Looking Behind The Mask 1: Batman
What is it about masks? That shroud of mystery and secrets that hides the true identity of the wearer. That secret layer that confuses and distracts the bad guys helping the hero to defeat his enemies while protecting his private life and loved ones. For some heroes, that secret identity, that mask, is merely another tool in their arsenal of weapons against crime. To others, the secret identity is a comforting lie that no matter how many enemies he develops, he can always take off the mask and return to the world of anonymity.
But, for Batman, what is his reason for wearing the mask, and even more importantly, which identity, Batman or Bruce Wayne is the mask and which is the real identity hidden underneath?
"Read on to find out what I think"
Who is Batman? Known by many names, such as the Caped Crusader and the Dark Knight, Batman has made his reputation as being the Urban Legend, a dark figure that strikes fear into the heart of the criminal underworld of Gotham City. Batman isn't known for his puppy-dogs-and-rainbows sunny personality. In fact, even some of the heroes dread having conversations with Batman because one never knows what the outcome will be. Is Batman a mask for Bruce Wayne, or could it be that Bruce Wayne is that clever facade that Batman likes to hide behind?
Who is Bruce Wayne? Billionnaire playboy with a devil may care attitude, Bruce Wayne is known as a ladies' man who spends most of his time romancing beautiful socialites and attending parties. Yet, there's another layer to Bruce Wayne. He has a humanitarian side. Bruce has donated millions of dollars to various causes, and he has the reputation of being a person with a compassionate heart who enjoys bringing aid to those who are less fortunate than him. Bruce is also a businessman. Through his company Wayne Enterprises, Bruce Wayne owns stock and property throughout the entire DC Universe. In fact, many people would be surprised to discover how far-reaching the influence of Wayne Enterprises truly is. Through his humanitarian actions and his business savvy, Bruce Wayne is quite possibly one of the most powerful men in the world. But, who is Bruce Wayne? Is this the true person that occasionally dresses up as Batman to incite terror into the heart of evildoers? Or has Batman crafted the persona of Bruce Wayne in order to extend his reach and allow him to go places that Batman can't?
That is the question, and while it's certainly an arguable debate, I will state my opinion on this. I believe that Batman is the real identity while Bruce Wayne is the mask that Batman hides behind whenever he needs to. Due to the nature of events, Bruce Wayne's loss of his parents at such a young age, his desire to bring justice to criminals, and his conviction that no innocent should suffer the way that he did, Batman is the result of Bruce's lack of trust in humanity, his struggle to hide his true feelings in order to make sure that he never gets hurt again.
Batman, the hero hiding in the shadows, the caped crusader that delivers justice with a heavy hand, the masked vigilante who is often at odds with his fellow heroes, is too full of hurt, bitterness and caution to be a facade. Yet, Bruce Wayne, the carefree humanitarian who mothers wouldn't hesitate to let kiss their babies, who beautiful young socialites dream about becoming engaged to, this is the persona. Bruce Wayne is a persona that can be fabricated and created. After all, it is much easier to fake positive emotions than it is negative ones. The positive emotions, the identity that says everything is just fine is easier to fake than the persona that dwells in the darkness and needs a mountain of evidence before deciding that a person is worthy of his trust.
But, this is only my opinion, so I welcome any thoughts that anyone might have on the subject. Is Batman the mask that covers for Bruce Wayne, or is Bruce Wayne the persona that provides Batman the means to an end when he needs to go places that the darkness is not allowed?
I'm going to disagree with the fact that you have to choose. With Batman, I honestly think both Bruce Wayne and Batman are true personalities. Unlike Superman, whom I would argue creates a facade in Clark Kent, and Spider-Man, who acts completely like Peter Parker even in super hero mode, Batman seems to have a kind of schizophrenia going on here.
Batman/Bruce is a physical manifestation of the conflict that exists in the human psyche on how to deal with 'evil' and what constitutes 'good'. There is Bruce Wayne, who covers the peaceful and philanthropic angle that acts within society's boundaries, and there is Batman, whose violent vigilantism is largely outside of the justice system and much of society considers his actions way over the line at times.
However, the point of Batman and Bruce Wayne isn't about which one is right or wrong. The character is instead a clever argument that both are necessary to combat evil and injustice in the world. One cannot exist without the other.