The Batman I grew up with...

I love Batman. He's been my favorite superhero since I was a kid. There have been alot of versions since I was 10 years old, picking up Detective Comics from the spinner rack at the local 7-Eleven, then riding home to emerse myself in the stories and artwork. But the version that continues to stick with me the most is the one from my childhood days...The Norm Breyfogle Batman; THAT is MY Batman. Bar none.

Seems to me, the stories focused on Batman being a hero...a SUPER-hero. Fighting the bad guys, saving the innocent, and using his brain to track down clues and work out mysteries. Superheroes back then were somewhat magical.

They were a pinnacle that we couldn't achieve. They were always up on that pedistal, always to be looked up to. It was the fantasy, that thing to aspire to but never reach.

I miss those superheroes.

Today, we get EMO, dark and moody. And just as broken as the rest of us. We get reality, in a sense, as no one can be so flawless. It seems some people like that; and in all honesty, I get enjoyment from these new stories, too. They are entertaining. I just miss that fantasy, that escapism, that came as a 10 year old reading a comic. And I'm a little sad that my son won't get to experience that as well.

So here's my tribute to that great era of comics, and a hope that someday we can return to it.

Cheers
Patrick