Many have called out the more problematic aspects of Batman’s quest to rid Gotham City of crime throughout the years. Yet while these criticisms are valid, at least one story from the comics shows that the hero has other ways of fighting crime and injustice.
A criticism often leveled at Batman is how the character is a wealthy billionaire who puts on a costume to beat up criminals in a lower social strata. Such critics point out that Bruce Wayne could find a better way to help Gotham City with the vast wealth and resources at his disposal, other than playing dress-up and zipping around the city with his very expensive toys. While these criticisms are valid points, several moments from the comics show that Batman’s fight against crime in Gotham extends further than just punching out criminals.
One such instance appears in Batman #664 by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert. The story sees the GCPD acquiring prostitutes for a Bane-like, venom-enhanced corrupt cop. Once those prostitutes start to go missing, Batman arrives to investigate. He questions some of the prostitutes, bringing him into contact with Ellie, the youngest of them. Realizing she’s too young to be on the streets, Batman hands her a card for Waynetech, telling her he hears they’re hiring receptionists. Lest we think the Dark Knight is going all soft and sentimental, Batman delivers his advice in typically gruff, no-nonsense fashion.
It’s a small act of kindness, but one that carries tremendous weight. Ellie shows up sporadically throughout Grant Morrison’s Batman run, where she goes on to work for Bruce Wayne’s company, eventually becoming the receptionist at the main door for Wayne Enterprises. Although not a major story point in Morrison’s run, utilizing a background character in such a fashion is the perfect way to depicting Batman’s overall effect on Gotham City, showing how even the smallest act performed by the Dark Knight goes on to have lasting effects.
For while he routinely dons the cape and cowl to engage in his war on crime, it’s the effect Batman has on everyday people that proves to be his greatest legacy.
