Superman and Batman

There are too many baddies beating up on the good citizens

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Batman Begins is a 2005 American superhero/action film based on the comic book fictional character Batman. The film was first released on June 15, 2005. It was directed by Christopher Nolan and written by Nolan and David S. Goyer. Although it is the fifth live-action Batman film since 1989, the movie is neither a sequel nor a prequel to the previous Tim Burton/Joel Schumacher films, but rather a complete reboot of the Batman series that more closely follows the mood of the Batman comics (much like the film adaptation of The Sum of All Fears in the Jack Ryan series).

Batman Begins explores the origins of the Batman legend and the Dark Knight's emergence as a force for good in Gotham City.

Young Bruce WayneA young Bruce Wayne (Gus Lewis), while playing with young Rachel Dawes (Emma Lockhart), falls down a well and is attacked by a flurry of bats. After his father, Thomas Wayne (Linus Roache), pulls him from the well, Bruce begins having nightmares about bats. One night, the Waynes go to the opera where Bruce becomes scared at some of the dancers' portrayals of bat-like demons (from Mefistofele). Bruce experiences a panic attack and begs his father to leave the theatre early. The family exits into an alley where they are confronted by a mugger, who, despite the calm submission of Thomas, shoots both him and his wife. Fatally wounded with a bullet in his chest, Thomas Wayne's last words to his son are, "Don't be afraid". Bruce is left physically unharmed, but in a state of total mental shock.

While being comforted at the police station by police sergeant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and being told "good news" about the shooter, Joe Chill, being arrested, Bruce is taken home by family butler Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Caine), who raises him in the absence of his parents.

Now a young adult, Bruce (Christian Bale) has returned from Princeton University for the parole hearing of his parents' murderer which was arranged as part of a deal to testify against the crime boss Carmine Falcone (Tom Wilkinson). Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes) is now a Gotham City Assistant District Attorney. The killer is granted parole, but is murdered immediately after the hearing by a mob operative. Bruce Wayne was planning to destroy him as well, but was robbed of the opportunity. When Rachel learns this, she explains the difference between vengeance and justice to Bruce, and then tells him that his father would be ashamed. Bruce becomes ashamed of himself and promptly goes to confront Falcone. After the fateful meeting, Bruce steals away on a cargo ship, and is later arrested and jailed by Chinese police for the theft of goods, which, ironically belong to Wayne Enterprises.

Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne from Batman BeginsThe disillusioned Wayne travels the world seeking the means to fight injustice and "turn fear against those who prey on the fearful." He is approached by Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson) in jail, representing Ra's al Ghul of the League of Shadows, a group of fanatical assassins. Traveling to the home of the League of Shadows in the Himalayas, Wayne learns to use theatrics and deception as his greatest weapons. However, after his training, Ra's and Ducard tell Wayne that he must lead the League to destroy Gotham, a source of evil according to the group. Wayne refuses to destroy the city he loves and battles Ra's before making his escape. Ra's is killed in the battle, but Wayne manages to save Ducard.

Thus prepared, Wayne unveils his alter-ego: Batman, a masked crusader who uses his strength, intellect and an array of high-tech gadgets to combat the sinister forces that threaten the city. Wayne flies back to Gotham with Alfred. To that end, Wayne befriends an unjustly demoted senior company researcher, Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) as his armorer, using his job as lowly caretaker to grant his boss secret access of the various unused company prototypes for his own use. Two of his first foes come in the forms of Falcone and Dr. Jonathan Crane (Cillian Murphy), who later becomes better known as the Scarecrow. Batman eventually discovers that Ducard is actually Ra's, and has conspired with Crane to poison Gotham's water supply with a toxin that would cause the inhabitants of the city to riot, destroying each other and Gotham itself. They battle and Batman eventually defeats Ra's. As the movie ends, a promoted Gordon expresses gratitude for what Batman has done. Gordon explains that a criminal in the lost "Narrows" area of Gotham has left calling cards at all his crime scenes in the form of a Joker playing card.

