Batman
Creation & Design
Batman was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, inspired by various literary and film characters, including Zorro and The Shadow.Early Years
After witnessing the murder of his parents, Bruce Wayne dedicates his life to fighting crime in Gotham City, adopting the persona of Batman to instill fear in criminals.Character Development
Over the decades, Batman has evolved from a vigilante with a simple motivation to a complex character dealing with moral dilemmas, psychological trauma, and the consequences of his actions.Cultural Reception
Batman has received critical acclaim and is considered one of the most popular and enduring superheroes in comic book history.Character Details
Real Name:
Bruce Wayne
Aliases:
The Dark Knight, The Caped Crusader, The World's Greatest Detective
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
Justice League, Batman Inc., The Outsiders
Abilities:
Peak human conditioning, Expert martial artist, Master detective, Genius-level intellect
Equipment:
Utility belt, Batmobile, Batarangs, Grappling hook
Weight:
210lbs
Height:
6' 3"
Eye Color:
blue
Hair Color:
black
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Batman #232
DC
•
1971
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Ra's al Ghul
2nd appearance of Talia al Ghul
Batman #242
DC
•
1972
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Bruce Wayne as crimelord, Matches Malone
Swamp Thing #7
DC
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
First meeting of Swamp Thing and Batman
Batman #258
DC
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
First mention of Arkham Hospital, later renamed Arkham Asylum
Adventure Comics #462
DC
•
1979
•
Vol. 1
Death of Earth-Two Batman
Batman #313
DC
•
1979
•
Vol. 1
Batman and Catwoman first official date and romantic kiss
1st appearance of Tim Fox, the son of Lucius Fox and the Next Batman
Batman and Catwoman first official date and romantic kiss
1st appearance of Tim Fox, the son of Lucius Fox and the Next Batman
DC Special Series #27
DC
•
1981
•
Vol. 1
68-page oversized crossover featuring Batman and the Hulk
Detective Comics #526
DC
•
1983
•
Vol. 1
Batman's 500th appearance in Detective Comics
Interior pin-up poster by Bob Kane
Batman's 500th appearance in Detective Comics
Interior pin-up poster by Bob Kane
Brave and the Bold, The #200
DC
•
1983
•
Vol. 1
1st team appearance of the Outsiders: Batman, Black Lightning, Halo, Geoforce, Katana and Metamorpho
1st appearance of Katana, a Japanese martial artist
1st appearance of Geoforce, has the ability to manipulate Earth's gravity
1st appearance of Halo, has the ability to create auras of light with different effects
1st team appearance of the Outsiders: Batman, Black Lightning, Halo, Geoforce, Katana and Metamorpho
1st appearance of Katana, a Japanese martial artist
1st appearance of Geoforce, has the ability to manipulate Earth's gravity
1st appearance of Halo, has the ability to create auras of light with different effects
Batman and the Outsiders #1
DC
•
1983
•
Vol. 1
2nd appearance and origin of The Outsiders
1st cameo appearance of Baron Bedlam, a fighter with meta-human powers
1st appearance of Dr. Jace, a scientist who activated the powers of superheroes
1st appearance of Gregor Markov, brother of Geo-Force and Terra
2nd appearance and origin of The Outsiders
1st cameo appearance of Baron Bedlam, a fighter with meta-human powers
1st appearance of Dr. Jace, a scientist who activated the powers of superheroes
1st appearance of Gregor Markov, brother of Geo-Force and Terra
Batman #366
DC
•
1983
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Jason Todd in Robin costume without Batman's permission
Jason Todd had red hair in previous appearances and admits to dyeing it black. This story was strangely retconned in Batman and Robin #5 (2009) with Todd claiming Bruce Wayne made him dye his hair black
1st appearance of Jason Todd in Robin costume without Batman's permission
Jason Todd had red hair in previous appearances and admits to dyeing it black. This story was strangely retconned in Batman and Robin #5 (2009) with Todd claiming Bruce Wayne made him dye his hair black
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1
DC
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Robin, Carrie Kelley, in an alternate reality
