Young Bruce Wayne watched helplessly as his parents were coldly gunned down by a robber (Joe Chill), on the dark streets of Gotham City. As the years went by, Bruce trained and honed his body for fighting crime. While deciding how to disguise himself, a bat flew through his window, and the rest is history!!! Thus was born a dark avenger of the night: THE BATMAN!!! Being a millionaire, Bruce was able to equip himself with many tools to aid him in his crusade over the years with such things like his Bat-Cave / Crime Lab; Bat-Mobile; Bat-Plane; Bat-Cycle; Utility Belt (loaded with scientific gadgets), and so much more!
Batman has gone through many changes over the last 7 and a half decades.
30's & 40's Era---Dark avenger of the night & World War II patriot; intro of Robin the Boy Wonder / Dick Grayson.
50's Era---Science fiction & Bat-partners (Batwoman; Bat-Girl; Ace, the Bat-Hound; Bat-Mite) era.
60's Era---Campier humor and colorful super-villains; intro Batgirl / Barbara Gordon.
70's Era---Return to Batman's darker, more gothic roots; bringing fear back to criminals. Death of Earth 2's Batman.
80's Era---Robin becomes Nightwing; intro 2nd Robin (Jason Todd,who is later killed by the Joker, until resurrected as The Red Hood); intro 3rd Robin (Tim Drake); Batman has back broken by Bane; Frank Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns" futuristic series is released.
90's, 2000's to Present Eras---Batman / Bruce Wayne has son, Damian (who becomes the next Robin,but is later killed), with Talia (Ras al Ghul's daughter); Batgirl /Barbara Gordon loses the ability to walk after she is shot by Joker (although later able to walk and fight crime again, after operation); Gotham is destroyed by earthquake in "No Man's Land" series. Batman is thought to be dead after battle with Darkseid; Dick Grayson becomes Batman until Bruce Wayne returns (he was only thought to be dead, while trapped travelling through time.) "The New 52" era begins as all of DC Comics (including Batman, of course) are re-vamped and started anew.
Commissioner James Gordon has been Batman's 'on & off' ally,
over the decades.
Who could forget Batman's Enemies from over the years---The Joker; Catwoman;Penguin; The Riddler; Two-Face; Mr. Freeze; Poison Ivy; Scarecrow; Ras al Ghul; Man-Bat (who later became an ally); Bane; Harley Quinn; and so many more.
And how about Batman / Bruce Wayne's love interests---Julie Madison; Vicki Vale; Catwoman (Selina Kyle); Silver St. Cloud (my personal favorite); Talia al Ghul (daughter of Ras al Ghul and the mother of Batman's son, Damian); and Jezebel Jet (who later turned out to be evil); to mention a few.
Batman has been part of several groups including---Justice League of America; The Outsiders; and Batman Incorporated. Batman of Earth 2 has been part of "Batmen of All Nations" & Justice Society of America.
Batman has had and has many fantastic artists, including (but not limited to)---Bob Kane; Jerry Robinson; Dick Sprang; Sheldon Moldoff; Carmine Infantino; Irv Novick; Bob Brown; Neal Adams (my all-time favorite); Marshall Rogers; Jim Aparo; Frank Miller; Tim Sale; Jim Lee (a current personal favorite); Tony S. Daniel; Greg Cappullo.
Batman also has had and has many creative writers, including (but not limited to)---Bill Finger; Gardner Fox; John Broome; Bob Haney; Dennis O'Neil; Frank Robbins (who has also drawn Batman); Len Wein; Steve Englehart; Frank Miller (who has also drawn Batman); Paul Dini (who co-created "Batman: The Animated Series"); Geoff Johns; Grant Morrison; Jeph Loeb; Scott Snyder.
Batman has also been the subject of two 40's Movie Serials; a classic 60's TV show (starring Adam West & Burt Ward); many classic animated series' (including the Emmy Award winning "Batman: The Animated Series" from the 90's); "Warner Premiere" animated movies; 10 major motion pictures (which includes one from the 60's, one animated movie, and one computer-generated one-"The Lego Movie", with a Lego version of Batman). 2015 will bring us another live-action movie: "Batman vs Superman" (with Ben Affleck playing Batman).There is also a new TV show coming in a few days (Sept. 22) to FOX, called "Gotham", which deals with a young Bruce Wayne (11 years old), right after his parents are killed; his raising by family butler, Alfred; and his protection and dealings with a young detective named Jim Gordon. The show also shows the rising of many of the criminals we will come to know later (as Batman's enemies). I'm looking forward to it.
Batman has also appeared in countless graphic novels, TPB's & other books. He has also had endless toys and 'action figures' made in his image, as well as a vast array of other merchandise (including VHS tapes, DVD's & Blu-Ray discs.).
The character of Batman / Bruce Wayne should endure for many more decades to come. He has always been my favorite!
