The Mentally Handicapped Batman

[@christopherrobyn4416]

This was actually pretty bad ass. Put his neck out for a self destructive friend to no benefit of his own, gives her hope that she can be better, saves her life and inspires his community to do the right thing simply because it’s the right thing to do. That’s pretty Batman to me.

[@Neillan]

Bruce would be crying rn, it's a beautiful story. Realworlds in general was amazing!

[@lanceknightmare]

It is sad Gotham was far slower to get Batmans message. Only in the story where he takes on The Mutants did the city finally stand up. Only because he was finally able to come out of the shadows and lead directly. Raz Algool was not wrong about Gotham.

[@BrokynDehgital]

That’s hella Batman.

[@jcnot9712]

Sounds a lot like Forrest Gump.

[@youcantbeatk7006]

@@jcnot9712 Fuck Jenny. All my homies hate Jenny.

[@shubashuba9209]

The one and only time the entire city loves Batman and doesn't treat him like a criminal.

[@italucenaz]

Well, in this case he's in fact not a criminal, the real batman actually does a lot of ilegal and shady stuff for the greater good

[@tfordham13]

No

[@Metalffe]

​@@italucenazvigilantism don't get too deep lol

[@SAGE_EDITS_1]

​@@MetalffeIt's still illegal tho

[@Metalffe]

@@SAGE_EDITS_1 no shit

[@ryanleatigaga7596]

This is such a weird elseworlds story, but it's a good kind of weird. Charlie might not have the intellect, gadgets or wealth of Batman, but he definitely has the heart.

[@Blaze_Nights]

Sometimes that's all it takes to be a hero to someone

[@PeptoAbismol]

@@Blaze_Nights charlie is my hero.

[@GamingWithHajimemes]

Did you not see his bat-bat? That's the most techy bat-gadget I've ever seen!

[@soomitsunami5936]

@@GamingWithHajimemesit can 1 shot darksied so I think he can solo Batman

[@micahcole9392]

FACTS!!!!

[@SHDW-nf2ki]

This is a helluva lot better than I expected. I was expecting the standard "heroes aren't real and everything sucks feel sad now" story. I think Bruce would be proud of Charlie tbh.

[@crimsondynamo615]

Bruce would like charlie, you’re right.

[@26th_Primarch]

You know that the story should have ended with Michael Keaton showing up at Charlie's hospital room dressed in his batman movie costume to give him praise for being a hero.

[@marcelberes469]

I want them to meet, somehow.

[@negadoge]

on god, Bruce would make him an honorary member of the Batfamily. he was willing to risk his life to help someone that didn't want the help.

[@burtan2000]

More than that, Batman would be proud. Alfred would be proud. We all know bats has a heart of gold. He's a softie for the downtrodden

[@samuelhealy4425]

I don’t think it’s sad tbh Charlie does save the day in the end and there is hope for Clarissa like there is some dark aspects but it’s overall hopeful I’d say

[@mikayelalikhanyan1587]

exactly i think he was making a joke

[@Mrsmifff]

No he doesn't. The neighbor hood did. Charlie just initiated it.

[@armoiz409]

@@MrsmifffSo he saved the day then

[@samuelhealy4425]

@@Mrsmifff it probably wouldn’t of got involved if Charlie didn’t first though

[@AestheticGamer]

​@@MrsmifffPart of the point of the story is Charlie can do very little by himself, he can't fight well. But his heart is in the right place and he keeps trying, he's helped plenty of people in the neighborhood with various things they needed help with and his determination and action helps inspire and push the people around him to be better and come together to help more like Charlie does for them.

[@LevelUpLeo]

For how much you advertised it as "dark and sad", the story does not come off that way. It shows one person being inspired by a hero to do good, and then that inspiring a whole community to help. Someone gets clean and criminals get caught. No dead parents or dead protagonist or heart break (except for the past friendship).

[@Aquemini2198]

But there were confirmed dead parents. I don't know if Clarissa's parents are ever mentioned, but Charlie stated that Mike had him move into a smaller apartment in the same building after his mom and dad "got dead".

[@LevelUpLeo]

@@Aquemini2198 Yeah, but people dead before a story began are a part of every story. In Care Bears, if it happens in modern day, there are generations and generations of dead people. That doesn't mean that the Care Bears story are dark and sad.

[@Aquemini2198]

@@LevelUpLeoAll I'm saying is that you said there were no dead parents. There are indeed dead parents that are directly mentioned, whether they died off-screen or otherwise. Besides, imo, a batman story is not a batman story without dead parents.

[@AedanBlackheart]

Things don't always end up that way guy...

