Back when Twitter was fun, I joined a conversation about the alarming popularity of villains in US pop culture.
I pointed out that people get tattoos of villains, like the Joker (esp Heath Ledger's version), Walter White and Darth Vader.
I was questioned for suggesting that the power of story can convince people to align with villains because they're relatable. People were shocked by how "gullible" I am.
For my part, I think I underestimated the problem.
@sumpnlikefaith I blame DC. There, I said it. I stopped watching them when they made Batman dark.
@TrueBloodNet Marvel has addressed this in a more direct and nuanced way -- for example: "with great power comes great responsibility."
But Batman is a weird character -- a billionaire vigilante. To me, there is an inherent problem in ignoring the darkness in that story.
@AskTheDevil @TrueBloodNet There is a profound level of cultural detective work going on in the world of Batman, and lots more available.
I'm looking up the Killing Joke -- I haven't heard of it before now.
@sumpnlikefaith There was always some sadness, but Batman was the story of a man controlling his anger, using that energy for good. The whole reason he was a hero was because he didn't let the sadness & anger consume him. It quickly spiraled into you can't tell who is really the better person. There are ways of examining sadness that don't involve turning someone into a bunghole.
With Marvel, turning to darkness always means needing to be rescued. Tony Stark was no saint. Very few are 'dark'
@sumpnlikefaith @TrueBloodNet A violent, mentally-ill, bag of PTSD loaded with wealth and privilege, who punishes individuals but doesn't stop them from continuing to do harm, ignores any laws or rules along the way, and doesn't accept that anyone knows better than he does.
My favorite Batman story is the Killing Joke.