Visual Storytelling in "Batman Begins"

("Batman Begins" -- Script by Christopher Nolan and David Goyer, story by David Goyer, Characters by Bob Kane)

"Batman Begins" could have simply been a action-filled summer "popcorn movie" -- a film with fun thrills and special effects, but no substance. But is much more than that.

Part of what's admirable about the movie is its use of visual storytelling. I'd like to discuss some of the techniques it uses -- specifically, the utilization of 9 different symbols.

Four Notes About Symbols

Before examining the symbols in "Batman Begins," it might be useful to exactly define a "symbol" and how it operates in a film:

1. A symbol isn't something to be intellectually decoded or "figured out." A symbol in a film, when it's operating correctly, carries with it emotional impact.

The way one does this is: intense emotional experiences happen with the symbol in the frame, or perhaps the symbol is being handled or used by one of the main characters in an emotional moment. Eventually the emotions of the scene(s) "rub off" on the symbol. After that, the symbol evokes emotion in the audience.

(A symbol can also be a phrase or even a word, which takes on emotional connotations just the way an object or location can.)

2. Symbols usually work best when not everyone in the audience notices their operation. One guideline is that about 75% of the audience shouldn't consciously notice, and the remaining 25% should. If too many people notice the symbol, it might be too literal or shallow. If no one notices it, it might be too obscure.

Of course, there are many exceptions to this guideline. For instance, the bats in "Batman Begins" are an obvious symbol, but that doesn't hamper their effectiveness.

3. There are many types of symbols. They operate in completely different ways and enhance a script in very different manners.

4. Symbols add a feeling of emotional depth. Some kinds of symbols add depth to a plot, and thus are what I call "Plot Deepening Techniques." They can also add depth to a character, and these are "Character Deepening Techniques." Or they can add depth to a scene, to dialogue, or to a relationship between two characters.

The reason that they add depth is because they add another layer of emotion. That is, you have the emotion of the scene, and the emotion of the symbol -- thus, two layers. Wherever you have layers, you have depth.

Symbol 1: Bats

Bats are probably the most obvious symbol in the film. They symbolize Bruce Wayne's (Christian Bale's) relationship to fear.

When the use of a symbol, or a character's relationship to a symbol, parallels his Character Arc (his character growth), I call this a "Symbolic Subplot." It's one of the many types of symbols.

Bruce's relationship to bats is a Symbolic Subplot because we know how Bruce is doing relative to his overcoming his fears by watching his changing relationship to bats.

At a critical juncture, he stands in the cave beneath his house with bats swirling all around him, and is no longer fearful. By the end of the movie, he flies like a bat himself, causing fear in others.

This type of symbol -- a Symbolic Subplot -- usually falls into the category of what I call "Character Deepening Techniques," for it helps give a character a feeling of emotional depth by echoing that growth in a second layer: an emotionally evocative symbol.

Symbol 2: "Above" and "Below"

The film uses the symbols of "above" and "below". What's above is false -- the appearance of a Gotham under control, and the appearance of all being well at Wayne Enterprises.

But the real truth is "below": the "real" Bruce Wayne is who he is (as Batman) in the cave under his house.

The heart and soul of Wayne Enterprises lies below, in the basement, where Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) works.

And when Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes) wants to show Bruce the real truth about Gotham, she drives down a ramp, and suddenly she's in a seedy part of town and (mysteriously) it's the dark of night.

This type of symbol is what I call a "Symbol of A Concept." A Symbol of a Concept is usually a "Plot Deepening Technique," for it usually runs throughout -- and gives depth to -- a plot.

Here, the concept of "what's superficial is above and what's real is below" runs throughout the plot.

Symbol 3: Masks

Bruce and the psychiatrist, Dr. Jonathan Crane (Cillian Murphy), both have masks. (Crane's mask is the hideous old sack he puts over his head to terrify drugged patients.)

