In 2005 , DC teamed fabled Batman mirthful writer Frank Miller and equally legendary creative person Jim Lee for what they clearly hoped would be the ultimate Batman comic . What they got was a comedian in which Batman called Robin “ retarded . ” In short , they got the worst Batman comedian ever made . And I love it .
Let me be dead clear here : As a representation of Batman , All Star Batman & Robin is a massive failure . As the “ ultimate ” translation of the Dark Knight , well , All Star ’s Batman is so risky , it ’s as if Miller was secretly troll DC , trying to make the least ultimate Batman of all clock time . But the consequence , while ugly on many level , are also massively , massively entertaining . It ’s so spectacularly wrong that it ’s kind of brilliant .
In fact , if you’re able to enfold your point around the idea that Miller is trying to indulge all the bad inherent aptitude of superhero comics ’ primarily male , teenaged hearing , and thus satirize the horrible surplusage mainstream comics have gone to for ingratiate themselves to these lector , All Star Batman could be considered splendid . Of course , as Frank Miller ’s descent into rabidity and grumpiness over the years has irrefutably proven , this could not have been his purpose , but the comedian still exploit on this level anyway .
Take , for case , the very source of way out # 1 , in which diary keeper Vicki Vale dictate notes about some firmly - hit story while lollygag in immensely impractical lingerie in her own apartment . As Lee draw picture after picture of Vale ’s hind end , the Good Book much call the absurdity of its incredible sexism and superhero comic ’ desire to give teenage son boners .
And that ’s just for starters . All Star Batman & Robin want to explore the basest of its primary audience ’s desires by fulfill them all to excess . In effect , All Star ’s Batman is much a teenage son in Batman ’s consistency — how else could you perhaps explain the scenes of Batman cackle in gloat as he ladder along the rooftops of Gotham City at nighttime , because it ’s just so awesome being Batman ? All Star Batman knows that being a super - lover , super - handsome , super - rich badass who is unfettered by all societal obligation , including the natural law , would be totally rad , and thus there ’s no way for an smidgin of Batman ’s traditional brooding or tragic underpinnings .
Instead , this Batman takes all of his traditional behaviors to their legitimate — and illogical — extreme point . He beats up unfit guys in glee . He nobble an orphan against his will to join his sore cause . He says “ Goddamn ” invariably . He chew up Robin for spill back to him . He telephone people names while he beat them up ! He has gender with Black Canary on a filthy Gotham pier in the teem rain — not because these are the thing that make Batman cool , just go altogether out of control condition . Batman ’s a badass ! He takes no sass ! Ladies love him !
There ’s no good deterrent example of this than how All Star Batman deals with his fellow superheroes . In Miller ’s The Dark Knight Returns , Batman utilize his intelligence operation and preparation to fight and vote out Superman , in a showdown that has influenced his relationships with his DC counterparts for decennary . Again , All Star drive this to its most ridiculous extreme as Batman arranges to have Green Lantern play him in a way he has ram Robin to paint entirely xanthous — let in Batman and Robin themselves — to negate Green Lantern ’s powers so Hal hump incisively who ’s in billing . And , for kicks , Batman is also drink lemonade during this encounter , because All Star Batman is such a magnificent asshole .
Even if you somehow do n’t corrupt that Batman ’s catch development can be seen as a fierce bill of indictment of what a traditional , adolescent male audience like more about the Dark Knight , the sight of Batman going so far out of his way just to be a prick to Green Lantern is goddamned hilarious . The book is funny , if only because you screw how earnestly Miller aim it all . Another perfect example : When Wonder Woman make her debut by separate a random dude to “ Get out of my direction , sperm cant . ” Wonder Woman referring to a guy as the heart and soul of his reproductive capability is deeply entertaining . It ’s just that I would fence it ’s so spectacularly wrong that it end up being kind of magnificent .
Actually , that ’s All Star Batman & Robin in its totality — so mistaken , it becomes a work of whiz . Hey , just because you watched your parents gets bump off as a 12 - year - old and dedicate your full lifetime to fighting crime and avenging their deaths does n’t intend you ca n’t look at the lighter side of thing , right-hand ?
That ’s right , Batman . Sometimes life is full .
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