The first Batman films came out in the 1940s, but it was the Adam West series (also producing a film) that popularised the character to an audience beyond comic-book readers. Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) portrayed a darker view of Gotham and was a critical and financial success, followed by an excellent sequel then two weaker films. The poor reception of the fourth film meant there were no more Batman movies until Batman Begins in 2005. This was the first of the Dark Knight trilogy, directed by Christopher Nolan with Christian Bale in the title role. These were more realistic but bleaker than the earlier films, the tone and themes becoming especially dark towards the end of the series.
Though Batman is a classic comic-book character, in some ways he is an unusual superhero. Batman's alter-ego Bruce Wayne possesses no physical powers and becomes Batman using complex technology, funded by his income from enterprises.
With this mix of detective, cowboy, vigilante and Elon Musk, he uses unilateral action to solve crises, demonstrating society’s continuing reliance on the lone gunslinger. When Gotham is in difficulties, his solution is not to support the democratic process but to face force with force, physically attacking perpetrators of crime, mirroring the USA’s role as a global policeman.
Batman embodies the tough individualism of the frontiersman, relocated to an urban environment. Like the personal instigator or the honour-bound gunman, he is forced to step in and support ordinary citizens when the state cannot. But rather than improve services, he demonstrates that only an informed individual can act as a saviour. His Wild-West is the urban landscape of the 21st century, and he is the knight errant to save us.