Batman
The billion-dollar hero
Bob Kane, official originator of Batman
The Creation of Batman
Although Bob Kane's name appears in just about every instance of Batman's appearance with 'created by Bob Kane" somewhere nearby, it is generally agreed that original Batman writer Bill Finger and original Batman inker Jerry Robinson played important roles in shaping the character, though the dominate driving force was Kane.(Robinson is probably better known for the (disputed) role he played in creating The Joker.)
"Most comic book historians have perpetuated a fallacy: they have assumed that Superman's popularity immediately inspired a flood of supehero imitations that characterized comics in the late thirties and forties. However, the truth is more complex....
The Arrow was the first costumed hero to follow Superman. He was a rather pedestrian Robin Hood type who wore an archer's outfit and fought crime with a bow and arrow. He appeared in Funny Pages #21, September, 1938.
DC's costumed follow-up to Superman, the Crimson Avenger, was not anymore inspiring than the Arrow, and debuted the same month in Detective Comics #20. He was a blatant imitation of the Green Hornet...
Lacking superpowers, union suit, and cape, neither the Arrow nor the Crimson Avenger could compete with the more spectacular Superman. Will Eisner's Wonderman, who appeared in the May, 1939, issue of Wonder Comics, the same month as Batman's debut, was the first to imitate Superman's costume and superpowers. But he was a pale copy of the original and only lasted one issue. His rapid demise was due to a lawsuit from DC, who claimed Wonderman's publisher, Victor Fox, had infringed Superman's copyright. Eisner testified in court that he was instructed to copy Superman. Fox Publications decided not to come out with a second issue - - or pay Eisner the three thousand dollars owed him... Thus, it was not all that clear to publishers, at first, how to capitalize on Superman's popularity.
It was only after the arrival of Batman in 1939 that the deluge of superheroes began. He was the first costumed superhero without superpowers and his success showed publishers that superheroes need not be pallid imitations of Superman and could be colorful characters while still remaining human and vulnerable. Before the year was out, the Sandman, Blue Beetle, Amazing Man, the Human Torch, and Submariner hit the stands and hundreds more like them would follow.
This was an amazing period to recall - - comic book publishers seemed to spring up every other day, each seeking to outdo one another...all these new characters were imitative, to some extent, of Superman and Batman."
From Batman and Me, by Bob Kane, 1989, Eclipse Books, pages 99 -100. Amazon.com
Batman materials on this web site:
Batman Movies
Dark Knight Rises - Ann Hathaway as Catwoman
Dark Knight Rises Lobby Promo Posters (Photo at a Regal Movie Theater)
Batman and the money:
Feb 2010 auction Detective Comics #27 goes for $1,075,500 USD
Detective Comics number #1 auctions for $17,000 USD
Frank Miller "Hunt the Dark Knight" sells for $448,125 USD
Batman The Dark Knight Bat Stuff
Batmobiles of Batman
Batmobiles - "A black thunderbolt on wheels"
The Anton Furst / TIm Burton Batmobile from 1989
Batman Collections and Books:
Batman Black and White Volume 3 DC Comics 2007
Marie Severin "Batsman" from Batman Black and White Vol 2
Richard Corben Batman page 1996
Batman "His Own Police Force" (From Catwoman Dark End of the Street)
Joker Graphic Novel - By Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo, 2009
Batman and the Spirit Teamup No.1, DC Comics 2006 Jeph Loeb, Artwork by Darwyn Cooke
Batman: Strange Apparitions DC Comics 2006 By Marshal Rogers and Steve Englehart
Batman Death by Design: Panel from the 2012 Graphic Novel
Batman Comics:
Original Run
Batman Number 1, Spring 1940, Cover art by Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson
Batman #139, April 1961, Original intro of Batgirl
Batman #181, Cover by Carmine Infantino, 1966
