2009-09-20
Explanation
The comic contrasts two versions of Batman: "Possible" and "Realistic." In the "Possible" panel, Batman is shown in a classic superhero scenario, crouching on a rooftop and planning: "Now, if I can just reach the roof, I can climb down the inner wall, knock out the Joker from behind, and notify the police before he comes to." This is the kind of elaborate tactical plan we see in comics and movies. In the "Realistic" panel, Batman is simply shoving a long pole (like a broomstick or lance) directly into the Joker's face. No finesse, no acrobatics -- just blunt, direct violence.
The joke is about the gap between how superhero combat is depicted in fiction versus what would actually be most effective. In reality, a wealthy man with access to weapons would not need elaborate gymnastic maneuvers -- a straightforward, inelegant attack would be far more practical. The comic pokes fun at the unnecessary complexity of superhero battle tactics when brute force would work just as well.
The votey shows a person at a computer, thinking "Great observation!" while typing "Batman is unrealistic." This is a meta-joke about the comic itself, gently mocking the kind of obvious pop-culture criticism that points out superheroes are not realistic -- as if that were a novel insight. It is Weinersmith poking fun at his own comic's premise.