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Abel Lopez Ms. Bell English IV P.3 September 3, 2013 The Dark Knights Legend You might think that comic books are only for those nerdy, bore human beings like television portrays them, for example, The Big Bang Theory. Although more than likely this might be true, comic books are also for all of Ms. Bells English IV classes. The History of Comic Books The idea of comic books can be dated all the way back to the cave man era, where cave paintings are found by researchers. The true origins of American comic books can be dated back to 1930s. They were never really created at first but more like formed off of reprints of news prints. The 1930s would be when comic books really blossomed and became a huge entertainment industry especially when WWII came around in the 1940s. Marvel and DC Comics would come in the late 1930s to dominate this growing industry and would do so until this day throughout the Golden, Silver, Bronze, and the Modern Age. (A History of the Comic Book; Randomnhistory.com) DC Comics has been the leading comic book seller since the late 1930s, even before its biggest competitor, Marvel. Its founder Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson originally named Detective Comics as National Allied Publications, but DC Comics was just a catchier name. Batman is basically the vertebrae of the company followed by the beloved Man of Steel Super Man! These

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two super heroes were able to keep DC Comics alive even through the comics books popularity declining. Success came even further when DC Comics decided to create the Justice League bringing together all of DCs super heroes into one setting. As the 1990s came around, the decline for comics would push DC to take drastic measures like the death of Super Man. Luckily even with the death of characters they were able to make movies and TV shows and keep the company alive still to this day. (The History of DC Comics; Comicpress101.com) As the 1930s gave rise to comic books, Timely Comics would also rise to the top, now know as Marvel Entertainment. Its rise to success would come from widely know Captain America, who during WWII had much popularity for defending the world against WWII tyrants. Over the years since the 1830s, Marvel has made numerous changes going from Timely Comics to Atlas Comics, and finally to Marvel Entertainment. Like DC, Marvel would form its own band of heroes named The Avengers. Together the Marvel superheroes have kept their popularity and have been able to stay on top of the comic book industry. (The History of Marvel Comics: Comicpress101.com) With the rise of comic books since the 1930s, came different periods that comic books had in their history. The Golden Age can be characterized by World War II. The second Great War would give rise to the comic book industry inspiring heroes like Captain America. Characters like him would gain so much popularity often being depicted punching Adolf Hitler and other World War II villains. The mid 1950s through the early 1970s would describe the Silver Age. The end of World War II would end the prestigious rise of comics and slowly start losing its readers. Along with politic problems of the time like The Red Scare, the comic book industry would have to make many changes including creating the Comic Code Authority to selfpolicy itself before the US government did. Same as the Golden Age though, the Silver age

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would focus to create heroes with morale to fight through war. (The Vietnam War) When the early 1970s came, the comic book industry would begin to realize the growing competition with television and decided to focus on the art of the comics. This artistic period would mark the Bronze Age. During this period DC and Marvel would begin to license their heroes to star on Saturday morning cartoons in order to increase revenues lost due to loss of readers. Between 1980 and 1987 the focus of the time would be the morale of the hero in the Iron Age. Significant about this period was also the death of many superheroes including the beloved Super Man and Batman! The modern age would become a critical point for the comic book industry due to the high number of readers lost. Going from 1987 to present day, this era would be marked by the few but loyal readers critical for the declining comic book industry. New issues would be released by DC and Marvel sold at higher prices making them more of collectors items. Although throughout the years the Comic Book industry has never been able to reach its peak once more, comic books are part of American culture and history. (A History of the Comic Book; RandomnHistory.com) The History of Batman The story of one of DC Comics most notorious and beloved characters, Batman, would begin with the Wayne family exiting a Cinema. On their way home, taking an accidental route, the family walks into the crime alley and is confronted by a mugger. Evidently the mugger does more than just rob the family and ends up shooting both parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne, leaving young Bruce Wayne to watch his parents die. Taken into the hands of the family butler Alfred Pennyworths, Bruce would grow up to avenge his parents. At age fourteen he started his combat training in all forms of martial arts. He would then go a step further and studied criminology and psychology to complete his dream to fight injustice. Bruce never had

