5 Things That Many People Get Wrong About Batman

Batman needs no introduction.

In my opinion, Batman and Superman are bigger than their publication house, DC comics.

Batman is undoubtedly the most iconic superhero in the comic book world. He didn’t need any popular actor or a renowned filmmaker to get people’s attention! He already had that.

For over 75 years, Batman gave us many stories and adventures that are still read and praised.

However, there are a few facts that many people get wrong about him.

Here are few things that can be considered as false facts about the caped crusader.

Batman is a loner

Somehow, Batman is considered as the ultimate loner in the entire comic book world. He’s, too many people, fights his war alone and seeks nobody’s help.

Over the time Batman was considered as the perfect example of self-reliance and determination.

For those who actually know Batman will agree that Batman, over the time, created an impressive team for himself. Batman himself creates the team!

There are five Robins (don’t forget Stephanie Brown), Batgirl, Batwing, Batwoman, Azrael, the Huntress, and a hound called Ace who help him.

Batman is also a part of bigger teams like the Justice League, Batman incorporated, and the Outsiders.

Even much before all these Batman got help from Commissioner Gordon, Lucius Fox and Alfred Pennyworth.

I know the Christopher Nolan’s version, as well as Zack Snyder’s version, depicted Batman as an isolated figure. But that was just their take.

It’s true that Batman likes to work alone, but he got a team too, who help him whenever he needs.

When you think about, creating a legend like Batman will need more than just one man. Therefore, it’s only natural that he’ll have people backing him up.

Frank Miller made Batman dark and brooding

Frank Miller is undoubtedly one of the most important writers of Batman stories.

His version of Batman was dark, gritty, and mature. Therefore, it’s easy to assume that all the movie versions of Batman are inspired from his version.

Frank Miller’s Batman in Batman: Year One and The Dark Knight Returns is probably the most famous versions too.

However, it wasn’t Frank Miller who first re-imagined Batman as dark, gritty, and mature!

The duo, Danny O’Neil (Writer) and Neal Adams (artist) first introduced a dark and mature Batman.

It was in the year 1969 when Neal Adams and O’Neal decided to present the caped crusader as a gothic and dark character.

Therefore it was O’Neal who imagined Batman as dark and Adams who created the image.

Batman created by Bob Kane

Everywhere it was mentioned for a very long time that Bob Kane created Batman.

That’s not the whole truth.

In my opinion, Bob Kane didn’t even create the character we see today. I believe it’s the biggest lie in the comic book history.

In the late 1930s, Bob Kane just had an idea.

He named the character, Batman. His Batman was blonde, wore a red suit and a domino mask.

Kane then showed his sketch to a very talented man called Bill Finger.

Bill Finger not only modified the character but he added all the things that we see today.

Bill gave the cool costume to Batman, Bruce Wayne’s tragic past and origin, Robin, Batmobile, Catwoman, and the Joker.

Bob Kane just came up with the name, but it was Bill Finger who gave us the character, Batman.

The most tragic part is Bill Finger was removed from the pages of history. Bob Kane made the publisher sign a contract, which made him the sole creator of Batman.

However, in 2015 the movie, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” Warner brothers gave Bill Finger the official credit of being the co-creator of Batman.

Batman never kills

Batman’s decision to never kill and his hatred for guns have become so huge that it is considered as a crucial part of the character.

However, Batman did take lives!

As a matter of fact, in his first-year story, he throws a bad guy into a vat of acid. Batman even snapped bad guys’ necks too.

Batman even had a gun back then, and he used it too.

Batman killed later too.

He even left KGBeast to starve and die (Comics: ten nights of the beast) and leaves Ra’s Al Ghul to die (Movie: Batman Begins)

Everything great about Batman is comic-inspired

Here’s a truth:

Many iconic elements in Batman’s world were first introduced in series, movies, and radio.

Here’s an example; the Batcave was first introduced in a theatrical serial from 1943. Although it wasn’t as cool as the Batcave we see today; it was the first time when it was introduced.

Another successful character was Harley Quinn, who debuted on Batman: The Animated Series (September 1992)

Further, Batman: The Animated Series also re-imagined Mr Freeze. Mike Mignola, the creator of Hellboy, re-designed Mr Freeze’s costume.

After the animated series, Mr Freeze got noticed again, and today he’s one of the most important villains of Batman.

These were the myths about the dark knight that are still carried forward.

I hope these will debunk the myths and help you understand the character better.