Well, know what started 75 years ago today?
Yup. That's right. Batman. Or, Bat-Man...It's Batman.
75 years since Detective Comic number 27 hit the newsstands. 27 issues in they found a character that was going to stand the test of time, taste, and comic codes. And all thanks to the hard work of Bill Finger and Bob Kane.
From the start they established key ideas about the character. Being a foe of the criminals. A secret identity. A strange costume, meant to scare. Acting the role of a leisurely dilettante. Commissioner Gordon. A friendship with the commissioner.
Granted, at the start, he had it a bit easier. He'd sit around smoking with Commissioner Gordon, and wait for a crime to happen. And then Gordon would invite his millionaire friend along to poke around the crime scene.
He started much more a noir character, and fit in with many of the similar characters of the day, like The Shadow.
But Batman was one to grow and change with the times. And for the better. (So characters grew and change, and began showing the age on their concepts.)
Batman had the ability to change with the times as needed. Would you expect less of the character and his world?
1939
Doctor Death
Mad Monk
1940
Dick Grayson appears and becomes Robin the Boy Wonder.
Joker
Catwoman (called The Cat)
Clayface (the original)
Hugo Strange
1941
Penguin
1942
Two-Face
Scarecrow
1943
While he had cars at his call. It was now that a real Batmobile emerged.
Art by Dick Sprang |
And the Batcave finally appears in the comics.
As well, Alfred Pennyworth comes to Wayne Manor.
Crime Doctor
1948
Riddler
Mad Hatter
1950
Deadshot
1951
Killer Moth
1952
Firefly
A new ally emerges in the form of Kathy Kane, Batwoman.
1959
Mr. Freeze (At first he's called Mr. Zero.)
1961
Barbara Gordon becomes Batgirl.
1963
Catman
1966
Poison Ivy
1970
Man Bat
1971
Ra's al Ghul
Talia al Ghul
1976
We're introduced to Dr. Leslie Thompson.
1977
Helena Wayne takes on the name Huntress and begins fighting crime.
1983
After Dick Grayson left the role of Robin, Batman found himself missing a chum, and soon Jason Todd was welcomed into the role.
And Batman forms a team of young superheroes, The Outsiders.
Killer Croc
1985
Black Mask
1988
Ventriloquist and Scarface
KGBeast (The 80's!)
1989
At a low point in Batman's life, Tim Drake emerged and soon became the next Robin.
Art by Tom Brummett |
1992
Stephanie Brown begins her crime fighting career as Spoiler.
Azrael makes his presence known.
1993
Bane
Batman is overwhelmed by Bane, and has seemingly irreparable damage done to his spine.
And a new Batman arises in Bruce Wayne's place.
1999
Cassandra Cain appears and takes on the mantle of Batgirl.
Gotham is severely disrupted and declared a No Man's Land by the United States government.
2003
Hush
2006
Much to Bruce Wayne's surprise, he learned he was a father. And after some conflict, Damian Wayne became the latest Robin.
Art by Frank Quietly |
2009
Following the seeming "death" of Bruce Wayne, and a battle over how his cause would be carried on, Dick Grayson dons the mantle of Batman.
2010
Bruce Wayne announces that he had been funding Batman's war on crime. And now they are advancing the fight to a global scale. Batman Incorporated.
And, yadda yadda yadda, stuff has happen since then...
Okay, the battle against the Court of the Owls had intense and fun moments.
And I look forward to more great moments for Batman and Gotham as we head to the century mark.
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