Back in the day people used to watch Batman when they were kids and then move on to other things as they got older. Now Batman literally ages alongside people into adulthood and becomes gritty and dark according to their tastes. People just move from different stages of Batman and other such characters throughout their lives.

Writer, podcaster, and commentator on foreign affairs and politics. Runs /dropglobalnews

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in fact batman has almost always been about harsh reality and a sin-ridden city.
Superman's more the opposite.