[@TheBanatter]

​@@ded_lej I mean it's sad in some ways but I think the part where the town stood up for him was pretty nice

[@YaboiAware]

I actually genuinely liked this story, Charlie isn't just some superhuman or completely useless, he does his best with what he can and helps who he's able to, he takes beatings along the way but he doesn't let that deter him from doing what he thinks is right. We should all be like Charlie

[@Vambrayse]

o7

[@comedyreliefguy5112]

o7

[@cprkan]

o7

[@crustacean3845]

o7

[@ForeveraBoss117]

Batman would legit she’d a tear if he saw this. This is what his whole mission is to achieve, taking the fear away from the common man so that they can stand up for what’s right themselves. He’s probably tell the kid to keep out of trouble from now on but he’s be proud.

[@Neillan]

Charlie is fucking awesome! The whole neighborhood helping him take out those thugs at the end was incredible, and it shows that despite all the ridicule and scorn he's faced, there were always people who looked up to his example: *Doing the right thing no matter how difficult it is.* That's the essence behind Batman in it's entirety, after all!

[@TheDoorspook11c]

Batman would train the kid to be an observer, objective and detailed. In my mind, Bruce tells him leave the fighting to the cops, but he can help with what he sees and reports. *tearing up* I used to co teach some exceptional ed kids, they would have been kick ass Robin's!

[@gavindennis9988]

That's not Batman's mission. And he wouldn't cry over this. Just saying.

[@davetheimpaler204]

You know, they should adapt this story for the new Batman cartoon. The only difference is that Charlie would be a fan of the real Batman, who would show up at the end to tell him he did a good job and he's proud of him but gives him a device to contact him instead if he ever runs into criminals again.

[@gavindennis9988]

@@davetheimpaler204 No. First off, the show is set in the 40s/50s. So retards were in institutes, there would be no such device, and that's just a dumb idea for an episode for a limited episode count noir series.

[@Creeper-bm9yo]

I thought this's gonna be something edgy and pretentious but it's actually kind of wholesome!?

[@ihavesnacks4186]

Threw a curveball at us all, didn't he? I thought Charlie was gonna be seriously injured or killed off. Phew.

[@PersonatorTheKing]

@@ihavesnacks4186 bro literally got stabbed

[@Prem_hall_713]

@@PersonatorTheKingokay, and? He came back with that bat and got the whole neighborhood to help him…pretty wholesome

[@user-vi4xy1jw7e]

​@@PersonatorTheKingSeriously injured implies an injury that changes your life forever.

[@goodolnonamee]

@@user-vi4xy1jw7e I think that'd be more of a debilitating injury, I think you can say you got seriously injured if it was bad enough to go to the hospital for it. Then again maybe it depends on where you live, I can see people with free healthcare going to the hospital for boo boos while us Americans avoid hospitals like the plague.....

[@overlordswapi594]

this is actually really wholesome tbh? it ends well too Bruce would be proud of Charlie

[@stoned_savage]

That was an awesome "real world" story. Charlie WAS batman imo. Batman is meant to inspire others, and that's what he did. The neighborhood stood together against the dealers, and that's some real heroes shit that charlie started.

[@DeathLore]

This is why I hate Zack Snyder. He ruined Batman for millennials by showing he beats up criminals to near death and should kill his criminal’s because it is the right thing. But in reality Batman wants to help his criminals be rehabilitated and saves the innocent from them.

[@tio_john]

@@DeathLore i agree even tho i like snyder bats i agree Buce wants to help others including the criminals but he doesn't pull his puntches with them caouse in the end of the day they are still doing horrendous shit.

[@pooliumm1533]

@@tio_johnbut snyders batman misses what makes Batman compelling

[@hinsu6704]

@@DeathLore im glad theres more people out there like me. I love this comment

[@tio_john]

@@pooliumm1533 i know. still i like his take on him.

[@fatcat1414]

I love how this comic doesn't portray a mentally handicapped special interest as the same as a psychotic delusion. Neither deserve to be stigmatized, but the distinction is important. Charlie is essentially just roleplaying out of love and admiration for what Batman represents and he knows it.

[@goranges5582]

This one really struck a chord with me and I’m tearing up a little. My little brother is very autistic, and doesn’t function at much more than a first grade level despite almost being out of high school. He absolutely loves Batman, and goes around calling me Batman and himself Robin constantly. I feel that in a situation like this, though it wouldn’t turn out with a good ending like this, my brother wouldn’t hesitate to do the same as Charlie.

[@sergiomoney101]

Damn. That is both terrifying and heartwarming.

[@hootboi9092]

he took a stand against injustice, risked his life to save others, inspired people to be better, make no mistake charlie IS a batman.

[@jasonstimac238]

He inspired the city to take stand, that’s pretty Batman of him.

[@MrJerichoPumpkin]

now, the story is good and heartwarming, but don't we exagerate it. He inspired a handful of neighours to make a stand against 3 thugs.

[@DJDerpyify]

​@@MrJerichoPumpkinhunt the good things, my friend. Every little bit counts.

