Batman

Batman is a male comic superhero who features in DC Universe.

Biography

Pre-Crisis, Earth-2

Originally Bruce Wayne, son of wealthy doctor Thomas and Martha Wayne. After seeing his father shot by criminal Joe Chill- causing his mother to die of a heart attack at the sight- young Bruce vowed to fight a war against crime. Raised by his uncle Phillip, Bruce trained himself in body and mind through adulthood- becoming an Olympic-level athlete, an escape artist, a master of martial arts and disguise, and a supreme detective. Claiming his inheritance, Bruce moved back to Wayne Manor, and took on Alfred Beagle as his butler. One night, a bat crashed through his window- seeing it as an omen, Bruce decided to become like a bat, a creature to strike fear in criminals. Bruce Wayne became Batman.

Using his fortune, Wayne created a vast crime-fighting arsenal, including the devices and weapons on his utility belt, the Batmobile, the Batplane and his base, the Batcave. (Early on, he also had twin guns, but later abandoned their use.) As Bruce Wayne, Batman cultivated a playboy image. During his career as a crimefighter in Gotham City, Batman made many enemies, including the Joker, the Catwoman and Two-Face, but also found allies in Commissioner Gordon (who deputized him) and his ward Robin. In addition to his distinguished heroic career in Gotham, Batman was a founding member of the Justice Society of America.

However, Batman eventually decided to semi-retire in the late 1950s, settling down with a reformed Selina Kyle. Instead, he fought crime as Commissioner Gordon's successor in the Gotham City Police Department. Unfortunately, although Bruce and Selina had a daughter, Helena Wayne, Selina died after being forced back into crime by an old fellow-criminal. Wracked with irrational guilt, Bruce Wayne completely retired his Batman identity.

A short time later, Batman was forced to go into action one final time when a super-powered criminal attacked Gotham. Despite the aid of the Justice Society, Batman had to sacrifice his life to save his city. Thus ended the career of one of Earth's greatest heroes.

Pre-Crisis, Earth-1

Largely similar to the Earth-2 version. Both of Bruce Wayne's parents were killed by Joe Chill, who was acting under the command of crime boss Lew Moxon- revenge for Thomas Wayne's incriminating testimony against Moxon. Bruce attempted at one point to fight crime as a lawyer, but rejected that route because it would limit him too much. Bruce's Batman identity was also subconsciously influenced by a bat costume his father once wore, in addition to the window-crashing bat. His butler was Alfred Pennyworth. Bruce Wayne played the role of a socialite for a time, but later settled down to run Wayne Enterprises and the Wayne Foundation. Later still, he left both roles to focus more on his crime-fighting.

Batman's foes also included Ra's al Ghul, the Scarecrow and Poison Ivy, while his allies included Batgirl. His ward eventually abandoned the Robin identity to become Nightwing, so he took on another ward, Jason Todd, who became the new Robin. Batman worked with the Justice League of America, but later resigned to found a team of his own called the Outsiders.

Batman first came in contact with members of the Earth-Two Batman Family when Helena Wayne, the daughter of his Earth-Two counterpart came into Earth-One, seeking his advice after she started her crime-fighting career as Huntress. Batman was graceful enough to introduce Helena to Kathy Kane and Barbara Gordon, allowing the heroines to give Huntress a word of advice. For his help, Helena started calling Batman 'Uncle Bruce' to show affection. (Batman Family v1 #17) However, Batman was not so well received by the adult version of his junior partner who felt that the Earth-One Wayne was another pretender to the role that the Earth-Two Wayne had originated. The Earth-Two Grayson's feeling was in part from his own feelings of failing as Batman II and that no one could really measure up to the Earth-Two Batman, especially not a Batman who was even younger than him. The Earth-Two Grayson and Earth-One Wayne would resolve their differences later on and team up on many occasions, though Grayson would never again adopt the role of Batman II. (The Brave and the Bold v1 #182)

In a last attempt to get his romantic life in order, Bruce Wayne ended his relationship with Vicki Vale and Batman told Catwoman that there was no future for them. (Batman v1 #389) While tracking down the Night-Slayer, who returned to Gotham and started killing members of the False Face Society, Batman encountered Nocturna and they surrendered to their mutual love. (Detective Comics v1 #556) However, Batman turned away from Nocturna due to her own dark and dangerous nature, even thought it was precisely that which he loved in her. Conflicted, Batman sought answers until he came to the conclusion that he truly loved Nocturna. Going back to convince her to reform, Batman was forced to fight Catwoman, who wanted to capture Nocturna to clear her name. In the struggle, Catwoman was struck by lightning and almost died. It was then that Batman realized that he also loved Catwoman, until she reformed and he didn't love her anymore. This realization brought a painful epiphany to Batman, who finally understood that he was attracted to dark and dangerous women, because he knew he could never love them. (Batman v1 #390)

On Batman's last mission, he was challenged by almost all of the prominent enemies he made over the years, who were organized by Ra's al Ghul to eliminate Batman. With help from his ever trusting allies, Batman thwarted their plans and conquered over evil, as he always did. (Batman v1 #400)

Post-Crisis

Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Bruce Wayne

When Bruce was 4 years old, he fell down the family well into the caverns beneath Wayne Manor, attracting the attention of several bats. He came to be saved by his father who eventually came to his rescue. (Batman v1 #0)

After his parents were shot by a criminal in Gotham City's "Crime Alley" when he was a child, young Bruce Wayne vowed to avenge them. Training himself for years with the best in every field he would need for his crusade, he returned to Gotham, the perfect weapon to fight a war on crime. After his first night as an anonymous vigilante ended in miserable failure, a brooding Bruce returned to Wayne Manor, trying to figure out what was missing. When a bat crashed through his window, he was inspired, realizing that he needed to inspire fear in criminals by becoming something more than a man- he would become the Batman.

