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Scott Snyder: The Friendship that defined his run on Batman

April 5th, 2016 by Mark McCann Comments

scott snyder

With April’s issue #51 Scott Snyder departs Batman after a classic run (pre, and) through DC’s New 52 that might well define the 2010’s Bat era. Snyder gave an in-depth interview with CBR regards his departure from the main title and plans for an All Star Batman series using Batman’s extensive rogues catalogue with a rotating cast of artists.

Perhaps one of the nicest quotes that came from said interview was regards his friendship with superstar artist and regular Batman collaborator Greg Capullo was: “I think the thing I’m proudest of, honestly, in our entire time on “Batman” and our friendship — which to me I’d say, in all honesty, If I had to trade my run on “Batman” and go back to being a no one, or someone who’s just started and keeping my friendship with Greg, or trading my friendship with Greg for the kind of success that we’ve had on “Batman,” for 100% of my kids I’d trade the success of Batman to keep the friendship that I’ve made with Greg. I mean, he’s become a brother to me.”

What strikes this writer as important about Snyder’s quote is that in an era of increasingly dark world views, indeed darker takes on Batman in other media, Snyder found something deeply positive and personally rewarding during his experience on the book.

He also said regards the character of Batman: “in terms of the book itself or our configuration of Batman, what I’m proudest of is I really think that when I was a kid, Batman represented this figure that kind of scared people back into the shadows, and that was necessary for that moment. Especially New York in the ’80s, where the fears were very, very small, about urban decay and crime — very, very circumscribed by the city itself.

Today with the internet I feel like we live in a very global community, and our fears are much larger. They’re national and global — you fear terrorism and resource depletion and all this kind of stuff, and Batman can’t fight those things. And so, what I really hope what we’ve turned him into — instead of a symbol of intimidation, which is a fine symbol to be back then — he’s kind of a symbol of inspiration. Where, instead of scaring bad people into the shadows, he brings good people out into the light, and inspires us to be the best versions of ourselves that we can be, and overcome our fear — like you’re saying — fear is playing a large part in this mythology. I think he says, no matter what Gotham throws you, no matter what terrifying thing it generates for you to face, you can overcome that in your life. And I feel that’s why he’s such an enduring character, and why he’s endlessly so fun to write.”

Helming a character enshrined by a darker ethic, some would say blighted by a sketchy moral compass the writer here seems to know exactly what makes Batman tick, indeed I think Snyder has made a Batman less about punching people and more about inspiring them.

In today’s grim-dark world that sort of hopeful optimisms infectious. It’s also the sort of Batman this reader wants to read about.

I came here in a time machine from the 1980s. The time machine was called childhood. I'm getting back there at all costs! (I also live, love, write, lift & pet cats wherever I may find them.)