respect you, WAyne-Sn. It is rare for a man to request his own death. It shows deep enlightenment. For a Westerner.

BRUCE WAYNE: Thank you for obliging me.

TSUNETOMO: Before I depart, let me offer my advice. Feel your heartbeat. Feel the blood as it courses through your veins. Know your body, and master it--utterly. When you have mastered your body, you have mastered time. Time is a subjective thing. A year can be live in a single second. Make time your ally.

[Bruce Wayne lies prone. He hears a sound. Four black-clad ninjas burst through the paper walls and attack. Bruce Wayne is instantly standing in a fighting stance. He defeats the ninjas handily.]

TSUNETOMO: An instant is all you will have. In that time you must become your foe. You must enter his mind, anticipate his attack. Make his skill your own. Seek your own death. Become it--and you will thwart it.

TSUNETOMO: Excellent. Four attackers disabled, with no loss of life. You have earned your "diploma" -- by surviving. Allow me to congratulate you . . .

[Tsunetomo reaches to shake Bruce's hand, but actually pulls a knife on Bruce. Bruce deflects his trainer's thrust, catches the dropped knife, and holds it to his trainer's neck.]

TSUNETOMO: Congratulations again. By the way, you appear to have taken a bullet in your leg.

BRUCE WAYNE: What--? [He looks down at his wound.]

TSUNETOMO: Admirable. Your body has learned to stanch he bleeding by instinct. Now have it bandaged . . . and write me a check.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

ATTORNEY: A spiritual discipline, huh? Frankly, Bruce, that's the part that bothers us. You fit the psychological profile perfectly. Your parents were brutally murdered . . . Alone, traumatized, looking for guidance . . . You'd be ripe for plucking by some sinister Eastern cult.

OTHER ATTORNEY: So who's calling the shots? Chu Chin Li, or Tsunetomo, or--

BRUCE WAYNE: That's enough! I'm not some weak-willed dupe. Whatever I did, it was on my own initiative . . . For my own reasons. And I don't want my parents coming into this.

ATTORNEY: Tell it to the prosecution. We're just saying what they'll say.

Dialogue: Is Batman Truly Religious?

Our response:
Thank you for taking the time to write.

I want to make this page as accurate as possible. Many people have written to us about this page and the information comes from many sources. But I am always happy to receive additional input and frequently modify the page, adding or changing listings as new information becomes available.

Nobody has asked about Batman's classification before. This is a classification based on many other sources and lists compiled by others. I think many people take Batman's Catholic background as a given... but of course you are correct that it is not typically explicitly stated. When time allows, I plan to compile a page specifically for Batman, which can discuss this subject in detail.

Personally, I think of Batman as an exquisitely bad Catholic.

I'm not an expert on Batman, but I've read a considerable amount of Batman comics, and I can't recall ever seeing anything that would indicate that the character is non-Catholic. When the character's home life and upbringing is portrayed, the imagery seems pervasively Catholic, as does the overall subtext of the character. The character has been portrayed praying by his parents' gravestone. Batman's wedding (older version of the character) to Catwoman was shown in a Catholic church in comic that introduced the Huntress (their daughter). One could argue that some of this imagery could be Episcopalian, but I think that would ignore the psychology of the character as well as his Gothic setting.

I appreciate the tip about the Year II statements about God. That's the kind of detail that would be perfect to include in an expanded page about Batman's religious affiliation and beliefs. Whether or not Batman believes in God has nothing to do with his religious background and religious affiliation, but it is indeed an important consideration. There will invariably be some subjectivity to how one views Batman and the character's beliefs, religiosity, and ethics. How best to describe these aspects of the character is probably not an easily settled question given the massive amount of printed material (not to mention film, television, radio, etc.) available about this long-lived character.

- webmaster, adherents.com

Batman struggles with spiritual/religious concepts as he tries to come to terms with the death and resurrection of Jason Todd (the second Robin)

The "Under the Hood" storyline from Batman #s 635-641 (2005) provides an excellent example of how Batman struggles with spiritual and religious concepts, typically refusing to accept such realities even in the face of overwhelming evidence.

