Ancient Greeks believed in the multitude of Gods and Goddesses dwelling on mount Olympus, Hindus used complex iconography to develop deep symbolism, and Egyptians mastered hieroglyphics to demonstrate a polytheistic beings of utmost omnipotence. What DC has done with Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad, was develop and master a world of heroes and villains that represent the archetypes that harness our unlimited boundless imaginations.

First starting with Dawn of Justice, the narrations by Martha Kent, and a young Lex Luthor express our innermost phobias and misunderstandings. While Mrs. Kent indicates “people fear what they don’t understand” it is Lex Luthor who explains that “devils don’t come from hell beneath us, but they come from the sky.” This dynamic explains the pivotal role that Superman and Batman showcase as they clash in a world that needs protection, yet does not quite feel safe within the presence of larger than life personas. Images of Bruce Wayne depict a man already world weary, but who feel that while his act of vigilantism may be unorthodox, there still needs to be a matter of accountability at hand. In the meantime, the paradox of the story is Superman’s disagreement of Batman’s method, yet it is Superman himself who is feared by the mortals he has sworn to protect. This stems from Perry Whites discussion with Clark Kent in regards to “nobody caring about Clark Kent taking on the Batman.” With shades of The Watchmen, citizens feel the threat of an “alien” that they cannot comprehend because of the built up paranoia. On the flip side, this depiction is not quite like Frank Millers Dark Knight Returns, because it seems as if the peoples mistrust is derived on Superman’s current status a a citizen to planet Earth. Its as if Batman is placed in the role of a mere mortal who takes a further step into bringing out the best in all of us. Yet what motivates Dawn of Justice is the shades of Gray, by which the forces of good are shaped by their moral judgments, and how society sees fit to judge them. A representation of the looking glass self by Charles Cooley, that is inserted into both batman and Superman as they find themselves through the eyes of others. As Alfred Pennyworth describes, “the fever, the rage, that turns man….cruel” elaborates on how these two titans clash not from the threat of evil set upon the world, but from the threat of one another, and the consequences they place on to the world. It makes me wonder how the involvement of Wonder Woman and Aquaman set things into motion. How do these other Gods and Goddesses choose to interact with a world set on the brink of complex chaos. With so much going on in one film, it makes me wonder if the joke that’s set on batman with introduce a clown into this full deck of of characters. This brings me onto our text trailer…..

What does the Suicide Squad gives us as a companion piece to all of this? This even darker depiction of a twisted realm, delves further into madness. While viewing the new trailer for Suicide Squad, the large spectrum of villains represents “the dirty dozen” of a new era. Making this so interesting is that Amanda Waller makes it clear on how expendable this squad is, and that while evil, they all depict various ratios on who and what they are as hum……monsters. While Dead-shot makes it perfectly clear that they are nothing but a “suicide squad”, it is people like him and Captain Boomerang that represent the mercenaries, one doing wrong for the love of his family, while the other is consumed by wealth and the thrill of the hunt that shape the adrenaline rush he seeks. At the same time, we finally get a live action depiction of Harley Quinn who represents the ticking time bomb whose crazed psych exists for the love of a sick game. While Katana most likely sees redemption for her honor, killer croc gives us a mesh between Hannibal Lecter and the monster of Frankenstein whose aura gives us a demon looking for acceptance based on being judged by those who see him unworthy to already walk among the flawed. Yet what does the Joker have to do with all this? Maybe it takes fire to stop a fire. All I can say is that, as good as it is to be bad at this point, the movie makes me wonder. Will Amanda Waller regret opening Pandora’s, and will the joke be on her? Be that as it may, maybe DC’d reversal of Marvels approach, that combines characters before they are separated, might actually work…..So tell me Marvel, can you bleed?

By: Adam Vega.