Bruce Wayne returned to Gotham City after many years of study and training with his body and mind developed to perfection. Despite having all of the skills and methods to fight crime, he still felt that there was something missing in the completion of his physical and mental arsenal. Wayne discovered the answer late one night while sitting in his manor. He recalled his fear of bats as a child after a large one crashed through one of the windows; he ultimately decided to make his appearance resemble a bat's. Wayne designed himself a costume equipped with experimental technology and set out against the crime and corruption that thrived in Gotham City. (Batman v1 #404) Wayne's tactics to oppose crime as a vigilante at night proved successful leading him to become an urban legend in Gotham City. He revealed himself at a dinner of the most influential and corrupt figures in Gotham City and promised them all that their reigns on the city would eventually end. Wayne's first ally was Assistant District Attorney Harvey Dent. (Batman v1 #405)

For years, Batman fought a variety of both mundane and bizarre costumed villains, including the Joker, Two-Face, Catwoman, the Penguin and more. He found an ally in Commissioner Gordon, although the general populace thought of him as an urban legend. He also took on young Dick Grayson as a partner, Robin, who eventually broke off on his own and became Nightwing. He also gained an occasional ally in Batgirl. Dick was succeeded by young street punk Jason Todd.

Both Batgirl and Robin's careers were cut short by the Joker, who paralyzed Batgirl and killed Todd. Batman became determined not to take on another partner, but Tim Drake's own determination eventually led Batman to take him on as the new Robin. Later, Batman was driven to the point of exhaustion stopping the villains Bane released from Arkham Asylum, and broke Batman's back. Bruce passed on the mantle of Batman to Azrael while he recuperated with the help of Lady Shiva. Upon his return, he discovered that Azrael had become a much more violent Batman, and led his allies to take him down. After Nightwing took over the role for a brief stint, Bruce returned to being Batman.

Although he was never a full member of the original Justice League of America, Batman did help found the new version of the team created after the incidents with the Know Man and the Hyperclan. Not long after, Gotham was hit with crisis after crisis, from a plague called the Clench to an earthquake that left it abandoned by the U.S. government. Batman persevered with the help of his allies, including Robin, Oracle and the Huntress. His efforts to create emergency countermeasures to defeat the League were eventually stolen by Ra's al Ghul, leading to a loss of trust which got him kicked out of the League. He rejoined to heal the breakdown of the team after he left, revealing his secret identity to the other members as a gesture of good faith.

After accidentally sparking a gang war, the fact of Batman's existence was revealed to the public. Still, he continues to battle crime in Gotham City.

Post-Flashpoint

Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Bruce Wayne

When he was 3 years old, Bruce's mother Martha was expecting a second child to be named Thomas Wayne, Jr. However, because of her intent to find a school for the underprivileged in Gotham, she was targeted by the manipulative Court of Owls, who arranged for her to have a car accident. She and Bruce survived, but the accident forced Martha into premature labor, and the baby was lost. (Batman v2 #10)

Shortly after their deaths, Bruce became obsessed with using toy guns and killing the man who murdered his parents. Because of this, Alfred sent Bruce to an Arkham boys' rehabilitation home upstate where he first met Harvey Dent. The boys became good friends but wouldn't realize their identities until years later. (All-Star Batman v1 #3)

In his youth, Bruce attended Gotham Academy. It was there that he dated Julie Madison, but his psychological issues with his parents' deaths ultimately led to the end of their relationship. One day, he was asked by a professor to answer a problem involving a projectile being fired at a target. This triggered Bruce to answer the question by burning the answer on the professor's front yard. (Batman v2 #31)

Fueled by the loss of his parents, Bruce began a global sojourn. He began in Paris, briefly training with the world's best fencer; he would best said swordsperson after two weeks of training. Sometime later, Bruce encountered the Grey Shadow, a French cat burglar of high renown. Though he initially intended to turn the Shadow in, after some conversation and consideration (and no small amount of teasing), he became her protege. In the process of his training, the pair would rob the CEO of Sunrise Oil, Hubert Glonet, unaware that Hubert was the notorious serial killer known to the French public as 'The Foundling'. Bruce developed feelings for the Shadow, culminating in a kiss; however, the Shadow, who shared his attraction, rejected him as too young. Moments later, the pair would be interrupted by notorious manhunter Henri Ducard, who was hired by Alfred Pennyworth to track Bruce down. (Batman: The Knight v1 #2)