[@S0m3B0z0OnTheInternet]

@@MrJerichoPumpkin Even the little things count, and Charlie tried to help everyone he met, even if they weren’t nicest to him, that sounds like Batman to me.

[@lewisaino]

​@@MrJerichoPumpkin3 less problems

[@Neillan]

You're wrong about this being depressing. In fact, it's quite the opposite: a very hopeful and inspiring tale with a deep message and tons of heart. With all the multiverse shenanigans DC is doing nowadays, I'd love to see a story where *Charlie actually met Batman.* He certainly lives up to the legacy!

[@Graphomite]

It's depressing because it's a story about change invalidity and unfulfillment and loss. It also gives us a window into the life of someone that seems to be living in a kind of sisyphean purgatory. Charlie does not--cannot--change in a world that always changes. Nor can he even accept change. He's also living perpetually in confused childish delusion. The ending doesn't show his acceptance. He doesn't learn or improve. It's a lateral progression, from neutral, to terrible, to neutral again. He also doesn't gain anything. He gets is a reminder of trauma, then some new, worse trauma. There's not even a silver lining, other than the knowledge that this tale of Charlie reliving his loss of his BFF won't repeat itself thanks to Clarissa fucking off for good. Hooray? The "best" part of this ending is that Clarissa gets clean. But that's more of a side note about someone who isn't Charlie's (our) business. It's not even a particularly hopeful future for her. If the writer had experience with drugs or druggies, they would know this is not a suggestion of Clarissa happier beginnings, because druggies *don't* snap out of drug abuse in respect of other people's sacrifices. That's not how self improvement works. The most objectively "wholesome" thing that happened is that some people helped a familiar mentally handicapped person who was being beaten in the open street. The writer wants us to believe this is inspired by Charlie's heroism. But the writer also was also trying to avoid hokieness, so they didn't make anyone do anything particularly extraordinary. What first-world human being would stand by as someone they are on friendly terms with is being beaten to death twenty ten feet away by a band of thugs? It's a nice note on humankind's instinct to help a totally helpless handicapped person from a band of evil thugs in the comfort of their home city, but does it really say anything about how inspiring Charlie is to the people around him? I liked the story. Not all stories should be "a happy ending" as if such a thing exists. And this story can definitely be interpreted as depressing. Even if you don't agree it's entirely depressing, it's certainly not satisfying.

[@GuyVonDudestein]

​@Graphomite "He also doesn't gain anything." And? He did the right thing because it was the right thing to do, what more do you need?

[@ReferToAsQuote]

@Graphomite That's a pessimistic view on the story and while interesting i disagree. Charlie did gain something, he got his friend back from tugs and her awful way of living, and that's more than enough for Charlie to be content. "because druggies don't snap out of drug abuse in respect of other people's sacrifices" That's just untrue lmao people can change based on their experience with other people. If someone you know or close to you is willing to go above and beyond just to help you be better, There's a chance that you'll take that chance of improving like she did. Even if it's druggies or anything traumatic. "didn't make anyone do anything particularly extraordinary" Doesn't have to be extraordinary, it just needs to be right, and now Charlie inspired his friend for the better (maybe the neighbors too idk) Hopefully i don't sound rude with this reply. I'm glad you enjoyed the story and that's the most important part

[@verilyheld]

Ha. There's a Batman story, in the Batman world, in which a man cosplaying as Batman believes himself to be Batman. He does a fairly credible job of it for a while, but fortunately for him, the real Batman saves him. As it is, I've always felt the ending should have gone something like this= The man says to Batman "Look-- I'm not you, and after tonight I'll never pretend to be you again, but-- for a while I really thought I was you. . . . How was I?" To which Batman replies "You were-- credible."

[@user-vi4xy1jw7e]

​@@GraphomiteYou're doing a lot of complaining without saying what you'd do so it wasn't depressing.

[@Kikker861]

It's a different take, but it's satisfying in its own way. I like how it does not dehumanize Charlie for his handicap.

[@S0m3B0z0OnTheInternet]

Yeah, it surprisingly doesn’t base Charlie off of stereotypes about autistic or just straight up people with neurodivergent/mental disabilities which I was kind of worried it would but thankfully it actually treated Charlie like a human being! (Even if it had the use of the r-slur and the comic was a little too mean to Charlie, but unfortunately that’s just reality sometimes which is what this comic is based off.)

[@user-vi4xy1jw7e]

​@@S0m3B0z0OnTheInternetHow was the comic too mean to Charlie? The whole block came to his rescue.

[@Kikker861]

@@user-vi4xy1jw7e It is a matter of opinion. It is tragic that Charlie had to go through what he did, but it is good emotional storytelling that opens the eyes to a unique struggle.

[@S0m3B0z0OnTheInternet]

@@user-vi4xy1jw7e Yeah it’s just my opinion, Charlie did get beaten up A LOT of times though as well as made fun of in the comic but I do acknowledge that stuff like this can (and does) happen irl.

