Batman (comic book)
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Batman is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics superhero of the same name. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27, May 1939. He was first advertised in early April 1940, one month after the first appearance of his new sidekick, Robin, the Boy Wonder. Batman proved so popular that he was launched into his own self-titled comic book, released on April 25, 1940. Though the Batman comic book was launched as a quarterly publication, it was later stepped up to a bi-monthly series, until the late 1950s, after which it became a monthly publication and has remained so since. As of February 2007, the series has reached issue #664.
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[edit] Premise
The Batman saga takes place in Gotham, a city overrun with crime and corruption. Its citizens live in perpetual fear, under the dark forces which terrorize and govern it. Striking back at those who bring this strife to the city is a mysterious vigilante, clothed with a cape and mask which evoke the semblance of a bat, and who operates in the darkness of the night. Secretly, the Batman is millionaire philanthropist Bruce Wayne, a young wealthy socialite who witnessed his parents' murder during their mugging at the age of 8. Batman utilizes his keen analytical detective mind; sophisticated technology and gadgetry; outstanding physical agility, power and stamina, to ensure that criminals never feel safe in Gotham. In the eyes of the public, the Batman is believed to be something more than human. An interminable black specter who personifies terror, unhindered by the limitations of common men, thus gaining him legendary status.
[edit] Maturity of content
The first stories appearing in the Batman comic were written by Bill Finger and illustrated by Bob Kane, the character's creators. (It should be noted, however, that for many years Bill Finger went on largely uncredited.) These early stories depicted a vengeful Batman, not hesitant to kill when he felt it necessary. In one of the early stories, he is depicted using a gun to stop a group of giant assailants. Of the darkest characters appearing in stories from this period was the Joker, a psychopath who, from his first appearance, used a special toxin to bring death to his victims, leaving their faces contorted in an insane smile. During the 1940s and 50s, however, and as part of the moderation of the superhero image towards mainstream patriotic Americans who supported World War II efforts, the Joker was toned down considerably and transformed into a playful trickster. Later, during the Silver Age, such super villains reverted to the use of amusing gimmickry, rather than the disturbing psychological aberrations they were previously identified with.
Typically, the primary challenges which the Batman faced in his earlier era came from villains who were, by definition, purely evil. However, by the 1970s, these characters' motivations were being explored more deeply. Such have included obsessive compulsion, child abuse and environmental fanaticism. Batman himself also underwent a transformation and became less one-dimensional, struggling with deeply rooted internal and external conflicts. Although not canonical, Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns introduced a significant evolution of the Batman's character in his eponymous series. Uncompromising and relentless in his struggle to revitalize the city which had given up on itself, the Batman often exhibited what Gotham's elite labeled as excessively violent and antisocial tendencies, portraying him more as an anti-heroic and near villainous persona. This aspect of the Batman's personality was also toned down considerably in wake of the DC-wide crossover Infinite Crisis, wherein Batman experienced a nervous breakdown, reconsidered his outlook on life and approach to his relationships, and modified the path he would then take. Currently, the Batman's attributes and personality are said to have reverted to the traditional characterization of Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams' classic portrayals during the 1970s.
[edit] Numbering & annuals
[edit] Issue number issues
- In 1994 #0 was released as part of the post-Zero Hour Zero Month (falling between #511 & 512).
- The issue with a cover date of November 1998 was "#1,000,000" (falling between #559 & 560) part of the DC One Million crossover.
[edit] Annuals
Over the years 25 Annuals have been released in association with the Batman title.
[edit] Significant issues
[edit] Important Arcs
- Batman: Year One: #404 - 407.
- Batman: A Death in the Family: #426 - 429
- Batman: Hush: #608 - 619
[edit] Crossovers
- Legends: #401 (November 1986): "Chapter 1: A Bird in the Hand..."
- Zero Hour: #511.