But, flipping a cliché on its head, their masks symbolize their true identities (who they really are inside); their "normal faces" are a disguise.

Rachel even makes a comment to Bruce about this near the end of the film.

Now here we have something interesting: the masks are a Symbol of a Concept (the concept being "one's true identity") -- but, even so, they're not a Plot Deepening Technique, like "Above and Below."

Because they specifically add depth to the characters, here the masks operate as Character Deepening Techniques.

Symbol 4: The Stethoscope

The Stethoscope is another Symbol of a Concept, and in this case, the concept is Bruce's father, Thomas Wayne (Linus Roache).

Thomas is not just a doctor, but a healer of the city (by building an aerial tram to help the poor). And we learn that even his death helped inspire people to heal the city.

Bruce finally comes to accept his father's legacy. That is, instead of a rebel against the superficiality and glitter of the mansion and the Wayne billions, he comes to see what he does -- fight crime -- is, in fact, a continuation of the healing attitude toward the city that characterized his father.

Bruce eventually takes over Wayne Enterprises, instead of leaving it to others (as he did for most the film). It's not surprising that in the end he finds the stethoscope.

The stethoscope operates as a Plot Deepening Technique in the film. In the passing down of the healer role from father to son, it adds depth to the story, rather than to one individual character.

Symbol 5: The Mansion

The Mansion, as a symbol, is a bit complex. At first, it seems to be another Symbol of a Concept, with the concept being, like the stethoscope, the Wayne legacy.

However, upon closer inspection, what's important about the mansion is Bruce's changing relationship to it (unlike the stethoscope, toward which he doesn't have a changing relationship).

The mansion is another Symbolic Subplot, like the bats. Bruce grows up in the mansion. Later he rejects it, telling Alfred (Michael Cane) it's a "mausoleum."

In fact, when he rejects it, just before entering a life of criminality, the interior spaces and furniture of the mansion are covered in sheets, the way one might cover a dead body (see the picture).

In the end, however, (after the fire) he wants to rebuild it, and make it even stronger than before -- especially in the corner above the bat cave. By rebuilding the mansion, but making some changes, this means Bruce has embraced his father's legacy (of being a healer), but he's going to alter this legacy somewhat, to fit his personality.

Thus, Bruce rejecting the mansion -- him rejecting what his father stood for (being a benevolent, healing presence in Gotham). Him wanting to rebuild it -- him embracing that legacy. (This is also accompanied by his buying back the company his father built.)

As a "Symbolic Subplot," Bruce's relationship with the mansion is another Character Deepening Technique. His changing relationship to the mansion symbolizes an aspect of his internal character growth, just as does his changing relationship to bats.

Symbol 6: The Aerial Tram / Monorail

The tram is, interestingly, a Symbolic Subplot for the city of Gotham. When Gotham is vibrant (when Bruce is young), the tram is in good shape. It's beautiful and uplifting, literally and figuratively.

When Gotham deteriorates into a city of crime and corruption, the now-decrepid aerial tram reflects this decay.

The Other Symbols

For the sake of brevity, I won't go into detail about the remaining three symbols. But in case you're wondering what they are, they're:

Symbol 7: Batman's shifting clothes throughout the movie. (Remember when he gives a homeless person his coat? Or his ninja clothes?)

Symbol 8: Batman's relationship to the blue flower and the hallucinogenic substance it causes.

Symbol 9: The Indian arrowhead Rachel finds when she's a child, and which he takes from her and which leads him (indirectly) to discovering the bat cave. She gives this arrowhead to him when he's an adult, on his birthday.

Perhaps, from this article, you can figure out what kind of symbols these are, and if each operates as a Plot Deepening Technique, a Character Deepening Technique, or a Scene Deepening Technique (i.e. a symbol which adds emotional depth to just one particular scene and no others).