This issues of Batman were written by Judd Winick, pencilled by Doug Mahnke and Paul Lee, and inked by Tom Nguyen and Cam Smith.

In this mult-part story, Batman encounters the mysterious "Red Hood," who unmasks to reveal that he is Jason Todd, who was previously Batman's sidekick, the second "Robin." Batman knows that Robin died at the hands of their arch-enemy, the Joker. So Batman wants to get to the bottom of this new mystery: Who is this person who claims to be Jason Todd? The last thing that Batman wants to do is accept the reality that this person is indeed the original Jason Todd, now resurrected and back from the dead. Such a thing flies in the face of Batman's typically materialist/non-religious beliefs.

Batman consults with mystics and asks them about the possibilities of people returning from the dead. To this end, he consults with his fellow Justice League teammate, Zatanna and world-renowned occult specialist Jason Blood (counterpart to Etrigan, the Demon).

Batman next visits his fellow Justice Leager the Green Arrow, who really did die, go to Heaven, and return. Batman knows this happened, and he was there for some of these events, but he seems completely incapable of grasping these facts.

Batman then visits his old friend Superman, who also "died," in a way, although Superman says that what happened to him was only a semblance of death.

In the wake of Jason Todd's return, Batman has begun to wonder if, as much as it doesn't make sense to him, people, including Superman, really were dead and then returned from death. Discounting Superman's explanation about being in a "death-like state," Batman tells his old friend: "It was easier to fall back on that than admit the harder truth... That it has nothing to do with science . . . or logic . . . You were dead, and you came back to life."

Superman doesn't agree with Batman's suggestion that he was truly dead. Still, Superman points out that they both know other people who really have died and returned: the aforementioned Green Arrow, as well as Metamorpho and Hal Jordan (Green Lantern).

Superman points out that this "isn't science."

Batman responds, "It has been for me.

Batman struggles with what to think about these events. He simply must be able to categorize even these extraordinary events in a scientific way. He tells Superman, "I've always had answers. The facts, for every one of them we lost, whether they thought it was about Heaven, or God, or even magic . . . Magic, mysticism . . . is just another realm's science. I know that, but . . . now . . ."

Batman is at a loss for words. Regardless of how he categorizes it, Batman does not want to accept the reality of such an ostensibly "religious" concept as life after death, resurrection, or an eternal spirit or soul. He seems desperate to avoid considering the possibility that "religious doctrines" such as this may have some basis in empirical reality.

Left: Batman stands before the grave marker of Jason Todd, the second Robin. After Jason died, Batman chose an Episcopalian-style Christian cross for the grave marker. [Source: cover of Batman #639, published by DC Comics (2005), written by Judd Winick, cover art by Matt Wagner; reprinted in Batman: Under the Hood trade paperback (2005).]

Below: Batman cradles the lifeless body of Jason Todd, the second Robin. The Joker murdered Jason. Batman wonders: At the end of his life, was Jason praying that Batman would come save him? [Source: Batman #641, published by DC Comics (2005), page 1; written by Judd Winick, pencilled by Doug Mahnke and Paul Lee, inked by Tom Nguyen and Cam Smith; reprinted in Batman: Under the Hood trade paperback (2005).]

