We all know and love Batman. The Caped Crusader is one of the most iconic superheroes in pop culture. The character first appeared in DC Comics’ Detective Comics #27 in 1939 and has since gone on to inspire countless other fictional characters and properties. The Batman brand is one of the most recognizable in the world. However, there is still much we don’t know about the character. Here are ten interesting facts about Batman you probably didn’t know.
1. He Inspired the Creation of Batman.
The inspiration for Batman came from a real-life superhero named Richard “Dick” Gordon. Dick Gordon was a 42-year-old accountant and a devoted bachelor who used to dress up in his mom’s clothes and fight crime as a vigilante. He would go around his hometown of Gotham wearing a mask and costume, which resembled those of Batman’s famous enemies, the Joker and the Penguin. Gordon died in 1957, but his legacy as Batman was assured. In 1989, Frank Miller’s Batman: The Dark Knight Returns brought the character to a whole new audience and made him one of the most popular superheroes in comics.
2. He Wears His Hair Long For Comic Book References.
One of the things that sets Batman apart from other superheroes is his long hair. Even in his days as a secret agent, Robin’s arch enemy, The Joker, would comment that Batman’s hair is his best feature. The character is known to wear his hair long, sometimes even touching the collar of his shirt or falling over his eyebrows. Batman’s long hair has become one of the defining features of his look and is used in many of the illustrations and decorations surrounding his name and identity. As a result, Batman has become the king of the long hair when it comes to fictional characters.
3. He Was Inspired By a Real-Life Musical Legend.
While working as a secret agent in Greece, Batman met the famous tenor, Matti Cordero. Cordero was then touring the country with his band. At the end of the tour, the two musicians shared a passionate kiss on-stage and decided to become a pair of crime-fighting superheroes and named their new partnership, Caped Crusader. It was then that Batman decided to ditch his day job and follow his dream of being a superhero. The Italian tenor became the first to play the role of Batman’s faithful valet, Jim, and the two worked together to fight crime in Gotham City. One of Batman’s most famous lines in the comics is, “You can call me Dick, or Mr. Batman, or, if you’re particularly happy, sir Walter, but you’ll always be my number one man.” The line comes from an entry in Batman’s weekly column, which he writes for the Gotham Times in the comics. In the latest movie, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, we see an older, more seasoned Batman writing his memoirs. During the course of writing his autobiography, he reminisces about his time as a superhero and is seen holding a fountain pen, which he uses to sign his name on some of the checks he cashes in the comics. In real life, Cordero passed away in 2007, but his legacy continues through his songs and Batman.
4. He Owns A Six-Letter Word: ‘Bore’
Many fans will also tell you that Batman is a fairly boring character. He doesn’t have a whole lot of story lines or adventures, which is why you’ll often see him paired with other, more exciting characters in the comics. In 1989’s Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, the character’s backstory is finally revealed and he opens up about his tragic childhood and his struggle to become a responsible adult. Despite this, he continues to be one of the most popular and recognizable superheroes in pop culture. If you ask us, that’s more than enough reason to put him on your Christmas list this year. He’s the man, and he will be here any minute now. So get ready to open your gifts, because here comes Santa Claus.
5. He Was Once Confronted By The Penguin.
Another comic book character who has become somewhat of a symbol of the Batman phenomenon is The Penguin. Like Batman, the character first appeared in Detective Comics. However, it was his first solo adventure, The Penguin, that proved to be his breakout book. The story centers on a wannabe gangster named Penguin who aspires to be like his idol, The Joker. He dresses in a ridiculous pink suit, which makes him look more like a weird combination of Ronald McDonald and a cartoon rabbit than a cold-blooded killer. In one scene, The Penguin is confronted by Batman, who offers to let him join his side and become a superhero. The Penguin declines the offer, noting that he would rather commit suicide than be on the run from the law like a criminal. Ultimately, he turns down Batman’s offer, but the encounter is one of the most memorable moments in the history of the character. Despite his relatively short career, The Penguin remains one of the most recognizable characters in comics today. His popularity even led to a 2014 statue being erected in his likeness in New York City. In 2018, Warner Bros. released an animated series, The Death of Dick Grayson, which focused on The Penguin’s adventures as the character first appeared in literature in 1960 and made his comics debut in 1964.
6. He Is One Of The Most Transformed Characters In Comics.
One of the things that make Batman so iconic is the extent of his physical transformation. The character is known to change his look completely throughout his 60-year career. While some of the changes are subtle, such as the tint of his armor or the design of his cowl, there are a number of occasions where Batman completely overhauls his appearance, oftentimes for the sake of the story itself. The character’s most drastic physical changes have mostly taken place since his World War II era. After surviving an explosion, being shot at, and dealing with Nazi Germany, Batman found himself in a battle with a giant bat monster named, The Batman. In the comics, Batman defeats The Batman after a grueling swordfight, during which the character nearly loses his arm. After this encounter, Batman is no longer the same man he was before. He has a new costume, a new vehicle, and, most importantly, a new outlook on life. Since this is a work of fiction, it’s a bit easier for Batman to completely transform himself than it is for other superheroes, who have to follow strict limitations when it comes to their wardrobe. As a result, the character is one of the most beloved—and most transformed—characters in comics.
7. He Is One Of The Most Influential Characters In Comic Book History.
Although he first appeared in comics in 1939, Batman has gone on to have such a profound impact on the medium that he is considered to be one of the most influential characters in comic book history. The Batman brand was first introduced to moviegoers in a 1943 film serial, then reprised in a 1946 theatrical feature named Batman and in the television series, Adventures of Batman, which aired from 1951 to 1955. All three incarnations of Batman are often credited with bringing superheroes into the mainstream. The influence of the character extends far beyond comics and into other media as well. There have been numerous Batman-related books, films, anime, and video games, which have earned him a spot in pop culture as one of the most well-known superheroes. In 2018, the character was even adapted into a Broadway musical, which had a limited run in New York City earlier this year. The musical is based on the events that transpired in Miller’s Dark Knight Returns and features songs and lyrics by Broadway’s own Stephen King, who also wrote the book for the classic play, Carrie.
8. He Has A Huge Family
Batman is a fairly lonely figure in the comics, at least until he finds the love of his life, in the form of a beautiful young woman named, Barbara Gordon. Together, they have a daughter, Stephanie, who is the first character to bear the newly formed Dynamic Duo’s daughter. Since then, Batman and Gordon have been on countless adventures, which have led to the creation of many other memorable characters. In the latest movie, the Dynamic Duo are seen celebrating the anniversary of their daughter’s birth. The character also has a large extended family, which is explored in the 2018 animated series, The Death of Dick Grayson. Batman has a nephew named, Damian, who is the son of his sister, Vicki. Damian is also the half-brother of Dick Grayson, who was the first Robin and acts as Batman’s sidekick and shadow in the comics.