Batman (originally referred to as the Bat-Man and still referred to at times as the Batman) is a fictionalA fictional character is any person, persona, identity, or entity whose existence originates from a fictional work or performance. Such existence is presumed by those participating in the performance as audience, readers, or otherwise. In addition to people, characters can be aliens, animals, (see anthropomorphism) gods, an artificial intelligence ...fictional comic bookA comic book is a magazine or book containing sequential art in the form of a narrative. Comic books are often called comics for short. Although the term implies otherwise, the subject matter in comic books is not necessarily humorous, and in fact its dramatic seriousness varies widely. The term "comics" in this context does not refer to comic strips (such as Peanuts or Dilbert). In the last quarter of the twentieth century, greater acceptance of the comics form among the general reading populace coincided ...comic book superheroA superhero is fictional character "of unprecedented, physical prowess dedicated to acts of derring-do in the public interest.” National Periodical Publications v. Empire Comics, New York Court of Appeals, April 21, 1954. Since the debut of the archetypal superhero, Superman, in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas — have dominated American comic books and crossed over into other media. The term "superhero" usually but not exclusively applies to those ...superhero co-created by artist Bob KaneBob Kane (born Robert Kahn, October 24, 1915 – November 3, 1998) was an American comic book artist and writer credited as the creator of the DC Comics superhero Batman. In later years, Kane acknowledged his studio writer Bill Finger as "a contributing force" in the character's creation. Comics historian Ron Goulart, in Comic Book Encyclopedia, refers to Batman as the "creation of artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger".Goulart, Ron, Comic Book Encyclopedia (Harper Entertainment, New York, ...Bob Kane and writer Bill FingerWilliam "Bill" Finger (February 8, 1914–January 18, 1974) was an American writer best known as the uncredited co-creator, with Bob Kane, of the DC Comics character Batman, as well as the co-architect of the series' development. In later years, Kane acknowledged Finger as "a contributing force" in the character's creation. Comics historian Ron Goulart, in ...Bill Finger (although only Kane receives official credit) and published by DC ComicsCategory:Comic book publishing companies of the United States Category:Media franchises Category:Time Warner subsidiaries bg:Категория:ДиСи Комикс es:Categoría:DC Comics fr:Catégorie:Univers DC is:Flokkur:DC teiknimyndasögur he:קטגוריה:DC קומיקס hu:Kategória:DC Comics nl:Categorie:DC ...DC Comics. The character made his first appearance in Detective ComicsDetective Comics is a comic book published monthly by DC Comics since 1937, best-known for introducing the iconic fictional character Batman. It is, along with Action Comics, the book that launched with the debut of Superman, one of the medium's signature series, and the source of its company's name. With 842 monthly issues published as of April 2007, it is the longest ...Detective Comics #27 (May 1939). Batman's secret identityA secret identity is the practice of hiding a person's identity so the actual identity of the person is not known or suspected. Legal uses of secret identity include people placed under witness protection programs to protect witnesses in criminal trials from retaliation from the criminal organizations they inform against. Law enforcement and intelligence agents often use ...secret identity is Bruce Wayne, a wealthy industrialistA business magnate, sometimes referred to as a mogul, tycoon, baron, or industrialist, is a person who has reached a prominent place in a particular industry (or set of industries) and whose wealth has been derived primarily therefrom. Such people usually amass substantial fortunes in the process, and tend ...industrialist, playboy, and philanthropistA philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes. The term may apply to any volunteer or to anyone who makes a donation, but the label is most often applied to those who donate large sums of money or who make a major impact through their volunteering, such as a trustee who manages a philanthropic organization. A philanthropist may not always find universal approval for his/her deeds. Common accusations include supporting an iniquitous cause ...philanthropist. Witnessing the murder of his parents as a child leads him to train himself to physical and intellectual perfection and don a batA bat is a mammal in the order Chiroptera. Their most distinguishing feature is that their forelimbs are developed as wings, making them the only mammals in the world naturally capable of flight (though other mammals, such as flying squirrels and gliding flying ...bat-themed costume in order to fight crime. Batman operates in Gotham CityGotham City is a fictional city appearing in DC Comics, and is best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Detective