RAINBOW VOLUME 1 Number 1, January 2012: Page 45 - 57 A STUDY ON RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BATMAN AND HUSH IN BATMAN HUSH A PSYCHOSOCIAL APPROACH I Made Bayu Kusumawardana ABSTRACT This paper was intended to observe the relationships that developed between the two main charac- ters in Batman Hush based on certain parameters. The parameters are character’s environment, social life and their choice to adapt to it. Through the process of analysis, the characters came into different result of relationship even though their conditions are quite similar. The mean used in this paper are Theory of Psychosocial Development. It’s a theory promoted by Professor Erik Erikson which separated human’s character development into 8 stages. Key words: Batman Hush, relationships, psychosocial, Erik Erikson INTISARI Skripsi ini ditujukan untuk mengamati hubungan yang berkembang diantara dua karakter utama da- lam Batman Hush berdasarkan parameter tertentu. Parameter yang dipakai terdiri dari lingkungan sekitar karakter, kehidupan sosial dan pilihan mereka untuk beradaptasi terhadapnya. Melalui proses analisis diketahui bahwa karakter mendapatkan hasil yang berbeda dalam hubungan sosial mereka walaupun mereka berada dalam kondisi yang mirip Alat yang dipakai dalam skripsi ini adalah Teori Perkembangan Psikososial. Ini adala teori yang dipromosikan oleh profesor Erik Erikson dimana teori ini membagi perkembangan karakter manusia da- lam delapan tahap. Key words: Batman Hush, hubungan, psikososial, Erik Erikson INTRODUCTION Batman Hush introduced the internal "Hush" is a 2002-2003 comic book story struggle within the mind of Bruce Wayne, as arc that ran through the Batman monthly se- he questions his own belief and past. In the ries. It was written by Jeph Loeb, and pen- story he meet Thomas Elliot a friend of the ciled by Jim Lee, inked by Scott Williams and past. Thomas Elliot was his equal, even a bet- colored by Alex Sinclair. The story depicts a ter individual than he was or that is what he mysterious stalker, head wrapped in bandag- thinks about him. Unknown to Bruce Wayne, es, called Hush, who seems intent on sabo- Thomas Elliot is living a hell of torture by his taging Batman from afar, and utilizes a large parents, a distorted way of loving that is done number of guest appearances by Batman by his parent. As a result he grew up hating villains. It also emphasizes the romantic feel- the world but he still sought for it. That is why ings between Batman and Catwoman. he killed his own parent for the inheritance, al- 45 RAINBOW, Volume 1, Number 1, January 2012: though the plan is half-foiled by Bruce’s father read literature just see those comics fans who Dr. Thomas Wayne. make literature arguments as being geeks, dweebs, and eggheads.” Theoretical Review But whether public want to call comics 1. Comic as Literature “literature” is a hair-splitting debate. If , the There is always argument whether comic word “literature” comes from the same route is regarded as literature. Comic lovers have as “literacy” and it’s primarily about written been struggling for the cause, to have comic text, then “literature” isn’t an apt choice of books recognized as literature. Although in word for comics. On the other hand, if it used the past there have been an achievement, Art as an analogy about “media literacy”, and if Spiegelman’s Maus won a Pulitzer in 1992, the concept of literature can encompass ma- but it is only one in the many. Despite the vari- terial like drama, then there is no reason why ety of subject matter, art style, and age range, an expanded definition of the term couldn’t the term ‘comic book’ is still used as an idiom encompass comics. “Literature”, like most for lower culture distinction. Now and then words, has a range of meanings. there will be review about novels or movies, It’s a matter of personal perception and saying it “comic book-ish”. It is not meant as how each individual perceives what “litera- a compliment for innovative or colored with ture” means to them. emotion or profound. Comic books can con- Using the part of “media literacy” which tain those things though. The loosely used contains the meaning of media that enable term “graphic novel” made the term “comic people to analyze, evaluate, and create mes- book” sounds like lightweight stuff. Comic sages, it is fair to state that comic book or book need a lot more to achieve it’s position graphic novel is a part of literature. as a literature. Comic books are a form of entertainment 2. Erikson’s Psychosocial Development not different from any other form of popular Theory entertainment. As such, there is bad and good Erikson’s theory describes the impact of stuff in it as in any other entertainment me- social experience across the whole lifespan. dium. Comics can