Batman
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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Jake Gyllenhaal Shares Candid Response to Potentially Playing Batman
Jake Gyllenhaal has previously auditioned for the role of Batman, but would he consider taking on the iconic role now? The actor gives his response.
Robert Pattinson’s The Batman Continued a Trend that Started in 1989
Robert Pattinson's casting as Batman was controversial, something previous Batman actor Michael Keaton also had to go through.
Batman Writer Shuts Down Zack Snyder Over The Dark Knight's 'No Killing' Rule
Acclaimed Batman writer Grant Morrison explains why Zack Snyder is wrong about The Dark Knight needing to kill to remain relevant.
Batman Returns’ Danny DeVito Would Reprise His ‘Favorite’ Role as Penguin 'In a Second' on One Condition
Over 30 years after he portrayed Oswald Cobblepot, Danny DeVito reveals he’d play Penguin again if this one Batman alum was involved.
Batman Fans Want Michael Keaton Back as The Dark Knight Following Oscars Moment
Following his viral Oscar moment, Batman fans want Michael Keaton back as The Dark Knight.
Michael Keaton Reveals Whether He Would Return as Batman: 'Never Say Never'
Following his show-stealing moment at the Oscars, Michael Keaton has addressed a possible Batman return in the future.
How Alan Ritchson's Previous DC Role Sets Him Up to Play Batman
The Reacher star is currently at the top of fans' lists to play Batman, and his previous DC role proves he'd be perfect.
Zack Snyder Thinks Batman Not Killing Is Making the DC Icon 'Irrelevant'
Batman v Superman director Zack Snyder has shared his thoughts on Batman's 'no killing' rule, and they're sure to be divisive.
Who's a Better Detective, Sherlock Holmes or Batman?
Who's the better detective? Let's put Sherlock Holmes and the Caped Crusader to the test!
Batman Stars Kevin Conroy & Mark Hamill Will Reunite as The Dark Knight & Joker One Last Time
The late Kevin Conroy voices Batman one last time alongside Mark Hamill as The Joker in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths 3.
Christopher Nolan Didn’t Write or Understand The Dark Knight’s Most Famous Line: 'I’m Plagued by It'
The Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan reveals that he initially did not understand one of the movie's most quoted lines.
Barry Keoghan Confirms His Return as Joker in The Batman 2
During a recent interview, Barry Keoghan seemingly confirms his return as The Joker in The Batman Part II.
Batman Beyond Animated Movie Now Being Pitched by Spider-Verse Artist, Concept Art Revealed
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse visual developer Yuhki Demers has teased his take on a Batman Beyond animated movie.
Reacher's Alan Ritchson Responds to Fan Casting as Batman in the DCU
Alan Ritchson suits up as The Dark Knight in new fan art of the Reacher star as the DCU's Batman, and the actor has responded to the idea.
Christian Bale Is Real-Life Bruce Wayne as Dark Knight Star Provides New Homes for Foster Children
Christian Bale channels his inner Bruce Wayne as the actor helps children through the Together California project.
Kevin Conroy's Batman Legacy Continues in Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths, Part 3
The late Kevin Conroy's voice reprises Batman in a new DC adventure.
Queerness and Batman: In Defense of Joel Schumacher
Joel Schumacher's Caped Crusader has become part of queer film history, despite the character's place in the cultural zeitgeist of today.
Batman: 15 Actresses Who Would Be Perfect as Poison Ivy in Live Action
Uma Thurman and Clare Foley were memorable, but these candidates could don the tight green jumpsuit with style and make captivating eco-terrorists.
Comic Book Author Warns of Unauthorized Batman, Superman Stories Once Copyrights End
DC Comics' two most influential characters will soon see their copyrights end; author Chris Sims worries about unauthorized stories.
Arkham Spin-off Series: Which Batman Villains Do We Want to See?
Which Batman villains should appear in the HBO Max Arkham spin-off series? Here are a few we're hopeful for.