Batman seems to have it all—unlimited funds, state-of-the-art technology, a faithful butler and a kid sidekick he can always count on when the chips were down, along with a secret underground headquarters and the coolest car on the planet. Aside from his bummer of a backstory, who wouldn’t want to be Batman? And therein lies another major reason for his enduring appeal. The Batman concept has proven to be remarkably flexible, allowing him to change and grow with the world around him and to easily be adapted to a wide range of entertainment forms—from comic books to television to blockbuster movies. From his debut in 1939 to this very day, we have seen Batman become whatever we needed him to be—a dark avenger, a cheerful parental figure, a science-fiction adventurer, or even a source of comedy. Very different takes but all valid depictions of the same character, keeping audiences coming back for 85 years and counting. This is the story of Batman.
THE IMPERFECT HERO • With wealth, skills and values, the Dark Knight is—for many fans—a wish fulfilled
DAWN OF THE DARK KNIGHT • BATMAN was not the first superhero—but he quickly became one of the most beloved
BECOMING A BAT • Bob Kane was recruited to create the follow-up to a comic book phenomenon
PARTNERS IN CRIME-FIGHTING • Over time, the Batman gained new allies—and even more enemies
BATMAN OF THE PEOPLE • Starting in the 1940s, the Dark Knight lightened up
THE PHENOMENON • Batman transformed from comic book character to POP-CULTURE ICON
A NEW LOOK • Dwindling sales on Batman’s titles prompted drastic changes to his adventures
TELEVISION GOES BATTY • The 1960s Batman TV series affected the superhero for decades to come
BAT TO BASICS
THE DARK KNIGHT REIMAGINED • Bold steps were taken to reposition Batman in the comics—and BEYOND
NEW VISIONS • Talented writers and artists were allowed to reinterpret Batman in unique ways
BATMAN ON TOP • In comic books and on film, Batman came to dominate the superhero genre
BAT TO THE FUTURE • As time passes, Batman’s popularity—and his evolution—continues
The Story of Batman
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