Was Bruce Wayne Becoming Batman a Bad Choice? DC Comics Isn’t So Sure.

Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Batman #4

Bruce Wayne becoming Batman feels right to fans since it’s been cemented in DC history for decades, but there’s a chance that he made the wrong call in pursuing vigilantism. DC Comics is challenging Bruce’s career as the Dark Knight in a compelling way that raises questions about whether he would have been better off if he hadn’t chosen to be Batman.

Absolute Batman #4 by Scott Snyder, Gabriel Hernández Walta, Frank Martin, and Clayton Cowles interrogates Batman’s life-changing decision through a conversation between young Bruce Wayne and his father. Thomas confesses that, before becoming a teacher, his original aspiration had been to become a heart surgeon after he watched his father die of a heart attack.

Like Bruce, Thomas witnessed a parent’s death and chose a career in response to it, except he concludes that it hadn’t been the best option in the long run. Thomas’ experience indicates that Bruce made a bad choice in becoming Batman instead of finding a genuine passion.

DC Just Admitted That Bruce Wayne Being Batman Might Be the Wrong Choice

Becoming Batman to Avenge His Parents Isn’t As Healthy As Bruce Thinks

Thomas Wayne explains to his son that he pursued becoming a heart surgeon in the aftermath of his father’s passing, much like Bruce did with Batman when he lost his own father in this universe. The loss of his father inspired him to help those who suffered the same heart condition, but as time went on, he changed his mind. In Thomas’ words, “My desire to be a doctor was really just about wanting to prevent other kids from feeling what I felt that morning.” He goes on to say that he found his true passion in teaching, as it gave him a different way of keeping children safe.

This admission on Thomas’ part unveils the tragic nature of Bruce’s later path as Batman. Thomas’ desire to be a heart surgeon was intrinsically linked to his father’s death, which means it wasn’t a decision founded on proper interest in the field and instead centered around trauma. Likewise, Bruce Wayne infamously becomes Batman – in both the Absolute Universe and in DC’s main continuity – to ensure that no child loses their parents to crime the way he did. Thomas criticizes his attempt at dedicating his life to a coping mechanism, inadvertently calling out Bruce for doing the very same as Batman.

Being Batman Might Not Be Bruce Wayne’s Real Passion in Life

Batman Has Considered Giving Up His Vigilante Career Before

Although Bruce has dedicated himself to fighting crime as Batman for decades now, the origin behind him taking on the mantle suggests that it isn’t a position he’s particularly enthused about. He was spurred into action by a thirst for revenge against Joe Chill and criminals like him, and while he’s continued his vigilante pursuits in the years following that initial rage-fueled vendetta, he often seems to regret his choice. He’s even considered retiring from his Batman role numerous times throughout DC lore, since he yearns for the ordinary life he can’t have as Gotham’s protector.

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Bruce’s work as Batman is driven first and foremost by the needs of others in lieu of his own wants. In Batman #141 by Chip Zdarsky and Jorge Jiménez, Zur-En-Arrh offers Bruce the chance to step down so he can take over as Batman. As a machine, Zur-En-Arrh prioritizes their mission without being blinded by emotions, whereas Batman is tempted by the thought of leaving that mission behind to live a normal life. The fact that he entertains this opportunity shows that his dedication to Batman’s cause stems from an obligation to Gotham rather than an actual passion for his work.

Bruce Wayne’s Decision to Become Batman Isn’t Just About Revenge Anymore

Batman Would Fight for Gotham Even If His Parents Hadn’t Been Killed

Batman has expressed reservations about the path he’s chosen, but certain stories have proven that his mission is more than a fleeting fantasy. 1980’s Detective Comics #500 features a story entitled “To Kill a Legend”, written by Alan Brennert with art by Dick Gordano, which chronicles an alternate reality where Bruce’s parents weren’t murdered. However, even though he lacks the motivation to keep others from experiencing the pain he did, he still ends up training to become Batman. The narration explains that, when he eventually becomes Batman, “it will not be a decision born of grief, or guilt, or vengeance…but of awe, and mystery, and gratitude.”

Bruce’s decision reveals that he would have become Batman regardless of his parents’ fate, thereby shooting down the notion that he only became the Dark Knight because of them. While his original catalyst was the death of Thomas and Martha, he would eventually have worn the mask no matter what. Batman is Bruce Wayne’s true calling in life, and though it may have begun as a coping mechanism, the mantle has evolved into so much more over time. Batman now represents hope for Gotham, not just revenge, and his deep care for the people he defends is proof that he made the right choice after all.

Absolute Batman #4 is available now from DC Comics.

Batman

One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.