Batman in front of the bat-signal…
…is there a more iconic image in comics or movies? So the problem for modern writers isn't how (and with what) to replace the 1940's bat-signal with. In the modern world there are a lot of communication apps and devices. I'm not arguing your points on all of that. The problem contemporary writers face is how to find good enough reasons to
keep that roof searchlight and
that iconic image.
I thought Nolan did a great job on that department.
Bat-Signal's a pretty iconic thing. It's certainly more visually appealing than just Batman checking a notification on his mobile phone.
And it makes some sense even in today's world, if for nothing else then to
"remind the people he's out there."
That's a cool image. Antiquated or not, the Bat-Signal is awesome. Some elements of heroes are timeless, and I'd much rather see the bat signal then watch Batman check his Bat-phone for a text from Gordon
Definitely...and really, on a movie screen, the Batsignal would look good... the BatApp might be better for a social media download/promo.
…and Superman stopped wearing his underwear over his tights!
THANK you! When I first read the response, I wanted to say it so bad, but my phone was dying (and wondering if I was the only one with that argument. His argument against the BatSignal seems like it would apply to his argument for the tights. I mean, I understand that some fans really want them kept, and I don't hate them for it.... but let's be consistent and not hypocritical.
Sure, that's the excuse that modern Batman comics and films have come up with to justify the continued use of a 1940s technology. We've seen stories about the police shining the Bat-Signal in the sky as a warning to criminals. But if you really take a look at it critically, does it hold up? Is that really the best way for actually getting Batman's attention? Leave aside the fact that it would be completely useless on a clear night, let alone in the day. Leave aside the fact that it isn't 1942 anymore and we have e-mail and Twitter. Doesn't it stand to reason that there would often be times that it would be better for Gordon and Batman to meet clandestinely, without alerting the whole city? Wouldn't it often risk provoking a criminal to strike sooner, or scaring off someone they wanted to entrap, if they blatantly advertised that Batman was being called in? How does that constitute deception? Heck, the only times the Bat-Signal really seems to serve a purpose anymore are in stories where Batman's missing or believed dead and the cops want to pretend they're still in touch with him. That's deception, sure, but it only works in the absence of Batman.
There are times when symbolism and advertisement are useful. But they are not necessarily the same times that communication is desirable. They're two separate goals, and they don't always align. So if the only justifiable modern excuse for the Bat-Signal is symbolism, then clearly it's not an ideal means for communication per se.
Also, the reason modern stories still use the Bat-Signal is because it's remembered from its uses in the past. But in a modern adaptation, Batman would be a product of the 21st century (or at earliest the 1990s) and he and Gordon would most likely come up with a more modern way to communicate.
I don't think anyone here is really arguing that Batman
should have a better way to communicate.
Sure, it's iconic, but that doesn't absolutely require it to be kept. I mean, the cover to Action Comics #1 is iconic, but few Superman productions have gone to the trouble to recreate it (although a rendering of it was visible on Bruce Wayne's bulletin board of Superman clippings in Batman v Superman). The Batman managed pretty well without the Bat-Signal for two years. The '66 series rarely used it, and I don't think it ever actually had Batman in the same shot as the signal, just the cops operating it in hopes that Batman would see it and rush to Commissioner Gordon's office.
No, he stopped wearing trunks over his tights. Aside from that, I grant it's a fair point; it's a design element dating from the '40s, although I'd argue that it still looks better than the recent redesigns despite that. (Heck, capes are a costume design element dating from centuries earlier, but people still think they look good.) And yes, that's an argument for keeping the Bat-Signal, because it's still a striking visual, however nonsensical it is from a functional standpoint.
But I think it comes down to a question of whether the alternative is better. I don't think the alternatives to Superman's trunks are better. I think the costume designs that have been used in the comics, movies, and TV in the past 5 years are not as aesthetically effective and well-balanced as the classic design, so I don't think it's an improvement or a beneficial change. But as I've said, there are clearly ways of contacting Batman today that are not merely more modern, but more functional, more effective, more practical than a searchlight on the roof.
The thing is, some of these things are so iconic, a vague use of it will get people to connect with it. It gets especially fans excited, and adds to the positive vibe before the movie actuallycomes out
If you showed someone a stick figure with a cape , there's a very good chance they wil say it's a Superhero, probably say SUperman. And if it's a red cape, that percentage goes up even higher. Very true, as you often point out, no one really wears capes anymore. But if Family Feud did a survey, the #1 answer would be Superhero (and maybe even Superman if they had enough answers to parse it out. #2 ). #2/#3 would be Dracula. And that kind of association is why you would keep Ihe cape, despite it being out fashion/unneeded.
For goodness sake, Christopher, you're a Star Trek fan...and an official Star Trek writer at that! You should be
quite adept at rationalizing things that don't make sense.
My rationalization for the BatSignal is that it was used for 2 reasons: in case of major blackout...the signal could be used without major electricity - just a generator and 2) The symbolism...to let everyone know that Batman was in action. More symbolic than practical.