be clever, well-written, in- One of the main elements of Erikson’s psycho- volving popular entertainment, but they’re pop social stage theory is the development of ego entertainment nonetheless. That is a fact. identity. Ego identity is the conscious sense And how do people can recognize that comic of self that we develop through social interac- is literature? tion. According to Erikson, our ego identity is Barb Lien-Cooper on his blog in com- constantly changing due to new experience icsbulletin.com writes “The part of the main- and information we acquire in our daily inter- stream which actually reads literature isn’t actions with others. In addition to ego identity, going to believe that comics are literature, no Erikson also believed that a sense of compe- matter what the arguments are or who makes tence also motivates behaviors and actions. them. The part of the mainstream that doesn’t Each stage in Erikson’s theory is concerned 46 I Made Bayu Kusumawardana - A Study on Relationships Between Batman and Hush in Batman Hush A Psychosocial Approach with becoming competent in an area of life. If 2.4. Psychosocial Stage 4 - Industry vs. In- the stage is handled well, the person will feel feriority a sense of mastery, which he sometimes re- This stage covers the early school years ferred to as ego strength or ego quality. from approximately age 6 to 11. Children be- gin to develop a sense of pride in their accom- 2.1. Psychosocial Stage 1 - Trust vs. Mis- plishments and abilities. Children who are trust encouraged and commended by parents and The first stage of Erikson’s theory of psy- teachers develop a feeling of competence and chosocial development occurs between birth belief in their skills. Those who receive little or and one year of age and is the most funda- no encouragement from parents, teachers, or mental stage in life. If a child successfully de- peers will doubt their ability to be successful. velops trust, he or she will feel safe and secure in the world. Caregivers who are inconsistent, 2.5. Psychosocial Stage 5 - Identity vs. emotionally unavailable, or rejecting contrib- Confusion ute to feelings of mistrust in the children they During adolescence, children are ex- care for. Failure to develop trust will result in ploring their independence and developing fear and a belief that the world is inconsistent a sense of self. Erikson believe that children and unpredictable. can find their own identity if the parents al- low them the freedom to explore. Those who receive proper encouragement and rein- 2.2. Psychosocial Stage 2 - Autonomy vs. forcement through personal exploration will Shame and Doubt emerge from this stage with a strong sense of In this stage, parent or the caregivers self and a feeling of independence and con- need to control their will over their child. They trol. Those who remain unsure of their beliefs need not to be too smothering and not to be and desires will be insecure and confused neglectfulChildren who successfully complete about themselves and the future. this stage feel secure and confident, while those who do not are left with a sense of in- 2.6. Psychosocial Stage 6 - Intimacy vs. adequacy and self-doubt. Isolation This stage covers the period of early 2.3. Psychosocial Stage 3 - Initiative vs. adulthood when people are exploring person- Guilt al relationships. Erikson believed it was vital During the preschool years, children be- that people develop close, committed relation- gin to assert their power and control over the ships with other people. Those who are suc- world through directing play and other social cessful at this step will develop relationships interaction. Children who are successful at that are committed and secured. Remember this stage feel capable and able to lead oth- that each step builds on skills learned in pre- ers. Those who fail to acquire these skills are vious steps. Erikson believed that a strong left with a sense of guilt, self-doubt and lack sense of personal identity was important to of initiative. developing intimate relationships. 47 RAINBOW, Volume 1, Number 1, January 2012: 2.7. Psychosocial Stage 7 - Generativity are unsuccessful during this phase will feel vs. Stagnation that their life has been wasted and will experi- During adulthood, we continue to build ence many regrets. Successfully completing our lives, focusing on our career and family. this phase means looking back with few re- Those who are successful during this phase grets and a general feeling of satisfaction. will feel that they are contributing to the world by being active in their home and community. Psychosocial Development Chart Those who fail to attain this skill will feel un- Erik Erikson (1902-1994) described de- productive and uninvolved in the world. velopment that occurs throughout the lifespan.