I’m a certified spec-fic geek, but not all my friends love superhero movies or fantasy as much as I do.

The odd thing is, even if they don’t dig Marvel or could care less about comic books, they love Batman.

I found this surprising, since I figured the Dark Knight movies fit into the same category as Spiderman or Avengers, but apparently Batman is in a league all his own.

That got the dusty thinking wheels turning, and I wondered, “Why is Batman so popular? What sets the Dark Knight Trilogy apart from every other superhero style story?”

Here are four reasons I came up with to explain the Batman craze:

1. The Movies Have More Science and Less Fiction

One of the complaints I’ve heard about typical superhero movies is about the powers the characters have. Some people think a super-serum rocks and the ability to transform into a raging green monster is epic. Other people look at it and go, “meh. Nice, but not for me.”

Not so with Batman. Except for his combat skills, he’s an average Bruce.

• No magical hammer
• No superhuman strength
• No regenerative abilities

That’s what makes him relatable. Batman is cool, but his cool card isn’t because of his physical capabilities. He’s cool because he has a bat mobile. An arsenal of advanced weapons. High-tech wings that let him “fly.” Sick martial arts skills.

Those are all based in science. Technology. Training. Things we can understand, even if they’re more advanced than what we can currently produce. Having those familiar elements helps draw us into his world not as skeptical visitors but as amazed fans.

The movies take our world, add some imaginative touches, and then invite us on a mind-blowing ride.

2. Batman is a Vigilante

Vigilantes in the hero role have sprouted up like mushrooms in a hobbit garden, but among his counterparts, Batman occupies a unique place.

• Captain America is a loyal soldier
• Thor is—hello—a god
• Iron Man is a billionaire with sweet tech and an outspoken nature

None of them is a vigilante. We have Spiderman, but he’s doesn’t fit in the same category as Batman. He’s not ruthless enough and behaves too much like a nerdy teenager.

The fact that the hero is also callous and violent makes for a fascinating contrast. Moral conundrums are excellent fuel to stoke the fire of compelling stories. We can appreciate his hard-nosed fight against Gotham’s corruption and enemies while at the same time shift uncomfortably at some of his methods.

The fact that he does this under cover of darkness while playing the super-rich playboy by day adds another layer of intrigue and tension.

3. The Plots Are Entertaining and Believable

Some people—a lot of people, actually—don’t have hyperactive imaginations like I do. If a story stretches too far into the realm of unbelievable, it ruins the story for them. They can’t get past a certain aspect of the movie that’s too wild for real life.

Despite being based on comic books, the Dark Knight Trilogy manages to weave plots that don’t jump off the cliff of reality. Unlike Avengers, where the god of an imaginary world tries to conquer Earth, Batman gives us The Joker. He’s a pathological psycho, but the story is believable because we can picture something like that happening.

A Chitauri army, a doorway to another part of the universe, a green monster not even phased by the machine guns of fighter jets—those are cool but obviously unrealistic.

On the other hand, a clinically insane murderer, attempted assassinations, the threat to blow up ferries filled with passengers—those strike a chord with us because they could actually happen.

The danger is more blatant and tangible, and therefore more compelling.

Combine those, throw in interesting characters, plot twists, impossible choices, and sinister adversaries, and you have what amounts to a breathtaking movie—or in this case, a trio of breathtaking movies.

4. It Has Awesome Music

This may sound weird, but the music in the series plays an important role. Hans Zimmer is a master of composing songs that are powerful and have the ability to stir emotions within us, exemplified by the majestic theme song.

Without the grandiose music to reinforce the story, acting like support pillars upholding a bridge, the movie wouldn’t have the same emotional intensity or impact. Every time I hear the theme song, chills go up and down my arms. Such is the power of music.

Like the instruments in an orchestra, these elements work together to produce an extraordinary symphony that engages our imaginations, grips our minds, touches our hearts, and keeps us glued to the screen time and again.

Why do you love the Batman movies? What sets him apart from other superheroes? I would love to hear your thoughts.