Top 10 Batman Facts
He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector, a Dark Knight. Join http://www.WatchMojo.com as we count down our picks for the Top 10 Batman Facts. For this list, we are putting the focus more on real world facts as opposed to looking at specific plot points that occurred in the films or comics.
Special thanks to our user FlorinP for submitting the idea using our interactive suggestion tool at http://www.WatchMojo.comsuggest.
Script written by Clayton Martino.
Top 10 Batman Facts – Redux
He’s a silent guardian, a watchful protector, a Dark Knight. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Batman Facts. For this list, we are putting the focus more on real world facts as opposed to looking at specific plot points that occurred in the films or comics.
#10: It Would Cost $300 Million to Become Batman
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One of the most endearing features of Batman is that he isn’t really a superhero. Sure, he fights criminals and tries to bring justice to Gotham, but he doesn’t actually have any superpowers. Theoretically, anyone could be Batman – anyone with a ton of money, that is. According to the book “Batman Unauthorized”, it would cost roughly $300 million dollars to become Batman, which includes $3.5 million for the Bat Cave and $2 million for the Batmobile. And that may be on the cheap side – other estimates have put the total at almost $1 billion.
#9: Andy Warhol Directed the First Ever Batman Film
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Wait, the guy who made a 45 minute film about a man eating a mushroom directed the first ever Batman film? As ridiculous as it sounds, it’s actually true. Warhol created the film without the permission of DC Comics and called it “Batman Dracula”. Unfortunately, Warhol only showed the film at his art exhibits, and most of the film has been lost. If you want to see several scenes from the flick, however, check out the 2006 documentary “Jack Smith and the Destruction of Atlantis”.
#8: The Designs For The Cape Were Based on Da Vinci Sketches
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From one iconic artist to another, who would have guessed that Batman’s cape was actually based on several sketches by Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci. Bill Finger and Bob Kane have cited several sources of inspiration for Batman’s costume, including the 1920 film “The Mask of Zorro”, and have stated that the design for the cape was based on the Ornithopter, a flying machine that the famous artist had sketched. It’s hard to top Da Vinci’s legacy – the Mona Lisa, The Last Supper, and The Dark Knight’s cape.
#7: The Original Costume Design Was Much Different
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Although certain elements of his costume have changed over the years, Batman’s appearance has essentially remained the same. This appearance is drastically different to Bob Kane’s original idea, however. The character still had the bat-like wings, but he was blonde, and wore a bright red spandex suit with a domino mask. One of Batman’s main tactics against criminals is intimidation, but it’s highly unlikely anyone would be scared of someone in this getup. Luckily, Kane scrapped the original idea in favour of a more gothic look.
#6: Many Famous Elements Came From TV, Not the Comics
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While the majority of the things we associate with Batman originated in the comics, several famous elements were actually first introduced on screen. The Batman serials from the 1940s, for example, were responsible for the creation of the Bat Cave and the modification of Alfred’s appearance, as he had originally been a fat, bumbling detective who was only used for comedic purposes. Furthermore, one of Batman’s most popular villains, Harley Quinn, didn’t actually appear until the 1990s in “Batman: The Animated Series”.
#5: People Were Sceptical of Michael Keaton as Batman
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They say that hindsight is 20/20. Batman fans should be able to relate to this, seeing as many argue that Michael Keaton is still the best Batman of all-time. Batman fans didn’t feel that way at the time, however, as over 50,000 protest letters were sent to Warner Brothers to protest Keaton’s casting. Bob Kane, creator of Batman, also disliked the casting. Luckily, Burton stuck to his guns, and gave Keaton the chance to prove that he could inhabit the character’s dark side, a test he passed with flying colours.
#4: The Tumbler Took an Expensive Tumble
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The Tumblr, which would serve as the Batmobile in the Christopher Nolan film trilogy, showed that it could take quite a beating over the course of the films. It jumps from roof to roof and even blocks a bazooka blast from the Joker. Off-screen, it proved just as durable, withstanding an accident involving a drunk driver. According to Christian Bale, they were moving the Batmobile down the street when a drunk driver sideswiped it. The driver had allegedly floored it because he thought the car was a spacecraft and he was worried that aliens were invading.
#3: Hugh Hefner Helped Create the 1960s Television Series
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As ridiculous as it seems now, the 1960s Batman series helped the character become extremely popular. The series wouldn’t have been possible, however, without the help of Hugh Hefner. A self-proclaimed comic book fanboy, Hef threw several comic-book themed parties at the Playboy Mansion, including a Batman party that focused on the campiness of the character. An ABC executive happened to be attending the party and immediately pitched the television show. So, essentially, Hugh Hefner is one of the main reasons why Batman is so popular. How about that.
#2: The Fans Killed Robin
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Perhaps inspired by Choose Your Own Adventure novels, DC allowed the fans to decide on the fate of Jason Todd’s Robin back in 1988. The previous issue had ended with Robin tied up in a warehouse, and fans were given to option to call in and vote on whether he should live or die. The vote was close, but ultimately the fans decided to kill the character off. They may not have been prepared for his violent end at the hands of the Joker, however, or his reappearance as the vicious Red Hood.
Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honourable mentions:
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#1: Kevin Conroy is The Longest Running Batman
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Several huge actors have played the Caped Crusader over the years, including the likes of Christian Bale and George Clooney, but only one actor has shown longevity with the character. That would be Kevin Conroy, who has voiced the character for over 20 years. Conroy began in the early 90s with “Batman: The Animated Series”, and has continued to provide the voice for multiple animated films and the Arkham video games. It was Conroy who came up with the idea of changing his voice when he becomes Batman, although it isn’t quite as obvious as Bale.
Do you agree with our list? What is your favourite Batman fact? For more great Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.