Right: This panel aptly captures the general differences in the philosophical and religious thinking of Batman and Superman. Encountering a certain mystery, Superman here suggests a mystical explanation. Batman tells him to "not go off the deep end" and insists there must be a "simple answer", by which he means a "scientific" or materialist explanation. Superman and Batman are the world's best known superheroes. As is the case in this example, Superman is typically portrayed as more religious and Batman is portrayed as more secular. Superman more readily accepts the reality of magic, mysticism and religious concepts. In fact, he is keenly aware that magic is one of his major weaknesses. Batman might view Superman's perspective as more "naive." Batman is more skeptical about things that he can't apply a scientific explanation to. In fact, Batman is sometimes portrayed as skeptical to the point of narrow-mindedness. Batman's inability to accept the reality of things that might be traditionally classified as "religious" or "supernatural" has even been portrayed in some stories as one of his greatest weaknesses. Superman's typically "hopeful" demeanor and Batman's dour "realism" are other manifestations of this dichotomy. [Source: "The Cape and Cowl Crooks" in World's Finest #159, published by DC Comics (August 1966), page 14; written by Edmond Hamilton, pencilled by Curt Swan, inked by George Klein; reprinted in Superman/Batman: The Greatest Stories trade paperback, DC Comics (2007), page 60.]

Some Religious References in Batman: Arkham Asylum

As this graphic novel was written by acclaimed comic book master writer Grant Morrison and focuses on the psyche of Batman as well as his rogues gallery, it is not surprising that this book is replete with religious references. Some of Morrison's notes about his use of religious themes and symbols in this graphic novel are excerpted below, taken from the 15th anniversary edition, which included the complete final draft of Morrison's script.

PAGE 15: "SOME SAY GOD IS AN INSECT . . ." - from the film WUSA (starring Anthony Perkins). A number of Anthony Perkins lines are contained within the book...

"I BELIEVE GOD IS IN MAN" - also from WUSA, the continuation of the 'God is an insect . . .' line.

[These lines were spoken by patients at Arkham Asylum after Batman entered there in exchange for hostages.]

PAGE 20: The idea of Joker's "super-sanity" haunted me for years and eventually developed into my theories of multiple personality complexes as the next stage in human consciousness development.

PAGE 27: Clown Fish are represented for the purpose of illustrating the circus clown/Joker imagery. Their ability to change sex being another reference to the shamanistic transvestism theme which appears throughout. The Fish is also representative of Christ (think of the classic Christian Fish symbol which appears on bumber stickers across America, also known as Vescica Pisces).

PAGE 32: Batman pushes the glass into his palm. His face creases with the flare of pain. This act deepens some of the ritual symbolism of the story. The recurring Fish motif - which relates to Pisces, the astrological attribution of the Moon card - also relates to Christ, who in turn can be linked to the Egyptian God Osiris, whose life and descent into the underworld parallels with the story of Amadeus Arkham... so Batman is here inflicting upon himself one of Christ's wounds...

PAGE 35: This was originally a shamanic cannibal sequence, of which only vague hints, suggestions and shadowy threats remain.

PAGE 47: Masonic ideas of the "Widow's Son," Christ, the Celtic figure of Mabon vab Modron and other esoteric mysteries are all alluded to here.

PAGE 50: Batman drags himself up onto the roof of Arkham. More gargoyles brood on the roof ledge. Batman looks towards the object we can see in the foreground - it is the lower part of the statue of St. Michael and Satan... Close up on Batman's reaction to what he's seeing. His face shows a mixture of awe and inspiration - like the face of a saint, visited by the Holy Spirit... Powerful image now of the statue, set against the stressed and churning sky. It is a religious, fearful moment, full of that same mythical intensity I keep talking about. There is an unearthly light source that adds spiritual drama and grandeur to the scene. Just looking at it should make us want to fall to our knees and hide our faces from the terrible holy actuality of it.

PAGE 51: Killer Croc stands in for the Old Dragon of Revelation. The Dragon can be seen to represent primal chaos, the R complex lizard brain. The spear, the weapon of rational intellect, is used to conquer the brute appetites of nature and man. St. Michael thus bound the dragon in Hell, just as Croc is bound in the cellars of Arkham.

In Qabalistic numerology, Christ = Satan = Messiah, which is why Croc appears here in crucifixion pose, taking the place of Christ on this blasphemous cross. In this scene, Batman reunites Christ and Serpent, then confronts and overcomes his own attachment to his Mother in a perverse nightmare of lizards, lace and bridal embroidery.

