Batman has had a long and storied history of beating up criminals and the criminally insane and inspiring hope in the hopeless. He first appeared on a comic book cover holding a gangster by the neck as he swung across city rooftops. The copy on the cover boldly declared, "Starting this issue: the amazing and unique adventures of the Batman!" They weren't kidding. His adventures have been so amazing and so unique that he has, according to DC Entertainment co-publisher Dan DiDio, filled "a particular need at a particular time for every generation," from the uncompromising seeker of justice in the 1940s to the billionaire exerting his power in the 1980s; from the psychedelic pop emblem of the 1960s to the technological genius of the 2000s. However, "at the core Batman is always the same," DiDio said, regardless of the many changes around him. Even as an adult, he is still a child longing to avenge the death of his parents--and never able to do so.
Batman has pervaded every corner of popular culture in his 75-year history: he's appeared in one live-action series, two film serials, three radio dramas, five comic strips, eight live-action movies, 16 roller coasters, 17 animated series, 21 animated films, 37 video games and countless comic books. He has also appeared in graphic novels, academic texts, comedy sketches, and on more merchandise than anyone could possibly ever own. The character is so well-known and pervasive that it helped a young Korean boy learn English and acclimate to his new country when he first arrived in St. Louis, Mo.
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| Jim Lee's Batman | |
That boy, Jim Lee, now DC Entertainment co-publisher and artist extraordinaire, remembers that Batman "enchanted him" when he was young. "The entire world of Batman grabbed me early on," he said, especially the whimsical stories of the '50s. For a time, Lee took a break from comics, finishing his undergraduate studies in pre-med, following in his father's footsteps. He was poised to become a doctor of psychology--until he picked up Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns. That book showed him what comics were capable of and inspired him to become a comics professional.
When asked if a character like Batman would have been created if he didn't exist, the co-publishers have different answers. DiDio said no, we wouldn't have created a Batman to fill the void of his non-existence. Instead, we would have created "multiple characters to fill those needs for all generations" that Batman has. On the other hand, Lee said, Batman is a mythic character that serves a mythic need. In the face of things like crime, urban decay, and corruption, he is the man in the little guy's corner, helping him fight for justice and equality. "Batman existed before he was created." --A.J.