Batman Through the Years -- "Martha"

We know, we know. Batman v. Superman was so 4 weeks ago, but hear us out. Many people still think that the "Martha" scene didn't make any sense.  The internet has already passed its verdict, the scene is stupid. People can make Martha memes already. Here are some of the memes which we think are a bit funny.

So did we just become friends?

You're mom's name is Martha too!? 

Even Darkseid knows the World's Finest became soft.

Kidding aside, we believe that the Martha scene is probably the most beautiful and deepest scene in the movie. It goes as deep as the foundation of Batman's character. And here's the point where you have to bear with us.

What makes Batman, Batman?

We all know his story--his parents got killed, he lived a life seeking vengeance, and he fights the unending battle between justice and inequality. Pretty much thats Batman. But in the microscopic level, Batman is the antithesis to his own being.

Lets start with how Bruce was transformed into Batman. Batman: Hush gives us a very descriptive narrative on how one night can change everything. The death of the Wayne spouses triggered everything for Bruce. He never found peace after that.

From that page alone, we can already tell that Bruce took the death of his parents personal. It is as if he takes responsibility for their death. He even makes the promise--a VOW to be specific. 

"A vow to rid the city of the evil that had taken their lives."

That panel alone will tell you that Batman is the antithesis to his existence. He becomes Batman in order that no one else will become Batman in the future. He takes a vow that no kid will ever experience what he went through. He becomes Batman in order that no one else will carry the same burder that he is carrying.

His sense of purpose was complimented by the dialogues in Batman: Year One.

Here, Bruce seeks help from his father as to how he can strike fear in the hearts of the wrongdoers. This is the method he thinks is effective in order to keep his vow. When Joe Chill appeared in that dark alley, Bruce feared him. He wasn't able to move nor react to what just happened. He thinks that this fear--the fear he felt when his parents dies--is a great tool to immobilize the wrongdoers.

The trauma he experienced is the same tool he's using to prevent another Batman to come into existence. In the words of Bob Kane, he created Batman as a "psychologically disturbed eccentric" character. That is very evident in his mission. Batman is Batman in order that no one else will become Batman.

Going back to Batman v. Superman...

Zack Snyder is a brilliant man for including the death of the Waynes in the movie. The initial reaction was that we don't need another origin story. But if you analyze everything, the purpose of the death of the Waynes scene was not to reiterate the origins of Batman. No! It was used to set up the "Martha" scene.

The "Martha" scene, while it may look dumb for the casual fans, it actually runs deep to Batman's origin. Going back to the point made in the earlier paragraphs, Batman is the antithesis to his existence or his purpose.

If you didn't notice it, when Thomas was shot, he echoed "Martha" to Bruce's memory. That word alone would definitely trigger the trauma and the baggage that Bruce is carrying. It is for the same reason why Batman almost lost his sanity when Superman uttered, "Martha".

Batman really lost it! When he was about to kill the Man of Steel, he was taken aback and showed his humanity. It was when Lois said that Martha is the name of Superman's mother was the moment Bruce regained his sanity. He remembered his purpose--be the Bat in order that no person will suffer from the same trauma.  Batman even reassured Superman that Ma Kent will not die.

Again, while the "Martha" scene may look stupid, think again. Batman and Superman did not became friends immediately. It was more of Bruce's mission to rid the world of another 'Batman'. It is his vow that made him promise to Superman that Martha Kent will not be killed by criminals.

Saying that the scene is stupid and dumb is like saying that Batman's origin and foundation is dense and awful. So there you have it. That is why we think the Martha scene is the most beautiful think in the movie.