The now-annual Batman Day falls on September 26 this year, celebrating all things Dark Knight with special events at bookstores, comic book shops and elsewhere. The character was created in 1939 by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, with his first appearance in "Detective Comics" No. 27. (DC Comics -- a Time Warner company, like CNN -- recently agreed to <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/dc-entertainment-give-classic-batman-824572" target="_blank" target="_blank">give Finger a co-creator credit).</a>
The now-annual Batman Day falls on September 26 this year, celebrating all things Dark Knight with special events at bookstores, comic book shops and elsewhere. The character was created in 1939 by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, with his first appearance in "Detective Comics" No. 27. (DC Comics -- a Time Warner company, like CNN -- recently agreed to give Finger a co-creator credit).
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Four years later, "Batman" first hit the big screen as a 15-chapter movie serial. It had a strong anti-Japanese sentiment -- with Batman and Robin fighting a Japanese spy during World War II, complete with racial slurs -- so it's far from politically correct when viewed today. Lewis Wilson and an age-appropriate 16-year-old Douglas Croft were the first actors to play the Dynamic Duo, and the serial's portrayal of faithful butler Alfred influenced the comics. (As for Robin, he was introduced in the comics in 1940.)
Four years later, "Batman" first hit the big screen as a 15-chapter movie serial. It had a strong anti-Japanese sentiment -- with Batman and Robin fighting a Japanese spy during World War II, complete with racial slurs -- so it's far from politically correct when viewed today. Lewis Wilson and an age-appropriate 16-year-old Douglas Croft were the first actors to play the Dynamic Duo, and the serial's portrayal of faithful butler Alfred influenced the comics. (As for Robin, he was introduced in the comics in 1940.)
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By 1949, Columbia Pictures' movie serial budget was cut to the bone, and it's apparent in the sequel "Batman and Robin." Robert Lowery and John Duncan took over the roles of the crimefighters, and this time Commissioner Gordon and Vicki Vale were added to the story, as well as a new villain, the masked Wizard.
By 1949, Columbia Pictures' movie serial budget was cut to the bone, and it's apparent in the sequel "Batman and Robin." Robert Lowery and John Duncan took over the roles of the crimefighters, and this time Commissioner Gordon and Vicki Vale were added to the story, as well as a new villain, the masked Wizard.
Everett Collection
By the 1950s, comic book sales had dropped, and there was an anti-comic book movement (which went all the way to the Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency) that forced characters like Batman to fight space aliens and encounter ever-more outlandish plots (any actual violence involving human beings was forbidden). The characters Batwoman and Batgirl were introduced after psychiatrist Fredric Wertham said the book had an "atmosphere of homoeroticism."
By the 1950s, comic book sales had dropped, and there was an anti-comic book movement (which went all the way to the Senate Subcommittee on Juvenile Delinquency) that forced characters like Batman to fight space aliens and encounter ever-more outlandish plots (any actual violence involving human beings was forbidden). The characters Batwoman and Batgirl were introduced after psychiatrist Fredric Wertham said the book had an "atmosphere of homoeroticism."
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As the story goes, Batman comic book sales were so bad that DC considered canceling them. Editor Julius Schwartz can be credited with saving Batman in 1964 when he rebooted the character with a "new look."
As the story goes, Batman comic book sales were so bad that DC considered canceling them. Editor Julius Schwartz can be credited with saving Batman in 1964 when he rebooted the character with a "new look."
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Batmania took the country by storm in early 1966 with ABC's TV series, starring Adam West and Burt Ward. The tongue-in-cheek series was an overnight success that lost steam by its third and final season.
Batmania took the country by storm in early 1966 with ABC's TV series, starring Adam West and Burt Ward. The tongue-in-cheek series was an overnight success that lost steam by its third and final season.
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Writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Neal Adams brought the edge back to Batman in 1971, setting the stage for a more serious, dark tone.
Writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Neal Adams brought the edge back to Batman in 1971, setting the stage for a more serious, dark tone.
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The 1986 Frank Miller comic storyline "Dark Knight Returns" brought an even darker sensibility with an older Batman in a dystopian future.
The 1986 Frank Miller comic storyline "Dark Knight Returns" brought an even darker sensibility with an older Batman in a dystopian future.
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1988's violent, disturbing "The Killing Joke" storyline by Alan Moore is considered by many to be the definitive Joker tale, though it remains controversial to this day.
