Legends of the Dark Knight

Thematic AnalysisAlexis Butera

An AbstractionBatman epitomizes the fearful superhero because his powers lie in his achievements of

human capacity. He is considered the greatest detective and the master of the unheard fighting techniques by pure human strength and practice (DC Comics). His headquarters lie in the caves of a basement where he is considered an urban legend that sends shivers through the underworld of Gotham (Superhero Stuff). His motives lie in his strong desire to protect the citizens from crime after his parents were killed in a mugging. Because of his ‘rough’ childhood, Batman despises guns and promotes anti-violence; his only weapon is the strength of his body and mind (List Verse).

‘Legends of the Dark Knight’ is a character-driven comic rather than plot-driven. The theme that is central in this comic is introspection into the man who wears the mask and cape. The inner life of a character is where the audience meets their personality, comes face to face with their fears, and can predict their thoughts and movements based on knowledge of character’s past. A character should have their own quirks, annoyances, sentiments, and common emotions that allow the audience to relate but also distinguish the character from all others. It’s important to understand how much detail is given to the inner life of characters; too much for a minor character is a classic mistake and too little detail for major characters impedes the audience from integrating themselves fully.

Character Integrity Batman’s inner conflict between the kind of superhero he used to be and the one he is now with an automatic

weapon shielding cape. As an audience member, you can feel his disgust and letdown when he faces himself and asks if he is the superhero he used to be. He eventually serves his city as the original Batman who relies on his authentic and natural powers without the help of an impressive costume.

Batman is a kind soul whose intentions are true and honest. At the end of the day, he is after justice and recognizes all those along the way who helped. I believe this is a true depiction of character integrity in the form of exposing Batman’s inner life through artistic expression.

Batman feels a resurgence of motivation and power driven by character integrity. The central theme to this comic is that Batman is constantly taken back to his roots and values at a time where he feels like giving up is his ultimate destiny. His resurgence is fueled by character integrity that is evident throughout the comic.

Choice of ImageThis fight scene could have happened in a series of panels - far more than 3. The choice of image is successful in expressing a clear, concise message. There was an intruder, Batman fought him off, and ultimately defeated him. A clear and concise message was sufficient in 3 panels. This panel is in line with character integrity by showcasing Batman’s super powers: strength w/o weapons

Choice of image technique is the careful selection of material to communicate quickly, clearly, and compellingly with the reader.

Facial ExpressionFacial expressions are crucial in comics because they have the ability to convey emotions when words can’t fully communicate them

Batman’s facial expression communicates defeat; a central emotion that is a precursor to the theme of resurgence/motivation.

Word Emphasis

Dramatic variations in size and shape can portray vocal inflection. However, a combination of word emphasis and body language can portray more of an effect than increases in size and shape.

This panel uses a combination of body language and word emphasis with the choking sounds of “AAGH”. Ra’s Al Ghul is poisoning the city with lethal airborne toxin. This is what motivates Batman to step up and continue to be a superhero; it is a sign of character integrity because this is the reason behind his return.

BleedThis shot is the first time we see Batman since contemplating the end of his career. A bleed in this establishing shot shows character integrity; we know he is in Gotham city by the skyline and Batman insignia illuminated on the moon.

Bleeding is a form of establishing shots. It provides a greater understanding and background of where the audience is taken to. Greater detail invokes a better understanding and greater emotion.

Moment to Moment

Moment to Moment is a ‘Choice of Flow’ that transitions one action into a series of moments.

A single action of flying and landing on a building transitioned in a moment to moment flow. This shows his motivation to get back to the Batman he knows himself to be. He is motivated and practicing before he faces Ra’s.

InterdependentI interpreted this shot of Batman as vengeance and anger for not being able to stop Ra’s. However, with the help of words I could interpret it as a motivating expression coupled with the ability to reconnect to what he used to have.

Interdependency is a form of word/picture combinations. Interdependent form is when a picture or series of words can’t be interpreted correctly without the combination of the two.

