Great post! I had thoughts! I’ve been a fan of every iteration of Batman, even in animation (which is my favorite version).

I always thought of Joker as someone who experienced the same traumatic incidents as Wayne, but never made any effort to rise above it, sinking into nihilism and despair. Batman experiences the worst too, but chose to aim for hope instead.

For me my love for Batman (and Superman) is personal. I’ve been in despair. I’ve been in a place with no hope, so I know how it feels like to be in that space.

If Superman represents hope, than Batman is the attempt to reach it!