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the intentions though to be The Batman, but after his first night he would return to Wayne Manor hurt and bleeding. Realizing the need to create fear for his enemies, when a bat crashed through his window, he had found the inspiration he needed. From then on Bruce would become a cap crusader roaming the streets of Gotham at night, protecting the city his parents loved so dear. (Batman; SuperheroStuff.com) Batman can easily be said to be one of the greatest superheroes to ever live. Not only was Batman able to put a stop to any villain to cross his path but was highly resilient through different kinds of hardships. This is easily seen with Batmans sidekick, Robin the Boy Wonder. After being tricked by The Joker, Batmans archenemy, Robin ended up being killed and Batman was left devastated. Even more incredible was the Bane incident. When Bane, a venom induced criminal, broke into the Bat Cave, he broke Batmans back with his bare hands. Batman would later recover from this sever injury and continue his mean to fight injustice. (Batman; SuperheroStuff.com) Robert Kahn and Bill Finger The two geniuses credited with the creation for Batman was Robert Kahn, often to as Bob Kane, and Bill Finger. With Bill Finger as to be the writer and Robert Kahn would be the cartoonist. Together the two would give rise to one of the greatest super heroes to ever be printed, putting everything they had on the line and risking it all into the comic book industry. Bob Kane was born and raised as a New Yorker on October 24th in 1961. His father had the privilege of being a printer at The New York Daily News so it gave Kane an almost upfront experience in drawing. Ever since he was 10 he had the great ambition of being a cartoonist, being inspired by the Sunday newspaper comics. At age 16 he would put his ambition and talent

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to the test when he began to create and sell cartoons with huge success. The reason to make Batman was a crave for popularity that Kane desired. Superman was created in 1938 and gained much popularity quickly. Bob Kane was only making $50 compared to the Superman creators making $800 a week. This pushed his to make something of his talent and drew up Batman. His inspiration would come from different parts of his life. These included one of his favorite movies The Mark of Zorro, a book Kane had seen of Leonardo Da Vinci, and a silent mystery movie named The Bat. All was set for Kane to connect the different pieces of what would make Batman. (Bob Kane (1961- ); RoGallery.com) Bob Kane was definitely the key to starting Batman but it would be the idea of Bill Finger that would make the Batman series so loved and interesting. Born in 1914, he didnt join forces with Bob Kane until 1938. As co-founder he contributed much to creating new characters including The Joke, The Penguin, Catwoman, and The Riddler. Although Finger is not credited as much as Kane for the creation of Batman, not fully recognized until 2007 by DC Comics, his contribution was the back bone on making The Dark Knight so popular. (Bill Finger; Princeton.Edu) Summary of #496 The Knight fall issues of Batman are a crucial part in Batmans career. In this series Bane, one of Batmans enemies, releases all of previously captured villains from Arkahm Asylum. As Batman fights to recapture all the escaped inmates with haste he slowly begins to tire out is becoming fatigued. In issue #496 Batman has just finished defeating Firefly. Tired out, there is no time for rest for The Joker and Scarecrow plan a trap for Batman. Kidnapping the Mayor, Batman wastes no time and springs to action falling into the trap he already anticipated.

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After being gassed by Scarecrows fear gas, Batman goes on a rage being reminded of The Joker killing Robin, Batmans ex-sidekick. In his rage he beats both Scarecrow and The Joker but when scarecrow uses a rocket launcher to destabilize the tunnel they are in, Batman must make the Choice of saving the Major or capturing the villains. Evidently, Batman saves the Mayor. #496 Reviews Three characteristics were clearly depicted in issue 496. The first was The Jokers constant sense of cruel humor. This is show in a scene where The Joker is asked to pay a toll fee. When asked to pay up $2.50, he responds Settle for one? slams some kind of explosive ice cream on the clerks hand and drives off. Next thing to happen the toll booth blows up. Another Characteristic was the anger left in Batman. The rage Batman goes on when reminded of Jason Todds, ex-Robin, murder intensifies the beating of The Joker as this becomes an act of revenge. Finally most significant Batmans continued heroism is still show in tight situations and through fatigueness when Batman is forced to choose between saving the Mayor or stopping The Joker and Scarecrow. His choice to save the Mayor was the act of a true hero.

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Work Cited "A History of the Comic Book." Randomnhistory.com. N.p., 18 Mar 2008. Web. 2 Sep 2013. "The History of DC Comics." Comicpress101.com. N.p.. Web. 2 Sep 2013. "The History of Marvel Comics." Comicpress101.com. N.p.. Web. 2 Sep 2013. "Batman." SuperheroStuff.com. N.p.. Web.. 2 Sep 2013. "(Bob Kane (1961- )." RoGallery.com. N.p.. Web. 2 Sep 2013. "Bill Finger." Princeton.Edu. N.p.. Web. 2 Sep 2013.