Lucky Number Se7en

Author's note:
1. This post contains personal opinions which are reflected upon facts.
2. May contain big pictures.

Good evening, commissioner.

You would probably remember that quote said by one of our most famous villain. I'm sure you'd know who but I'll leave the names out for the time being.

Well, I thought instead of telling you what communication is, I have decided to do something more interesting which is to give you my views on an examples and relate it to communication. I'll be using one of the most famous characters from DC Comics as an example.

The character I am talking about would be our most famous Dark Knight or Batman, created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. In brief, Bruce Wayne (Batman's real identity) witnessed his parents' murder in an alley after coming out from a show. As an orphan, he lived with his butler as he trained and studied across the world. In the end, he decided to use his skills and knowledge to fight crime in a bat-like costume.

So how does Batman/Bruce Wayne related to Human Communication?


As a wealthy person.
In the day, he goes by Bruce Wayne. Not many people know who Batman's true identity is because as Bruce Wayne, he is able to blend in the crowd very well. His has a charming and charitable personality which makes him acceptable in society. The way he talks, he is able to persuade people and dazzle women.

In other words: Bruce Wayne understood the communication competences which are there is no one ideal way and it is situational. Knowing that he is Bruce Wayne and not Batman, he is able to act as a multimillionaire and relate with society.


As a bat.
In the night, he goes by Batman. With his bat-like costume, he tries to instil fear into society in order to stop crime. He tries to be as intimidating as possible, and even changes the tone of his voice when talking in order to sound tougher. Unlike Bruce Wayne, he does not mind being not acceptable in society. In fact, because of this, no one would actually guess that Batman is Bruce Wayne.

In other words: Batman is no longer Bruce Wayne and does not have to matter if Batman is accepted by society so much. He knows that Batman should be presented as such and so by changing his voice and non-verbal communications, he can achieve his goals.

As a hero.
Batman is the good guy, or tries to be. The way he appears out of nowhere, defeats criminals, save the damsel in distress and disappears into the shadow is enough to portray Batman as the hero to some people. He does not speak much and all his communication is done through his good deeds. But is that enough?

In other words: Because he chose not to talk much, his communication fully depend on non-verbal communication. His actions speak louder than words. By punching the bad guy, he is trying to say: "You should stop doing bad things or else..." The message is decoded by the person in the form of pain and agony. And if the bad guy faints, it means he failed to comply.


As a freak.
Even though he is a hero, people still think of him as a freak. A person wearing tight dark suit with wings is enough to misled society into stereotyping the person as a freak. Most of them would think: "Who in the right mind would do such a thing?"

"Don't talk like one of them, you're not! Even if you'd like to be. To them, you're just a freak–like me!" – Joker (portrayed by Heath Ledger) in The Dark Knight, 2008.

In other words: Communication is complex and will fail if it can (Donell King, 2000).

As a criminal.
Sadly, this is what happens when communication fails. People only see the bad side of things which Batman has brought upon the community such as new psychotic villains and fear throughout the hearts of people. When the hero is not needed, he's just a freak and people prejudge freaks as being the outcast and the bad ones.

In other words: No matter what, if a message can be interpreted by different ways, it will comprehend in the way which does the most damage (Donell King, 2000). Furthermore, when you don't need something, you will dismiss it. Only when you need something will you appreciate it.


As a symbol.
Batman is one of those superheroes who do not talk much during his fights. Even so, through his actions, he is able to send a message to the society so much so that people are copying his act. He has made a strong impact on society, both as Bruce Wayne and Batman, even if it is good or bad.

In other words: Batman himself is a form of communication to either the characters in the comic or the people reading the comic. He is a symbol which can translate into varies messages depending on the culture, situation, perception and thoughts.

Communication is everywhere and everything. You can even find it in comic books and then if you have free time, you can do a whole article about the communcation in the comic book. It depends on how you percieve it. I wanted to do about Superman and Watchmen (I just finish reading it) as well but Batman was a lot.

This post, which will not self-destruct, was written by,
Eugene.

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Bruce Wayne/Batman is a fictional character and it is © DC Comics.

References:
Best Brands of the World, DC Comics logo, online, retrieved 1 September 2008, from http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/

Batman Movie Buzz, Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne in The Dark Knight, 2008, online, retrieved 1 September 2008, from http://www.batman-movie-buzz.com/

World Finest Online, Batman in Batman: The Animated Series, online, retrieved 1 September 2008, from http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/

DC Database Project, Bizarro Batman, online, retrieved 1 September 2008, from http://en.dcdatabaseproject.com/Main_Page

Squat Orange, Batman logo, online, retrieved 1 September 2008, from http://www.squatorange.com/

Donell King, 2000, Four Principles of Interpersonal Communication, online, retrieved 1 September 2008, from http://www.pstcc.edu/facstaff/dking/interpr.htm