User blog comment:Peteparker/Batman: A badass everyman, or just a stubborn brat with toys?/@comment-16487016-20081223055935

Typical. It is so easy and popular to take cheap shots at Batman's functionality and sexual orientation. Batman is neither. He's not an Everyman. Not at all. People try to bring that up as like the "endearing quality" but that's totally missing the point.

As for the powers thing, I see it as the opposite. There are sooo many heroes out there who receive their powers on a silver platter. For example, to take the most obvious example, I would say that it's pretty darn easy to decide to become a superhero when a tweaked out magical bug thing bites you and gives you numerous elaborate powers. Batman didn't receive his abilities. He had to work for them. He had to spend years and years of his life sweating and bleeding and studying and pushing himself to every conceivable limit to get where he is today. And he CHOSE his path. He didn't get where he is accidentally.

Also, Batman isn't a gay pedophile, no matter how funny people think it is to insinuate that. Everybody knows why Robin exists. Firstly, because 1940's writers needed a character for the exclusively young male audience to identify with. Secondly, it gives Batman an opportunity to act as a Father (NOT lover) figure, when he's otherwise incapable of finding the time to actually raise a family of his own.

I would recommend that you spend some time actually reading Batman, and then come back and talk to us. I mean, don't get me wrong, there IS trashy Batman out there. But I would be happy to give you some recommendations if you're interested in reading some of the more solid material there is out there.