Whats the Purpose of a Secret Identity?

When one thinks of a secret identity, a superhero usually comes to mind, but don’t we all have secret identities when it comes down to it? Are you the same person you are at work as you are at home? I certainly am not. So, superhero or not, there must be some purpose to these so called “secret identities.” 

People, especially superheroes, use secret identities to protect who they really are. Everyone needs something to fall back to when their secret identity fails them. Nothing is more comforting than knowing you can go home and take off your costume, even if it just consists of a suit and a tie. As for superheroes, a secret identity becomes a little more important. They use secret identities so that they can have ordinary lives. Being a superhero all the time can be mentally and physically exhausting. Not only do they need to protect their own self, but also their families. Using a secret identity allows them to keep the people important to their lives safe. Nothing is more satisfying for an villain than to hurt someone the superhero cares about. Also, without a secret identity a superhero would turn into a celebrity, being questioned every other second about their super powers. Superheroes are here to save the world, not to live in the glory of fame. 

A secret identity allows someone, superhero or not, to transform into something that is different than their true self. It allows for protection and a way out of their own life. 

Who Controls Gotham City?

Gotham city isn't really controlled by anyone in particular. But, is there someone who indirectly controls Gotham City? Through his actions batman controls the way people act within the city and this controls the flow of the city. He dictates what the joker will do. The joker is the character who controls the chaos but Batman controls the Joker. Many people believe that the Joker has full control over Batman, but if Batman wasn't around, the Joker wouldn't be either. The relationship between the Joker and Batman indirectly controls the entire city of Gotham. 

People frighten the Joker within Gotham City. Although some people do not trust Batman, he is one of the only people willing to try and stop the Joker. Because of this, he controls many of the thoughts that go through the citizens minds. If the Batman has the ability to control the thought process of most, doesn't he technically control them? Batman also controls who is targeting by the Joker in the city. Since the Joker wants to attack anyone who gets close to Batman, Batman is indirectly hurting these people. So, not until all evil is ridden from Gotham City, will Batman stop controlling it. 

Gotham City: Character Profile

What is Gotham City?

It is a fictional city found in the D.C comics based off real cities including New York City, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh. It is the home of Batman but unfortunately welcomes the Joker as well. 

Batman

Batman is suppose to be the hero of the city. No one knows his identity expect for Alfred and Rachel. Commissioner Gordon is very fond of batman but others have mixed feeling about him. He always tries to fix everything but he does not always succeed. 

Joker: 

The Joker’s Goal is to capture Batman and find his true identity. He is causing distress throughout the city. He will do anything to anyone to get closer to batman. 

Physical:

-Manhattan below 14th street

-Chicago architecture 

-12 million people 

-Art Deco to Modern

Basic: 

-Official name: Gotham City

-Created by: Nathan Crowley

-First Appearance: Batman Begins

-Planet: Earth

-Country: United States of America

-State: Gotham

-Locale: Gotham City

-Created by Christopher Nolan 

Unique to Gotham: 

-Relates to people in a modern society feeling distress 

-The citizens of the city do not know whether to feel safe or not

-Home of many criminals, but the focus is the joker

-Does not seem to be in contact with any other part of the world.

Character Profile: Zatanna

Basic:

• Name: Zatanna Zatara
• Age: Early Adulthood
• Residence: Shadowcrest
• Father: John Zatara (magician) 
• Occupation: Started as a stage illusionist and now is a Superheroin (magician living up to her dads legacy). Decides that she does not want to follow in her fathers footsteps. 
• Talents: Uses spells to get what she wants 
• Relationships: Close to Batgirl and Superwomen, part of Justice League

Physical Characteristics

• Tall
• Black hair
• Blue eyes 
• Outfit: Leotard, ripped stockings, high boots, hat
• Is seen as one of the sexiest superheroes. 

Other (personal info)

Zatanna is a very influential character that many people listen too. She knows how to persuade people to listen to her, even when she is not using her magic. Zatanna believes in the fact that the world should run the way it is suppose to. Even if trauma can be avoided, Zatanna believes that it shouldn't be if its not meant to be. She fears diverging from the norm. Zatanna is a character with good intentions but some may view her as selfish. She will keep important information to herself. Others believe she is selfish because she over uses her powers. Zatanna will use her powers even if it is not to fight off evil. She does this however, because she believes her powers are a part of her. This means that she has become so comfortable with her powers that she does not believe it is anything strange. Zatanna’s motivations are to keep everyone safe and happy, especially Batgirl and Wonder Women. She feels that she needs to help those who are not as privileged as her. 

What is it about us that feels we have to invent these fantasy beings to rescue us?

It is a sunny Sunday afternoon and twelve year old Jimmy is laying on his towel near by his pool. He puts down his comic Batman, closes his eyes and begins to day dream of nothing but that heroic being. What does Batman bring to Jimmy’s life that no one else could? Of all the things he could be thinking about, why does Jimmy choose Batman? 

The purpose of creating these fantasy beings was so that children like Jimmy had something to think about during their lazy sundays, right? Well no, not exactly. If we take a deeper look into Jimmy’s life we would learn that his dad is an alcoholic who comes home every night yelling at his mother. Jimmy did not day dream about Batman saving the world, but instead of him eliminating all alcoholic beverages from Father Jimmy’s life. For Jimmy, that was the saving he needed.  Superheroes symbolize hope, truth, justice and much more. Humans feel the need to create these fantasy beings to bring hope or truth, or whatever they need into their lives when it is missing. Reading or watching Superheroes allows for an escape out of reality into a world where essentially there is always a “happy ending.” When Jimmy was feeling completely helpless, he turned to Batman, hoping that one day he will receive the ending he is looking for. We feel the need to invent these fantasy beings to add more positivity into our lives. 

What Kind of Writer Am I?

As I sit here and try to answer a question as simple as “What Kind of Writer Am I?”, many thoughts begin to stream through my head. Is it possible for an eighteen year old college student to know what type of writer they are? Up to now I’ve been given writing tasks that had intensely strict guidelines in which I was not given much room to be myself. There is only one essay that I believe I expressed myself as the writer I am. This essay was my college admittance paper.  Throughout writing this paper I realized my writing style and the way I approach many writing assignments. 

I am the kind of writer who sits down, begins to write, gets frustrated, slams the computer shut and leaves. As I reapproach the computer and dive into my essay I begin to put together a paper that is reflective of the type of writer I am. I am the type of writer who likes to make the intro unforgettable. I believe that if a reader really enjoys the first paragraph, they will continue to read even if the rest of the paper is boring. Also, I am the type of writer who likes to use imagery so that the reader can connect with the context of the paper. When writing, I try to structure my essay so that it flows from paragraph to paragraph. I like to write with creativity, using a unique voice that can be remembered. I enjoy writing where I have the chance to talk and connect to the reader. With every writing assignment, my writing style varies, but I always try to stay true to the writer I would like to be.