We're not too different, you & I - Kyler Lake

The various conflicts between key characters in Batman Returns are much more intricate in comparison to Burton's first batman interpretation.  In Batman, Burton sets up the two antiheroes to be polar opposites in terms of character.  Although various situations allow batman and the joker to have some similarities, Burton sets up Jack Napier to be viewed as evil and dark and batman to be good and honorable.  It's genius that the color schemes of both would suggest otherwise.  Jack murdered Bruce's parents in cold blood right in front of him and ultimately created Batman.  Jack's truly evil nature makes it easy for batman to go after and ultimately kill the joker.  In Batman Returns, the two antiheroes are very similar, which in turn makes it harder for batman to kill penguin.  It is interesting that both of the villains in the Batman films are drastically affected by toxic waste and the byproduct of human society. Burton is further showing his view of the world as a dirty and dark place.

Both batman and penguin are lost souls who have had to deal with very similar issues.  Whether on purpose or not, both had to deal with abandonment issues because of the loss of parents.  Batman as stated before, watched his parents murder and had to deal with that for his entire life.  Penguin doesn't even know who his parents are because they dropped him off the side of a bridge and into the sewer on a cold winter night because of his penguin like appearance.  Both have the need to find a sense of identity and also, to find an accepting and loving family to be surrounded by.  Because of this, both barman and penguin are ostracized characters who must struggle through their days in a harsh society to make something of themselves.  This, like most of Burton's films, echoes Tim Burton's own life and various inner conflicts that he has and continues to deal with.