Editing Batman Returns (section)

===Power and politics===
Power is a central theme for several characters; Shreck says, "There's no such thing as too much power; if my life has a meaning that's the meaning."<ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/> He uses his money to gain power, and Batman uses his fortune to fund his war against crime (unlike Penguin, who was abandoned because he did not fit the image expected by his wealthy parents).<ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/> Kyle gains power by donning the Catwoman costume and embracing her anger and sexuality.<ref name="ReviewEWBurr"/><ref name="ReviewTribuneKehr"/>

Shreck convinces Penguin to run for mayor to further his own goals, and the Penguin seeks out the acceptance and respect it would give him. Critic Caryn James wrote that ''Batman Returns'' has "sharp political jabs" which implies that money and image are more important than anything else.<ref name="NYTimesCarynJames"/> In ''Batman'', the Joker buys citizen support by throwing them piles of money; in the sequel, Shreck and Penguin gain the support of the populace with spectacle, pandering, and corporate showmanship. The Penguin describes how he and Shreck are both seen as monsters, but Shreck is a "well-respected monster and I, to date, am not." James said that the Penguin wants to change the superficial perception of himself because he wants to be accepted, but has no interest in being lovable.<ref name="TheRinger2022"/><ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/><ref name="NYTimesCarynJames"/> Only when the fickle voters turn on him, however, does he resort to his plan to kill infants who had the chances he never had. Crow believed that Burton was the most sympathetic to Penguin, and spent the most time on the character.<ref name="DOGBatmanRetro"/>