Batman/Ho Yay: Difference between revisions

* Lord knows [http://superdickery.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=32&Itemid=50 where] they got it [http://superdickery.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=32&Itemid=50&limitstart=72 from] but many people interpret ''[[Batman]]'' as having plenty of [[Ho Yay]]. One [[Moral Guardians]], Frederic Wertham, famously claimed that it was "homosexual propaganda". Some later writers intentionally joked around with this.

** Among other things, [[The Joker|Joker]] is occasionally thought to have feelings for Batman that go beyond simple obsession and into romantic obsession. In one scene, he tortures [[Lex Luthor]], and Lex Luthor asks him if he is upset that Batman loves Catwoman more than him. Joker looks almost adorably bewildered for a moment before flying into a rage and jacking up the torture level.

*** Subverted in a recent Batman Confidential, when Batman commits a crime as his criminal persona, Matches Malone, so he'll get sent to jail, get put in the cell next to Joker's, and pick his brains. After Joker recognizes him-in about five seconds-Batman changes clothes right there, causing Joker to turn around and cover his eyes. "Don't worry. I like-a the ''ladies''

*** More or less confirmed in the recent "Cacophony" mini series where Joker's stated dreams are to humiliate Batman, kill him, then violate his corpse sexually. (What? You were expecting something ROMANTIC or even ''sane'' from the Joker?)

*** [[Lampshade Hanging|Lampshaded]] by [[Batgirl]] [http://media.photobucket.com/image/harley%20batgirl/Insanely-Random/Cartoons/batgirlharley.jpg?o=7 once], when she [[Enemy Mine|teamed up with Harley]]. Harley got her right back:

<!-- %% Found in [[http://community.livejournal.com/scans_daily/5275280.html 'Brave and the Bold Cartoon Officially Announced']] -->

'''Batgirl''': What?! Who says...? Forget it! Forget it! }}

*** The suggestive drawings of the two by [[Bruce Timm]] don't exactly serve to disprove the implications between them.

*** Not to mention in a very similar case of taking over the asylum and having fun with [[The Creeper]], Joker mentions to him ''"That laugh of yours... It just makes me tingle all over"''

*** In the first issue of Harley Quinn's solo series, a theme park is opened, with versions of Batman and Robin. Robin is cast as a curvaceous, pretty young woman, which the producer explains that:

*** Batman refers to Robin as being his "partner", and didn't stop even when "partner" took on the meaning of "lover".

*** The relationship between Batman and his Robins is explicitly stated as being not ''quite'' father-and-son. Dick's affection for Bruce, in particular, is canonically judged by other characters as being, well, a little too much.

*** Also, during this arc, Strange is depicted as extremely, y'know, ''[[Villainous Breakdown|crazy]]''.

*** Not to mention that the second Robin (who was the first child to be adopted by Bruce, years before even Dick), Jason Todd, went on a [[Roaring Rampage of Revenge]] after he came [[Back From the Dead]] that was mostly motivated by his finding out that Bruce hadn't broken [[Thou Shalt Not Kill|his one rule]] to avenge Jason's death.

*** Though that's more likely due to Jason seeing Bruce as a father more than anything else.

*** Though the "I just love to watch you work" scene says otherwise.

*** Amendment: not funny any more ''when Jeph Loeb himself does it''.

*** The thing is, Loeb was by no means the first writer to make you doubt the heterosexuality of Superman and Batman. I would dare say that honour goes to Doug Moench in [http://the-isb.blogspot.com/2005/11/where-they-went-wrong-superman-and.html ''World's Finest'' #289], also covered [http://asylums.insanejournal.com/scans_daily/813229.html#cutid1 here]. It starts off with the two seeking comfort in each other at the Fortress of Solitude one lonely night and Holy Mother of God, does it go downhill from there (or [[Lampshaded Double Entendre|uphill, depending on your point of view]]). It ends with - swear to God - [[Naughty Tentacles]], and the two of them embracing. And with dialogue like this (emphasis ''so'' not mine):

'''Narrator''': They hold the '''grip''' for a long time.... }}

*** As a commenter said, "I think the only way this would be less subtle without actual porn is if it ended with a tasteful shot of them snuggling in bed together."