Chemicals and Crazy People: The Evils of Batman’s World

Abstract

Batman, the creation of Bob Kane and Bill Finger, who first appeared in DC Comics as a comic book superhero in May 1939, is not a classic superhero in the sense that he possesses supernatural abilities. Instead, he relies on his intellect, training, tools and determination. The villains he faces are different from the classic binary of good vs. evil as well. This paper examines how evil is portrayed in Batman’s world—evil as embodied by the villains he confronts and evils that result from hopes disappointed, opportunities denied and evil that does not even arise from evil intentions for personal gain, the evil of people who, as Alfred tells Batman, “just want to see the world burn”.