[@MILDMONSTER1234]

I came into this expecting it to be yet another cynical and nihilistic Garth Ennis/Mark Millar style story of “superhero and escapism bad” but then it turned out to be the total opposite I kinda love it

[@LaloSalamancaGaming69]

Finally a comic that doesn’t tells me how shitty life is and how i should be a depressed loser like the writter

[@Acacius1992]

​@LaloSalamancaGaming69 Yes instead be a optimistic loser right? But welp people prefer sweet lies over the bitter truth most of the time

[@arthurcosta4643]

​@@Acacius1992The truth is often not the most cynical outlook. Sometimes, there is space to be hopeful.

[@Private-Potato]

It’s a very pleasant change of pace. I was happy with how Charlie and Clarissa’s story turned out. It’s nice to have a hopeful ending.

[@leviticusprime4904]

⁠@@arthurcosta4643most nihilism writers wanna off themselves but don't have the balls to do it, so they vent their frustrations through writing.

[@carsonnesbit1178]

Well hey, say what you will but Charlie got something akin to a happily ever after, that’s better than what most DC heroes usually get…

[@cosmicfails2053]

The hero we don't deserve... He is too pure for this world

[@thelie6992]

It should be continued tbh it's better than any other batman story

[@cosmicfails2053]

@@thelie6992 honestly I think it's strength lies in its ending The best stories are the ones that end... Except for one piece apparently.

[@ZzVinniezZ]

he did a better job than Batman in term of making the neighborhood stand up and beat the criminal

[@larsthememelord3383]

thats because batman doesnt fight for a neighborhood its a whole ass city thats riddled with crime and crimed with riddler and there is a big difference between three thugs and the joker who has joker gas that can kill entire crowds in the worst way possible

[@Iamdoctorscones]

@@larsthememelord3383it’s really not that deep.

[@larsthememelord3383]

@@Iamdoctorscones its been two months also what I said wasnt deep it was fairly surface level

[@keegansheppard1416]

I’m just glad the neighborhood came out to help him. Really thought I was gonna have to jump in the comic book and take care of it.

[@hiroyui9699]

This wasn't nearly as bad as you said it would be. This was actually a heart warming story.

[@darrylferguson3622]

Despite its dark aspects, i honestly found this story quite wholesome. The story could have taken the edgy route of Charlie having to fend for himself because no one helps him, or being openly betrayed by Clarissa but it thankfully did not. If Bruce saw Charlie's actions , i think he'd tell him to put down the costume and stay safe, but also that he is proud of him

[@moonxavier]

Actually it's wholesome and people around city also kinda like him. I like this version of Batman.

[@lonewolfmerc9665]

I felt sad when he got beaten, a guy who's not all there, tries to be the superhero he always look up to, to save a friend he cares and needs, taking beatings and overall getting hurt, and in the end saves the day. I started crying at the end because after what happens, he still the go lucky happy guy, a guy who loves and looks up to a hero he likes, and still carries on even with his circumstance. I loved this story

[@icedteadalife6647]

I legitimately just started smiling when u got to the part of all of Charlie’s friends coming into help him. Never smiled like that towards SMTHN so heartwarming

[@toaster9922]

I was ready for something incredibly edgy and tasteless and was pleasantly surprised.

[@droth1031]

This was the first of a series of four stories. There was also a Wonder Woman story, about an actress who played the character during the rise of McCarthyism; a Superman title, where a guy gets framed and sent to prison, only to become a mob enforcer; and finally, a Justice League story about adults who grew up in an orphanage together being brought back for a reunion. Any one of those titles will leave you with a "I'm not crying, you're crying!" ending.

[@Edwardrabbit]

I’m writing the script for the Justice League one right now

[@KardboardKenny]

dude, you just sent millennials down the "Kids" rabbithole. they'll never be prepared for that. NEVER!

[@ChaseDaOrk3767]

What's that movie about? If I may ask

[@KardboardKenny]

@chasetosh3767 A day in the life of a group of teens as they travel around New York City skating, drinking, smoking and deflowering virgins.

[@ChaseDaOrk3767]

@@KardboardKenny Oh, I see

[@ashura9706]

Aren’t millenials the Kids generation? You must be thinking of Gen Z

[@docnecrotic]

@ashura9706 Yup, Millennials/Gen Y are in their 30s into 40s. For some reason, that gets confused with the "Zoomers" all the time. It's weird. And yeah, I remember Kids... that's a film, yeah

[@nuggetdotjpeg]

As a certified autism (trademark) myself, this comic while yes kind of seems a bit too mean to Charlie, I think it's kind of heartwarming ngl

[@liittlemiissd]

Of course Autism isn’t the only mental disability, there’s also learning disability which directly effects intellect.

