The Hero as a Societal Mirror: 1966 vs. 2022
I was but a baby when the Batman TV series first aired. Not until I was 6 or 7 years old did I start to apprcieate the fun and outlandishness that was the Adam West portrayal of the Caped Crusader. I still get a kick out of the POW! and the Oof! thought bubble that showed up on my TV as reruns in the early 1970s. My dad pointed out that they filmed the movie in my hometown. Stearns Wharf. I usually caught the reruns after school. I waatched them while doing my homework.
So, I thought that comparing the "Bright Knight" of 1966 to the "Dark Knight" of the modern era would reveal how superhero media acts as a direct mirror for societal health. While both versions feature a man in a cowl, they are philosophically distinct responses to the world around them.
Adam West: The "Establishment" Hero (1966)
In the 1960s, Batman was a "fully deputized agent of the law." He worked in broad daylight, maintained a cordial relationship with the police, and represented absolute civic order.
Philosophy: Sincerity and Duty. Adam West’s Batman was a moral instructor for a Cold War-era audience, emphasizing that following the rules was the path to safety.
Societal Context: The show’s "Pop Art" vibrancy reflected a mid-century optimism, even while its "Camp" tone allowed adults to satirize the very authority Batman represented.
Robert Pattinson/Modern Era: The "Grief-Horror" Hero (2022)
By contrast, modern interpretations like Matt Reeves' The Batman treat the character through a lens of trauma and institutional failure.
Philosophy: Obsession and Internalized Horror. Much like the character Ava in We Bury the Dead, the modern Batman is defined by a refusal to let go of the past. His heroism is not a civic duty, but a psychological burden.
Societal Context: Today's desaturated, "gritty" palettes signify a deep skepticism of institutions. In 2026, we find realism in the "broken" hero because it reflects a world where catastrophe has already happened and we are simply managing the aftermath.
The Caped Crusader of yesteryear, and the Dark Hero of theday.
(Note: As seen in our Metropolis discussion, the use of heavy shadows and "Expressionist" lighting in modern Batman films is a direct descendant of the silent era's visual language of unease.)
Evolution of the Bat
Whether "cheesy" or "chilling," Batman remains one of our most flexible cultural myths. He fits into whatever container society currently needs—whether that is a colorful escape or a dark reflection of our own anxieties.