PAGE 59: The deranged Cavendish [head of Arkham Asylum] has clearly worked an act of bad magic - in a misguided effort to exorcise the spirit of Arkham he has instead invoked the demonic Death Bat in its form as Batman. As we've seen all polarities go into reverse on All Fools Day including those of magical intent.

PAGE 62: The "weak," confused Batman of the earlier parts of the book vanishes here to be replaced by a more familiar character. From a Jungian POV, his anima has vanquished his shadow. He has merged with his own myth - the Death Bat - and become part man, part numinous legend.

PAGE 64: Batman transforms from sacrificial lamb to Redeemer here. More Christian mystery biz.

PAGE 65: The Joker's role as Trickster/Guide through the underworld is no more apparent than here, where he seems happy to let Batman go. The Joker's work is done, he has broken and remade his old enemy. In the reversal reality of the Feast of Fools, it's the arch-villain who dos the most good, while the hero is ineffective and lost until the conclusion. This seemed a much richer, more satisfying and more dynamic way to consider the Batman/Joker dynamic.

PAGE 66: Batman has faces his own personal Abyss, integrated his psychological demons and emerged stronger and more sane from the other side of the looking glass... Having been through the reversal of all his normal valencies, the '80s Batman, purified and purged of negative elements, is returned to Gotham City to become the super-confident, zen warrior of my subsequent JLA stories.

[This script contains many, many more religious references (not excerpted here), to themes and images as varied as Tarot, I-Ching and Aleister Crowley.]

Batman screenwriter Sam Hamm: Batman's Psyche

So what have we got here? A millionaire who dresses up as a bat to fight crime. Fans continually debate which is the "dominant" personality -- does Bruce pose as Batman, or does Batman pose as Bruce? -- but the question seems dramatically irrelevant to me. After all, he was Bruce first. Something drove him to put on the cowl, and something must drive him to keep on wearing it.

Most comics writers point, with a relentlessness approaching tedium, to the primal moment that scarred him forever -- the murder of his parents. What does that explain? OK, his parents get killed by a mugger. In any major urban center, worse things happen to poor people every day. Yet the streets are not overrun with well-meaning vigilantes who don gaudy costumes and fight evildoers as a way of dealing with their various childhood traumas. After all, crime breeds criminals more often than crimefighters.

What all this suggested to me was that Bruce had become Batman as a result of being spoiled. He had grown up with sufficient money and leisure to luxuriate in his own tragedy, to wallow in the false sense that it made him somewhow unique. In other words, Bruce had never learned to cut his losses. For good or bad, he'd become addicted to his own pain -- and he relied on the outward nobility of his missoin to conceal the true perversity of his addiction. In this psychological scheme the Batman persona would function both as the symptom of, and justification for, his madness. To keep it alive, he'd have to relive the death of his parents again and again, killing them anew each night.

NARRATION: For a man who cannot sleep, dreams pose a curious threat. Bruce Wayne's dedication is unstinting. His motives -- though some might argue otherwise -- are noble. But still, one dream torments him. And the odd part is . . . he's wide awake.

Awake or asleep -- it scarcely matters anymore. The nightmare never seems to end. It taunts him around the clock -- subverting his resolve as insiduously as any foe he's ever faced. Each time, his parents die before his eyes. Each time, he is the instrument of their doom.

"You could've let it scar your life. But you didn't."

That's what the girl said. She admired him then. If only she'd known.

Suffering is universal. Most people put it aside, look to the future, get on with the business of living. And some of them have surely suffered more than Bruce. Why can't he follow their example?

Night after night he reopens the same bloody wound. Does he crave the pain, the sense of violation? Does he thrive on his own torment? He's rich, handsome, powerful. Why can't he be grateful for what he has? Why, why, and why?

All at once, with lacerating clarity, the answer is upon him: That's how Batman wants it.

The world is full of evil. It needs a Batman -- to help the weak, to mete out justice. And yet, each night, it's Bruce who pays the cost.

