batocrat

An eight-panel SMBC comic parodying Batman as a class-conscious capitalist. Panel 1: Batman, looking stern, tells Robin, "Suit up, Boy Wonder! It's time to keep the proletariat down!" Panel 2: Robin replies, "You got it, Batm-- wait, what?" Panel 3: Batman explains, "Robin, I draw a billion dollar salary from a company I inherited, and while I put no labor into it, regular folks resent this. That's dangerous." Panel 4: Now in full Batman costume, hands on hips, he continues, "So, I dress as a terrifying night creature and run around every evening keeping everyone on the straight and narrow." Panel 5: Smiling smugly, "Everyone feels simultaneously afraid of me and protected by me, leaving no mental room to question basic economic institutions." Panel 6: Robin, stunned, says, "I... wow..." Panel 7: Robin asks, "Wait, if you're so cruel, how come you adopted and saved me?" Panel 8: Batman gestures emphatically and shouts, "You do life-threatening work for FOOD and a ROOM, Robin! FOOD and a ROOM!" Votey (aftercomic): A black panel showing only Batman's shadowed face with glinting eyes and a wide grin, declaring, "We are gods, Robin. GODS!"