[@italucenaz]

@@liittlemiissd yeah, most mental disabilities are related to that

[@TheOnlyPedroGameplays]

@@liittlemiissdnot the epic Hitler face 💀

[@zetasansan]

@@liittlemiissddude with an epic hitler face pfp being considerate and understanding not what i expected to see today

[@PotatoPatatoVonSpudsworth]

⁠​⁠@@liittlemiissd| Not accurate. Learning disabilities are things like ADHD, Dysgraphia, or Dyslexia. They impact your ability to learn in a school environment, but have no influence on overall intellect.

[@sebareda1030]

I was personly expecting something like very depresing story of "Handicapped man thats thingks he a batman" but no Ist more grouded story, not going into one or other extremes The ending where people help Charlie was realy wholesome Overall very good comic

[@imstupid880]

Honestly surprised Mike was played entirely straight.

[@AestheticGamer]

Its not mentioned in this summary, but Charlie's parents died, Mike was a friend of Charlie's parents and took Charlie in after his death and plays something of a parental figure to Charlie to help him be on the right path.

[@beatleboy3196]

​@@AestheticGamerOh I thought I recognized that username, I remember watching your Lost Planet 2 series way back, just wanna say it was very enjoyable.

[@HELLO_KORO]

@@AestheticGamer i remember dat attack on Ao Oni vid back when pewds was popular

[@lewisaino]

​@@AestheticGamerSo Uncle Mike?

[@awwen_lopez]

About damn time for someone to show appreciation to this underrated comic!

[@liittlemiissd]

I'm an adult and have the mind of a child but my circumstances are a little different, I have developmental and intellectual disabilities to the point where I have the mind of a child. I can definitely be taken advantage of, and HAVE been manipulated, it’s really scary. I’m deemed in need of high support, I can’t get a job, I’m deemed non consenting, I don’t really have the capability to make choices for myself, I’m basically a kid. How I view the modern world is how a child would, I cant grasp super complicated subjects, I like cartoons (although nowadays that's becoming less and less of a niesh I've noticed) I live with my mother who i'd be lost without, im asexual so i don't even WANT to partake in those types of acts with anyone. In recent years people have realised more and more that people don’t just transform into mature adults by the time they turn 18, it can happen long after that, your brain isn’t even fully developed until 25, or in my case it’ll never be fully developed. In my case I’d feel more comfortable being viewed and treated as a kid because that’s the brain I have.

[@addisonpage1]

For me I struggle with FASD, I’m glad it isn’t as bad as a lot of folks, and in some areas it keeps me kid like, but because of everything I’ve had to go through, I ended up being like a old man in some areas, and a child in others, but it’s balanced out pretty good I’d say. I’ve got some learning problems but easy to over come with some hard work. And I know I’m a bit weird, I just embrace it and everyone just knows me as the goofy dude. (In a good way) Keep fighting, you may be stuck with your brain, but you can always find ways internally to overcome obstacles, I’m rooting for you fam, and I’ll be praying too :) Also, my moms leaving this world and I’m only 21, and I know without her, I wouldn’t be half of who I am today, so hold onto your mom while she’s here :3

[@goldengail3418]

High functioning Austisic girl here. Yeah I get you - in a way- I'm not mentally immature or anything like that, but rather socially childish, if you get my drift. I also want to say that you write as proficiently as an adult might, in my candor opinion. Hope it helps 😊

[@oojollyrabbitoo6704]

Just cause a doctor who you pay to tell you what you want to hear tells you what you want to hear doesn't mean it's the truth. I want to be a kid again lol and I'd be way more comfortable as a kid too but that doesn't mean I have the mind of one. I don't know you but like bruh for real

[@kingragnarok7302]

@@oojollyrabbitoo6704 I mean, you seem to have the IQ of a child to me :D

[@leftIncel]

@@oojollyrabbitoo6704 you literally know nothing about this man’s life, for all, you know he is lying or telling the truth. You don’t know anything about this person’s mind, you are most likely not a neurologist or even a doctor for that matter. You do not know what the doctor is like, maybe they are really good doctor, maybe they’re really bad and just tell bullshit. But you do not know anything about this person or his doctor, so you need to shut up, and I know this is supposed to be a “just in case” but do you know what kind of asshole you look like if you are wrong? And do you have a high chance of being wrong, because who, in their right mind would lie to somebody that they have a mental disorder?

[@locodesert2]

I’m just glad Charlie didn’t die in this story. Charlie genuinely has a bright future ahead. It’s good to see the entire town respects him.

