User:TheJoebro64/drafts/Batman

Batman^[a] is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. Batman was created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in the 27th issue of the comic book Detective Comics on March 30, 1939. In the DC Universe, Batman is the alias of Bruce Wayne, a wealthy American playboy, philanthropist, and industrialist who resides in Gotham City. His origin story features him swearing vengeance against criminals after witnessing the murder of his parents, Thomas and Martha, as a child, a vendetta tempered by the ideal of justice. He trains himself physically and intellectually, crafts a bat-inspired persona, and monitors the Gotham streets at night. Kane, Finger, and other creators accompanied Batman with supporting characters, including his sidekicks Robin and Batgirl; allies Alfred Pennyworth and James Gordon; love interest Catwoman; and foes such as the Penguin, the Riddler, Two-Face, and his archenemy, the Joker.

Kane conceived Batman in early 1939 to capitalize on the popularity of Superman; although Kane frequently claimed sole creation credit, Finger substantially developed the concept from a generic superhero into something more bat-like. They drew inspiration from pulp fiction characters like the Shadow and Sherlock Holmes. Batman received a spin-off publication, Batman, in 1940. Kane and Finger introduced Batman as a ruthless vigilante who frequently killed or maimed criminals, but he evolved into a just, disciplined superhero with a stringent moral code that prohibits killing during the 1940s. Unlike most superheroes, Batman does not possess any superpowers, instead relying on his intellect, fighting skills, and wealth. The 1960s Batman television series used a camp aesthetic, which continued to be associated with Batman for years after it ended. Various creators worked to return Batman to his darker roots in the 1970s and 1980s, culminating with the 1986 miniseries The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller.

DC has featured Batman in many comic books, including comics published under its imprints such as Vertigo and Black Label; he has been considered DC's flagship character since the 1990s. The longest-running Batman comic, Detective Comics, is the longest-running comic book in the United States. Batman is frequently depicted alongside other DC superheroes, such as Superman and Wonder Woman, as a member of organizations such as the Justice League and the Outsiders. In addition to Bruce Wayne, other characters used the Batman persona, such as Jean-Paul Valley / Azrael in the 1993–1994 "Knightfall" story arc; Dick Grayson, the first Robin, from 2009 to 2011; and Jace Fox, the son of Wayne's ally Lucius, since 2021. DC has also published comics featuring alternate versions of Batman, including the incarnation seen in The Dark Knight Returns and its successors, the incarnation from the Flashpoint (2011) event, and numerous interpretations in comics published under the Elseworlds label.

Batman is one of the most iconic characters in popular culture and has been listed among the greatest comic book superheroes and characters ever created. He is one of the most commercially successful superheroes, and his likeness has been licensed and featured in various media and merchandise sold around the world; this includes toy lines such as Lego Batman and video games such as the Batman: Arkham series. Batman has been adapted in many live-action and animated television series and films. Adam West portrayed him in the 1960s Batman television series, and he has been portrayed in film by Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale, Ben Affleck, and Robert Pattinson. Many actors, most prolifically Kevin Conroy, have provided Batman's voice in animation and video games.

Development

Conception

Design and influences

Pulp heroes such as Sherlock Holmes (left) and the Shadow (right) were Batman's principal influences.

Creation credit

Batman's co-creator, Bob Kane (pictured in 1966)

Publication history

Golden Age

Jerry Robinson—who co-created Robin, Batman's sidekick, and the Joker, his archenemy—in 2008

Batman first appeared in the 27th issue of Detective Comics, published on March 30, 1939 (though the issue was cover-dated May 1939).[1]

Silver Age

Bronze Age

Modern Age

Frank Miller (pictured in 2015) wrote and illustrated The Dark Knight Returns (1986), one of the Modern Age of Comic Books' defining works.

Copyright status

Batman will enter the public domain in 2035, when the copyright for Detective Comics #27 expires. However, he will remain trademarked, limiting how he can be used without authorization; furthermore, newer iterations of Batman will remain protected. DC had been preparing for Batman's copyright to lapse for several years by 2024, including by trademarking his logo and the "Caped Crusader" nickname.^[1]

Character biography

Origin

Alternate versions

Characterization

Bruce Wayne

Skills and equipment

Supporting characters

Affiliations

Literary analysis

Batman Unmasked (2001)
Batman and Philosophy (2008)
Batman and Ethics (2019)
Batman and Psychology (2022)

Cultural impact

In other media

Notes

^ Sometimes referred to as "the Batman" and originally stylized as The Bat-Man

References

Citations

^ Siegel, Tatiana; Maddaus, Gene (January 17, 2024). "When Superman and Batman Copyrights Expire in a Decade, Will It Be Kryptonite for DC?". Variety. Retrieved August 19, 2024.

Works cited

[1] Sometimes referred to as "the Batman" and originally stylized as The Bat-Man

[2] Siegel, Tatiana; Maddaus, Gene (January 17, 2024). "When Superman and Batman Copyrights Expire in a Decade, Will It Be Kryptonite for DC?". Variety. Retrieved August 19, 2024.

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