That's the problem, you have to be one or the other it seems. Bruce and most modern Superheroes are clearly the former and a small minority comprised of individuals like modern Superman sit in the later. That's why modern writers make coping stories like What's so Funny about Truth, Justice, and the American Way.
The heroes of old while they could be mean at least seem to care about people and had a good head on their shoulders. They were also more fun. B