Applying the Techniques in this Article

We've looked at two types of symbols in "Batman Begins" -- A Symbol of a Concept, which is usually (but not always) a Plot Deepening Technique, and a Symbolic Subplot, which is usually a Character Deepening Technique. (In "Batman Begins" we even see a Symbolic Subplot -- the aerial tram -- reveal the changes in Gotham, treating Gotham like a "character.")

When you write your script, is there a big concept that can be symbolized by an object or a location (a Symbol of a Concept)?

Can one of your character's internal changes be reflected / dramatized / exemplified in his/her's relationship to or use of an object or location (a Symbolic Subplot)?

---

Some Final Thoughts

In this article, I've discussed just two types of symbols: A Symbolic Subplot, and a Symbol of a Concept.

As mentioned earlier, there are many other types of symbols as well.

Symbols are just a tiny part of storytelling. There are well over 1000 techniques which can be used to give uniqueness, dimension, and emotional depth to --

1. Characters
2. Dialogue
3. Relationships between characters
4. Scenes, and
5. Plots

The problem for both advanced and beginning writers is that, just like many symbols, almost all of these 1000+ techniques operate outside the conscious awareness of the audience -- or of the reader, if you're reading a script.

Distilling these techniques -- labeling them -- figuring out how to use them
-- and them converting them into tools that can be easily and quickly learned by others is the heart and soul of "Beyond Structure."

By learning such techniques, the beginning writer skips years of trial and error. The intermediate writer becomes advanced. The advanced writer expands his or her creative palette to write ever more artfully.

If you'd find it useful to master --

• 20 Techniques for giving a character emotional depth
• 14 Techniques for making dialogue sound natural
• 10 Ways to reveal emotional complexity through dialogue
• 42 Ways to make a character likeable or unlikeable
• 25 Techniques to make scenes unforgettable and emotionally layered
• 32 Ways to link a character's growth to the plot
• 8 Techniques for brainstorming fresh movie ideas
• And tons more --

-- All these techniques are waiting for you in "Beyond Structure."

by David S. Freeman

Mighty Avengers Superhero Wallpaper

Mighty Avengers Superhero Wallpaper

Mighty Avengers Superhero Picture

Team Superman Superheroes

Team Superman Superheroes

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Arrowette Superhero Galleries

Arrowette Superhero Galleries

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Arachne Superheroine

Arachne Female Superhero

Socio-Historical Context

This movie was made in 1978 as the eighties, a decade of greed and moral decay, were drawing near.  Superman acts as an opposing force, by offering a role model who is morally sound.  The movie tries to demonstrate that humans can act good and evil, but that goodness is the correct way to succeed.  He fights for Truth, Justice, and the American Way.  Lex Luther embodies the typical business man who would sacrifice millions of people to make billions of dollars out of property sales.  It also shows a rich man who only wants to become richer and greedier.

Story of Superman

The story of Superman is very much like the messiah mentioned in Revelation.  He is the son of a god who is sent to earth as a teacher.  Although in the end he disobeys his father and ends up interfering with human matters, his presence is what is important.  He is the virtuous man who leads humanity towards the good and punishes the bad.  His father says the people "lack the light" and that his son must lead them.

Summary

Superman is the story of a young child send by his father Jor-el, the leader of the planet Krypton, to earth.  The child is raised in the Midwest by loving parents who accept his amazing powers and try to make him feel normal.  He leaves home for New York City and there lives two different lives.  One as a quiet reporter, but he also feels the need to become Superman and save people from danger and catch criminals.  His test comes when millionaire Lex Luther, who lives underground, tries to destroy California in order to up property value.  Superman ends up breaking a promise to his father in order to save Lois Lane, the woman he loves.

The legendary "Man of Steel" soars on Saturday morning television in the animated action/adventure series -- "The New Batman/Superman Adventures", which airs on Cartoon Network Monday - Friday in the Toonami block at 6:30pm (Pacific).

