Superhero Origins: Batman (Redux)
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VOICE OVER: Dan Paradis
Batman initially appeared in 1939 as a fully-fledged crime fighter. Although we were made to know his secret identity as Gotham Billionaire Bruce Wayne, we did not learn about how he became Batman until later that same year. As it turned out, the story of the caped crusader all began one fateful night when Bruce's parents were held up by a robber and killed. In the aftermath, Bruce swore an oath that he would spend the remainder of his life waging a war on crime to avenge their deaths. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we explore the comic book origin of Batman. Special thanks to our user bam-bamboyles for submitting the idea on our WatchMojo.comsuggest page!
*Script written by Clayton Martino
He is Gotham’s silent guardian and watchful protector. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we will explore the comic book origin of Batman.
As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginations and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen primarily to follow the original storyline which unfolded in 1939’s “Detective Comics” #33 and was re-told in 1940’s “Batman” #1 and 1948’s “Batman” #47.
Batman initially appeared in 1939’s “Detective Comics” #27 as a fully-fledged crime fighter. Although we were made to know his secret identity as Gotham Billionaire Bruce Wayne, we did not learn about how he became Batman until issue #33 later that same year.
As it turned out, the story of the caped crusader all began one fateful night when Bruce and his parents were walking home from a movie. Held up by a robber, the criminal proceeded to murder both of Bruce’s parents.
In the aftermath, Bruce swore an oath that he would spend the remainder of his life waging a war on crime to avenge their deaths. Bruce would spend the next several years preparing for his new career, becoming a scientific criminal investigation expert while training his body to become incredibly strong and durable.
Now mentally and physically prepared to take on the seedy criminal underbelly of Gotham, Bruce determined that he needed a disguise in order to strike terror into the hearts of criminals. At that exact moment, a bat flew through the open window, inspiring Bruce to make it his symbol.
Over the years, Batman would come to team-up with Commissioner James Gordon and his trusty sidekick Robin, another tragically orphaned youth, to fight crime. In time, he eventually discovered that small-time crime boss Joe Chill was the one who murdered his parents. Disguising himself as a seagull in the water to avoid being seen - seriously, we aren’t kidding - Batman snuck on board Chill’s boat.
Cornering Chill, Bruce Wayne removed his Batman mask to reveal that he was boy that was left orphaned. Against killing, Bruce let Chill go, but told him that he would be watching his every move, and when Chill eventually made a mistake, he would be there to arrest him. A terrified Chill tried to get fellow thugs to assist him, but when he told them that he killed Batman’s parents, they murdered him, as they blamed him for creating Batman.
The death of Chill brought some closure for Bruce, but he would continue to fight crime and protect Gotham. However, soon a new breed of criminal and psychopath began appearing in Gotham, including the Joker, who would become Batman’s arch nemesis.
Batman would constantly save Gotham from the Joker and other villains like Ra’s Al Ghul, Two-Face, and the Riddler, but would also suffer crushing defeats, including having his back broken by Bane in one of the most famous issues in comic book history.
Like all comic book heroes, Batman has gone through numerous re-imaginings. One of the most famous is Frank Miller’s “Batman: Year One” story arc. That origin story began with a 25-year-old Bruce returning home after twelve years abroad following the death of his parents.
Soon enough, Bruce got into a brawl with a sadistic pimp and was arrested, but was able to break the handcuffs and returns home to Wayne Manor covered in blood. Bruce then made his way to his father’s chair where he sat, haunted by the image of his dead parents, until a bat burst through the window. It was at this moment that Bruce decided that he would need to take on an alter-ego in order to save the city from the criminal scum.
One of the most famous and popular comic book heroes, Batman has appeared in various media, from live-action television to animated series, as well as films in both mediums. Over the years and different incarnations, Batman has been portrayed by many actors including the likes of Adam West, Michael Keaton, the voice of Kevin Conroy, Christian Bale, and most recently with Ben Affleck with 2016’s “Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice”.
Are you a fan of the Batman? For more comic book origins, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
Superhero Origins: Batman
He is Gotham’s silent guardian and watchful protector. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we will explore the comic book origin of Batman.
As with most comic book characters, there are often re-imaginations and different versions to a character’s past. We have chosen primarily to follow the original storyline which unfolded in 1939’s “Detective Comics” #33 and was re-told in 1940’s “Batman” #1 and 1948’s “Batman” #47.
Batman initially appeared in 1939’s “Detective Comics” #27 as a fully-fledged crime fighter. Although we were made to know his secret identity as Gotham Billionaire Bruce Wayne, we did not learn about how he became Batman until issue #33 later that same year.
As it turned out, the story of the caped crusader all began one fateful night when Bruce and his parents were walking home from a movie. Held up by a robber, the criminal proceeded to murder both of Bruce’s parents.
In the aftermath, Bruce swore an oath that he would spend the remainder of his life waging a war on crime to avenge their deaths. Bruce would spend the next several years preparing for his new career, becoming a scientific criminal investigation expert while training his body to become incredibly strong and durable.
Now mentally and physically prepared to take on the seedy criminal underbelly of Gotham, Bruce determined that he needed a disguise in order to strike terror into the hearts of criminals. At that exact moment, a bat flew through the open window, inspiring Bruce to make it his symbol.
Over the years, Batman would come to team-up with Commissioner James Gordon and his trusty sidekick Robin, another tragically orphaned youth, to fight crime. In time, he eventually discovered that small-time crime boss Joe Chill was the one who murdered his parents. Disguising himself as a seagull in the water to avoid being seen - seriously, we aren’t kidding - Batman snuck on board Chill’s boat.
Cornering Chill, Bruce Wayne removed his Batman mask to reveal that he was boy that was left orphaned. Against killing, Bruce let Chill go, but told him that he would be watching his every move, and when Chill eventually made a mistake, he would be there to arrest him. A terrified Chill tried to get fellow thugs to assist him, but when he told them that he killed Batman’s parents, they murdered him, as they blamed him for creating Batman.
The death of Chill brought some closure for Bruce, but he would continue to fight crime and protect Gotham. However, soon a new breed of criminal and psychopath began appearing in Gotham, including the Joker, who would become Batman’s arch nemesis.
Batman would constantly save Gotham from the Joker and other villains like Ra’s Al Ghul, Two-Face, and the Riddler, but would also suffer crushing defeats, including having his back broken by Bane in one of the most famous issues in comic book history.
Like all comic book heroes, Batman has gone through numerous re-imaginings. One of the most famous is Frank Miller’s “Batman: Year One” story arc. That origin story began with a 25-year-old Bruce returning home after twelve years abroad following the death of his parents.
Soon enough, Bruce got into a brawl with a sadistic pimp and was arrested, but was able to break the handcuffs and returns home to Wayne Manor covered in blood. Bruce then made his way to his father’s chair where he sat, haunted by the image of his dead parents, until a bat burst through the window. It was at this moment that Bruce decided that he would need to take on an alter-ego in order to save the city from the criminal scum.
One of the most famous and popular comic book heroes, Batman has appeared in various media, from live-action television to animated series, as well as films in both mediums. Over the years and different incarnations, Batman has been portrayed by many actors including the likes of Adam West, Michael Keaton, the voice of Kevin Conroy, Christian Bale, and most recently with Ben Affleck with 2016’s “Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice”.
Are you a fan of the Batman? For more comic book origins, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
