I have some epiphanies recently about the lack of BatWondy romance in DC comics and also animated version (naturally). Seems that, although the last two years have been GREAT for Wonder Woman fans with Gail Simone on board, but BatWondy fans are left low and dry. And now with the convoluted Batman RIP arcs, we have Heart of the Hush with Batman-Catwoman romance as the central theme.
Had I learned about this HoH three years ago, I would be very agitated and annoyed with that. Now... I'm a bit down because - again - DC has ditched away the potentials of BatWondy stories, understandably from editorial and historical POV. But I also realise that in another story, there's Trinity and the obvious special bonds between Bruce Wayne/Batman and Diana/Wonder Woman. It might not be romance per Bruce/Selina now, but the bonds are there, the trust is there.
I guess what I wanna say here is a fair analysis of what's going on in DCU. That... I can see why many ppl are interested in Bat/Cat romance. It's just thrilling, full of lust and passions, and also potentials for noir stories a la Bat books (but again, BatWondy can also create noir stories a la Gods of Gotham...). Selina Kyle is feisty, independent, and very sexy, and her on again off again romance with Bruce is...addictive. And perhaps Hush is right. Compared to Bruce's other women (Talia, Jezebel, etc etc, even Zatanna), Selina is actually top score. She does hold a special place in Bruce's heart. And my recent affinity to this Kitty makes it easier for me to accept it. Heh, I even might like the Heart of Hush story-arc later on.
But there's a gap there that Selina might not be able to fill in properly. Trust and belief. A higher beacon in life for Bruce, and that is provided only by Diana. And Diana is not just another woman, or a superhero freak or whatever Paul Dini/Hush said about Batman's female superheroine colleagues. This particular role of Diana's is clearly presented in Trinity comics and also Gods of Gotham (again, my Bible. Praise Jimenez). Diana is Bruce's beacon, and whatever happens, it stays that way. That's why Bruce was angry when Diana killed Max Lord; that's why he told her to get out of his cave, while he easily accepted Selina killing Black Mask (who deserved it anyway). Diana is and always be Bruce's beacon, and he can't afford to have that beacon fade away. He needs her, like it or not.
I believe that a popular culture can have its own life. How else can we explain the persistence and survival of several comic characters while other older characters faded away? Inexplicably, only in recent decade (starting from 30 years ago actually, counting the pre-crisis Brave and the Bold series), BatWondy romance emerges as the strongest (dare I say) contender towards the 60s years of BatCat romance. Perhaps because this collective comic awareness called Bruce Wayne/Batman finally needs to channel and compensate his darkness through the not-so-fictional entity called Diana of Themyscira, the Wonder Woman. He needs her light to get through, to bring back and retain his humanity. Was it not Diana who accompanied Bruce Wayne in Nanda Parbat when he was in seclusion post-Infinite Crisis? And though I was annoyed with Alan Heinberg's utter lateness in delivering WW comics during his run, he got at least one thing correct: Bruce's and Diana's strong bonds. What did Batman say in the WW Annual #23? "Use the lasso on me if you don't believe me. They love you, Diana. They always have. Because that's what you inspire in anyone who's ever met you. That's what makes you powerful than anyone." The Great Detective got that right.
Batman/Bruce Wayne loves Selina Kyle the Catwoman. I can accept that now. I find it romantic and passionate, even. But I also realise now that Batman and Bruce Wayne also loves another woman, and - dare I say - that love surpasses his eros love for Selina. That pure unadulterated love is reserved for Diana of Themyscira, the Wonder Woman, whether she's now with the lame Nemesis or being a happy single warrior of peace.
And I can't say that I'm unhappy about it. It places Diana in a special place in Bruce's heart, reserved only for her. If Catwoman dies, Batman will be broken hearted, no doubt. Might take revenge, even. But if Wonder Woman dies, the Dark Knight will lose his anchor. And that's a fate worse than death.
Do my ramblings make sense?
Pic 1 (left): Batman and Catwoman, from Comicvine
Pic 2 (right): Batman and Wonder Woman, from DeviantArt (Erickenji)
Pic 3: Detective Comic 850, Heart of the Hush, part 4/4
Pic 4: Wonder Woman Annual # 23
See also: Noah's BatWondy archives
7 comments:
Works for me.
Thanks Adrian, so great to have you reading my post! The grandpa of BatWondy romance!
There's another interesting comment from the BatWWArkham by Jane Donovan, and it's too good, I have to put it here (thanks Jane!):
I totally agree. Yes Bruce loves Selina and she loves him just the way he is, but Diana makes him better. I recently read a fan fiction story that explores this difference. Here is the link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4461373/1/New_Situation
Diana is Batman's light, his Goddess. Didn't he also once say that he didn't need to believe in God because he had her (please correct me if I am wrong). And maybe because he puts her on a pedestal he cannot love her as a man loves a woman, but he loves her just them same. And even if they are not together they still bicker like an old married couple, and the chemistry is still strong between them, there is still tension (I just read 52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen and there is so much chemistry between them I almost expected Bruce to jump her a dinner. LOL) It is there no matter who they are with and a change in the powers that be could eventually see a revival of the romantic aspects of their relationship. I happens in serial dramas (ie-soap operas) all the time. Hold tight, keep the faith and enjoy the characters. They are fun indeed.
I think Jane hit the right spot! "Diana is Batman's light, his Goddess." Gods of Gotham, Jimenez.
WW: "Have faith Batman, they'll not take your city."
Batman: "I don't need faith, Princess, when I have you."
Funny, I also think that Batman (and Superman perhaps) places Diana high on a pedestal. She's practically his guidance, his high priestess (though Batman is an atheist). Hence what you said is so correct, Jane. Thanks!
Amen to that sister!
Bruce and Diana just work and it does not seem forced.
Nice article Icha. :)
Hepburn dear, terribly sorry for the late reply. But yeah, both Bruce and Diana are not forced, contrary to the oppositions' opinions. So: Batman and WW forever!
Greetings! I enjoy your fics of the two and this entry was highly intriguing read. Reason being is that I can see the chemistry that would and is between B & W.
However, for some crazy reason, my mind cannot wrap around the chemistry and attraction between Bats and Catwoman.
Unless, somewheres they're more alike than I can give credit for?? I dunno. So I'm just thankful for the fics such as yours that let me indulge in what B/W I can find. *smiles*
Thanks!
Hi Crimson Rain! Wow, for some strange anime-related reasons, I really like your screen name.
Anyway, as I said before, at first I really really disliked BatCat relationship (though before I learned about BatWW, when I was a kid and reading pre-crisis Batman stories... with the 80s Catwoman in it, I kinda like it...). But then I read Brubaker's Catwoman, and I fell in love with Selina. She's not Diana, and will never replace Diana's place in my BatWondy universe, but I can see why Selina has her own myth and spices.
Guess that's why I tend to write Selina as Diana's friend in my fan-fics, instead of rival for Bruce's love. But it's a personal perspective of mine that doesn't like bickering with another old, established female character, perhaps. Make friends is better than make enemies, all that...
But, rest assure. Bruce and Diana will always be my top pairing for DC Universe!
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