Batman is probably the best known superhero of all time , alongside Superman. His name is a legend and even those who are not fans of comics are able to recognize him and usually know at least something about him: what he is like, his real name, details of his life … With more than 800 comics and countless movies, We tell you everything you need to know about Batman.
The Dark Knight is the protector of Gotham City since, in 1939, the legendary Bob Kane and Bill Finger created it for DC Comics. His first appearance was in Detective Comics number 27, dated March 30.
Since then, he has become a legend that has transcended the world of comics to be a fundamental icon of popular culture. And this is his story.
Who is batman
His real name is Bruce Wayne , an identity he keeps secret. Billionaire and playboy , he is the CEO of Wayne Industries.
One of the original founders of the Justice League , he has faced the greatest threats alone or alongside other heroes such as Superman, Wonder Woman or Flash.
origins
Bruce Wayne was born into a wealthy family in Gotham City, where he continues to live (in a large mansion). Son of Dr. Thomas Wayne and Martha Wayne , he had a comfortable life until he was eight years old.
At that age, his parents were killed in front of him while they were returning home. Since then, he has vowed to rid Gotham of the crime and evil that he took from his family.
Who Killed Batman’s Parents
A petty thief named Joe Chill , who robbed Batman’s parents to rob them and shot them.
Throughout his existence, Batman will sometimes cross paths with Chill and he will come to realize what he created that night.
Superpowers
Batman does not have superhuman abilities , but he does have the greatest of superpowers: money .
A billionaire thanks to his companies, that allows him to have almost unlimited resources and build everything that his privileged mind can think of.
Additionally, Batman has trained his strength and agility to the limit of a human. An expert marksman, he is a master in the use of any weapon and martial arts.
His genius intellect has earned him the name of “World’s Best Detective.” In addition, he understands like no one the human mind and psychology, which he uses to instill terror in the hearts of his enemies.
What weapons does Batman use
His intelligence and money allow him to create the necessary weapons, vehicles and devices for every occasion. Almost always kept in the Batcave , his secret lair, Batman usually faces his enemies with:
- The Kevlar and Titanium Bat-Suit. Bulletproof and with a multitude of protection and security systems.
- The batarang . A bat-shaped boomerang that flings at its enemies.
- His belt full of gadgets .
- The batcord with which it helps to cross the rooftops of Gotham.
- The Batmobile . His legendary modified car, but not the only means of transportation. He also owns an airplane, a motorcycle and, in general, any vehicle he needs.
Batman Enemies
Batman’s greatest enemy is, without a doubt, the Joker , a criminal and psychotic genius with clown makeup who has led to the most effective confrontations.
Other legendary enemies of Batman have been:
- The Penguin: A Gotham crime boss who has a complex relationship with Batman.
- Catwoman – A skilled jewel thief, enemy, and sometimes lover.
- Two-Face – Former district attorney and former Batman ally turned schizoid criminal.
- Enigma – A twisted puzzle-loving criminal genius.
- Bane – An ex-con and assassin with superhuman strength.
Also, highlight The Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze, Ra’s al Ghul, Harley Quinn and a whole gallery of unforgettable villains.
Batman allies
Despite being a dark and lonely superhero, in many of his battles he has not fought alone. Therefore, its greatest allies are:
- Alfred Pennyworth : the faithful butler of the family and breadwinner of Batman.
- Robin : Dick Grayson is Robin, the wonder boy, who in many comics has used his acrobatic skills with Batman to fight crime. Jason Todd will be the second Robin to fight alongside the Dark Knight.
- Commissioner James Gordon : of the Gotham Police. Batman and the corrupt Gotham police have always had a complex relationship. Gordon has fought alongside Batman to eradicate crime from a dark city that seems doomed to him.
- Superman – Batman’s complicated relationship with Earth’s most powerful superhero has spawned some of the best stories. Allies and sometimes rivals, Batman and Superman have saved the world countless times and have fought up to 16 times.
- The Justice League : As a founding member, Batman has faced the greatest threats against Earth alongside superheroes of the League such as Wonder Woman or Aquaman.
Who have been the Batman couples
Besides friends and allies, Batman has had a multitude of lovers . The most prominent are:
- Selina Kyle (Catwoman) . One of the most important and thorny love relationships has been with this usual enemy / ally.
- Julie Madison . Batman’s first girlfriend during the golden age of comics. Actress by initial profession, her character has changed a lot over time.
- Vicki Vale . Journalist who finds out his secret identity.
- Talia al Ghul . Daughter of the supervillain Ra’s al Gul.
In addition, other love relationships of less importance have been Black Canary , Harley Quinn, Julia Pennyworth (daughter of his butler) and many more.
Even Wonder Woman has fallen for the charms of Batman.
The highlights of his life
During his youth, in order to fulfill his oath, Bruce Wayne leaves Gotham to train, learn and prepare. Upon his return to a dark, corrupt and hopeless city, he realizes that all of this is not enough for his goal.
Realizing that criminals are superstitious, he will use fear to his advantage . A bat enters through the window of his mansion and inspires him to adopt the personality of Batman.
Since then, he has become a vigilante who brings justice to the streets of Gotham and who, in addition, will fight against other global threats in the company of other heroes.
Together with Commissioner James Gordon, who usually uses a spotlight at night with his symbol to call him, projected in the sky (the Batsignal ), they will undertake the impossible task of ridding Gotham of evil.
During the so-called Modern Age of the character, some of the events that will most mark his life take place.
Jason Todd, the second Robin, will die at the hands of his arch enemy the Joker in A Death in the Family . That will make Batman become more aggressive in his fight, many times pushing the limits.
Bane will split Batman’s spine and render him paralyzed in Knightfall . That will make Azrael, another ally / enemy of Batman, take over his identity. Ultimately, Batman will regain his place in a fight against an Azrael who had gone too far as the new Dark Knight.
Batman “dies” at the hands of Darkseid , one of the most powerful DC villains, in Final Crisis . Finally, and as often happens in the comics, Batman’s death is not such, he is only lost and amnesiac.
Some curiosities that, probably, you do not know
In case you thought you knew everything about Batman, we are going to tell you some unknown facts, even for many fans.
For starters, Batman has a biological son . His name is Damian Wayne and it is the result of his relationship with Talia al Gul. In time, he will be one of the incarnations of Robin , the boy wonder.
In his tireless love life, Batman has also had more than words with Lois Lane, Superman’s eternal girlfriend . In reality, everything is complicated, which is what is often said in these things, but Batman instills fear in the hearts of his enemies and love in the rest.
Although he has a strict no-kill ethic, this was not the case in the early 1940s comics, where he snapped necks and gleefully shot.
In the Flashpoint timeline , created by Barry Allen (Flash) to save his mother, Joe Chill kills Bruce Wayne . Heartbroken over the loss of his son, Thomas Wayne turns into Batman and his mother Martha loses her mind, becoming… Joker .
Batman loses his parents in practically all the multiverses , except in that Flashpoint , where he dies.
As you can see, by wealth, longevity and mythology, the Batman character is deservedly the most famous hero and with the most compelling stories.
