What tips does the book Becoming Batman: The Possibility Of A Superhero offer when it comes to transforming into a hero? Both the Batman comics and early live-action movies tended to gloss over the physical requirements needed to don the cowl. Prior to Becoming Batman: The Possibility Of A Superhero being published, Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins decided to approach the material from a more grounded perspective. Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne is seen undergoing years of training before becoming the Caped Crusader, and the movie also maps out how he acquired his suit and gadgets.
Despite this grittier aesthetic The Dark Knight trilogy isn’t exactly a documentary on how to become a superhero either. One of the reasons Batman is such a beloved character is because he’s ultimately a human being. He has no superpowers to speak of and he’s earned his abilities through rigorous training. There’s an element of wish fulfillment with the character, which is why he’s remained so popular after all these years.
For those interested in what the physical requirements of transforming into the character would be, Becoming Batman: The Possibility Of A Superhero is a great place to start. The book was written by neuroscientist E. Paul Zehr, who also has a background in martial arts, and the book breaks down the training needed to become the Caped Crusader - turns out it’s not easy.
Becoming Batman: The Possibility Of A Superhero doesn’t break down the history of the character but focuses on the physical and mental rigors needed. While Batman obviously needs to be in peak physical condition, one tip Zehr does emphasize is he doesn’t have to be the BEST at any one discipline. He’s not the fastest runner or the deadliest fighter in a given martial art, but he must at least have training in them. That said, his fighting style must prioritize incapacitating foes instead of killing them, which requires more intense training.
Naturally, Becoming Batman: The Possibility Of A Superhero also compares the character to an athlete who has been training from an early age. Zehr estimates it would take around 15 years to reach peak Batman shape, and explores how genetics would play a major role in that process. The author uses the book as sort of an aspirational tool, focusing on how the message of the character should be about people pushing themselves past what they perceive as their limits. More than anything, willpower is key.
Becoming Batman: The Possibility Of A Superhero dives into subjects like the diet required and the toll combat would take on the body too, which was touched on somewhat in The Dark Knight Rises. The takeaways from the book are that becoming Batman requires extreme mental fortitude, years of training in a broad range of physical skills, and the desire to actually do it; being a billionaire and genius-level detective is an added advantage. Zehr also wrote a similar book called Inventing Iron Man: The Possibility of a Human Machine, breaking down the steps to becoming Iron Man. Both books make for fascinating reads, but also reveal being a real superhero is really hard work.
Next: Batman’s Devastator Villain Form Explained