1st cameo appearance of the Mutants and the Mutant Leader
💰Original cover art sold on June 16, 2022 for $2.4 million dollars
1st appearance of Robin, Carrie Kelley, in an alternate reality
1st cameo appearance of the Mutants and the Mutant Leader
💰Original cover art sold on June 16, 2022 for $2.4 million dollars
Batman #404
DC
•
1987
•
Vol. 1
"Year One" part 1
Origin of Bruce Wayne
1st appearance of Holly Robinson, becomes an ally of Catwoman
"Year One" part 1
Origin of Bruce Wayne
1st appearance of Holly Robinson, becomes an ally of Catwoman
Legends #6
DC
•
1987
•
Vol. 1
1st team appearance of the Justice League International: Batman, Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, Dr. Fate, Dr. Light, Guy Gardener, Martian Manhunter, Mister Miracle
1st team appearance of the Justice League International: Batman, Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, Dr. Fate, Dr. Light, Guy Gardener, Martian Manhunter, Mister Miracle
1st appearance of Damian Wayne, son of Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul, as a baby
Initially an alternate reality story that was retconned into continuity by Grant Morrison
1st appearance of Damian Wayne, son of Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul, as a baby
Initially an alternate reality story that was retconned into continuity by Grant Morrison
1st appearance of Damian Wayne, son of Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul, as a baby
Initially an alternate reality story that was retconned into continuity by Grant Morrison
The softcover edition was preceded by the December 1987 hardcover edition
1st appearance of Damian Wayne, son of Bruce Wayne and Talia Al Ghul, as a baby
Initially an alternate reality story that was retconned into continuity by Grant Morrison
The softcover edition was preceded by the December 1987 hardcover edition
Batman #426
DC
•
1988
•
Vol. 1
"A Death in the Family" part 1
Batman #427
DC
•
1989
•
Vol. 1
"A Death in the Family" part 2
After the Joker badly beats Jason Todd with a crowbar, an explosion finishes him off but the fate of Robin was not decided until phone lines were opened to fans after this issue went on sale to determine the fate of Jason Todd
"A Death in the Family" part 2
After the Joker badly beats Jason Todd with a crowbar, an explosion finishes him off but the fate of Robin was not decided until phone lines were opened to fans after this issue went on sale to determine the fate of Jason Todd
Batman #428
DC
•
1989
•
Vol. 1
"A Death in the Family" part 3
Death of Robin, Jason Todd, killed by the Joker
Batman #427 ended on a cliffhanger that placed Jason Todd in the blast zone of an exploding warehouse
DC set up a poll for readers to cast their vote of whether Jason Todd should survive the blast by calling one phone number, or die by calling another
10,614 phone calls were made with Todd's death having been decided by only 72 votes more than the opposite outcome where he would've survived
DC had prepared both scenarios to go to print (tap cover and swipe to view unpublished pages)
"A Death in the Family" part 3
Death of Robin, Jason Todd, killed by the Joker
Batman #427 ended on a cliffhanger that placed Jason Todd in the blast zone of an exploding warehouse
DC set up a poll for readers to cast their vote of whether Jason Todd should survive the blast by calling one phone number, or die by calling another
10,614 phone calls were made with Todd's death having been decided by only 72 votes more than the opposite outcome where he would've survived
DC had prepared both scenarios to go to print (tap cover and swipe to view unpublished pages)
Batman #429
DC
•
1989
•
Vol. 1
"A Death in the Family" part 4
Batman #431
DC
•
1989
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Kirigi, a member of the League of Assassins who was at one time a mentor to Batman and Bronze Tiger
1st appearance of Kirigi, a member of the League of Assassins who was at one time a mentor to Batman and Bronze Tiger
Action Comics #654
DC
•
1990
•
Vol. 1
Superman gives Batman a kryptonite ring as a trusted safeguard in case Superman ever loses control and needs to be stopped
Superman gives Batman a kryptonite ring as a trusted safeguard in case Superman ever loses control and needs to be stopped
Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1
DC
•
1993
