Batman vs. Al Qaeda

I’m not much of a comics fan, but this is cool…

During his WonderCon panel, Frank Miller discussed his next graphic novel. Once again, Miller returns to the world of the Batman, this time with Holy Terror, Batman!. Though the title plays with Robin’s classic catchphrase, the book deals with a serious subject. Gotham has been attacked by Al Qaeda and Batman sets out to defend the city he loves. The book, which Miller has inked through 120 pages, is expected to run roughly 200 pages total.
Miller proudly announced the title of his next Batman book, which he will write, draw and ink. Holy Terror, Batman! is no joke. And Miller doesn’t hold back on the true purpose of the book, calling it “a piece of prop[a]ganda,” where ‘Batman kicks al Qaeda’s ass.”
The reason for this work, Miller said, was “an explosion from my gut reaction of what’s happening now.” He can’t stand entertainers who lack the moxy of their ’40s counterparts who stood up to Hitler. Holy Terror is “a reminder to people who seem to have forgotten who we’re up against.”
It’s been a long time since heroes were used in comics as pure propaganda. As Miller reminded, “Superman punched out Hitler. So did Captain America. That’s one of the things they’re there for.”
“These are our folk heroes,” Miller said. “It just seems silly to chase around the Riddler when you’ve got Al Qaeda out there.”

I think America needs more of this sort of thing, especially as we get further and further away from 9/11 and the memory of that day fades. It seems like many in the entertainment industry (and on the left in general) are too busy telling us all about how terrible America’s foreign policies are and how our country is really the root of all the problems in the world to spend much time talking about the very real evil we are fighting against every day.
Miller’s book is just fiction, of course, but the reminder that we are the good guys and those we are fighting are the bad guys is appreciated.