This is What Batman’s Father Wrote to Him, and What We Can Learn from It.
The intriguing world of comic books often mirrors real life, illuminating the complex struggle between good and evil, choice and fate, and love and loss. The enduring appeal of these stories lies in the deeply human insights they impart, revealed through their fantastic narratives and larger-than-life characters. A potent example of this can be found in the poignant message from Thomas Wayne, a version of Batman in the DC Comics miniseries “Flashpoint.” The letter he writes to his son, Bruce Wayne, encapsulates the essence of life’s trials, the power of choice, the importance of moving forward, and the enduring hope for a happier future. This article delves into Thomas Wayne’s message to illuminate how it can serve as a guiding beacon for our lives, urging us to consciously shape our paths, overcome personal tragedies, and strive toward happiness.
In the comic book miniseries “Flashpoint” by DC Comics, the character Batman is portrayed as Thomas Wayne, the father of Bruce Wayne. In the alternate reality of “Flashpoint,” Bruce Wayne’s parents were not shot by a mugger, and Bruce Wayne did not become Batman. Instead, Bruce was shot and killed, resulting in Thomas Wayne becoming Batman after the murder of his son, Bruce. He is a much darker and more violent version of Batman than his son would have become. He ultimately sacrifices himself to help The Flash restore the original timeline, resulting in the death of Thomas Wayne as Batman.
Before his death, Thomas Wayne wrote a letter to his son, Bruce, and had the Flash deliver it to his son when the Flash returned to his original timeline. Flashpoint Beyond issue number 6 then reveals the full message Bruce’s father sent him. It reads:
Dear son,
There’s only one thing I know about life. I know some things happen by chance. And some things happen because we make them happen. Barry Allen was once haunted by the past. But when he became the Flash, he left the ghosts behind. He found love, a family. And for the first time ever…friends. Barry thought yesterday was behind him…but somebody wouldn’t let him escape it.
When Barry came to me for help, I turned him away. I’m not the hero of this story. I’m a man who’s been corrupted by his own unbearable pain. I’m a man who has too much blood on his hands to be called good. Your friend taught me we can’t only live a life for those we’ve lost. We have to live a life for those we still have.
If I got a second chance, I would hope I’d come to understand that. To live that…like you should, Bruce. That’s all parents want for their children. What we never had. Your mother and I want you to be happy. Promise me you’ll try. And I will too…wherever I am.
Love always,
your father — Thomas.
The compelling message from Thomas Wayne in the “Flashpoint” series serves as a profound metaphor for the human condition. Thomas’s poignant letter to his son Bruce encapsulates the essence of life, with its lessons of embracing the present, the necessity of choice, the importance of leaving behind past tragedies, and the power of living for the sake of those we still have with us. His reflections on his personal journey, culminating in the realization of the importance of striving for happiness, offer valuable lessons for us all. It urges us not just to exist, but to truly live our lives, with a conscious effort towards creating happiness for ourselves and others.
In essence, the letter is a powerful testament to resilience, courage, love, and the enduring human spirit. It serves as a poignant reminder of the potential each one of us holds to shape our destiny, overcome personal despair, and pursue a life filled with joy and fulfillment.
