Are you a comic book fan or a super hero fan?

There is a tendency to link comic books and super heroes together. Over the past 40+ years the two have shared a symbiotic relationship. There are good things and bad things about this relationship, but overall I think it has been a good thing. But I’m starting to wonder if this relationship is changing.

Until recently, the super hero genre was unnecessarily saddled with many of the campier story devices from comic books. The old Adam West Batman television show is a prime example. It made the comic book “POW!” effect become a standard super hero genre device. (Don’t get me wrong; I still think that the Adam West Batman will lead to world peace.) Linking super heroes and comic books so closely helped keep both alive, but with the unfortunate downside of limiting the audience of both. People not interested in super heroes were not going to explore the comic book medium, and people not interested in comic books were not going to explore super hero stories told in other mediums.

I started out as a super hero fan. There was something about super hero stories that I really connected with and comic books were the best place to get them. Eventually I began to explore the other story genres in comic books and developed a love for the medium. And I think we are beginning to see comic books and super heroes grow beyond each other.

Status Quo

Comics and super heroes will be connected for many years to come, but both are growing. More and more comic book creators are exploring genres outside of super heroes with wonderful success. Comics like Usagi Yojimbo, Y the Last Man, Kabuki and The Walking Dead just to name a few. Additionally, super heroes stories are being told outside of comic books without relying on comic book story devices. Movies, television and video games are all starting to experiment with the genre.

The comic book/super hero status quo is changing and there are going to be some growing pains, but I think that the best days for both comic books and super heroes are still ahead.

I still hold to my claim that world peace can be achieved through the Batusi (the Batman Dance). When I first uncovered that nugget of goodness I had a hard time believing it. After all, that’s a pretty tall order for a go-go dance, even one from the 60’s. But I never suspected that I had merely found the tip of the iceberg.

You see, Batman is the answer to more than world peace. In my myopic view I thought only about us humans (and meta-humans). I am ashamed to say that I didn’t give any thought to our animal friends who share this big blue marble we call Earth. But no longer, for the animals have spoken.

Actually, they sang.

Yes, my friends, it turns out that a dolphin has learned to sing the Batman theme song. (Read about it here.) Not only can Batman unite the people of the Earth, he can unite the mammals of the Earth. I have no doubt that Batman can get us together with the rest of the vertebrates in short order. The invertebrates on the other hand… I’m not sure if even Batman can help us there. Those dadgum invertebrates can be impossible.

But let’s keep the faith.

Can the Adam West Batman dance, the batusi, save the world? Clearly the answer is yes. If you need further convincing, then read on.

First, I would like to point out that the batusi has it’s own entry in Wikipedia. You’ve gotta love the Internet.

The Batusi

But WHY does the batusi have it’s own entry in Wikipedia? Does the image of Adam West convulsing in a body sock and cape really deserve that distinction? The cynics in the audience will say it’s there “just cuz”, and they may be right. But I think there is more to it. Much more. I think the universe is speaking to us.

You see the batusi may, in fact, be the key to world peace. I submit that it is impossible for a person to remain angry while doing the batusi. (Even without the cape.) Imagine if you will, an international law that required any groups that wanted to go to war with each other to batusi first. Picture armies meeting on the field of battle, laying their weapons on the ground, and busting into the batusi. Within five minutes everyone would lose all interest in fighting. Then the leaders would have to get together to work out differences. But each diplomatic session would be required to begin with eight-and-a-half minutes of batusi-ing. We could get things worked out.

The batusi would also help maintain the peace. The batusi would become the global symbol for a shared human culture. The world could celebrate international Batusi Day. (By now “Batusi” has earned the capital “B”.) Batusi Day will be a day where we put aside our differences and celebrate the human capacity for absurdity.

Adam West has shown us the way, and for that we are forever in his debt, but now it is our turn. The revolution begins with us. Whenever you find yourself in a conflict with your spouse, friend, co-worker, or total stranger, invite them to join you for five minutes of the Batusi. The conflict will end there.

People of the world, let us join together and Batusi for a Better Tomorrow.