hugs make the world a better place

For Superman that comes out as people can be good and for Batman it comes out as things can be fair.

In a lot of cases, Superman models ideal behavior.  Being nigh-indestructible lets him function as basically the ultimate antidote to the bystander effect; a person who looks human (face unmasked) but can safely lead the way into adversity to help others.  It’s the idea that people are fundamentally good and just need a reminder/ someone to show them how.  He’s also the fantasy that someone with massive power would use that power to unconditionally do good.

Batman meanwhile, prioritises accountability.  He’s the manifestation of a guilty conscience, the shadow in the night that comes for people who do bad things for selfish reasons. But he’s also fair - there’s a reason why some of his most iconic conflicts (outside of his rogues) have been him taking down mob bosses, businessmen, bankers and politicians (rather than, say, beating up poor people for shoplifting).  A well-characterised Batman is one who saves the shoplifter from the corrupt mayor.  It’s the idea that, for people to be good, there needs to be a fair system - one that won’t punish goodness or reward exploitation.   (It’s not the reason why he wears a mask but I think there’s some good symbolism in the idea that, from the public’s perspective, the Batman could be nearly anyone.)  He’s also the fantasy that, even when the privileged/ powerful/ corrupt abuse their power, justice will still come for them and their victims.

And something that’s really unusual is that this kind of flips in their civilian identities.  Public figure Bruce Wayne is the mythical ethical millionaire/ billionaire; someone who uses his significant power and influence to unconditionally help Gotham and it’s people to be better.  Meanwhile Clark Kent, mister nobody-special-from-Kansas, is often an investigative journalist; the little guy who helps expose the big guys who misuse their power.

This is part of why they’re such good character foils for each other.  Batman may see Superman as somewhat naive and Superman may see Batman as being something of a paranoid downer, but at their cores they respect each because they share a similar central ideology and at times even methodology (just at different ends of the Sliding Scale of Superheroic Idealism Versus Cynicism).

Living in Australia, I'm kinda always at the mercy of my posts lining up with crappy timezones, so when I came back to Tumblr and realised there was a fully in-built post scheduling system, I was very excited...only to happily realise that even with that in mind, Tumblr has a much more 'time-blind' and relaxing approach to posts. It lifts my spirits whenever I see that somebody's gone through my catalogue or liked a post that had been put out days or even weeks ago, and it appears that that's a far more prevalent phenomenon on this site compared to anywhere else. A guy could get used to this more easygoing posting experience, although of course that's all thanks to folks like you! Thank you all. BONUS:

"Great! What do you recommend?"

Ask yourself, how does this piece make you feel? (No wrong answers)

Look for an artist statement nearby. What does it say about the artist and their relationship to their work? What does the artist say that they are trying to convey with their art? What contextual clues can you pick up from what they say about their background, or what they omit?

Look at the title of the piece. What is the artist saying about their work by naming it that, either explicitly or implicitly?

Look at the medium. Is there anything about the piece that stands out to you, knowing what it's made of?

Look at the year it was made. What cultural events might have been happening around this time? Was this piece part of a particular art movement? What was the purpose of that art movement, and what was it trying to say?

HAIL MARY FULL OF GRACE (and very cool buttons)

Zoom in and look at all my screens look at em all

God i cant wait for this fucking movie

Bonus crunchy gif