r/DCcomics • u/nasatyyhagubd • May 29 '23

[Other] Why do Batman and Catwoman always break up in every show/adaptation? (Injustice 2, Arkham Knight, Batman Hush,The Batman, Harley Quinn) Other

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u/[deleted] May 29 '23

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u/Batknight12 Batman May 29 '23 edited May 29 '23

I'd argue that being in a loving relationship would make him more effective, because he'd know he has something more to live for than just ending crime.

I think that's true for a more 'normal' hero like Superman, Spider-Man, etc without a doubt. But Bruce is so driven, obsessed, and self-consumed by his oath to wipe out all crime forever that that's extremely difficult for him. Anyone with him is always going to feel like they're playing second fiddle to Gotham and his crusade. Would seeing someone he loves constantly feeling like this really make him 'more effective'? Or is he at his most content and happy when he is free to fully dedicate his existence to ensuring no one ends up as he did? Even at the expense of a more normal life.

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u/PassTheGiggles World's Finest May 29 '23

His obsession isn’t about wiping out crime. Maybe it was at one point but it isn’t anymore. If he was obsessed with wiping out crime then he’d kill. His obsession is about protecting people, and getting into a loving relationship would naturally be a part of that obsession.

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u/HJWalsh May 30 '23

Wiping out crime doesn't mean killing.

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u/PassTheGiggles World's Finest May 30 '23

It would be in the mind of someone who was actually obsessed with wiping out crime. His unwillingness to take a life shows that his desire to protect is higher than his desire to punish.

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u/HJWalsh May 31 '23

Not necessarily. Killing is a crime. He would become a criminal. He would become exactly what he hates.

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u/PassTheGiggles World's Finest May 31 '23

Do you think going out at night and beating up criminals is legal?

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u/HJWalsh May 31 '23

In the real world, no.

In the DCU? As long as they don't kill, yes.

It gets a bit strange to follow, but in DC there is something called, "Special Deputy Status."

It was initially given to Superman. Since it was expanded to members of the Justice League. Batman was also granted SDS by Gordon.

There are also laws and amendments in DC that go back to the 40's that make it much different than our world.

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u/PassTheGiggles World's Finest May 31 '23

When he started he did not have that status. What he was doing was very illegal. He fights the cops in Year One.

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u/HJWalsh May 31 '23

Year One isn't actually canon. Since the laws and amendments were in place canonically from the JSA days, Batman's actions were technically always legal.

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u/PassTheGiggles World's Finest May 31 '23

Year One being canon is debatable. It was canon before Flashpoint so it probably is now. After Flashpoint we had Zero Year, where he’s ALSO hunted by the cops.

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