[@EMBYMATTHEWS]

We need more people like Charlie

[@caolanmcflynn2412]

I was expecting him to die at the end but no he saves the day and the people help him do it that a happy ending in my book the mean dc heroes would be proud

[@TheGateShallStand]

Charlie is the best version of batman ever. He beats out the original, he beats out the crazy ones, and the loner ones, and the super ones, and the magic ones. Charlie is what Batman wishes he could be, because he's exactly the type of person Batman would want to inspire. Charlie is someone to look up to, because he's not rich, or handsome, or hyper intelligent, or loaded with tech and alien rocks. He's just like you and me, a bit slower definitely, but you could be him. Charlie is my definitive Batman, if only for the reason that this comic made me cry. Something that I've only done about twenty times in my life after the age of five, ten of which were about serious injuries.

[@chubgp8009]

Man good narration and a fresh story you picked there. But these goofy sfx are killing the mood here haha.

[@woodrobin]

There's a comic where Alfred uses his theater skills from before he became a butler to create the character of the Joker in order to give Bruce a purpose in life and a foe to fight. I've also read a fan fiction where Bruce is mentally ill, Alfred is the Joker, and he uses money from the Wayne Foundation to pay and equip the other "villains," who are all actors/stunt-artists who play along with Bruce's "Batman" delusions and make the fights convincing while making sure Bruce doesn't get hurt. Alfred "treats" Bruce's "wounds" in the Bat Cave each night and encourages the "playboy billionaire" persona in the hopes that it will help Bruce actually find some happiness. When a villain shows up in Gotham who isn't one of Alfred's, they all get together to eliminate the threat and run interference for Batman, because their gear all actually works, and they are *not* about to lose their very generous paychecks. In that setting, "Batman" does also fund the Justice League, and he is actually incredibly smart -- just deeply insane as well. It blurs the lines a little bit, because regular DC Batman is also arguably crazy, but in the fanfic version he definitely has delusions that warp his sense of what's actually going on. The Justice League goes along with some of it and looks out for him, both because he is actually an amazing intuitive and deductive detective on his good days, and because they couldn't afford much, if any, of their crime fighting gear and secret bases without the Wayne Foundation bankrolling it.

[@wishofalifetime]

Can I get a name and/or link to the comic and fic?

[@BaeBunni]

I don't know it's kinda sad but in the end drug dealers down and someone saved. Bruce would be happy about that.

[@skylordthe1st]

I love this. This is why heros are made to encourage others to be their own heros and do what's right.

[@clown599]

that's a good story. a VERY good one, not a dark or sad one.

[@azulgaming77]

Imagine if Charlie Watch The Batman, He'd be a Menace to Society, and he probably would Sing 'Something in the Way' 💀💀💀

[@kalterverwalter4516]

It is a great Batman Story. Batman dont alway sget the Happy End but he is willing the draw the shorter stick for the greater good.

[@birdsbirdsbirds5865]

What an amazing story. I love how down to earth this story is, and yet it is so heartwarming to see him try his hardest to live up to the mantle of batman, and yet in doing so inspires the whole neighborhood.

[@crusaderkaiser2000]

Why did I tear up? I don’t even care for comics. Good story, dark but hopeful. I love hope, it’s a good feeling.

[@theHedgex1]

Owlman: their are versions of me that you would find quite charming.

[@andres19182]

He saw the batman movie and thought: "he is just like me". And just like that, Charlie is literally me.

[@Abominatrix650]

Damn this was sad. But not so hopeless that you give up on the world. That bit at the end of the community coming together to stop the criminals was sweet. Hit just right in this dour story.

[@nicktroisi6347]

This is what Batman is about, being fearless, standing up when no one else will, even if your alone or when the odds are against you. I think if Batman saw this he’d obviously tell Charlie to stop but that he’s also happy that a Batman was there when the real one wasn’t. Hell, Charlie went out of his own way and put his life on the line to help someone that took theirs for granted and he actually ended up changing them for the better, something the real Batman would do and I think that’s what makes this story so brilliant. They managed to encapsulate the meaning of Batman without making its protagonist near superhuman or having all the gadgets, even giving him a disability and I think that’s so unique and a breath of fresh air for readers, instead of the same cut and paste stories we see today.

[@marko-gj1uj]

How I would imagine a grounded story. This Comic does feel amazing

[@bobbyavitia]

Ended on a fairly happy note. Actual Batman rarely ends this happy.

[@alienvisitor8393]

this is a really good story and the message isn't just surface level,anyone can be a hero but they might still need help just like charlie and he İS a hero considering he helped a person in needs of help even when he himself isn't capable of doing

[@IsaacMartinez07]

I don’t care if he tripped, the buildup at the theater to the entrance of “Mean Batman” Charlie, and then he actually fights “Joker” with a baseball bat was badass.

[@aidenliveandreloaded2522]

4:05 At this point it's like the neighborhood turn into the justice league for him

[@eggmug562]

That was honestly very wholesome You go charlie.

[@dingdong896]

My man Charlie

[@burnsvillebatman]

I always enjoyed this story. It's sad but atleast it ends on a better note.

[@NBDYSPCL]

This guy has such a distinct and gritty art style. I remember reading a ghost rider comic in this style. Its refreshing.