If Justice turned its eye on Bruce, Batman would surely set him free. He'd make friends. Fall in love. Live his life -- as normal people do. There'd be no more anguish. No more dreams. No more wracking guilt when he tries to do the right thiing -- and fails. Surely he deserves no less . . .

But justice is blind.

Blind as a bat.

[This narration accompanies a scene in which Bruce watches a television set and sees a waking nightmare: the murder of his parents, with a macabre-looking Batman pulling the trigger and laughing. The adult Bruce Wayne sees his younger self standing helplessly beside the fallen bodies of his parents, and then the Batman figure takes the boy's hand and slowly walks off ito the night, leaving the bleeding bodies of Bruce's parents on the ground.]

The Psyche of Batman's Rogue's Gallery

HENRI DUCARD (thinking): Batman. His deductive talents seem highly overrated. It doesn't take great intellect to tackle street crime. Luck and timing are the operative skills. No, what interests me . . . is the fact that he functions as a lightning rod for a certain breed of psychotic. [pictures of the Joker, the Riddler, and Two-Face are shown successively] They specialize in absurdly grandiose schemes, and whatever the ostensible rationale -- greed, revenge, the seizue of power . . . their true agenda is always the same: to cast Batman in the role of nemesis. Hence the puns, the riddles, the flagrant clues in their collective wake -- daring their foe to penetrate the obvious. He always triumphs. If he failed, they'd be bereft. The pas de deux would have no point. Like naughty children, who tempt the wrath of a stern, demanding father . . . They seek only to shock him by the enormity of their transgressions. It's the moment of acknolwedgement they crave.

Thus "good" conquers "evil." True evil seldom announces itself so loudly. The dangerous ones set their subservive goals, and achieve them, bit by bit . . . invisibly, inevitably. They have no taste for theater. While Batman busies himself with petty thieves and gaudy madmen, an abyss of rot yawns ever wider at his feet. He's a band-aid on a cancer patient. I am of course no moralist, but this Batman, I think, has a very poor understanding of the world.

Which brings us back to Bruce. In his way, he too is an innocent: shackled to a defective notion of morality . . . craving power, but blind to the price it exacts of one's soul. Poor strange lad, his energies misdirected as always. The cartel file has clarified a number of things. Fate wronged him once. Cruelly. Incomprehensibly. And so he took the offensive against fate -- determined never again to be caught unawares. Batman must be a similar type. In fact, were it not for Bruce's recent debilitating tragedy . . . I might be inclined to suspect . . .

[In his hotel room, Ducard sees a television broadcast in confirms his suspicions...]

REPORTER: [addressing a non-responsive Commissioner Gordon apparently outside the police station] How about it, Commissioner? Is there some kind of departmental coverup? Word on the street is that Batman's vanished -- for almost two weeks now.

COMMISSIONER GORDON: No comment!

[Ducard knows Bruce Wayne very well, having trained him in Europe. Ducard realizes that Bruce Wayne is Batman, and later confronts him with this knowledge, although he doesn't use this secret against Batman, for now.]

Above: Dr. Bartholemew Wolper, a popular psychologist and social scientist, explains how Batman's existence actually creates the conditions that lead to the emergence of super-villains such as Two-Face (Harvey Dent) and the Joker. [Source: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #s 1-2 (1986), DC Comics: New York City; reprinted in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns hardcover edition, DC Comics: New York City (2002), pages 47, 66; written and pencilled by Frank Miller, inked by Klaus Janson, colored by Lynn Varley.]

Text from: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1 (1986), DC Comics: New York City; reprinted in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns hardcover edition, DC Comics: New York City (2002), page 47; written and pencilled by Frank Miller, inked by Klaus Janson, colored by Lynn Varley:

DR. BARTHOLEMEW WOLPER: Yes, Merv. I am convinced of Harvey's innocence. Absolutely. However, I won't go so far as to say I'm sure he hasn't returned to crime.