At 19, he was in Rio de Janeiro where he met a highly skilled getaway driver named Miguel where he learnt stunt-driving. (Batman v2 #21) When he was 21 years old, Bruce sought out a famed inventor and tinkerer named Sergei Alexandrov to learn his craft. (Batman v2 #22) Among the people he sought out to train him was the famed detective Cassander Wycliffe Baker though the man refused having been beaten by another foe and had been mentally broken in the process. (Batman v3 #94)

Overview

Personality and attributes

For an emergency, Bruce came to craft a psychological backup identity in case he was ever mentally compromised. This led to the creation of a secondary personality known as the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh that was a secret self to save him from danger. The persona was said to be more carefree and somewhat more unhinged than Batman himself. According to the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh, he was what happened when Bruce Wayne was taken out of the equation. (Batman v1 #679)

Powers and abilities

Bruce was said to had been trained by six different specialists in key skills. (Batman and Robin v2 #6)

Among his mentors included:

• Gray Shadow :
• Henri Ducard :
• Master Kirigi :
• Avery Oblonsky :
• Swiss Mark :
• John Zatara :
• Daniel Captio :
• Thaddeus Brown :
• Miguel :
• Sergei Alexandrov :

He was listed as a Class-12 fighter in the files of the Fortress of Solitude in terms of martial artist and close-quarter-combat skills. (Justice League of America v2 #8)

Ra's al Ghul was noted to had taught Bruce that memory was like a museum and how to sift through it to find important information that was retained by his mind. (Detective Comics v1 #985)

If his mind was ever compromised, a secret self and psychologically implanted backup identity was triggered that was known as the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh. (Batman v1 #679) The persona allowed Batman to operate when Bruce Wayne was no longer mentally active. However, this was said to be only a short-term fix to help get Batman out of trouble in the event of an attack on his mind and was not meant to operate in the long run. In addition, the persona manifested a hallucinatory figure seeming to be Bat-Mite who was the last fading echo of Bruce Wayne's voice of reason. (Batman v1 #680)

He kept a log of strange events that did not fit with the normal understanding of the world with these being recorded in the Black Casebook. (Batman v1 #665) He later established a new file known as the White Casebook that contained his writings on his various allies in Gotham City. (Bruce Wayne: The Road Home: Batman and Robin v1 #1)

Batman maintained secret files and protocols that contained contingency measures to deal with other heroes and how to best neutralise them. (JLA v1 #45)

Notes

• Batman was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger where he made his first appearance in Detective Comics v1 #27 (March, 1939).
• In Batman v1 #256 (1974), it was shown that Bruce Wayne in different circumstances would have adopted a different superhero identity had he not seen the bat. Among the identities he was shown to take included the Scorpion, the Stingray, the Owl, the Shooting Star and the Iron Knight.
• In Bruce Wayne: The Road Home v1 (2010), he briefly operated under the guise of the Insider who was equipped with a masked suit with a number of superhuman abilities such as heat vision, camouflage, brief super-speed and a teleporter.

Alternate Versions

• In Kingdom Come v1 #1 (1996), an alternate future version of Bruce Wayne appeared in Kingdom Come set on Earth-22 in the Multiverse. In this alternate future, Batman made Gotham City safe by patrolling it with an army of robot Bat-Knights. He refused to join Superman's Justice League of the World, and instead formed his own group of largely non-powered heroes. Ostensibly, his goal was to oppose Superman, but his true goal was to blow the lid off Lex Luthor's schemes against the League and the world. However, he was unable to prevent a brainwashed Captain Marvel from releasing the criminals within the Gulag. After an appeal from Superman, he sent in his group to try to help quell the war between the new and old generations of heroes. He was one of the few survivors after the fearful United Nations used a nuclear weapon on the superbeings, and he became godfather to Superman and Wonder Woman's son. He also travelled back in time with them to save newborn Jonathan from Gog.
• In Justice League of America v2 #25 (2008), an alternate version of the character was shown who went by the name of Paladin instead with this one created in a world made by Anansi. The trickster god weaved a world where a young Bruce Wayne on the night his parents were killed had picked up the gun and shot their murderer. He became a ruthless vigilante who used a gun to kill criminals in Gotham City who was wanted by the law and never joined the Justice League.

Appearances

The Batman of Earth-2.

The Batman of Earth-1.

• Detective Comics v1: (1939)
• Batman v1:
• Justice League of America v1:
• Justice League v1:
• JLA v1:
• Batman and Robin v1:
• Batman v2:
• Justice League v2:
• Batman and Robin v2:
• Batman: The Knight v1:

Links

Internal Links

• Batman (Generations)
• Batman (Serials)
• Batman (1966 TV)
• Batman (Super Friends)
• Batman (Films)
• Batman (DC Animated)
• Batman (Birds of Prey)
• Batman (The Batman)
• Batman (Batman Begins)
• Batman (Elseworlds)
• Batman (Tangent)
• Batman (Stan Lee)
• Batman (1,000,000)
• Dark Claw
• Knight Watchman
• Nighthawk
• Owlman
• Professor Night
• Raven

External Links

• DC Database Entry
• Comicvine Entry
• Wikipedia Entry