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance, cover and origin of Bane
📖 Knightfall Reading Order: next Batman #484
[September 2024 - James Gunn’s DCU is developing a Bane and Deathstroke super-villain team-up film based on a script by Matthew Orton]
1st appearance, cover and origin of Bane
📖 Knightfall Reading Order: next Batman #484
[September 2024 - James Gunn’s DCU is developing a Bane and Deathstroke super-villain team-up film based on a script by Matthew Orton]
Variant cover art by Matt Wagner, creator of Grendel
'Silver Moon' Platinum Foil Edition
Obtained by winning a contest facilitated by Hero Illustrated Magazine
The gold stamp is part of the proprietary Hero Illustrated protective slipcase and not on the actual comic
This much anticipated publisher crossover was written in 1991 but was delayed due to Comico going through bankruptcy proceedings. DC eventually published the story in 1993
Limited to 25 copies
Variant cover art by Matt Wagner, creator of Grendel
'Silver Moon' Platinum Foil Edition
Obtained by winning a contest facilitated by Hero Illustrated Magazine
The gold stamp is part of the proprietary Hero Illustrated protective slipcase and not on the actual comic
This much anticipated publisher crossover was written in 1991 but was delayed due to Comico going through bankruptcy proceedings. DC eventually published the story in 1993
Limited to 25 copies
Batman #497
DC
•
1993
•
Vol. 1
Bane breaks Batman's back
Knightfall Part Eleven
📖 Knightfall Reading Order: next Detective Comics #664
Bane breaks Batman's back
Knightfall Part Eleven
📖 Knightfall Reading Order: next Detective Comics #664
Batman #500
DC
•
1993
•
Vol. 1
Azrael stands in for Batman after Bane breaks Bruce Wayne's back in Batman #497
Azrael defeats Bane
Knightfall Part Nineteen
📖 Knightfall Reading Order: next Catwoman #1
Azrael stands in for Batman after Bane breaks Bruce Wayne's back in Batman #497
Azrael defeats Bane
Knightfall Part Nineteen
📖 Knightfall Reading Order: next Catwoman #1
Spawn / Batman #1
Image
•
1994
•
Vol. 1
Batman/Spawn crossover distributed by Image, created by Todd McFarlane and Frank Miller
Batman/Spawn crossover distributed by Image, created by Todd McFarlane and Frank Miller
Batman / Spawn: War Devil #1
DC
•
1994
•
Vol. 1
Batman/Spawn crossover distributed by DC, the second crossover of the characters
Batman/Spawn crossover distributed by DC, the second crossover of the characters
Batman / Punisher
DC/Marvel
•
1994
•
Vol. 1
One-shot 'Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights'
Second crossover of Batman and the Punisher - the Punisher chases Jigsaw to Gotham where he clashes with Batman and the Joker
One-shot 'Punisher/Batman: Deadly Knights'
Second crossover of Batman and the Punisher - the Punisher chases Jigsaw to Gotham where he clashes with Batman and the Joker
Action Comics #784
DC
•
2001
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Variant cover art by Jim Lee
Retailer Round-Table meeting giveaway
Variant cover art by Jim Lee
Retailer Round-Table meeting giveaway
Batman #614
DC
•
2003
•
Vol. 1
Classic battle Batman vs Joker
Variant second printing cover art by Alex Ross
Batman #655
DC
•
2006
•
Vol. 1
1st cameo appearance of Damian Wayne, the son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, in shadows
⚠ Misconception: cited by many resources as Damian's first full appearance but aside from one panel that shows his eyes only, he is otherwise fully obscured by shadows. It should also be noted that the 1987 graphic novel 'Batman: Son of the Demon' introduced a child of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul but the story did not take place in the main DC story universe until Grant Morrison integrated portions of the graphic novel into the origin of Damian
1st cameo appearance of Damian Wayne, the son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, in shadows
⚠ Misconception: cited by many resources as Damian's first full appearance but aside from one panel that shows his eyes only, he is otherwise fully obscured by shadows. It should also be noted that the 1987 graphic novel 'Batman: Son of the Demon' introduced a child of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul but the story did not take place in the main DC story universe until Grant Morrison integrated portions of the graphic novel into the origin of Damian
