BATMAN HISTORY
Batman's first appearance was of course
in print, Detective Comics 27, May 1939.
Creator Bob Kane introduced his "caped
crusader" for DC, who were looking for
"another Superman".The idea was developed
by Kane with Bill Finger, who was instru-
mental in the original design concept for
the Batsuit, and who, it is rumored was
to have suggested a mysterious aura.
Finger was to do the first writing, with
Bob Kane as the artist. Finger envisioned
the fledgling super hero as a combo of
The Shadow, Doc Savage, Sherlock Holmes,
and the real-life Douglas Fairbanks. Kane
also was influenced by Chester Gould's
detective Dick Tracy. It has been said
that Gould's influence was notable "in
the rendering of underworld characters".
Bob Kane, joined by Jerry Robinson, who
was to contribute much, including the
Joker as we know him, would both be
succeeded as well, but will always remain
the "Fathers of Batman".
THE EARLY BAT DAYS
One of the most notable characteristics
of Batman is that he adapts to, and
reflects directly the times in which we
live.The character has evolved over time,
most often echoes some of collective
societal beliefs, as succeeding artists
portray the Dark Knight. Batman's now
familiar Batsuit has undergone many
changes, though most subtle through the
years. Originally, the costume had the
now famous bat-symbol on the chest,
although the yellow oval surrounding it
wouldn't be added until the early 1960s.
Batman's utility belt was in place, but
colored grey like his suit. The belt soon
became yellow, and the bat-gloves which
had been plain, grew the now famous fins
we are all familiar with. Batman's cowl
has also undergone subtle changes, most
notably in the size and length of the
ears. Arguably, the ears seem to grow and
shrink reflecting current fashion trends,
i.e. very short, small and conservative
in the "60's", much like ties, lapels and
pant cuffs of the time, vs. the longer,
sharper ears in the current batsuit of
the movies, as well as periodically
through the comics.In addition, the "bat-
ear-length" also seems to reflect the
relative angst level of the Dark Knight
(the darker the knight, the longer the
ear....)
SERIALS
In 1943, Batman and Robin appeared in a
succession of movie serials. Titled
BATMAN, it consisted of 15 episodes
starring Lewis Wilson as the Caped
Crusader and Douglas Croft as the Boy
Wonder.It was directed by Lambert Hillyer
(The Invisible Ray with Boris Karloff,
Dracula's Daughter with the darkest
knight of all, Bela Lugosi).The second of
the "forties" serials was titled BATMAN
and ROBIN starring Robert Lowery as
Batman, and John Duncan as Robin.
THE AGE OF THE WEST
Batman and Robin hit new highs in
ratings, mass popularity. Twice a week we
were swept away, perhaps the closest
anyone can come to entering a "comic
world." If one watches the show now, the
sense of color, costuming, fight choreo-
graphy and corny humor are STILL funny,
entrancing and now, nostalgic. Even the
shows detractors will admit the series
NEVER took itself seriously. The comic
book portrayal of the Caped Crusader,
followed suit, with a sort-of funny
Batman and Robin.
STAYIN'ALIVE (COMICALLY)
There have been a number of incarnations
of Batman, a variety of different comics
with the Dark Knight as the principal
character, Dick Grayson, the original
Robin went off to college and on to his
own comic and was replaced by Jason Todd,
the Robin killed by the Joker. Directly
following, comes Tim Drake. Our hero
appears now in several incarnations,
based on the slant of the publication.
Today, we can find the "Dark Knight" in
Detective Comics, "Batman", "Shadow of
the Bat", "Legends of the Dark Knight",
and "Batman and Robin Adventures". The
"Knightfall" series, in which super hero
Azrael is to assume the Mantle of the
Bat, which has been assembled in a series
of graphic novels which are the most
riveting of comic adventures.
RENAISSANCE IN FILM
In the Spring of 1989, Batfans the world
over felt the surge of Batmania rising
again...Warner Brothers had a new Batman
movie scheduled for release in June.
Rumors flew, secrecy abounded, and
everyone said "why the HECK did they
cast Michael Keaton as the Bat?" When we
finally got to the theatre, Director Tim
Burton and the various artists who
contributed to the film slapped us in
the face with a cruel, hard, cold Gotham
City. Gotham was now huge, ugly, crime-
ridden, and filled with very strange,
industrial-oriented art, buildings and
statues of gargantuan proportion. Our
first glimpse of Batman dispelled all
thoughts of the '60's TV show, the new
Batman was dark, mean, and driven by cold
revenge and a feeling of emotional
isolation.The next movie "Batman Returns"
took Gotham to a new level of darkness,
all set in a wintery, cold landscape. The
third movie "Batman Forever" had changes
in store. Director Joel Schumacher gave
it a new, more colorful and "comic-style".
Batman was not silly, and the "Batsuit"
was again improved, plus we get to meet
Robin in this movie.
THE BREAKING OF THE BAT
The most recent event in Batman's crime
fighting life that can be considered his
most trying was when Bane broke the back
of Batman, leaving him in a wheelchair
unable to fight crime.Seeking to continue
the Batman tradition he made Jean-Paul
Valley (Azrael)the new Batman which upset
Nightwing since he was known better by
Bruce.Batman later regretted this because
Jean-Paul killed a criminal known as the
Abbatoir. Hearing of what happened
motivated Bruce to walk again and prevent
Jean-Paul from destroying the image of
Batman. For many months Bruce underwent
therapy and once again gained the ability
to walk, but would need to re-learn how
to be Batman and emplored the help of
Lady Shiva who is considered one of the
deadliest Women on the face of the Earth.
BATMAN'S REBIRTH
After intense training Bruce was ready to
become Batman again, but would have to
battle Jean-Paul to regain the "Mantle of
The Bat". During the battle Batman drew
him into the depths of the Batcave where
he would have to take off his armor in
order to continue the pursuit, allowing
Batman to win and take back the Mantle.
Afterwards, Jean-Paul became the Angel of
Vengeance known as Azrael and helps
Batman out every once in a while. After
the battle Batman decided to leave Gotham
City and rediscover himself and gave
Nightwing the Mantle of The Bat until he
returned. For the time Dick Grayson took
on the criminal element of the city along
with the help of Robin until Bruce Wayne
returned and took the mantle back. So,
Batman is now back to fighting crime and
still continues his own crusade and
swears to avenge his parents and protect
the innocent people of Gotham City.
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