[Green Knight]

Don't forget that Batman is stridently anti-gun. In the Batman Beyond pilot, he gave up being Batman not because he was to old and unhealthy to continue, but because he was forced to defend himself with a gun. In the comics, when Azrael replaced Bruce Wayne for a while as Batman it wasn't his brutality that enraged Bruce, but that Azrael had taken to using a gun in his crimefighting.

So Batman was clearly a Democrat. Azrael, on the other hand, is clearly pro-2nd Amendment, so he's a Republican. A trade I'm perfectly willing to make as Azrael looks so much cooler than Batman.

[Austin Willard Wright]

Well, then I guess that rules out Captain America. During the 1970s, he became a self-hating, bleeding heart liberal.

[spetznaz]

When it comes to such stuff Batman is by far my fave. Even more than Azrael. The reason i did not really like Azrael is because:

a) Batman kicked his @$$ (even though Azrael had that special suit of his, while Batz was still suffering from his tussle with Bane).

b) Batman is psychotic, and so is Azrael. However Batman's psychosis is internal and he uses it as a driving force ....while Azrael's is due to some secret cabal that brainwashed him and implanted crazy motives into his mind.

Also i remember one time where Batman took out every member of the justice League (from Superman to the Green Lantern ....each and every member), and the way Batz did this was due to the deep research he had done on his superhuman friends where he had come up with stratagems to neutralize each and everyone of them. Hence even though Batman had no superpowers he managed to knock out every member (he later decided to save them).

Batz finally does not rely on special powers ....just his wit and training. Almost every other personality has some power that is preternatural ..but not Batman. Hence him being my favorite by far (the only guy who comes close by the way is DareDevil. However Batz still comes out on top).

As for Superman i can only say that my allegiance is with Lex Luthor!

[far sider]

Batman isn't anti-gun. He just doesn't use one himself. In Batman Beyond he retired because his heart almost gave out on him and he almost got the person he was trying rescue killed. He has never stated that he was against the second amendment or gun ownership.

As for Azreal I thought he was cancelled....

[Skywalk]

Ok, let me take on my Rusty Shackleford alter ego for a moment.

I believe Superman is a representation of the New Soviet Man.

Consider the following:
1)Superman allegedly fights for the American Way, but the color white is not part of his uniform. Oh yeah, the blue is there to throw the gullible public, but what's in the middle of his chest? A big Red(and not American flag red) 'S' with a yellow diamond background. Lessee, red and yellow what colors could those be?

2)Superman's arch-enemy is a successful capitalist(ahem)

3)The communists in the West were obsessed with the idea of a New Soviet Man, some kind of perfect commie specimen that would be the result of the utopia they'd lead us into. Superman has all these amazing powers, obviously

4)Superman would be a normal person on his planet, just as a Soviet Man would be just another Commie living his life for the collective. But on Earth(or the US) he stands out for his greatness(exemplification of communism)

5)Peasant background of his adoptive family. Glorious peasant collectivization

6)Works for a muckracking paper, I'm sure doing lots of reporting on evil guns and capitalists


That's all I can think of at this point. </Rusty Shackleford aka Dale Gribble>

[Zack Nguyen]

I don't think Batman hated guns because he was anti-2nd amendment. I think he hated guns because they were loud, messy, and crude. One didn't have to be stealthy, powerful, or merciful to use one to subdue an opponent. So he never used them. I think they just offended his standard of decency. That and he was fussy.

[HamiltonJay]

Don't forget that Batman is stridently anti-gun. In the Batman Beyond pilot, he gave up being Batman not because he was to old and unhealthy to continue, but because he was forced to defend himself with a gun.

You are correct Batman is anti gun, but Batman Beyond tv show like most tv derivatives takes liberties with reality. Batman has used guns in the past, and occassionally does now, though he may not like it, he respects them as a weapon and will use them when needed, in fact he is an expert marksman according to the comics. He has never used one to kill, and in fact is anti killing, that is his real psychosis... because of watching his parents killed in front of him, he feels an inate need to protect everyone, while at the same time is unable to kill another, no matter the situation.

The only situation I know of that counters that is when he did try to kill the Joker after the joker killed Robin. Obviously he was unsuccessful.

[No.6]

Bats wasn't anti-gun; it's just that his whole 'superhero' bit was based on when his parents were shot by a mugger. Therefore he personally doesn't use a gun. I don't recall seeing the comic where he leads a gun buyback program hehe.

[weegee]

We're dealing with 60+ years of back history in these characters' lives, written by scores of writers for comic books, comic strips, self contained "mature" graphic novels, radio programs, adventure serials, tv shows, theatrical cartoons, features, etc. Don't expect there to be any real consistency.

Yeah Batman didn't carry a gun but I don't know that the Batman of the 1930s wouldn't carry a gun in todays' media environment.

Let me add this; a liberal comic book writer, Peter David, made an informed statement one time that it is advisable for any writer/actor/director who includes gun use in their stories actually take some firearms training. It is funny to see these anti-gun nuts arming heroes with gargantuan guns and actor tipping the brim of their hats with the barrel of a gun.

[Future Snake Eater]

Yeah, but Azrael was also more than a little psychotic. I'd place him on the left just for that alone since liberals are nuts.