Batman emblem
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Batman Emblem (also referred to as the bat-logo, bat insignia, bat shield) is the signature symbol on the chest of the fictional superhero Batman's costume that has appeared in various versions since the character's inception.
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[edit] Original Version
Until the 1960s, the Batman Emblem was a simple black bat against the grey color of the batsuit. This portrayal was reflected the comics as well as the live action serials of the 1940s. The simple bat kept with the character's dark beginnings of being able to blend in and hide within the shadows. Although the exact size and shape of the bat would vary between artists and comic issues, the basic design remained for the first 25 years of the character's existence.
[edit] 1964 "New Look" Emblem
Approximately 25 years after Batman was first introduced, a "New Look" is given to the Dark Knight in Detective Comics #327, introducing the Bat-Symbol as a yellow ellipse behind the costume's bat-insignia against the grey color of the batsuit. This version of the Batman emblem, with periodic slight redesigns, depending on the artist, continued into the late 1990s and remains the most recognizable representation of the character. It was first represented in a live action setting with the Adam West series that debuted in 1966. This brighter version of the emblem seemed in step with the continuing lightening up of the character towards camp that came with the series. A variation of this version of the emblem was used as the promotional representation for the 1989 film starring Michael Keaton. While it is arguably strange for a character that thrives on being cloaked in darkness to have a large yellow emblem on his chest, a reason is given (although it is not necessarily canon) in the 1986 four part comic series by Frank Miller, The Dark Knight Returns. In that series, Batman states (to the reader) that since he could not protect his head, he provided a bullseye on his chest for criminals to aim for when they shot at him, and this part of his costume was reinforced with bullet-proof material.
[edit] Knightfall Version
During the story-arc that began with Knightfall, Jean Paul Valley takes over the mantle of the bat for a period of time. During his reign, the emblem went through a couple changes and was more of a circular shape with fewer points on the bat itself. When Bruce Wayne reclaimed the mantle, he did not keep this version.
[edit] No More Yellow Ellipse
In the late 1990s, the Batman character became darker and, his costume changed as well. After his confrontations with Bane and Azrael, the suit became darker and the yellow ellipse disappeared once again from the costume. As of 2007, this is how the emblem remains in the comics and in the Justice League cartoon as well as the video game, Justice League Heroes. In 2005's Batman Begins, the symbol appeared on the batsuit without the yellow ellipse.
[edit] Batman Beyond and The Batman
The emblem in the animated series Batman Beyond was a futuristic version of the bat, now in red against an all-black suit. In the animated series The Batman, which takes place early in the character's history, the yellow ellipse adorns the batsuit once again.
[edit] Further Reading
[edit] References
- Daniels, Les. Batman: The Complete History. Chronicle Books, 1999. ISBN 0-8118-4232-0
- Daniels, Les. DC Comics: Sixty Years of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes.
- DC Comics: Batman official site
- Batman-on-film.com
| 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 |
| Batman in popular media | |
|---|---|
| Actors: | Lewis Wilson • Robert Lowery • Adam West • Olan Soule • Michael Keaton • Kevin Conroy • Val Kilmer • George Clooney • Rino Romano • Christian Bale • Casts |
| Live-action television: | Batman • Legends of the Superheroes • Birds of Prey • Return to the Batcave |
| Film: | Batman (1943) • Batman and Robin (1949) • Batman (1966) • Batman (1989) • Batman Returns • Batman Forever • Batman & Robin • Batman Begins • The Dark Knight |
| Animation: | Batman/Superman Hour • New Adventures of Batman • Batman: The Animated Series/New Batman Adventures • Mask of the Phantasm • SubZero • Batman Beyond • Return of the Joker • Mystery of the Batwoman • The Batman • The Batman vs. Dracula |