The timeless hero shines in his struggle for "Truth, Justice and the American Way." Set in present-day Metropolis against the backdrop of a bright, urban landscape, the ageless superhero combats sinister villains and rescues innocent victims in exciting new stories based on universal themes encompassing the time-honored traditions of the classic Superman legend.

Rocketed to earth by his parents Jor-El and Lara when a cataclysmic explosion obliterates their planet, Krypton, baby Kal-El is raised as Clark Kent by Jonathan and Martha Kent in Smallville, U.S.A. As a teenager, Clark discovers and hones his "super" powers, forges a close friendship with his female confidant

Lana Lang (who gradually becomes aware of his true identity), obtains a job at the Daily Planet and grows into a mild-mannered, yet hard-hitting crime reporter.

Clark's "mortal" life revolves around his work and friendships at the Daily Planet, including such renowned colleagues as Lois Lane, the savvy, quick-witted, imaginative and courageous ace reporter. Lane is quite skeptical of Superman's powers and is determined to uncover the mysterious legend. Rounding out Clark's Daily Planet "family" are: Perry White, the Daily Planet's managing editor, Jimmy Olsen, a budding young photographer and one of Clark's (as well as Superman's), most loyal pals, and Angela Chen, a stunningly beautiful gossip columnist for the newspaper as well as the "on-camera" hostess for "Metropolis Today."

True to the legend, if exposed to Kryptonite, Superman instantly weakens and prolonged exposure to it could, quite possibly, cause his death. Superman also has no power over magic -- he is susceptible to mystic spells like mortals. Kryptonite and magic aside, Superman is "equipped" to handle anything else. In addition to his extraordinary superpowers, this animated series outfits the "man of steel" with special "exoskeleton supersuits" which help him function in hazardous situations -- a space suit, allowing him to breathe in outer space and fly faster than the speed of light and an underwater suit for prolonged periods of time on the ocean floor.

Superman faces some of his most villainous foes ever in this series, including: Lex Luthor, Metropolis' megalomaniacial "ruler," and Superman's evil clone, Bizarro. Other antagonists are Jax-Ur and Mala who escaped from Krypton's Phantom Zone. A dimension for holding Krypton's worst criminals in a state between life and death. These adversaries have but one goal -- to eliminate Superman from the planet.

All Photos from Superman

Superman Logos

Superman Logos

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The Batman Begins

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Batman Begins

Batman logo - makes great wallpaper!

Superman and Hulk

Superman Goes Dark 2011

SUPERMAN movies

superhero fans as all four original SUPERMAN movies starring Christopher

The Many Faces of Superman

The Many Faces of Superman

Meet Bryan Singer: Superman Returns

It must have been fate that Bryan Singer would direct the new film Superman Returns, the fifth in the series of Superman films. Singer loved the George Reeves Superman TV series when he was young, and was a huge fan of the Dick Donner-directed films from the 70s and 80s that starred Christopher Reeves as the Man of Steel. "I identify with Superman. I am adopted, I am an only child, and I love the idea that he comes from another world, that he's the ultimate immigrant. He has all these extraordinary powers, and he has a righteousness about him," said Bryan.

After attending the School Of Visual Arts in New York City (but not graduating), he graduated from the USC cinema school (where, incidentally, he met John Ottman who wrote the score for Superman Returns), Singer's first commercial success was as the producer/director of The Usual Suspects in 1995.That film saw him work with Kevin Spacey for the first time, and Singer and Spacey are re-united, again in Superman Returns, as Spacey plays arch villain Lex Luther, just out of prison and again set to rule the world.

However, it is as an adapter of comic books, bringing superheroes to life, that Singer has carved a niche for himself in the movie world.

In 2000, as writer and director, he introduced Wolverine, Magneto and the rest of the X-Men to the movie world in a hugely successful adaptation, before reprising the characters in the follow-up, X2. Singer left the X-Men franchise to develop Superman Returns and did not work on the 3rd film The Last Stand.

