(by 13 people)
a journey into the night
Since his first appearance in May 1939's issue #27 of Detective Comics, Batman has been an American icon. With his superior detective skills and peak physical fitness he battles some of the world's most heinous villians. Join me on this journey of history in reprint and inspiration.
The Golden Age of Batman
In Batman's first appearance in Detective Comics #27, he is already operating as a crime fighter. Batman's origin is first presented in Detective Comics #33 in November 1939, and is later fleshed out in Batman #47. As these comics state, Bruce Wayne is born to Dr. Thomas Wayne and his wife Martha, two very wealthy and charitable Gotham City socialites. Bruce is brought up in Wayne Manor and its wealthy splendor and leads a happy and privileged existence until the age of eight, when his parents are killed by a small-time criminal named Joe Chill on their way home from the movie theater.
Bruce Wayne swears an oath to rid the city of the evil that had taken his parents' lives. He engages in intense intellectual and physical training and studies a variety of areas which would aid him in his endeavors, including chemistry, criminology, forensics, martial arts, and gymnastics, as well as theatrical skills like disguise, escapology, and ventriloquism. He realizes, however, that these skills alone would not be enough. Please feel free to add any other Golden Age Batman stuff you can find!
The Silver Age of Batman
The Silver Age of comic books in DC Comics is sometimes held to have begun in 1956 when the publisher introduced Barry Allen as a new, updated version of The Flash. Batman is not significantly changed by the late 1950s for the continuity which would be later referred to as Earth-One. The lighter tone Batman had taken in the period between the Golden and Silver Ages led to the stories of the late 1950s and early 1960s that often feature a large number of science-fiction elements, and Batman is not significantly updated in the manner of other characters until 1964's Detective Comics #327, in which Batman reverts to his detective roots, with all science-fiction elements jettisoned from the series.
Batman (No.139) by DC Comics
Batman, Robin and Batwoman meet "Bat-Girl!&qu more...0 points
Batman (No.151) by DC Comics
Featuring a sensational 2-part adventure..."B more...0 points
Modern Batman
After the 12-issue limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC Comics rebooted the histories of some major characters in an attempt at updating them for contemporary audiences. Frank Miller retold Batman's origin in the storyline "Year One" from Batman #404-407, which emphasizes a grittier tone in the character. Though the Earth-Two Batman is erased from history, many stories of Batman's Silver Age/Earth-One career (along with an amount of Golden Age ones) remain canonical in the post-Crisis universe, with his origins remaining the same in essence, despite alteration. For example, Gotham's police are mostly corrupt, setting up further need for Batman's existence. While Dick Grayson's past remains much the same, the history of Jason Todd, the second Robin, is altered, turning the boy into the orphan son of a petty crook, who tries to boost the tires from the Batmobile. Also removed is the guardian Phillip Wayne, leaving young Bruce to be raised by Alfred. Additionally, Batman is no longer a founding member of the Justice League of America, although he becomes leader for a short time of a new incarnation of the team launched in 1987. To help fill in the revised backstory for Batman following Crisis, DC launched a new Batman title called Legends of the Dark Knight in 1989 and has published various miniseries and one-shot stories since then that largely take place during the "Year One" period.
Batman: A Death in the Family by Jim Starlin
The Joker kills the second Robin, Jason Todd.2 points
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller
Superman is hired to take Batman down. After Super more...1 point
Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore
The Joker's attempt to drive Commissioner Gordon i more...1 point
Batman: The Complete Knightfall Saga by Bob Kane
Bane destroys Batman by breaking his back.0 points
Who is the BAT?
Vote for your favorite Dark Knight Detective or add your own!
Batman on TV
Batman aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) for 2½ seasons from January 12, 1966 to March 14, 1968. Starring Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin, with an all star cast of villians and supporting characters.
Batman: The Animated series ran from 1992-1995 on the Fox network.
Around 1998, The New Batman Adventures was created for the WB and changed the series tone from dark and serious to a more light and cheerful tone.
In 1999, the WB network aired Batman Beyond, a futuristic Batman series that ran until 2001.
Batman is also one of the stars of The Justice League animated series as well.
Batman Beyond - The Complete First Season (DC Comics Classic Collection)
Terry McGinnis was just an ordinary teenager...unt more...2 points
Batman at the Movies
In 1943, Batman was introduced as a live action star in a collection of movie serials.
With the success of the 1960's television show, Batman was brought back to the silver screen with a feature length film building on the popularity of the television series. Since then 5 more feature length films have been produced with more on the way.
With Gothic Genius Tim Burton at the helm Batman was reintroduced as the dark brooding vengeance of the night that we all know him to be. 1989's Batman and it's sequeal 1992's Batman Returns brought back the gothic quality that defines Batman in our hearts, removing the light-hearted quality that had been associated with the franchise for over 20 years.
The popularity of the animated series also spawned several movies itself.
Bat-Gear
Here are my picks for some seriously sweet Batswag! Add your own folks! And remember, like Hank Venture says, "I am the Bat!"
Batman Classic Black T-Shirt
Clean up the streets of Gotham with your own class more...1 point
Batman Arkham Asylum Athletic Dept T-Shirt
The craziest new sports club in town unveils its w more...1 point
The BatCave
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BarryKrost
Love Batman. I still have my Batman collection. Nice lens. I think you should add more about the 70's Batman, particularly the Denny O'Neil/Neal Adams collaborations. The fight in the desert with Ra's Al Ghul in Batman #244 is my favorite Batman comic ever. Thanx Posted January 10, 2008 |
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oniyagi
Thanks for all of the compliments! You guys rock! Posted October 02, 2007 |
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GPCE-STUFF
Love the costume photos! Great lens on Batman, one of my fav HEROES! Posted August 11, 2007 |
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ShellHarris
Great Batman lens. ***** rating. Take a look at my comic book character lens on Jean Grey-Phoenix and rate me. Please comment. We superhero lenses should stick together. Posted August 09, 2007 |
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Oosquid
Bop! Pow! Batman, top superhero. 5 stars for a great lens. Posted June 23, 2007 |