[@ADHD_God5489]

Would love to see Batman meeting Charlie in a crossover comic someday.

[@TheDude8008]

The saddest thing that comes to my mind thinking about the life a person like Charlie has to live is not the mean people, but having not a single good person in your life. It's reassuring that he has Mike and, to the core of the story, inspiration and joy from Batman. We can see the things we like both as entertainment and lessons, it's touching that Charlie has values and morality from his favorite hero, and the end also shows that there's good in people too.

[@lc168691]

Good reading. Though as you could probably tell by the other comments that most people dont see it as sad. People trying to do good in the world by aspiring to fiction is a good thing. It teaches lessons that we should use despite the very different situations. The real world is depressing, and even in happiness often full of strife but if someone just stuck to the good lessons of their heroes and heeded no mind to that, then they would be the real hero even more so than the comic characters because its one thing to write about someone who does heroic things all the time, its another to be a person who does something heroic.

[@Edwardrabbit]

I found it depressing because I sympathize with Charlie not being able to fully understand the situation they’re in, and not being able to fully connect with those around him - and that he will never be able to.

[@lc168691]

@@Edwardrabbit Hmm. That makes sense. It is fair that despite how Charlie feels, he doesn't see the world for how most people see it or 'how it is' and that in itself is sad. I don't know if it's realistic because I'm not in that kind of position but I think you're right, and that it comes with some darker implications that if we saw in our own neighbors would be sadder... Thank you for your perspective and the reading.

[@sunsetman22]

@@Edwardrabbit that's the thing though, he carries on just the same! a pure individual that, while limited, strives to emulate his favourite hero and, in doing so, inspires change. it's the kind of genuinely heartwarming stuff that sappy comic books (or any other form of media for that matter) could never dream of achieving.

[@cityguard4847]

@@EdwardrabbitI mean it certainly isn’t depressing for Charlie. On an outside view, perhaps. But he’s grown accustomed to his life. He’s satisfied. And he knows what he wants out of it. Frankly, out of most people there, he’s happy in his fantasy. Hell, the guy comes back for seconds after being STABBED. That’s not something you see every day from someone who isn’t handicapped, let alone infantile in nature. So yeah, I don’t think it’s depressing at all personally. Maybe if you look at it trying to find the depressing side of it. But to Charlie here? He’s done a good one. And he couldn’t be happier.

[@l.psimer6124]

There a pretty good chance that at the end charlie and Clarissa will never see eachother again, which is kinda sad, but charlie did win againt the thugs and Clarissa try to turn her life, so its kinda a bittersweet ending.

[@bobbackward6461]

Worlds like this are the reason comic books came to be; most of us can't be happy there all the time. Every now and then, in healthy amounts, we need an escape to another world...

[@darlalathan6143]

This story is so good and Charlie is such a good Batman variant that I don't even mind the "Inspirationally Disabled" trope! This is Grimdark done right!

[@LeMonkeyDaSucc]

That v2 suit was hard af tho

[@queencancerous5332]

In the end, he actually became Batman in a way. Batman going out of his way to try and help someone going down the wrong path is something the character would actually do. Also like the moment where he completely embraces Michael Keaton Batman, he realizes that it's still the same character, only different.

[@alchemistofsteel8099]

think this is better hyper realistic Batman story than Joker

[@scratchsketch1879]

"He's literally me" 😂

[@parkb5320]

That helmet that Charlie is wearing is a real plastic Batman helmet that was made in the late 60s. I remember seeing pictures of it in an old encyclopedia set that my family had growing up. I wanted one so bad as a kid, but that was way before the Internet and eBay, so I never got one.

[@NineHundredDollarydoos]

This is probably the most hopeful Batman story ever. In the world of comics, bad things happen because otherwise there would be no story, which means that the world can never really change. It's just a never-ending cycle of status-quos and conflicts. Charlie never needed to 'be Batman' like this before in his life, and won't need to again. It was just for this one situation, and that's all he needed. Because in the real world, if you just believe that you can and put in the effort to do so, you can make the world a better place.

[@michaelleader633]

With his amazing power of retreadism he is still better than most modern comic book writers. 😂

[@aversivebark32]

Bro looks like he came straight out of gotham city imposters

[@mar-z6l]

i wasn’t emotional during the video, but how he goes away riding his bike, made me cry

[@skyradtvcomics4981]

I don't understand how DC is going broke with this kind of amazing over the top content.

[@Edwardrabbit]

This came out over 20 years ago

[@skyradtvcomics4981]

@@Edwardrabbit You are correct about that, and it was also around that time they started their massive downward spiral into Financial ruin.

