Mon 18 Aug 2008
Two epic guys with lots of respective canon. Both interested in peace. Both vilified by their contemporary powers-that-be.
Somewhat different methods and personal philosophies.
So what would the Christ and the Vigilante be able to get together on? What are the irreconcilables?
Posted by Josh Millard8 answers so far!
My first instinct is that Jesus would like Batman. I’m not sure if Batman would like Jesus. If they were contemporaries, I think Batman would view Jesus as a superhero- is the Batman known for getting along with other superheros with similar goals but different methods?
Batman is known for getting along with other superheroes who stay the hell out of his way.
The temptation to reframe this as a classic crossover issue — where, if both characters are good guys, it’s almost certain they will clash for the first half or even two thirds of the issue before coming to terms with each other and collaborating against some true threat — is powerful.
My instinct is that they wouldn’t get along. They might collaborate well on things like chasing the money-changers from the temple, but Jesus has the whole turn-the- other-cheek thing going on that I don’t think Batman could understand:
“My parents are dead!”
“Turn the other cheek my son, and forgive.”
“I going to wreak havoc and pain on Gotham’s criminals!”
“Blessed are the peacemakers; they are the children of God.”
“But they are scum!”
“Judge them not, lest ye be judged as well.”
“Listen, would you just stop bleeding all over the Batmobile?”
“This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and many.”
“Argh!”
I bet Batman already has a file on how to take Jesus out, if necessary. He comes not in peace, but with Batarangs.
I can picture Batman physically throwing the moneychangers out of the temple, does that help?
There’s parts (like that) where Jesus’ role in the Bible was more than the ultra-passive vendor of happy dancing unicorn wishes. There’s where I can see Jesus and Batman getting along just fine.
In comic-book-world however, I can see that teamup at the start of the storyline. Toward the middle, Batman’s deep angst and frustration would get the better of him and he’d punch Jesus a nice roundhouse. The end of the book, deeply shadowed, would have Batman, mask in hand, kneeling before Jesus, sorrowfully still full of angst, but mixed with a healthy dose of self-pity, seeking the forgiveness he will never get from within.
(this from a superhero fanatic and atheist)
Of course not. Jesus preached non-violence and would want to convert Bats and you can imagine how that would be taken.
However, I bet Jesus could convert him over time and considering Bruce’s resources, that could be interesting.
Jesus got along with everybody–that was his thing.
Batman seems like a meat eater, Jesus seems like a vegan. So they probably wouldn’t dine together, but I could see Bruce Wayne teaching JC how to roundhouse, and JC teaching Bruce how to levitate.
Both look ridiculous as Bobblehead dolls, though; that’s something they have in common.