Action to Action

Action to Action gives each panel a moment in a series of action to help further the plot.

This action to action sequence furthers the plot by showing Batman conquering the faceoff. The careful choice in angles shows Batman defeating the criminals by pure strength and ability without weapons; this is an example of character integrity.

Inner Life

In his attempt to defeat Ra’s, Batman finds himself back in his basement where he found himself turning back on ‘something honest’. By returning to his basement, the audience learns of the place where he struggles and we are drawn more into her inner life that depicts character integrity.

Inner life is the unique histories, interests, and relatinoships of the character in the comic. Being revealed into the inner liffe creates a greater connection.

Expressive Traits

Throughout the comic, Batman maintains the same expressions. The tense, puckered lip look is a part of his expressive trait and keeping it throughout decades of transmedia especially in this comic book is an example of character integrity.

An expressive trait is a quality that is designed and catered to the personality of a character.

Elevation & Status

Physical elevation portrays status; someone at a low angle being towered over is powerless; a character physically higher than the other represents power.

Batman is known for his nonviolent crime fighting. This panel uses elevation to show his power over the criminal. This is a sign of character integrity because the criminal is in alliance with Ra’s and Batman has been motivated this whole time to defeat his long standing nemesis.

Graphic ContrastGraphic contrasts signify intensity and draws the attention to the panel.

The contrast of dark to light communicates a threatening figure. This character is Ra’s Al Ghul that Batman has had a long-standing battle with that plays into his character integrity.

Breaking the 4th WallBreaking the 4th wall is a form of intensity meant to draw attention.

Batman breaking the 4th wall between 2 panels shows his resurgence of power! He’s ready to take on the crime-ridden streets of Gotham.

RealismRealism is a form of graphic strategies to communicate the proper emotion. It reproduces realistic expressions through realistic tones and details.

This woman’s expression is not simplified; it is very realistic. It is an expression of anger through detail of her eyes, mouth, and finger point. She’s upset that Batman’s weaponery in the beginning sliced her face. This is why he feels like giving up but ultimately leads to a resurgence of power and might.

Picture Specific

Picture specific is the power of a picture to convey the appropriate message until necessary.

This is a single panel with just a picture and no words. The preceding panels discussed Ra’s toxic airborne poison. This single picture is enough to show that Batman understands the filth of the city provides a perfect setting for Ra’s plan. Batman is ultimately motivated now understanding how lethal his plan could be with such filth in the city that helps spread the toxin.

Establishing Shot

An establishing shot gives the audience an introduction into the sense of place.

This establishing shot of Batman’s mansion lends the audience a look into his inner life which is rooted in character integrity by reproducing the same mansion in all forms of transmedia.

Word Specific

Word-specific relies on the words to carry the story or depict the proper meaning.

Without the words, the audience wouldn’t know if he was saying a final goodbye or coming back as Batman. A word specific combo with the picture of him over the city gives the audience the correct translation of what he is planning. This is an adaptation of his motivation to continue.

Body Language - Imbalance

An imbalance between people can signify an imbalance of power, control, or a heightened threat.

All three figures in this panel are imbalanced creating a power dimension; the victim is the lowest in height and the two men on the sides are higher in power as well as placement. The man on the left is also threatening by cornering the victim. This is motivation for Batman to fight Ra’s because he knows someone is in true danger other than the citizens.

Sense of Depth

Depth detail in pictures provide the audience with a greater sense of location and understanding of the story.

The depth detail in this panel shows that Batman dropped the criminals off at the police station. This is a testament to character integrity because Batman is known for providing justice and not vengeance where he could kill all of his victims.

In ConclusionThis comic could have provided a more thorough plot, however it did align itself greatly with Batman’s character integrity. Batman was constantly motivated by providing protection to his city despite a minor setback in the beginning. His character integrity is also kept in contact by his desire to defeat Ra’s although he feels like his powers are no longer beneficial.

It is important to maintain character integrity through different forms of transmedia because you want to continue the following that the character has and disrupting the integrity would ultimately lose fans.