I know that sounds confusing. These things often do to the layman. But I'll try to explain without getting overly technical. You see, it all gets down to this Batman fellow. Batman's psychotic sublimative/psycho-erotic behavior pattern is like a net. Weak-egoed neurotics, like Harvey, are drawn into corresponding intersticing patterns.

You might say Batman commits the crimes . . . using his so-called villains as narcissistic proxies . . .

MAN ON THE STREET: . . . a ruthless, monstrous vigilante, striking at the foundations of our democracy -- maliciously opposed to the principles that make ours the most noble nation in the world -- and the kindest . . .

ANOTHER MAN ON THE STREET: . . . Frankly, I'm surprised there aren't a hundred like him out there-- A thousand people are fed up with terror -- with stupid laws and social cowardice. He's only taking back what's ours . . .

TED KOPPEL (NEWS SHOW HOST): These -- and many, many others -- are the reactions to a pheomenon that has struck a nerve center in our society -- the return of the Batman. Tonight, we will examine his impact on our consciousness. From Metroplis -- we have Lana Lang, managing editor of the Daily Planet . . . Joining us from Gotham City -- Dr. Bartholemew Wolper, popular psychologist and social scientist, author of the best-selling Hey -- I'm Okay . . . With us tonight from his office in Washington -- Presidential media advisor Chuck Brick.

Dr. Wolper -- You have claimed that the Batman is himself responsible for the crimes he fights. Still, crime rates have shown a steady drop in the weeks since his return. How do you explain this?

DR. BARTHOLEMEW WOLPER: I'm glad you asked me that question, Ted. It is true that this Batman has terrorized the economically disadvantaged and socially misaligned -- but his effects are far from positive. Picture the public psyche as a vast, moist membrane -- through the media, Batman has struck this membrane a vicious blow, and it has recoiled. Hence, your misleading statistics. But you see, Ted, the membrane is flexible -- and permeable. Here the more significant effects of the blow become calculable, even predictable. To wit -- Every anti-social act can be traced to irresponsible media input. Given this, the presence of such an aberrant, violent force in the media can only lead to anti-social programming. Just as Harvey Dent -- who's recovering steadily, thanks for asking -- assumed the role of ideological doppleganger to the Batman, so a whole new generation, confused and angry -- will be bent to the matrix of Batman's pathological self-delusion. Batman is, in this context -- and pardon the term -- a social disease . . .

LANA LANG: That's the dumbest load of . . .

TED KOPPEL (NEWS SHOW HOST): Lana-- Please-- The Network-- Mr. Brick-- The President has remained silent on this issue. Don't you -- and he -- feel that the national uproar over the batman warrants, if not action, a statement of position?

CHUCK BRICK: Heck, Ted. He'll get around to a press conference sooner or later. But the President's got to keep his eye on the big picture, y'know? And this Batman flaptrap, well . . . It's noisy, all right. That big cape and pointy ears -- It's great show biz. And you know the President [Reagan] knows his show biz. You just keep your shorts on, Ted . . . Pretty soon now the ratings'll drop on this one and it'll blow over. Besides, I think the whole thing' just as likely a hoax. Networks've done worse. I mean, Batboy'd be pushing sixty by now-- if he ever was real. Funny nobody's ever taken a picture of him . . . mighty funny, I say . . .

TED KOPPEL (NEWS SHOW HOST): Miss Lang, you are the Batman's most vocal supporter. How can you condone behavior that's so blatantly illegal? What about due process -- civil rights?

LANA LANG: We live in the shadow of crime, Ted, with the unspoken understanding that we are victims -- of fear, of violence, of social impotence. A man has risen to show us that the power is, and always has been, in our hands. We are under siege -- he's showing us that we can resist.

TED KOPPEL (NEWS SHOW HOST): Lana-- You haven't exactly answered my question . . .

MORRIE: Lana, you astonish me. Fifteen policement hospitalized -- hundreds dead -- and still you cling to this hero worship. Though how anyone can think of a de facto murder as a hero . . .

