Even Superman fans will most likely agree that Batman is super awesome. With all of those cool gadgets, aesthetic costumes, the courage of a lion, cheesy vintage puns, and his vast intelligence, how can you not like him? Batman is a badass superhero who inspires us all, no matter our gender, race, orientation, culture, or creed. However, in the past, some people thought that Batman was ‘only for boys’ which has led to some unfortunate gatekeeping and the enforcement of gender stereotypes. Case in point, Maryland-based cosplayer Sparky Mularkey, who absolutely loves Batman, shared how back in the 90s she wasn’t allowed to have a birthday party themed around the superhero because it wasn’t girly.
However, the story had an incredibly wholesome and happy ending: Sparky’s boyfriend threw a surprise Batman birthday party to celebrate her turning 32. And. He. Went. All. Out. Holy mackerel! Kapow! Take that, gendered superhero gatekeeping. Sparky, we’re honestly jealous of how good a human being your partner is.
In an interview with Bored Panda, Sparky shared that she "honestly had no idea" that her boyfriend was planning a party for her. It took her completely by surprise. "I was being completely serious when I said that I had forgotten about my own birthday. I really was so exhausted from work, and so to arrive at his place and see not only all of my (vaccinated) friends but Batman decorations... It all clicked together instantly and when I realized exactly what he had done, I just burst into happy tears," she told me just how happy she was. Read on for the full wholesome interview.
In one of the most wholesome posts we've seen all year, cosplayer Sparky shared how her boyfriend threw her an awesome Batman-themed birthday party
Image credits: SparkyMularkey
I was interested to find out who Sparky's favorite superhero really is and whether Batman comes out as the winner. Spoiler warning: he doesn't (even if he's still super awesome and near the top)! "Batman is such a popular superhero. Everyone loves Batman, or at least likes him, and I think there's a reason for that. He's super cool and has an amazing supportive cast of characters and an unmatched rogues' gallery," she said.
"Funnily enough, since I've expanded my comic book reading experience, Batman isn't really even one of my favorite characters! My favorite DC hero is Aquaman. (I named his dog Salty, BTW, but that's a story for another time). But yes, Batman is definitely up there," the cosplayer told Bored Panda. (Don't worry, Batman, you're still my number one guy. Aquaman has nothing on you, even if I wanna be just like Jason Momoa.)
The party took Sparky completely by surprise. It was something that she wanted ever since she was a little girl, but she was told that "Batman was for boys"
Image credits: SparkyMularkey
Sparky also opened up about her love of geek culture and cosplaying. The pandemic put a large dent into her cosplaying, however, it hasn't dulled her passion for geeky things. "Sadly, I haven't been able to cosplay as much as I used to. Life got busy, and then the pandemic really put a halt on everything, but I'm feeling hopeful to start back up soon! I always loved Halloween, and I think that's a common 'favorite holiday' for a lot of cosplayers," she said.
"I love comic books and games like Tekken and Magic the Gathering. I'm good friends with Gavin Verhey, whom I first met through cosplaying with Wizards of the Coast. I just always felt that, through embracing my passion for geek culture, I could set aside the anxieties and fears that I had developed from navigating society and I could just truly be myself, living vicariously through beloved fictional characters, celebrating with fellow geeks who are just as passionate as I am," she said, sharing her strong bond with the rest of the geek community.
The party was more 'Batman' than the Batcave, full of vintage decorations and costumes that would make any geek squeal with joy
Image credits: SparkyMularkey
Image credits: SparkyMularkey
Sparky told me that she doesn't hold any sort of grudge that she wasn't allowed to have a Batman birthday party when she was a kid. "Parents love their children. They try their best to make them happy, to make them feel loved, and to give them a good life. I know that my own parents love me very much, and they've always wanted what's best for me. I might not have gotten a Batman birthday when I was a kid, but I still loved the birthday parties they hosted for me and I know that they always wanted what's best for me. Over the years, my parents have grown and changed and I will always be appreciative for all they did for me... But yes, finally getting my Batman birthday party was fricken' AWESOME! Childhood dream come true!"
But all of that was just the tip of the iceberg... downstairs, Sparky's BF had organized a Batman-themed carnival of epic proportions
Image credits: SparkyMularkey
The carnival games were extremely fun and had such hilarious names, I choked on the tea I was drinking
Image credits: SparkyMularkey
There was even a scavenger hunt! Who doesn't like those?!
Image credits: SparkyMularkey
Image credits: SparkyMularkey
Image credits: SparkyMularkey
Image credits: SparkyMularkey
What followed next was a round of charades. All themed around Batman, of course
Image credits: SparkyMularkey
There was also a Batarang challenge to test out Sparky's athleticism, agility, and aim
Image credits: SparkyMularkey
Image credits: SparkyMularkey
The cosplayer put it right: Batman is for everyone
Image credits: SparkyMularkey
Image credits: SparkyMularkey
Image credits: SparkyMularkey
Sparky shared how she was completely exhausted from work and actually forgot all about her 32nd birthday (PS—that’s her favorite number!).
However, she was completely gobsmacked to discover that what was supposed to be a quiet dinner turned into a party with friends and vintage Batman decorations. Holy smokes, Batman, that’s just pure awesomeness.
They all dressed up and had so much fun, I’m secretly hoping that somebody throws me a superhero-themed party in the future as well. There was also an incredibly well-prepared Batman-themed carnival prepared for Sparky downstairs with some hilariously named activities.
Sparky told Newsweek that this isn’t the first time that her boyfriend organized a themed party for her. In earlier years, he’s made a Star Wars birthday party for her, however, it wasn’t at the same scale as the Batman carnival fiesta.
"This Batman birthday party was truly something special. He really knows how to go all out for parties! He told me that he spent WEEKS planning and preparing for this surprise party. I really have no idea how I never caught on!” she told Newsweek.
“I think my favorite part was the Joker Batarang challenge. This man built a Turntable of Justice!" she wrote on Twitter about the extent to which her boyfriend made her special day even more special. The green balloons were filled with ‘Joker gas,’ so you'd lose points if you hit them. He seriously went all out. He 3D printed different kinds of Batarangs. Even Nightwing ones! It was seriously so much fun! So much went into this party and I hadn't realized just how much I needed to feel like a kid again. It seriously healed my soul. I am so lucky to have such a great man in my life who makes me feel like a hero. And now I know for sure, forever, that Batman is for everyone.”
People were awed by just how awesome the entire Batman project was! And we're a little bit jealous of such awesome party
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