One of the most popular and recognizable fictional characters in the world, the superhero Batman first appeared

in Detective Comics #27, cover dated May 1939. Looking to capitalize on the success of Superman the previous year, DC Comics (then National Periodicals) hired journeyman cartoonist Bob Kane to create another costumed hero. In order to differentiate his character from Superman, Kane made his creation a human without actual super powers, and drew upon film noir and pulp fiction, rather than the science fiction that influenced Supermans creators. However, Kanes original design would be modified by the writer of Batmans early adventures, Bill Finger, who suggested Kane change the color scheme from red to grey, and added Batmans cowl with pointed horns and his scalloped cape. DC gave the savvy Kane sole credit for creating Batman, but most critics agree that Finger is his co-creator. Batman proved an immediate sensation in Detective Comics and, within a year, was given a quarterly solo comic. The premiere issue of Batman (1940) saw the first appearances of enduring villains the Joker and Catwoman. In that same year, Batman began appearing alongside Superman in Worlds Finest Comics. Since his first appearance, Batman has remained the lead feature in Detective Comics , and Batman , along with additional titles starring the character, Batman remains remarkably popular and viable after 70 years of continual publication. Batmans creators waited until his seventh appearance, in Detective Comics #33 (1939), before depicting his origin in a short, two-page introductory tale. Bruce Wayne is the only child of a wealthy family in the fictional American metropolis Gotham City. During his childhood, his parents are killed in front of him during a mugging. The traumatic event motivates the young boy to train his body and mind to perfection, so that as an adult he can wage a war on crime. One night, a bat flies through Waynes library window, which he takes as an omen. He designs a costume evocative of a bat, and, as the Bat- Man, as he was originally named, he preys upon Gothams criminal underworld using his physical and mental talents, as well as an arsenal of hi-tech gadgetry. Although subsequent writers would elaborate or modify this story, the basic origin remains unchanged and powerful. Important additions to the story include the Wayne family butler, Alfred Pennyworth, who raised the young Bruce Wayne and assists him in his efforts as Batman; the citys police commissioner, James Gordon, who appeared in Batmans first story, but whose partnership with Batman would be developed more fully by later writers; and Robin, Batmans young sidekick. A number of teen and pre-teen characters have served as Robin, but the most famous is the original, Dick Grayson, a young acrobat whose parents are killed similarly to Waynes. Seeing himself in the boy, Wayne adopts Grayson as his ward, and trains him as his partner. The brightly-garbed and wisecracking Robin is a foil to the darker, brooding Batman, and remains a popular character in his own right. The tones and styles of Batmans adventures have varied greatly throughout his publication history. Early storieswritten primarily by Finger, with art by Kane and his assistant, Jerry Robinsonare exceedingly dark: grim tales of crime and corruption, with grotesque villains, set in a Gothic environment often reminiscent of German Expressionism. After World War II and throughout the 1950s, the tone became increasingly tamer and childish, characterized by Dick Sprangs cartooning and stories pitting Batman against mischievous, yet generally harmless, adversaries. This period also saw an expansion of cast, most notably Batgirl and Batwoman, and the trend of putting Batman through bizarre transformations, such

as making him a giant or a Zebra Batman. Sales plummeted during this time, and in 1964 legendary editor Julius Schwartz reinvigorated the franchise. Schwartzs New Look Batman included a yellow oval around his chests bat insignia, as well as Carmine Infantinos more realistic art style and a return to classic villains and detective stories. This reinvention was curtailed somewhat by the camp trend of the mid-1960s, which affected Batman more than any other character due to the popularity of the campy ABC television show, Batman (196668). DC was more successful at returning Batman to his dark roots in the 1970s, particularly with a series of stories written by Dennis ONeil and illustrated by Neal Adams. This creature-of-the-night period saw Batman leaving Gotham City more frequently; villains such as the Joker reverted to their homicidal, dangerous characterizations; and the introduction of new villains, such as eco-terrorist Ras al Ghul. Batmans world continued to grow darker, perhaps reaching its apex in 1986 with two publications: Frank Millers The Dark Knight Returns , a story set in the future where an aging Batman comes out of retirement to wage war on both a corrupt establishment and uncontrollable street crime, and Miller and artist David Mazzucchellis Batman: Year One , a gritty retelling of Batmans origin. The dark, hard-edged approach to Batman has remained generally consistent since Millers work, and unavoidable variations to this style tend to be in the slight differences of degree. Batmans success is not limited to comic books. Batman has appeared in virtually all media, and Batmans logo and likeness have also been used on any number of merchandise. The ironic, live-action Batman television series starring Adam West in the titular role was a massive success, yet burdened the character with the stigma of silliness. Tim Burtons films, Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992), which initiated a second round of Bat-Mania, preserved the dark atmosphere that was in vogue with that periods comics, but two subsequent sequels by director Joel Schumacher returned to campiness. Although somewhat restricted as childrens programming, the stylistic, Emmy Award-winning Batman: The Animated Series, which premiered in 1992, maintained a surprisingly mature tone and a consistently high level of quality. In 2005, Batman returned to fi lm in the serious, somewhat ponderous, Batman Begins, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale. That films sequel, The Dark Knight (2008), would go on to earn the secondhighest box office gross in history, and receive nearly unanimous critical acclaim. Although levels of quality vary greatly, Batmans representations in other media have not only kept the character in the publics consciousness, they have also contributed to the overall mythology: for example, Batmans subterranean headquarters, the Batcave, was introduced in the Batman daily newspaper strip. Batman has endured, even thrived, since his inception for many reasons. For instance, Batman tends to attract the highest talent, maintaining a relatively high level of quality for the characters publications. Part of the attraction to Batman for professionals and fans is the strength and depth of Batmans villainsincluding Joker, Catwoman, Two-Face, Penguin, and the Riddlerwho comprise what is generally considered to be the best rogues gallery in comics. His villains often resemble Batman in twisted ways: many have obsessive personalities, struggle with duality, and are scarred by a traumatic experience. Therefore, Batmans encounters with his enemies often force him to confront aspects of his own shattered psyche and extreme behavior, which facilitate compelling stories. Simplicity in design and conception also contribute to Batmans continuing success. The simple, repeated triangle pattern in Batmans costume, and

the overall bat motif, create striking images, which Kane knew was important in graphic design. Further, much of Batmans appeal comes from the ironic use of the traditional iconography of evil: frightening, yet tantalizing, images of bats, shadows, and demons are transferred onto a heroic figure. Finally, Batmans motivation is basic and virtually universal, making the character easily understandable and relatable. Yet, Batmans characterization is as stark as his origin, and that opacity of personality makes Batman one of the most versatile characters in fiction. Fans and critics argue over what type of portrayal or milieu is best, but nevertheless whether he is the vehicle for ironic humor, gothic horror, superhero adventure, detective fiction, childs fare, or anotherBatman can be made suitable and relevant for seemingly innumerable purposes, genres, and time periods.