Summary
Batman is a fictional character, a comic book superhero created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27 (May 1939), and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics. Originally referred to as "The Bat-Man" and still referred to at times as "The Batman", he is additionally known as "The Caped Crusader", "The Dark Knight", and "The World's Greatest Detective," among other titles. In the original version of the story and the vast majority of retellings, Batman's secret identity is Bruce Wayne, an American millionaire (later billionaire) playboy, industrialist, and philanthropist. Having witnessed the murder of his parents as a child, he swore revenge on criminals, an oath tempered with the greater ideal of justice. Wayne trains himself both physically and intellectually and dons a bat-themed costume in order to fight crime. Batman operates in the fictional American Gotham City, assisted by various supporting characters including his crime-fighting partner, Robin, his butler Alfred Pennyworth, the police commissioner Jim Gordon, and occasionally the heroine Batgirl. He fights an assortment of villains such as the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler, Two-Face, Poison Ivy and Catwoman. Unlike most superheroes, he does not possess any superpowers; he makes use of intellect, detective skills, science and technology, wealth, physical prowess, martial arts skills, an indomitable will, fear, and intimidation in his continuous war on crime. Batman became a very popular character soon after his introduction and gained his own comic book title, Batman, in 1940. As the decades wore on, differing interpretations of the character emerged. The late 1960s Batman television series used a camp aesthetic which continued to be associated with the character for years after the show ended. Various creators worked to return the character to his dark roots, culminating in the 1986 miniseries The Dark Knight Returns, by Frank Miller, while the successes of Tim Burton's 1989 film Batman and Christopher Nolan's 2005 reboot Batman Begins also helped to reignite popular interest in the character. A cultural icon, Batman has been licensed and adapted into a variety of media, from radio to television and film, and appears on a variety of merchandise sold all over the world such as toys and video games. The character has also intrigued psychiatrists with many trying to understand the character's psyche and his true ego in society. In May 2011, Batman placed second on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time, after Superman. Empire magazine also listed him second in their 50 Greatest Comic Book Characters of All Time.
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DC Fan Art Brings Together Michael Keaton's Batman & Brandon Routh's Superman in Multiverse Team-Up
Although it will never happen on screen, a new piece of DC fan art imagines the two versions of Batman and Superman uniting.
Batman Writer Addresses Jake Gyllenhaal Almost Becoming Bruce Wayne, and The Dark Knight Rises Being ‘Modeled After’ Rocky III
David S. Goyer voted for Jake Gyllenhaal to become the Batman over Christian Bale, Rocky III inspired The Dark Knight Rises.
The Batman: It Took 80 Takes to Capture the Final Scene Between The Dark Knight & The Riddler, Matt Reeves Reveals
The Batman's unforgettable, final scene between Paul Dano's Riddler and Battinson took two days and 80 takes to perfect.
Batman Returns Is More of a Tim Burton Film Than a Batman Film... And That's Okay
Tim Burton was given more control over Batman Returns and it's clear from the start that it's more of a Burton movie than a Batman movie.
Why The Dark Knight Rises Doesn't Deserve the Hate
Nolan's Batman trilogy capper doesn't live up to The Dark Knight. But what could?
10 Batman Movies That Never Got Made
In honor of Batman Day, look back at the biggest cinematic takes on The Dark Knight that almost happened.
The Highest-Grossing Batman Movies of All Time
Batman is one of the most popular franchises in superhero cinema. Here is a look back at its highest-grossing films.
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm 30th Anniversary Featurette Honors the Legacy of Kevin Conroy
An extensive clip from the Kevin Conroy: I Am the Knight featurette has now been released.
Explained: How the Ben Affleck Movies Got Batman Right
Ben Affleck's portrayal of the Dark Knight has had fans split from the very beginning, but he may have been one of the most accurate portrayals yet.
The Batman Multiverse: Six Live-Action Legends Unite in a Groundbreaking DC Art Display
6 legendary live-action Batman assemble in a DC fan art spectacle.
The Batman Part II: Will The Joker Be the Villain?
After that tease in The Batman, we might see the Clown Prince of Crime in the sequel. Is Robert Pattinson’s Batman ready for his archnemesis?
The 10 Best Harley Quinn Moments in Batman: The Animated Series
Harley Quinn's debut in Batman: The Animated Series solidified her as one of the most iconic DC villains of all time.
Timothée Chalamet Captivates as DC’s Nightwing in Stunning Fan Art
Timothée Chalamet joins the DCU and dons Nightwing’s attire in new fan art.
All Batman Animated Series in Order
Batman has been a staple IP when it comes to TV animation. Here are all of his animated TV series in order.
Harley Quinn: Drew Barrymore & Debi Mazar’s Batman Forever Characters Return in Max Series
Batman Forever's villainous duo of Sugar and Spice show up in the sixth episode of Max's Harley Quinn series.
15 Batman Animated Movies Every Fan Needs to See
Batman animated movies over the years have demonstrated a wonderful breadth to the iconic superhero that keeps fans coming back for more.
One Dark Knight: What was Ben Affleck’s Batman Movie About?
Recent comments about Ben Affleck's Batman movie have raised interest around the project with fans. What was his now mythic Batman about?
The Equalizer 3 Director Antoine Fuqua Would Love to Helm a Batman Movie
Antoine Fuqua noted that he "grew up with Batman," and declared that The Dark Knight is the comic book character he connects with the most.
James Gunn Shuts Down DCU Batman Casting Rumors With One Blunt Fact
James Gunn has been happy to discuss some aspects of his new DCU, but the subject of casting seems to be shut down for the foreseeable future.
Every Live Action Batman TV Show Ever Made, Ranked
Interestingly, many of the Batman-related live-action shows barely feature the dark knight himself.