And here we go...

[MIB41]

I knew this would happen. I could taste it. I don't have any faith in this twisted society to not take a tragedy like the one in Colorado and find a way to marginalize it by creating copycats to bring attention to themselves.It's astounding how one twisted individual can win this country's imagination and seemingly bring it to it's knees. How impressionable our society is. And how quickly our media can take horrific events and sensationalize them to become more than what they should. The media should be honoring the heroes who gave their lives to save others. They should be championing our justice system to prosecute this monster who hurt and killed these innocent people. But no... Instead our media is embracing this idiot's psychosis. He said he was the "Joker" and the media ate it up. So now we have copy cats hitting all over because they know the media will report it. I think communities around this country need to stand up to our media and tell them to quit encouraging this kind of behavior. They are not helping heal this country. They are only helping keep the wound alive and cut deeper than it already has. Look at all of these stories. People need to get a grip. I can only imagine how this is affecting those poor survivors who have to read and watch this on television.

http://news.yahoo.com/3-arrested-separate-dark-knight-incidents-080930278.html

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/07/dark_knight_showing_halted_in.html

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Norwalk-Movie-Theater-Threats-Colorado-Shooting-Arrested-Suspect-Clark-Tabor-163499426.html?dr

http://www.amazon.com/Entertainment-Weekly-Batmans-Killer-Finale/dp/B008KR6W02

[sprytel]

That Entertainment Weekly issue came out before the movie premiered and before the shooting.

And the one guy was clearly a drunken idiot, not any sort of copycat. He is probably the same genius who thinks it is a good idea to make terrorist jokes ("did you remember to pack the bomb?") while in airport security line.

[Figuremod73]

Agree. Ive heard Charles Manson has a very large fan base.

[toys2cool]

wow that's crazy

[enyawd72]

Look at what's on TV anymore! I bet 75% of shows are people behaving badly, even commercials. Unfortunately that is the message we are sending society, that bad behavior will be rewarded with fame and fortune.
The one that currently really ticks me off is the latest commercial for GameFly showing kids vandalizing the inside of a video game store because they don't like the offer they get on their used game.
$9 for a $60 game. Well, it was $60 NEW, now it's used, so they'll probably sell it for $30, plus they have to pay rent and employees. Nice way to teach kids about business. If you don't get what you want, just throw a tantrum and vandalize the place.

[Godzilla]

Ugh, I HATE those Gamefly adds. And they're aimed at kids! So guess who thinks that's the way you're supposed to act.

[Earth 2 Chris]

A drunk, a loudmouth idiot, and one potential copycat. It was bound to happen, but it's so sad. It will take some time for the effects of this to die down, and yes, the media overplaying the same thing, and asking everyone who saw DKR how they felt as they come out of the theater only encourages these nuts.

Chris

[Adam West]

I think I might have mentioned this before but remember seeing some type of research recently completed that said teenagers biggest ambition is to be "famous"....well before wealth, health, happy, etc.

[johnmiic]

Based on the coverage I've seen in NY many survivors have been interviewed and many of their stories are being told. Sad tales, inspirational tales, survivors tales. The coverage of the shooter is less than flattering. This guy has been shown to be stupid or crazy or both.

I don't think blaming the media holds any water. Their job is to inform the public. They over do it; they over-inform because they want to grab ratings but you can change the channel, shut the TV, don't buy that newspaper if it offends you. I can take it or leave it. When I've had enough I concentrate my attention elsewhere.

[Earth 2 Chris]

It is their job to inform, but the constant regurgitation of the same thing only makes folks more panicky, and gives that SOB exactly more of what he was after.

Chris

[MIB41]

The media is beginning to assign blame to Hollywood and the movie...

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dark-knight-rises-shooting-peter-bogdanovich-353774

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/jul/24/hurt-letter-christopher-nolan-sean-penn-warner-bro/

[enyawd72]

The media is beginning to assign blame to Hollywood and the movie...

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dark-knight-rises-shooting-peter-bogdanovich-353774

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...nn-warner-bro/

I agree with some of this...I've felt comics and their respective movies have tried to be far too "realistic" and "adult" in their storylines and themes for many years now. The truth is, that comics were always intended for children, but those children grew up and when the books were changed to appeal to adults, the innocence was lost.
I mean, think about it...we went from Adam West and the Superfriends, to a nearly suicidal Batman dealing with mass murderers and terrorists. There are toys in the store right now for YOUNG children based on DKR. Would you take your child to see it? I wouldn't. Part of a parent's job is to shield their children from the horrors of the world, not expose them to it.

I think superheroes are very important to kids...they are not only colorful and fun, but they teach right from wrong, and like a surrogate parent, they should also act as a shield from the horrors of the world, not display them in four colors.