Thread by @ClarkJoeDCEU

It’s a new Monday, so time for a new entry into the #BatmanvSuperman references the DC lore series. Today, it’s time for Part 2 unpacking the Batman v Superman scene in the 🧵 below. Beware it’s a mighty long one 😅! #RestoreTheSnyderVerse #BvSMondayMood

Today it’s all going to be about the moment where Batman is about to be snapped out of his PTSD by Superman’s words about his mother, Martha. I wrote about this moment at length here if you want to check it out clarkjoedceu.wixsite.com/into-the-snyde…

But there is also an interesting comic reference to this moment that I only saw some months ago from @TheNewAsgard. And the more I got into the storyline that contains this moment the more I thought it deserved its own thread. So, let’s get at it!

This moment is from Superman/Batman #56 and it resembles #BatmanvSuperman in the sense that in the comic Superman uses Batman’s memory of his parents to bring him back to his senses, to snap him out of his uncommon behavior.

Whether Superman is doing the same in the movie I think it’s up for interpretation as I tweeted a couple of days ago. But it’s not out of the realm of possibilities.

But whether the relationship with the comic it’s explicit or not, I think there is a lot of value in dissecting this comic storyline in juxtaposition with #BatmanvSuperman since it ends up displaying the underlying theme #BvS is exploring in a big way.

Let’s start at the beginning. This story arc is known as Super/Bat and runs from Superman/Batman #53 to #56. This whole story stems from the fact that Clark and Bruce meet Banshee and through “magic” Superman’s powers get transferred to Batman.

So, Batman becomes this powerful warrior with Superman’s powers and Clark is powerless. This magical switcheroo it’s interesting because it confronts these superheroes with their own existence. This is going to lead to many parallels/similarities with the story being told in #BvS

For example, Batman suddenly becomes obsessed with being able to eradicate crime forever and wherever. It’s confronted by his legacy, the ability of having powers to do more good than he usually is able to.

Batman throughout this story becomes more brutal. He almost kills in a rampage Bane, Catwoman, and even Nightwing. He’s completely unhinged, out of his mind.

In #BatmanvSuperman, Batman is also very brutal and reckless. This is due to Superman’s appearance coupled with the 20 years he had in Gotham fighting criminals having lost a lot. He himself is lost.

Similar to the comic he’s also questioning his legacy. He feels he has not done enough and killing Superman (someone who can wipe out the entire human race) would be his ultimate legacy. Lex manipulations also play a role here (though ripe fruit his hate was).

Regarding Superman, in both the comic and movie he wants to fit in (be normal whatever that means). In the comic, he wants to be a normal man, living his life with Lois without having to be worried about everything that is happening and how he can save everyone.

In #BvS Superman wants to be able to live his life, trying to do good, helping others, fitting in. However, society judges him, as a god, or as a demon person, making this a huge burden. Lex manipulations also play a role in him feeling like this too.

This demoralizes Superman to the point of him asking whether he should give up. He wants to do good but maybe there is no hope in this world. It’s Lois and his father teachings that are going to help him understand his role in the world.

Interestingly, in the comic Lois enjoys having him just being a normal person and the two of them having some quiet time. Though she also understands that it’s a weird feeling not being Superman for him.

That about the two main characters. Now let’s talk about the ending of the comic. In it the Justice League tries to stop Batman who’s out of control. In this fight he almost kills Hawkgirl. And he’s taking all of them out, until…

…(magically) he hears Martha’s voice. Batman’s reaction is quite interesting because it closely parallels that in #BatmanvSuperman. First disbelief, then anger and finally confusion over what is going on.

Immediately, he goes back to Earth and enters a dream-like scenario where his parents exist. Much like in #BvS he remembers his dreams and the memory of his parents.

Before jumping to some final analysis, it was curious to find that Superman also tries to reason with Bruce in the comic using almost the exact word as in the movie before their fight breaks off. In the comic too, Bruce does not want to hear Clark at all!

After covering the parallelisms between comic and movie it is a good moment for final thoughts about their biggest difference because it’s a crucial one. Notice that in the comic, the switcheroo happened due to magic from Banshee and this triggers the paths for our two heroes.

In #BatmanvSuperman what triggers everything is how mankind (and Bruce and Lex as an important part of this) would respond to the sudden appearance of Superman. Putting these heroes in this realistic setup is what creates their paths (and confrontation) throughout the movie.

This was always (even from #ManofSteel) one of Zack Snyder’s purposes with Superman and the DCEU. To confront our heroes with the real world. And maybe it would be tough to see them in this world. Batman might become brutal, reckless, about to kill, about to become a monster.

Superman might be hopeless, willing to leave his role as Superman. However, their story is about them overcoming this. Being better, doing better, rebuilding, inspiring others. Just like they always inspire hope in others. For me that is an amazing story, one that I really love!

So that’s it for today’s lengthy thread. Remember if you like this thread or any previous ones, consider donating to the @afspnational Autumn Snyder Fund. Every small amount counts to raise awareness for this cause! supporting.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuse…

This thread was already too long but this comic storyline has some more connection to the Snyderverse that are worth looking at. All of them in this thread below!