Sometimes, I think I have lived too long.  This might be one of those times.

I don’t even know what to say about this, so I’ll just say it.  Warner Bros., corporate parent of DC Comics and the studio behind what looks increasingly like the most financially-successful film of all time in The Dark Knight, is getting sued by a small oil-producing town in Turkey.  For copyright infringement, of all things.

Perhaps the impetus behind this idiocy will become clear when I reveal the name of the town in question…

Batman.

I’m serious.

Apparently, Huseiyn Kalkan, the mayor of Batman (the town), feels Warner’s been bandying the name of his jurisdiction around all willy-nilly in the handball court of global pop culture, and he wants in on some of the obscene profits The Dark Knight’s been pulling down since its release this past summer.

It gets better.  Variety’s quoted Hizzoner as saying, and this is just me repeating it, “There is only one Batman in the world.”  Meaning, of course, his Batman, not the Caped Crusader.  I barely trust myself to even respond to such an audacious, ill-informed statement.

Granted that Turkey isn’t exactly on the cusp of pop culture trends.  Granted that many in that area might not have access to Western movies, comic books, and whatever et ceteras you can think of that ol’ Bat-Brain’s graced over the decades.  Granted that certain political/religious factors in that corner of the world might seek to supress a pop icon such as the Batman over there.  All that being said… this is still one of the stupidest lawsuits in the history of litigation.  And that includes every instance of the RIAA suing eight-year-olds.

Expect this one to be laughed out of court in short order.  However, I couldn’t possibly let it go without giving all you fine folks a chance to have a good snicker.

If you liked that, try...

1. Comic Rundown: Batman Dies . . . I think?
2. Who Watches “The Watchmen”? Probably Nobody.
3. Comic Rundown: Final Crisis Fodder
4. Comic Rundown: Avenge Ten-Fold
5. Comic Rundown: Reboots and Werewolves

1 Comment »

1. 
   Migo
   November 13, 2008 at 12:58 pm

   From what I’ve been able to find, Batman (the town) is actually an abbreviated name for the town, sort of a nickname. It’s actually named Bati Raman, after the mountain range located there.

   Bruce Wayne can’t help it if they thought he was cool enough that they nicknamed their town after him. You don’t see Metropolis, Illinois complaining about any of the Superman movies that were made.

   [Reply]

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