Variant cover art by Walter Simonson
75th Anniversary edition, celebrating 75 years since National Allied Publications (later DC Comics) published New Fun: The Big Comics Magazine #1 (Feb 1935)
Cover art inspired by Detective Comics #69 (1942)
Variant cover art by Walter Simonson
75th Anniversary edition, celebrating 75 years since National Allied Publications (later DC Comics) published New Fun: The Big Comics Magazine #1 (Feb 1935)
Cover art inspired by Detective Comics #69 (1942)
Brightest Day #14
DC
•
2011
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Batman as a White Lantern
Batman #1
DC
•
2011
•
Vol. 2
Premiere issue of the second standalone Batman title
1st appearance of Lincoln March
1st cameo appearance of Harper Row, later becomes Bluebird
Premiere issue of the second standalone Batman title
1st appearance of Lincoln March
1st cameo appearance of Harper Row, later becomes Bluebird
Detective Comics #881
DC
•
2011
•
Vol. 1
Final issue of the first Detective Comics series (1937-2011)
Detective Comics #1
DC
•
2011
•
Vol. 2
Relaunch of the Detective Comics title
1st cameo appearance of the Dollmaker, seen in the reflection of a knife he uses to cut off Joker's face
Relaunch of the Detective Comics title
1st cameo appearance of the Dollmaker, seen in the reflection of a knife he uses to cut off Joker's face
Batman #0
DC
•
2012
•
Vol. 2
Origin of Batman
Detective Comics #27
DC
•
2014
•
Vol. 2
1st appearance of Calvin Rose as Gothamite
75th Anniversary of Detective Comics
Short story titled '27' by Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy which laid the foundation for the 'Last Knight On Earth' Black Label 3-issue miniseries
Concept: the first Bat-Man developed a cloning process where he could replicate himself as a young man who would have 27 years of effectiveness before restarting the process, explaining why Batman has been able to fight crime effectively for 80 years
1st appearance of Calvin Rose as Gothamite
75th Anniversary of Detective Comics
Short story titled '27' by Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy which laid the foundation for the 'Last Knight On Earth' Black Label 3-issue miniseries
Concept: the first Bat-Man developed a cloning process where he could replicate himself as a young man who would have 27 years of effectiveness before restarting the process, explaining why Batman has been able to fight crime effectively for 80 years
Variant cover art by Walt Simonson featuring Batman, Bruce Wayne and Batman, Thomas Wayne
Batman 75th Anniversary variant
Variant cover art by Walt Simonson featuring Batman, Bruce Wayne and Batman, Thomas Wayne
Batman 75th Anniversary variant
Detective Comics #46
DC
•
2015
•
Vol. 2
First ongoing printed attribution given to Bill Finger as co-creator of Batman in the Detective Comics title
75 years after Batman debuted, Bill Finger’s granddaughter settled a court case with DC to award credit to her deceased grandfather for the creation of Batman
First ongoing printed attribution given to Bill Finger as co-creator of Batman in the Detective Comics title
75 years after Batman debuted, Bill Finger’s granddaughter settled a court case with DC to award credit to her deceased grandfather for the creation of Batman
Variant cover art by Neal Adams
Variant cover art by Artgerm
Variant cover art by Gabrielle Del Otto
Exclusive variant offered by Bulletproof Comics
Variant cover art by Gabrielle Del Otto
Exclusive variant offered by Bulletproof Comics
Batman #24
DC
•
2017
•
Vol. 3
Batman proposes to Catwoman
Dark Nights: Metal #2
DC
•
2017
•
Vol. 1
2nd cameo appearance of the Dark Multiverse Batmen: The Drowned, The Dawnbreaker, The Red Death, The Batman Who Laughs, The Merciless, The Devastator, The Murder Machine
1st appearance of Baby Darkseid
2nd cameo appearance of the Dark Multiverse Batmen: The Drowned, The Dawnbreaker, The Red Death, The Batman Who Laughs, The Merciless, The Devastator, The Murder Machine
1st appearance of Baby Darkseid
Batman Annual #2
DC
•
2017
•
Vol. 3
Origin of Batman and Catwoman, their first date
1st appearance of Helena Wayne as Batwoman, daughter of Bruce and Selina
Origin of Batman and Catwoman, their first date
1st appearance of Helena Wayne as Batwoman, daughter of Bruce and Selina
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