Superheroes work on an agenda; an unsaid rule that delegates them the responsibility of saving the world from the dark forces. Bestowed with superpowers abundant, these ‘men on a mission’ have enthralled us since time immemorial. Darth Vader, The Joker and Lex Luther are mentioned in hushed tones, while Superman, Spiderman, Captain Planet and their tribe have transcended imagination to establish a stronghold on the psyche of those who dare to step into the world of fantasy. Amidst the clutter of these invincible superheroes, a mortal hero had risen around a century ago. He couldn’t dodge bullets, jump 30 feet across buildings, evade laser beams or stare-stop a pellet burst. A disturbing childhood, a dark past and black-winged creatures spurred his pent-up emotions, eventually creating a merciless caped crusader; a criminal’s worst nightmare. A legend was born and a legion ensued. And, we had a hero who was vulnerable, emotional, given to carnal pleasures and yet, fearless, intelligent and disarmingly charming – a man every other man can identify with.

Batman is not your archetypal superhero. Yet, he is the character our frustration for the corrupt system can feed of. He is what you have always dreamt to be, sans the mask. Despite his dual-faced nature, Batman’s likeability lies in the character’s perfect manifestation of a vengeful, wronged man. And his dark bearings hold little to restrain the aura that precedes him. Batman is a superhero who has overcome his ‘worst fear’ to rid the world of theirs. Ironically, he is one of the very few superheroes who have no detractors among the people he fights for. Cloaked by the shadows, he battles the very evil that sullied his youth. The ‘Dark Knight’ finds a screen representation this Friday and there’s more to the event than a visual treat. It will reiterate a message!

Take a look around you and witness a murkiness similar to Gotham City. You are left with a choice. And if I may whack a line from ‘Batman Begins’, it is not what you are but what you do that defines you. Find the crusader inside you!

Pssst…there is another masked hero who fights crime outside the concrete jungle. More on the ‘Phantom’ later…