LANA LANG: Batman hasn't killed anybody, Morrie.

MORRIE: Perhaps he hasn't -- technically. That's why I said de facto, Lana Dear. Still, it's hardly a coincidence that the Joker came out of a ten-year catatonia -- now, of all times . . .

Additional References about Batman's Religious Affiliation

With or without overt references to religion, superhero stories resonate for people of faith, says Greg Garrett, author of "Holy Superheroes! Exploring Faith & Spirituality in Comic Books."'

"In the process of telling their stories of human - and superhuman - characters, comics deal with issues near and dear to our hearts: faith, hope, belief, guilt, justice, redemption, ultimate meaning, ultimate evil," he writes in the book's introduction.

Garrett, a professor of English at Baylor University in Texas, is seeking his Master of Divinity degree at Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest.

He says... Batman can be seen as "an avatar of God's justice." Spider-Man teaches lessons about power and responsibility.

"I think when I go to superheroes, I see there is a religious metaphor to begin with," says comic-book writer Steven T. Seagle...

Superman as Methodist? Batman a lapsed Catholic? A Web site, www.adherents.com/lit/comics/comic_book_religion.html, provides a lengthy list of comicbook superheroes and indications of their religious beliefs. Some are firmly established in the comics, such as the X-Men's Nightcrawler as Catholic. Others, such as the belief that Superman was raised as a Methodist, are up for debate.

Delve more deeply into comic book metaphysics, and you can explore the actual or surmised religious affiliations of dozens of superheroes by clicking on the "Comic Book Characters" link at www.adherents.com. Or visit its image-packed companion page, www.ComicBookReligion.com.

Superman is a Methodist and Jimmy Olsen is Lutheran? The Thing is Jewish? Elektra is Greek Orthodox? The X-Men's Nightcrawler is a devout Catholic who once wanted to be a priest? Batman is either a mostly lapsed Catholic or a mostly lapsed Episcopalian?

Yes . . . or more often, maybe.

There have been reverent comic books about Pope John Paul II and Mother Teresa, but secular publishers - especially the two dominant ones, Marvel Entertainment and DC Comics - have often avoided or only hinted at their superheroes' faith lives.

For many people. December is a month which contains celebrations of religious, spiritual or cultural significance. For many people. December is a month which contains celebrations of religious, spiritual or cultural significance. In recognition of that, this month the Tarts pick out what they consider to be the best representations of spirituality in comic books...

Rebecca: While there are few comics which are explicitly religious (i.e., the primary focus of the story is religion), there are quite a few titles which incorporate spirituality into the overarching story - and do it well...

At the top of my list is HeroBear and the Kid (Astonish)...

Next would be the long out of print Elseworlds [DC's imprint for non-continuity stories featuring DC Universe characters], Batman: Holy Terror (DC). Imagine a world in which ultra-fanatical Puritans control the United States. After his parents are murdered, Bruce Wayne searches for peace for years, and finally finds it as a minister, doing God's work. But when he discovers the truth behind his parents' murder, he begins to question everything he has ever believed - including his belief in God.

In almost every way, the supermen presented in glorious four color and newsprint are exemplars of Nietzsche's philosophy in pop culture. Let's look at a few examples of how they're the best examples and then I'll share with you the two I consider to be the BEST of the BEST examples.

1. Rise above the Herd and live glorious lives . . .

2. . . . That ultimately end in Tragedy.

Nearly every super hero is in the midst of a mission that cannot be successful... Spider-Man and Batman will never be able to save their lost loved ones no matter how many people they protect each night. Each catastrophe is averted, but a few more lives are lost, a bit more property is destroyed, a few more comrades fall. And when they wake up the next morning, they'll be ready to do it all over again. THAT'S tragic optimism.