Comics #48 (February 1941).Gotham City, assisted by various supporting characters including his sidekick RobinRobin is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Comics universe. Robin has long been a fixture in the Batman comic books as Batman's sidekick. Since Dick Grayson's' first appearance as Robin in 1940, several different youths have appeared as Robin. The early adventures ...Robin and his butler AlfredAlfred Pennyworth is a fictional supporting character in the DC Comics' Batman series. Created by writer Bob Kane and artist Jerry Robinson, he first appeared in Batman #16 (April-May 1943). Alfred serves as Batman’s tireless butler, assistant, and confidant, and has been called "Batman's batman." In the current DC Comics continuity, Alfred looked after Bruce Wayne after the death of his parents. Alfred also provides comic ...Alfred, and fights an assortment of villains influenced by the characters' roots in film and pulp magazinesPulp magazines (or pulp fiction; often referred to as "the pulps") were inexpensive fiction magazines. They were widely published from the 1920s through the 1950s. The term pulp fiction can also refer to mass market paperbacks since the 1950s.pulp magazines. Unlike most superheroes, he does not possess superhuman powers or abilities; he makes use of intellect, detective skills, science and technology, wealth, physical prowess, and intimidation in his war on crime.

Batman became a popular character soon after his introduction, and eventually gained his own title, BatmanBatman is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics action hero 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 ...Batman. As the decades wore on, differing takes on the character emerged. The popular late 1960s "Batman"Batman is the title of a 1960s American television series which replaced the long-running Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet program, the second series ever to be a midseason replacement. Based on the comic book character Batman, it aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) for 2½ seasons from January 12, 1966 to March 14, 1968. Because the series had two weekly installments for most of its tenure, it contained ..."Batman" television seriesA television program (US), television programme (UK) or simply television show is a segment of programming in television broadcasting. It may be a one-off broadcast or, more usually, part of a periodically returning television series. A television series that is intended to be broadcast a finite number of episodes is usually called a miniseries or serial (although the latter term also has other meanings). Americans call a short run lasting less than a year ...television series utilized a campCamp is an aesthetic in which something has appeal because of its bad taste or ironic value. A part of the anti-academic defense of popular culture in the 1960s, camp came to popularity in the 1980s with the widespread adoption of Postmodern views on art and culture.camp aesthetic associated with the character for years after the show ended. The 1986 Frank MillerFrank Miller (born January 27, 1957, is an American writer, artist and film director best known for his film noir-style comic book stories. He is one of the most widely-recognized and popular creators in comics, and is one of the most influential comics creators of his generation.Frank Miller miniseries Batman: The Dark Knight ReturnsBatman: The Dark Knight Returns is a Batman comic book miniseries written and drawn by Frank Miller and published by DC Comics from February to June 1986. It reintroduced Batman to the general public as the psychologically dark character of his original 1930s conception, and helped to usher in an era of "grim and gritty" superheroes from the mid-1980s to mid-1990s. A sequel Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again was published in 2001.Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and the success of the 1989 Tim BurtonTimothy "Tim" William Burton (born August 25, 1958) is an Academy Award-nominated American film director, writer and designer. Burton first came to note directing the Paul Reubens film Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, which was followed by the blockbuster success ...Tim Burton motion picture BatmanBatman is an American Academy Award-winning superhero film based on the DC Comics character Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. It is the first entry in the original four-part Batman film series, the first directed by Tim Burton and the first to star Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne/Batman. It also starred Jack Nicholson as the Joker. Inspired by the original work of Finger and Kane from the late thirties and forties and also by the darker Batman comics of the 1980s (including the work of Frank ...Batman helped return the character to his dark roots. Over the years, Batman has become one of the world's most recognized superheroes. A cultural icon, Batman has been licensed and adapted into a variety of media, from radio to television and film, and appears on a variety of merchandise sold all over the world.