The Batman
by V.E. on April 11th, 2008
filed under entertainment, thoughts
I was just watching an episode of Batman: The Animated Series on TV (s01e21,* in case you’re interested) and some things occurred to me.
* “s##e##” (where the # sign is replaced with a digit between 0 and 9) is a shorthand way of saying “season ##, episode ##”… In this case, I was watching s01e21 (season 01, episode 21), which, incidentally, is named “Vendetta.”
1. When I first watched Batman Begins, I didn’t know a lot about Batman (the character or the show) except what I’ve learned from visiting Gotham City Backlot at Six Flags Magic Mountain once a year each year for a loooooong time—which is to say, not much. So, when I heard the creepy reporter guy in the movie say “It’s the Batman” halfway through, I thought it was weird that he called Batman the Batman. But after watching some of the animated series, I noticed that many characters actually do call him “the Batman”, but it seems to be somewhat interchangeable with just “Batman”… When characters speak to him, it’s “Batman”; when they speak of him, it’s usually “the Batman.”
2. Whomever thought up the idea that Bruce Wayne should be rich was/is a genius. This way, they start out any given episode normally and then realize, “Oh no! Some/most/all of the episode is under water/in outer space/at freezing temperatures! Whatever shall we do?” And then someone says, “Oh. Duh. He’s rich; we’ll just give him a submarine/spaceship/high-tech igloo. After all, he can afford it.” GENIUS, I TELL YOU!
3. Alfred is the best, most awesome, coolest character ever created by any comic book entity ever. He is, as far as I can tell, the only character to whom Batman (in his batsuit or not) will sheepishly defer. Without him around, I doubt Bruce Wayne would be nearly as successful. His dry wit and sarcasm add juuuust the right attitude to the Batcave and Wayne Manor. Plus, he’s not too shabby to have around in a tight spot: I’ve heard he’s a good shot with a shotgun.
4. How does Bruce Wayne explain all the bruising, etc., he gets while he’s out Batmanning around? I mean, he has to have a doctor’s check up sometime, right? What does he do, not do the Dark Knight thing for a month before going to see the doctor so all his wounds can heal? Does his doctor know he’s Batman? Does he just think Wayne’s a masochistic painslut in the bedroom? For that matter, how does Robin explain his bruising? Surely someone must’ve noticed by now. Where’s child services in all of this? I mean, to the outside world, it could look a lot like Robin’s being abused.
5. I’ve looked at plenty of manhole covers* and even tried to pry a couple open just to see if I could do it. Those covers are not as easy to lift (or throw, as seems to happen a lot) as the characters in the series make it out to be. Same goes for being unharmed when smashing through windows, falling from extended heights, and Batman’s clips/grabbers/doohickies actually working most-to-all of the time.
* Do not look up the term “manhole” on Google; you will not like what you find. Trust me; I learned this the hard way and now I’m scarred for life. If you ever, ever, want to find pictures of manhole covers (as if!.. though these are pretty), make sure to search for “manhole covers“… the results are still iffy, but it’s better than just “manhole” by a long shot.
6. Batman’s utility belt is like Heero‘s spandex space; it can hold anything in any amount, no matter the size or quantity… though, to be fair, I think Batman’s creators try to keep the abuse of unseen space to a minimum.
7. Speaking of #2… how can he afford all that high-tech stuff? I mean, I know he’s richer than God, but that money’s gotta come from somewhere and he’s gotta report it’s use to the government or something, right?
So, that’s all I have for now. Any general head-scratcher questions or thoughts about “the Batman” (or his series)? Let me know! We can all scratch our heads together. ^_^
Write-a-Thon
by V.E. on April 11th, 2008
filed under writing
In which I beg for money—and not even for myself. [gasp!] On May 17th, I’ll be participating in the Write-a-Thon here in New York. My fundraising page; I’m trying to earn $200 in just over one month, so I really need help!!! Please consider donating as little as $1—every little bit counts!
Here’s what you get when you donate: my eternal appreciation, a handwritten thank you note (if you don’t mind providing me with a physical address so I can actually send it to you), and a copy (or scan by email) of whatever comes out of my pen on May 17th, doodles and all, signed and numbered by yours truly. ^_^
Talk about having your cake personalized…
by V.E. on April 11th, 2008
filed under wtf
Yeah, so this woman had a life-sized cake-version of herself at her wedding.
Um… yay? via
$46,000 vacuumed out of White House couch
by V.E. on April 11th, 2008
filed under politics
This literally made me LOL… then feel terrible immediately afterward. ^_^;;;
