BATMAN

It’s a fair bet that when Bob Kane came up with the idea for a billionaire playboy who, by night, dressed up like a bat and fought crime, he had no idea where it would lead. Almost seventy years later, and we’re jumping up and down – with good reason – about another Batman film, while The Caped Crusader (or Dark Knight, whichever you prefer) remains one of the most famous and iconic comic book characters of them all.

What is the appeal of the Batman? Well, he’s undeniably cool, for one thing. Visually striking, for another. There’s a wish fulfillment thing going on there, too – unlike most heroes, Batman has no powers and relies only on his wits, cunning, and hard work to hone his body and fitness.

He’s got a great rogues’ gallery. And he’s been exposed more on TV and in film than any other hero, which helps keep him in the public eye. And, of course, the character has been through so many iterations over the years, from camp crusader to Frank Miller’s very, very dark knight, that there’s a Batman for everyone.

AKA: BRUCE WAYNE, THE DARK KNIGHT, THE CAPED CRUSADER

FIRST APPEARED IN DETECTIVE COMICS #27 (1939)

CREATED BY BOB KANE AND BILL FINGER