[edit] First historical appearances
| Character | Issue Number | Month/Year |
|---|---|---|
| The Joker | #1 | Spring, 1940 |
| Catwoman as "The Cat" | #1 | Spring, 1940 |
| Alfred Pennyworth | #16 | April-May, 1943 |
| Mad Hatter | #49 | October-November, 1948 |
| Deadshot | #59 | June/July, 1950 |
| Mr. Freeze as "Mr. Zero" | #121 | February, 1959 |
| Poison Ivy | #181 | June, 1966 |
| Ra's al Ghul | #232 | June, 1971 |
| Lucius Fox | #307 | January, 1979 |
| Sarah Essen Gordon | #404 | February, 1987 |
| Holly Robinson | #404 | February, 1987 |
| Tim Drake (later Robin III) | #436 | August, 1989 |
| Shondra Kinsolving | #486 | February, 1992 |
| Cassandra Cain (later Batgirl IV): | #567 | July, 1999 |
| David Cain | #567 | July, 1999 |
| Hush | #609 | January, 2003 |
[edit] Collections
[edit] Batman only
- Batman: The Dark Knight Archives (Five Volumes) Collects issues from #1 (1940) - #20 (1943). [Volume 1 contains some Detective Comics.]
- Batman: Year One: collects #404 - 407.
- Batman: Ten Nights of the Beast: collects #417 - 420.
- Batman: A Death in the Family: collects #426 - 429.
- Batman: Many Deaths of Batman: Collects #433 - 435.
- Batman: Hush (Two Volumes): collects #608 - 619.
- Batman: Broken City: collects #620 - 625.
- Batman: As the Crow Flies: collects #626 - 630.
- Batman: Under the Hood (Two Volumes): collects #635 - 641, 645 - 650 and Batman Annual #25.
- Batman: Batman and Son: collects #655 - 658, 663 - 666.
[edit] Batman (collected with Detective Comics)
- Batman Chronicles (One Volume): includes #1 (1940).
- Batman: The Dynamic Archives (Two Volumes): collects #164 (1964) - #171 (1965)
- Showcase Presents: Batman vol 1: collects #164 - 174.
[edit] Batman-wide crossovers
[These are crossovers that include most - if not all - of the Batman related titles published at the times.]
- Batman: Knightfall (Three Volumes): includes #491 - 500, 509 - 510.
- Batman: Prodigal: includes #512 - 514.
- Batman: Contagion & Batman: Legacy: includes #529, 534 - 535.
- Batman: Cataclysm & Batman: No Man's Land: includes #553 - 554, 563 - 569, 572 - 574.
- Batman: Officer Down: includes #587.
- Batman: Bruce Wayne, Murderer? & Batman: Bruce Wayne, Fugitive: include #599 - 600, 603, 605.
- Batman: War Games & Batman: War Crimes: includes #631 - 633, 643 - 644.
- Batman: Face the Face: includes Batman #651 - 654, in addition to Detective Comics #817-820.
[edit] With non-Batman titles
- A Lonely Place of Dying: collects #440 - 442 with The New Titans #60 - 61.
[edit] Trivia
- Puns were frequently used as a form of humour in early stories.
[edit] External links
| Batman | |
|---|---|
| Creators: | Bob Kane • Bill Finger • Other writers and artists |
| Supporting Characters: | Robin (Tim Drake) • Nightwing (Dick Grayson) • Batgirl • Batwoman • Alfred Pennyworth • Lucius Fox • Barbara Gordon • Commissioner Gordon • Harvey Bullock |
| Villains: | Bane • Catwoman • Clayface • Harley Quinn • Joker • Killer Croc • Mr. Freeze • Penguin • Poison Ivy • Ra's al Ghul • Red Hood (Jason Todd) • Riddler • Scarecrow • Two-Face • Other villains |
| Locations: | Arkham Asylum • Batcave • Gotham City • Wayne Enterprises • Wayne Manor |
| Miscellanea: | Batarang • Batmobile • Batsuit • Popular media • Publications • Storylines • Alternate versions of Batman |
