Shades of a Hero
A shadow moves silently through the dimly lit city. Darkness shrouds him as he moves quickly atop the rooftops of the buildings, each motion interlocking seamlessly with the next, creating the illusion of dark ink moving across the structures. A cry rings from somewhere in the night, calling out desperately for assistance. He pauses. Another yell, this time more desperate. He pinpoints the cry and bounds effortlessly toward the sound’s origin: a nearby alleyway where nameless thugs assault a defenseless woman. The dark figure descends noiselessly from his perch above the alleyway, landing unheard behind the nearest thief, white eyes glaring in an eerie contrast from beneath his blackened cowl, his black cape billowing silently behind him. Before he even knows what has happened, the thug is down. Their comrade’s call alerts the would-be assailants, but they are quickly subdued and bound. In an instant, the ordeal is over, and the wraith-like figure glides silently back up to the rooftops of the city. The police find no trace of his passing other than the apprehended criminals and their fear of their invisible attacker. Their intended victim, free of any harm, is left in shock to contemplate her rescuer and her salvation. The name of the mysterious figure is Batman, and although he exists merely as a fictitious character in a comic book or over-budgeted Hollywood action movie, the traits that are the foundation of his character are no less heroic.
There tends to be a lot more depth to Batman’s character than a large number of superheroes. It is worth mentioning that Batman is as susceptible to death as you or I. He has no super strengths, and can be killed by the same means as any other man. The early years of his life were rife with tragedy. His parents were murdered in front of him when he was very young, and he continued to have a difficult childhood. However, instead of giving up, he decided to use his inheritance and the company that his parents had founded to find a way to try to protect other people so that they would not have to go through the same circumstances that he did. This demonstrates one characteristic that I feel is especially required in a hero. That characteristic is perseverance, the will to go on, no matter how formidable the opposition against you, even when everyone who once stood beside them gives up; that is one of the most important things for a hero. It is impossible for one to think of a hero as someone who gives up quickly in a seemingly hopeless situation. Batman shows the willingness to help others, even if it puts him directly in harms way. The characteristics of perseverance and self-sacrifice, as well as many others, are what makes him a hero, not his fancy gadgets, catchy nickname, or stunning costume. It is his personality, the characteristics that make up who he is, and the decisions that he makes, which make him a hero.
There tends to be a lot more depth to Batman’s character than a large number of superheroes. It is worth mentioning that Batman is as susceptible to death as you or I. He has no super strengths, and can be killed by the same means as any other man. The early years of his life were rife with tragedy. His parents were murdered in front of him when he was very young, and he continued to have a difficult childhood. However, instead of giving up, he decided to use his inheritance and the company that his parents had founded to find a way to try to protect other people so that they would not have to go through the same circumstances that he did. This demonstrates one characteristic that I feel is especially required in a hero. That characteristic is perseverance, the will to go on, no matter how formidable the opposition against you, even when everyone who once stood beside them gives up; that is one of the most important things for a hero. It is impossible for one to think of a hero as someone who gives up quickly in a seemingly hopeless situation. Batman shows the willingness to help others, even if it puts him directly in harms way. The characteristics of perseverance and self-sacrifice, as well as many others, are what makes him a hero, not his fancy gadgets, catchy nickname, or stunning costume. It is his personality, the characteristics that make up who he is, and the decisions that he makes, which make him a hero.
by: ChainsawDoom