[@avinashmungal1325]

Charlie is the kind of hero to say 'Its not the suit, the gadgets, or the intellect, its the heart and the desire to protect people that makes me batman' Hes just a great dude❤

[@seamusdavey-fitzpatrick2049]

Im not really a batman fan or a DC fan at all really there are a few villians I like, but usually not much more. But this story sounds fantastic and I will hopefully be able to track me down an issue. BTW loved the video keep it up. Now time to dive into your back catalog.........

[@Edwardrabbit]

I’ll save you some time, everything uploaded after this video is what I recommend. Everything before the bad Batman vs Superman comic was just old videos and songs I made years ago

[@jackmcmorrow9397]

I love that ultimately, it was all the people who charlie helped who come out to stop the bad guys.

[@RowanMakesMemes]

As someone with ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia and has spent a lot of time around the disabled this is gut wrenchingly sad and wholesome, I would watch so many superhero movies and shows and I would always try to be greatest person I could be I tried to be Superman and Batman and always try to help others watching this hit me so hard, I am in tears Charlie is not the hero we deserved but the one we needed in our darkest times.

[@alwest4472]

That was really uplifting actually. I’m happy they didn’t make Charlie to be incredibly nonfunctional, and I like how at the end the neighbourhood seems to come in and show a bit of hope. A genuinely realistic comic, not realistic in the sense of “oh yeah everyone’s fucking shit and everything always horrible and nothings good always” but more that it has realistically dark moments, but also shows quite a few of the more positive aspects of the world

[@rhithym]

It isn't the world-class detective skills, the cutting edge tech, or martial arts prowess that's the most important aspect of batman. This comic shows what truly matters in full display.

[@RayTheomo]

I thought this was gonna be horrible. But it was actually very touching. I like how it didnt shy away from the harsh reality of what would happen but it still had a good, believable ending. This isnt "rough" its kinda wholesome in a way.

[@bigchungus810]

Man this has been in my recommended for so long I never clicked it cause of the absurdity hell I didnt even click it until now to comment I watched from scrolling over it and letting it autoplay all the way through. To say the least I was fucking blown away at how actually hilarious this was. Thanks for the upload im a huge Arkham fan.

[@kuan5049]

Charlie is basically just poor Forrest Gump. Everyone loves him.

[@lordchapelseed791]

My only gripe is that with the backpack, it's more of a custom Ghostbusters proton pack

[@Z3r0_L1f3]

I was absolutely terrified that this story would end up being some edgy story like a Garth Ennis story. But no, the story is actually really cute. I love it.

[@uncannydcmarvelous5732]

Me too, I mean the art style just screams "Ennis' edgy The Boys-esque story"

[@Z3r0_L1f3]

@@uncannydcmarvelous5732 nah fr. It’s like I was waiting for him to be left bloody on the street at the end of the issue. Thank god this didn’t have that attitude

[@eusou0]

It went SO much better than I expected (or would have written)...

[@Dalton_Boardman2000]

Heh, this is weird because my sister's named Clarissa. I actually very much like this story for it being grounded but not nihilistic. At first I'd wanted a real Batman to show up to give his respect to Charlie but Charlie himself was the real Batman. Him and many others like him might not have fancy gadgets or an infinite bank account but they're out there making the world just a little bit of a better of place to live in.

[@Nothingtoseehere139]

We NEED a continuation this was WAY too wholesome and I want more

[@strongman5243]

bro really has the heart of gold

[@billyboleson2830]

As any Batman should

[@strongman5243]

@@billyboleson2830 indeed

[@undyne1]

I was scared that this would end in tragedy, but this is oddly wholesome and bittersweet. I liked it.

[@futurewario9591]

This story definitely deserves a sequel.

[@Daniel-fl1dq]

Its awesome that so many people in the comments , including the video creator, can relate to the character in some way. I definitely have my own challenges kind of head injury meets BPD maybe on the spectrum sort of thing. It is a very lonely life but obviously a little less lonely knowing others feel the same. Ive watched 7 of your videos or so in a row, and this is my favorite for the story and the comments. ❤

[@gelusvenn5063]

Honestly those thugs got off light. I can't imagine somebody picking on the local mentally challenged fella, especially a sweet natured one like Charlie, and not ending up going home in a body bag most places. Or in pieces, I'd actively aim for 'in pieces' myself, but that's a personal preference.

[@Dominic-th1zi]

This is yet the most sad and nicest Batman story, no matter what Charlie was always one of the nicest person in the story.

[@noir-214]

4:54 not as rough as Frank Miller's work after dark knight

[@AllG98]

1:38 “I did not hit her, it’s not true, it’s BULLSHIT, I did not hit her, I did naaaht. Oh hi, Mark.”

[@GhostsGraveyard]

Charlie is as real of a Batman as any other to me. He chose a job where he helps people every day, he doesn't back down even if he failed the first time, and he would risk anything to save someone in danger. Is that not everything a superhero is supposed to be?

[@Edmitsu]

This comic proves Batman’s crusade is not a long defeat after all