I just read an article about a store in a predominantly (completely?) Jewish neighborhood that refuses to sell Batman merchandise because, according to the owner, Batman doesn't represent Jewish values. (There is also a claim that interest in Batman would lead to watching TV, which is at least frowned upon by the haredi community, but that's a stretch; Batman is wonderfully represented in comics.) The claim is that Batman is violent, a trait the store does not want to offer as an option the Jewish children who end up with its toys. Although the owner is free to sell ANY toys, I disagree with the logic presented in the article.

Batman IS a hero, even from a Jewish viewpoint. 

His goal is to fix the dangerous and corrupt life in Gotham City by fighting the criminals there. This exemplifies the Jewish concept of תיקון עולם, fixing that which is wrong in the world. 

He usually acts on a local scale (as opposed to Superman, who more often acts globally), in accordance with the advice of the רמב״ם on the subject of צדקה, i.e. that charity should begin as close to home as possible. 

Not that he needs the money (more on that later), Batman does not get paid for his work; he does it all voluntarily. Public service is something admired in Jewish values. 

Although he does use violence, this is neither a bad thing nor is it contrary to Judaism. 
He fights criminals, usually violent ones who prey on the innocent citizenry of Gotham. And while some might judge his methods as harsh, he is displaying the attribute of justice. 

As for the idea that violence is not a Jewish trait, that is a distortion of the truth. Violence IS used, but only when it is the only option left. יעקב violently struggled with an angel, to the point where he was permanently injured. When משה רבנו saw the injustice of an Egyptian striking his fellow Jew, he used lethal violence as his solution (interestingly, a step Batman would not have taken). In just a few days we begin celebrating Chanukah, a holiday commemorating the violent overthrowing of antisemitic tyranny. Many other examples can be cited, of course. Judaism advocates violence in the appropriate setting, as does Batman.

At the same time, as mentioned above, Batman never kills. This shows his display of mercy. Despite the many calls from his colleagues to break this most sacred of his rules in extenuating circumstances (i.e. when the Joker tried to kill all the newborn babies in the city) he refuses time and again. Life is sacred to Batman. A very Jewish concept. 

While Batman does operate outside the law, which may be seen as a bad example for kids, he does so with the approval of Commissioner Gordon. This is tantamount to his being a deputized agent of the Gotham City Police Department. This is not only a way of showing the roundabout legality of his actions, it follows a little-known Jewish legal code. When a crime is committed, specifically manslaughter, it is the right of the victim's family to exact retribution from the killer, with the approval of the local court. In certain cases the court authorizes a deputized agent to exact justice on behalf of the victim's family. Batman can be seen as playing this role in Gotham; unofficially deputized by the GCPD to fight on behalf of the victims throughout the city. 

To sum up (almost), Batman displays very Jewish traits: תיקון עולם, local public service, justice, mercy, and a loose adherence to the laws of the land. But these are just his positive traits while in costume. He does other acts of charity and goodwill as his alter ego, Bruce Wayne. 

Bruce Wayne heads Wayne Industries, a conglomerate company that owns many businesses. Among these are numerous research and development facilities dedicated to curing diseases, creating new technologies, and preserving/cleaning the environment. 

By ever expanding his business' scope, he creates new jobs for the people of Gotham City. 

He also funds the Thomas and Martha Wayne foundations. These are two separate charitable organizations that help hundreds, maybe thousands, of people in Gotham. 

There have been two Robins (Batman's sidekick) who were orphaned at a young age. Aside from assisting Batman in all the acts of חסד listed above, they were looked after by Bruce Wayne. We are commanded many times to protect widows and orphans in our midst, and Bruce Wayne does exactly that.

So, what do we have when all is said and done? We have a man who has dedicated his life to upholding notions brought to the world by Judaism. An altruistic defender of the weak, who dispenses justice tempered by mercy, all while helping thousands of needy people. To say Batman is a good Jewish role model is an understatement. 

Oh, by the way - why does he do all this? To honor his father and his mother. I believe that's a Jewish idea as well.