Now an established player in Hollywood with a number of big projects lined up for the future, who would bet against his favourite being the recently-announced sequel for Superman Returns in 2009?By Niall Cinneide

Superhero Halloween Costumes

What kind of super hero do you want to be? Thanks to Hollywood you have a large selection of superhero Halloween costumes to choose from. Superhero's work to keep the earth safe and are said to have magnificent powers. Some can run very fast. Some are very strong. Some can move things with their ring or lasso a person and have them to tell the truth to them. Some have the entire package, running fast, strong, heat vision and have a body like steal.

Superman Costume

Superman is a fictional character, a comic book superhero and an American icon. The character was created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective Comics, Inc. in 1938. The character started out being a black and white TV series in the early 1930's... Over the year's superman have gained a lot of steam as being a true money maker of the movie studios.

Green Lantern Costume - Justice League Costumes

The Green Lantern story has not been played as much on the big screen. The Green Lantern is not one person. It is a group of people that work for the common good and are the protectors of the universe. Their power comes from a power ring that gives the user great control over the physical world as long as the wielder has sufficient willpower and strength to wield it. The Green Lantern is the creation of writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 (July 1940).

Green Lantern is part of a group called the Justice League. The Group included flash, Batman, Superman and Wonder Women, all superheroes in DC comics.

Batman Costume

Batman is a mysterious comic book character. He is a fictional character created by and co-created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger of DC Comics.

Batman's story is that he is the son of a very wealthy Wayne family whose mother and father are taken away from Bruce Wayne when he was a child in a very violent crime. After, Bruce Wayne vows to keep his city safe. As a child he is trained by the best in hand to hand combat as well as going to the best education school that money can offer. As a adult he travels under the umbrella of night ridding the city of scum that pray on the innocent.

Wonder Woman Costume - Justice League Costumes

Wonder Woman has her origins as Diana, daughter of Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons. The Amazons are a group of immortal warrior women. They live on the hidden island named Paradise Island. Wonder Woman entered a personal combat contest and won. The prize she was awarded was to be an Ambassador to the outside world and become a Super Hero. Now you can be a Super Hero too in your Wonder Woman costume!By Kenneth Elliott

Penciller for BATMAN STRIKES, Part 3

BAT-BLOG ~ How did you learn to draw so well? Did you go to art school?

CHRIS ~ I've had very little formal training. I took art classes in high school, but they really didn't have anything other than general art classes that were a little basic for the level I was on at the time. I did a lot of "independent study" work with my art teacher, which meant I'd just do art projects on my own with minimal supervision from him, and then get grades based on the time and effort I'd put in. I went to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for about a semester, but couldn't afford to stay beyond that. It's a very expensive school and I'd gotten a really crappy financial aid deal. Most of what I know about drawing I picked up on my own, through books, talking to other artists, reading interviews and articles, and just working at it on my own.

Penciller for BATMAN STRIKES, Part 2

BAT-BLOG ~ When did you 1st think, "I wanna be a comic book artist"?

CHRIS ~ I've got drawings from when I was four or five years old featuring Batman and other heroes, and I would make up crude comic books with full-page crayon drawings telling stories that are pretty incomprehensible now. I think I've always wanted to grow up and draw comics. I drew a weekly comics feature for our local newspaper when I was 10 years old, and did some other amateur work through my teens. My first professional gig was providing art for Street Heroes 2005 for Eternity Comics in 1989 when I was twenty.

BAT-BLOG ~ Did you have any favorite artists from that time period who really inspired you?

CHRIS ~ I grew up loving Neal Adams, John Byrne, Gil Kane, Jack Kirby, Michael Golden and others. When David Mazzuccelli came on the scene - first on Daredevil and then Batman: Year One - he really blew me away. He was someone I actively tried to emulate for a while. Later I got into artists including Alex Toth, Steve Rude, Mike Mignola, Wally Wood, Dick Sprang, Jerry Robbinson, Alan Davis, Bruce Timm and Darwyn Cooke.