Batman #256, May-June 1974, Catwoman rescues circus tiger
Batman #256, May-June 1974, Irv Novick Catwoman & her whip
Batman #256, May-June 1974, Irv Novick Catwoman
Batman #256, 1974, Reprint of 1950 1,001 Trophies of Batman
Batman #269, Cover art by Ernie Chua
Batman #253 Cover - Mike Kaluta, 1973 - With The Shadow
Batman #408 cover (Chris Warner) with Jason Todd
Batman #536, Nov 1996, Kelley Jones Cover
Batman #536, Nov 1996, Kelley Jones Splash Page
Batman #536, Nov 1996, Kelley Jones Page
Batman #700, Aug 2010, Andy Kubert Two Face page
Batman #713 - page from last issue of the original run
Batman 80 Page Giant 2010 - Dustin Nguyen Cover
"New 52" Run
Batman #18, May 2013, Andy Kubert 2-page spread with Harper Row
Batman #18, May 2013, Blackgate Penitentiary by Andy Kubert
Batman "New 52" #15, Feb 2013, Capullo Joker & Batman Page
Batman "New 52" #14, Jan 2013, Capullo Cover
Batman "New 52" #14, Jan 2013, Harley & Batman - Greg Capullo
Batman "New 52" #14, Jan 2013, Joker on bridge "Hello Darling" - Greg Capullo
Batman "New 52" #13 "Joker" die-cut cover - Greg Capullo
Batman "new 52" #12, Oct 2012, Becky Cloonan Art
Batman "new 52" #12, Oct 2012, Becky Cloonan Art
Batman "new 52" #11, Sept 2012, Capullo Cover
Batman "new 52" #11, Sept 2012, Capullo Page
Batman "new 52" #6, April 2012, Capullo Page
Batman "new 52" #3, Jan 2012, Capullo Cover
Batman "new 52" #2, Dec 2011, Capullo Cover
Batman "new 52" #0, Nov 2012, Capullo Cover
Batman "new 52" #0, Nov 2012, Capullo Page A
Batman "new 52" #0, Nov 2012, Capullo Page B
Batman "new 52" #0, Nov 2012, Capullo Page C
Batman and Robin
Patrick Gleason Page A from Issue 20
Patrick Gleason Page B from Issue 20
Batman Brave and the Bold:
Brave and the Bold #90, June-July 1970, Neal Adams Cover
Brave and the Bold #100, Feb-Mar 1972, cover by Nick Cardy
Brave and the Bold #105, Jan-Feb 1973, Jim Aparo Wonder Woman
Brave and the Bold #106, Mar-April 1973, Jim Aparo Cover
Brave and the Bold #106, Mar-April 1973, Jim Aparo Splash Page
Brave and the Bold #106, Mar-April 1973, Jim Aparo "Salome Starr"
Brave and the Bold #106, Mar-April 1973, Jim Aparo Green Arrow and Batman
Brave and the Bold #107, June-July 1973, Jim Apro
Brave and the Bold #109, Nov 1973, Jim Aparo - Kirby's the Demon
Brave and the Bold #111, Feb-March 1973, Jim Aparo Cover - Joker
Brave and the Bold #111, Feb-March 1973, Splash Page
Brave and the Bold #111, Feb-March 1973, Jim Aparo-Joker and the Gates of Fear
Brave and the Bold #117, June 1974, Jim Aparo Manbat - Cover
Brave and the Bold #117, June 1974, Jim Aparo Page 5
Brave and the Bold #117, June 1974, Jim Aparo page 6
Brave and the Bold #117, June 1974, Jim Aparo Page 17
Brave and the Bold #128, July 1976, Aparo Mister Miracle & Big Barda
Brave and the Bold #128, July 1976, Jim Aparo art
Brave and the Bold #128, July 1976, Jim Aparo Mister Miracle
Brave and the Bold #130, Oct 1976, Aparo Joker and Green Arrow Cover
Brave and the Bold #131, Dec 1976, Aparo Catwoman and Wonder Woman
Brave and the Bold #140, Mar-April 1978, Wonder Woman cover
Brave and the Bold #140, Mar-April 1978, Splash Page by Jim Aparo
Brave and the Bold #140, Mar-April 1978, Wonder Woman deflecting bullets
Brave and the Bold #140, Mar-April 1978, Batman and Wonder Woman
Brave and the Bold #158, Jan 1980, Wonder Woman Cover
Brave and the Bold #158, Jan 1980, Aparo Wonder Woman Page A
Brave and the Bold #158, Jan 1980, Aparo Wonder Woman Page B
Brave and the Bold #158, Jan 1980, Aparo Wonder Woman Page C
Brave and the Bold #160, May 1980, Aparo Supergirl
Brave and the Bold #175, June 1981, Jim Aparo splash page featuring Metallo
Brave and the Bold #175, June 1981, Jim Aparo Lois Lane
Brave and the Bold #178, Sept 1981, Aparo Creeper Page
Brave and the Bold #197, April 1981, Aparo Cover with Catwoman
Brave and the Bold #197, April 1983, Joe Staton Batwoman
Brave and the Bold #197, April 1983, Joe Staton Catwoman
Detective Comics:
Original Run 1939-2012 Detective Comics
Detective Comics #1, March 1937 with Vin Sullivan Cover.