3. Become the next step in human evolution.

4. ...[doesn't belong] to any organized religion... in true Nietzsche fashion, the heroes are arrayed against the gods as often as they are the agents of the gods. In a world devoid of religion, a standard for ethics and morality can only come from within... Batman ignores the law in order to serve Justice. If you are living the life of the ubermensch, then mere morality cannot hold you accountable.

Unfortunately, this is also where the parallels fall apart a little. Nietzsche would be horrified how often the ubermensch of comics are tending the needs of the Herd and protecting the status quo... Batman operates outside the law, but refuses to kill even the most deranged dangers to the lives he holds dear. Is he REALLY serving the public good by not ending the Joker's rampages once and for all? According to Nietzsche, the superhero may actually be a bigger failure than the Herd. In every way they live the Dionysian lifestyle, but they can't quite let go of their last vestige of mere humanity...

Up until I sat down to write this post, I believed that Batman exemplified Nietzsche's ideal. After all, here is a man who had everything important in his life taken away from him while he was too young to do anything about it. He did not fall into the quiet misery to which so many of the Herd would have succumbed. He took his sadness, his drive, his ambition and his existing advantages and forged a new destiny for himself through sheer force of Will. When the Herd's laws were shown to be a hindrance, Batman ignored them in the interest of his self imposed definition of Justice. In the face of a hopeless war, he fights on night after night, losing a little bit more of what ties him to humanity with each sunrise. He trains lieutenants despite a loner nature because he knows the work must go on when he inevitably succumbs and his mind or body fails him. Batman has so separated himself from humanity that he barely bothers to maintain the so-called secret identity. Bruce Wayne is merely another tool he uses in service of higher ideals. Batman has had very few love interests, even fewer friends and has even managed to alienate Nightwing, the original Robin, a man he raised, because of devotion to his ideals. Batman even holds himself aloof from the other ubermensch, believing himself to be superior to them because he does what they do without the benefit of special powers even as he's separated from the Herd by the fact that he can keep up with the other super heroes. All these things are true, but I kept coming back to the major failing of all the super heroes from Nietzsche's standpoint. Batman has morals and CARES for the Herd instead of disdaining them.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized that this is a fundamental flaw. Batman couldn't be the truest ubermensch. Then it hit me like a gamma bomb in the desert. Batman isn't the ubermensch, but the Hulk IS.

From: Thomas Tracy, "Spidey's webs have Jewish roots", published 21 May 2007 in Fort Greene/Clinton Hill Courier (http://www.courierlife.net/site/tab10.cfm?newsid=18369761&BRD=2384&PAG=461&dept_id=552856&rfi=6; viewed 21 May 2007):

...Rabbi Simcha Weinstein, author of "Up, Up, And Oy Vey! How Jewish History, Culture and Values Shaped the Comic Book Superhero." ...Weinstein, founder of the Jewish Student Foundation of Downtown Brooklyn and currently a rabbi for both Pratt Institute and Long Island College Hospital...

But Spider-Man is not the only comic book character to be infused with Jewish values.

Superman, Captain America, the Spirit, Batman and the Incredible Hulk (who Weinstein calls a gamma-radiated golem) all have Jewish themes woven into their masks, capes and cowls and - in the Hulk's case - loincloths.

"Up, Up and Oy Vey" is not meant to lay claim to America's favorite heroes as Jewish, but instead wishes to celebrate an open dialogue, Weinstein said.

"Superheroes are a mixture of religious beliefs and pop culture," said Weinstein. "They're a great way to break down boundaries."

Batman's Politics

The other night, some fellow geeks and I got to talking about some political matters in addition to the usual shop talk and this question was raised: what side of the political spectrum do you think most superheroes come down on?

Now, there are a few obvious gimmies... Of course it's easy for second-tier heroes to have a distinct political identity. Many is the time a writer has used a lesser-known character as a mouthpiece for his own opinions...

But the big guns of the DC Universe? The major icons that everyone knows about? Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman? Well, that's a whole other story. Editorial mandate has kept politics out of their books for the most part, for fear of offending the readers who might just stop buying comics if t