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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Batman’s 8 Greatest Love Interests, Ranked
You can't be a billionaire playboy and not meet your fair share of eligible ladies. Bruce Wayne/Batman is no different.
Batman and Denzel Washington’s Equalizer Share One Major Thing in Common
Discover how Batman and Denzel Washington's The Equalizer share their lack of gun violence to bring enemies to justice.
Batman Hasn’t Always Had a Problem With Killing People
Some rules were made to be broken, but Batman's one big rule is hard to break.
Batman Beyond Footage Teases Stunning Animated Movie Pitched by Spider-Verse Artist
Footage from the Batman Beyond movie pitched by a Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse visual developer has been unveiled.
The Dark Knight Rises Writer Explains Why The Riddler Did Not Appear in the Batman Movie
Jonathan Nolan has explained how the Riddler was a possible villain for the last of Christopher Nolan's Batman movies.
Leonardo DiCaprio Suits Up As The Superheroes He Never Wants to Play in AI Fan Art
Leonardo DiCaprio has made it clear that he does not want to join any superhero franchises, but one fan has shared what could be in another reality.
Danny DeVito Still Wants Penguin Team-Up With Arnold Schwarzenegger to Take on Michael Keaton's Batman
Danny DeVito has once again been suggesting that he should return to the world of Batman, and bring his old pal Arnie along for the ride.
10 Batman Villains Who Took on Superman
Some of Batman's greatest foes have also fought against the Man of Steel, sometimes with Superman's own enemies around to help.
'I Want to Be Bruce Wayne!': Reacher Star Alan Ritchson Declares That He Wants to Play Batman
Alan Ritchson is now shouting "from the rooftops" that he wants to play The Dark Knight in the DCU.
Colin Farrell on New Detective Series Sugar and 'That Most Human Experience of Loneliness'
Colin Farrell waxes poetic about his new Apple TV+ mystery thriller Sugar and the character's kindness amidst violence.
The Dark Knight Co-Writer Reveals Meaning Behind Iconic Dialogue: 'I Was Proud of That Line'
Jonathan Nolan reveals the meaning behind one of The Dark Knight's lines of dialogue which plagues his brother Christopher Nolan.
How Michael Keaton Spoiled Batman the Night Before it Came Out
Michael Keaton accidentally let slip the biggest twist in 1989's Batman right before it released, ruining the film for some people
Colin Farrell Names His Favorite Batman Characters
Colin Farrell stars in two new series, Sugar and The Penguin, and shares his favorite Batman characters with MovieWeb.
10 DC Comics Characters Who Became Batman After Bruce Wayne
We often associate Batman with his alter-ego, Bruce Wayne. But Bruce isn't the only character to don the iconic cape and cowl.
Only One Cinematic Batman Is Comic Accurate (And It’s Not Who You Think)
Batman's most sacred rule in the comics is no killing, but for live-action films, only one can be said to uphold the rule entirely.
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.