The greatest superhero trilogy is Christopher Nolan's Batman films. They are brilliant, near perfect pieces of cinema. "The Dark Knight Trilogy" as it is named, embodies the best and most important things about Batman, (the least of which is perseverance and the will to move forward). Therefore, they should be celebrated.
As the films came out, due to personal circumstances ( mainly finishing Grad School and moving out of state) I was unable to full immerse myself in the full Batman experience for Batman Begins or The Dark Knight, respectfully. However, upon seeing Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, I immediately fell in love with them. The former being a much needed breathe of fresh air to revitalize the Batman franchise (after the abysmal Batman and Robin) full of gritty realism and an important focus on the psychology of Bruce Wayne. The latter, being a modern crime noir masterpiece whose characters embodied philosophical principles who just happened to wear costumes and be based on comic book characters.
It was the anticipation built up from the first two films during the production and marketing of The Dark Knight Rises that I became a man obsessed. I learned everything I could about the film from rumors, plot points, spoilers, art work, run time etc. I knew that this was going to be the LAST Christopher Nolan Batman film and the last turn of Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman; who has made the role iconic in a live action format (Kevin Conroy still holds that title for Batman in Animation). Therefore, there needed to be a celebration worthy of both the films and the kind of inspiration Batman has been to me over the years (especially as a martial artist). Thus, Batman Day was born.
Batman Day evolved as the release for The Dark Knight Rises got closer. Mapped out over weekly martial arts training sessions with my student, friend and brother-in-law Chris (who was equally obsessed), the contents of Batman Day started to take shape. First, inspired by the will and determination of the Bruce Wayne/Batman character, Batman Day would include an intense, physically demanding, painful martial arts training session that would test our endurance. We would then eat, and while we were recovering, watch the previous films in the trilogy. Then, over the next 24 hrs, we would watch The Dark Knight Rises a total of 3 times in the theater upon its release.
The first Batman day was celebrated on July 19-20th 2012, the release date of The Dark Knight Rises. The martial arts training was full of pressure point knock outs that left both Chris and I crying on the floor in glorious pain. As we mended, we grew with anticipation watching the previous films. By the time we left for the first showing, at midnight, we were so full of adrenaline and caffeine that we felt no pain.
Watching The Dark Knight Rises, for the first time, was a religious experience for me. During that first showing, as the movie concluded, and the credits rolled, I was an emotional wreck. I soon realized that Batman Day, originally intended to be a single celebration of Batman greatness and the greatness of The Dark Knight Trilogy, needed to be an annul holiday...Chris agreed. We have celebrated Batman day twice already: Once for the Blu-ray release of The Dark Knight Rises back in December, and Officially yesterday: August 16, 2013.
To be celebrated on or around the 3rd Friday in July (barring scheduling conflicts), the Batman Day celebration spans approximately 10-12hrs and has several components that will continue to evolve and expand through the years:
1) Morning tea, sweet bread and the presentation of gifts (it is a holiday after all)
2) The most intense and painful Martial Arts Training session we have had all year (which
will escalate with each subsequent year).
3) Lunch
4) Viewing of Batman Begins
5) Freshly milled Coffee w/ cookies and biscuits
6) Viewing of The Dark Knight
7) Dinner w/ possibility of dessert
8) Viewing of The Dark Knight Rises
I would urge all people to celebrate those things that mean something to you, in whatever way you see fit. Norms and rituals have importance, because we give them importance; no matter what other people think. Construct your own reality and celebrate the things in your life that give it meaning. Celebrate with the people that also give your life meaning. The rest, matters not. :)