1988's violent, disturbing "The Killing Joke" storyline by Alan Moore is considered by many to be the definitive Joker tale, though it remains controversial to this day.
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1988 was quite a year for the Joker as he also took the life of the second Robin, Jason Todd.
1988 was quite a year for the Joker as he also took the life of the second Robin, Jason Todd.
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Fans rejoiced in a big way with Tim Burton's blockbuster 1989 film "Batman," which brought the Dark Knight to mainstream audiences. Michael Keaton portrayed the cowled detective, and Kim Basinger was Vicki Vale.
Fans rejoiced in a big way with Tim Burton's blockbuster 1989 film "Batman," which brought the Dark Knight to mainstream audiences. Michael Keaton portrayed the cowled detective, and Kim Basinger was Vicki Vale.
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Burton took things to an even weirder place with 1992's "Batman Returns," featuring Michelle Pfeiffer's acclaimed performance as Catwoman.
Burton took things to an even weirder place with 1992's "Batman Returns," featuring Michelle Pfeiffer's acclaimed performance as Catwoman.
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Fox premiered "Batman: The Animated Series" in 1992, and it was leaps and bounds ahead of other network animation of the time. Some fans see this as the definitive adaptation of Batman.
Fox premiered "Batman: The Animated Series" in 1992, and it was leaps and bounds ahead of other network animation of the time. Some fans see this as the definitive adaptation of Batman.
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Batman faced the hulking Bane for the first time in 1993 and lost. Bruce Wayne was taken out of commission, briefly replaced by the psychotic Jean-Paul Valley.
Batman faced the hulking Bane for the first time in 1993 and lost. Bruce Wayne was taken out of commission, briefly replaced by the psychotic Jean-Paul Valley.
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Val Kilmer took over for Keaton in Joel Schumacher's "Batman Forever" in 1995. Chris O'Donnell joined the cast as Robin.
Val Kilmer took over for Keaton in Joel Schumacher's "Batman Forever" in 1995. Chris O'Donnell joined the cast as Robin.
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Some consider 1997's "Batman and Robin," with George Clooney in the title role, a low point for the character. Bad reviews and box office put the franchise on ice (as Arnold Schwarzenegger's Mr. Freeze would say) for eight years.
Some consider 1997's "Batman and Robin," with George Clooney in the title role, a low point for the character. Bad reviews and box office put the franchise on ice (as Arnold Schwarzenegger's Mr. Freeze would say) for eight years.
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Christopher Nolan brought some realism to Gotham City in the 2005 reboot "Batman Begins," starring Christian Bale.
Christopher Nolan brought some realism to Gotham City in the 2005 reboot "Batman Begins," starring Christian Bale.
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The sequel, "The Dark Knight," won over audiences and critics in 2008, grossing over $500 million in the U.S. and leading to a best supporting actor Oscar for the late Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker.
The sequel, "The Dark Knight," won over audiences and critics in 2008, grossing over $500 million in the U.S. and leading to a best supporting actor Oscar for the late Heath Ledger's portrayal of the Joker.
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2009's immersive video game "Arkham Asylum" won several awards and led to a series of follow-ups.
2009's immersive video game "Arkham Asylum" won several awards and led to a series of follow-ups.
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Along with the rest of DC Comics, "Batman" and "Detective Comics" relaunched and renumbered with No. 1 issues in 2011.
Along with the rest of DC Comics, "Batman" and "Detective Comics" relaunched and renumbered with No. 1 issues in 2011.
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Nolan's "Dark Knight" trilogy ended with "The Dark Knight Rises" in 2012, for the first time bringing an end to Batman's story.
Nolan's "Dark Knight" trilogy ended with "The Dark Knight Rises" in 2012, for the first time bringing an end to Batman's story.
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Fox did the "Batman Begins" prequel idea one better with the TV show "Gotham," which begins the night young Bruce Wayne's parents were killed and focuses on Detective Gordon, who faces widespread crime and corruption.
Fox did the "Batman Begins" prequel idea one better with the TV show "Gotham," which begins the night young Bruce Wayne's parents were killed and focuses on Detective Gordon, who faces widespread crime and corruption.
Fox
Ben Affleck will play the newest screen Batman in 2016's "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice."
Ben Affleck will play the newest screen Batman in 2016's "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice."
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