Detective Comics #32, Bob Kane Panel from 1939, 2nd Amendment Batman,
Detective Comics #369, November 1967, Gil Kane Art
Detective Comics #407, Neal Adams 1970
Detective Comics #418, 1971, Neal Adams
Detective Comics #426, 1972, Kaluta cover
Detective Comics #434, 1973, Kaluta "Spook" cover
Detective Comics #437, Jim Aparo Page a 1973
Detective Comics #437, Jim Aparo Page b 1973
Detective Comics #442, Sept 1974, Jim Aparo Cover
Detective Comics #444, Jan 1975, Jim Aparo Cover
Detective Comics #444, Jan 1975, Jim Aparo Page 1
Detective Comics #444, Jan 1975, Jim Aparo Page 2
Detective Comics #444, Jan 1975, Jim Aparo Page 3
Detective Comics #445, April 1975, Batman escapes police capture
Detective Comics #445, March 1975 cover date
Detective Comics #446, April 1975 cover date
Detective Comics #447, May 1975 Cover by Dick Giordano
Detective Comics #448, June 1975, Jim Aparo cover
Detective Comics #448, June 1975, Ernie Chua (Ernie Chan)
Detective Comics #724, Brian Stelfreeze art, Aug 1998
Detective Comics #765, 2002 Cover by John McCrea
Detective Comics #765 artwork page by Cliff Chiang
Detective Comics #805, 2005, Zach Howard "Batmud"
Detective Comics #805, Page 2, Zach Howard June 2005
Detective Comics #823, 2006, Story: Paul Dini; Pencils: Joe Benitez
Detective Comics #826, Feb 2007, Simone Bianchi Cover - Joker and Robin
Detective Comics #826, 2006, "Slayride" Story: Paul Dini
Detective Comics #827, 2007, Simone Bianchi Cover
Detective Comics #831: Harley Quinn by Paul Dini & Dan Kramer
Detective Comics #872 page by Jock.
Detective Comics #880 Cover featuring the Joker, art by Jock, 2011
Detecive Comics #13, Jan 2013, Jason Fabok Poison Ivy
New 52 Detective Comics
Detective Comics #0, Nov 2012, Tony S. Daniel Cover
Detective Comics #19, June 2013, Jason Fabok Batcave 2-page spread
Detective Comics #19, June 2013, Jason Fabok Batwoman art
Frank Miller and Paul Pope and 'Gotham City
Top panel: Frank Miller's Gotham City from the Dark Knight Returns series. Bottom panel, from Paul Pope's Batman Year 100 series.
All Star Batman and Robin - Jim Lee/Frank Miller
All Star Batman and Robin #5, July 2007, Wonder Woman
All Star Batman and Robin #5, July 2007, Superman, Wonder Woman and Plastic Man
All Star Batman and Robin #6, Sep 2007, Jim Lee Cover (Batgirl & Black Canary)
All Star Batman and Robin #6, Sep 2007, Batgirl "Mischief"
All Star Batman and Robin #6, Sep 2007, Batgirl Mob Scene
All Star Batman and Robin #8, Sep 2007, Jim Lee art - Catwoman
All Star Batman and Robin #9, April 2008, Jim Lee Cover
All Star Batman and Robin #9, April 2008, Green Lantern "Frank Miller style"
All Star Batman and Robin #10, Aug 2008, Batgirl
Justice League of America
Jim Lee Batman in Justice League of America #9, July 2012
Batman cross-title series
Batman: Face the Face (series from DC Comics, 2006)
The Face-the-Face series ran in these issues:
- Detective Comics 817 (part 1)
- Batman 651 (part 2)
- Detective Comics 818 (part 3)
- Batman 652 (part 4)
- Detective Comics 819 (part 5)
- Batman 653 (part 6)
- Detective Comics 820 (part 7)
- Btaman 654 (part 8, end)
Men who dress like Batman, and miscellaneous
Batman vs. Batman - Turkish town sues over use of "Batman" name
The "Route 29" Batman who drives a Lamborghini
A coupling few could have seen coming
Merida from Pixar's "Brave" movie, and The Dark Knight = together. From a Virginia Wal-Mart gift card display, July 2012. See enlarged.
Related:
