Behind the Mask: Bruce Wayne or Batman?

   Why do we all love superheroes? What makes them so appealing that we spend hours reading graphic novels about them or spend money to go to the theatres to watch movies about them? My answer to this is that superheroes relate to us on a personal level: they are human, but they do what we as humans cannot do. Behind the mask of Batman, Bruce Wayne is just a man who can transform into this incredible character that rids society of evil. Even when he is Batman, Bruce Wayne is still Bruce Wayne. With or without the mask, he still has this desire to help people and fight crime. This desire stems from his experience as a child watching his parents get murdered right in front of him. I believe that Batman is an amazing character, but that at the end of the day it is just a mask worn by Bruce Wayne.

  


The last panel of the volume that we read for class really stayed in my mind. The picture shows Bruce Wayne surrounded by Robin and his followers. They are making plans to band together and grow stronger as a group. I like this panel because Bruce Wayne is not depicted as Batman at the very end, he is depicted as who he really is: a man growing in age and wisdom.

 

 

   The debate will probably continue forever about whether Bruce Wayne is the mask for Batman or if Batman is the mask for Bruce Wayne. I think that each one of us has the right to interpret that for our own satisfaction. I have my answer. What is yours?

Trying New Things - From Blogging to Graphic Novels

   My name is Hannah Brown and I am a senior here at Jacksonville State University. I am studying English and Spanish in pursuit of my undergraduate degree that I will receive (if all goes well) on May 1 of this year! I absolutely love the Spanish language and am planning on becoming a state certified Spanish interpreter.
   I have a wide range of interests, from shooting targets with my .22 rifle on my family's farm to shopping for a new Michael Kors bag. I have been in love with reading since before I could actually read. I have accumulated so many novels that my bookshelves are overflowing with stacks of literature. I always wanted to pursue a career in teaching literature until I got to college and started taking Spanish and French classes. I fell in love with the Spanish language and decided I wanted to dedicate my life to helping individuals who cannot speak English communicate in everyday settings. Along with reading books and learning languages, I also enjoy experimenting with makeup. I love helping women look and feel beautiful. I believe that a woman who works hard, reads, and spreads positivity to everyone she meets is a force to be reckoned with.
   I have never read a graphic novel before this class, so I am very excited for the opportunity to expand my reading spectrum. I never realized the literary value that graphic novels possess. After flipping through the volumes that we will be reading in this class, I am looking forward to adding these books to my library!