I couldn’t let today pass without giving a shout out to one of my favorite comic book heroes.
It’s hard to believe because he doesn’t look it but Batman is 75 years old this year and today is the day America and the world are celebrating.
Promotional art for Batman #608
Batman has become one of the most pervasive images in pop culture fighting the battle of good versus evil. He has undergone many changes and transformations over the last 75 years, with a seemingly constant redesign and tweaking of his costume. Batman was created at National Publications, the future DC comics, in 1939 following the success of Superman at Action Comics, with the first Batman story being published in May of 1939.
Batman debut in 1939, cover art by Bob Kane
The Dark Knight was seen only in comic books for many years, then occasionally on the silver screen but then made it to the TV screen in 1966. Hands up of all you grown up kids who couldn’t wait to tune into the same bat channel at the same bat time to watch the Batman series starring Adam West and Burt Ward.
Batman 1966
Image courtesy of 13thdimension.com
Adam West unmasked 1966
Image courtesy of herocomplex.latimes.com
Batman and Robin 1966
Image courtesy of The Guardian
Robin, The Boy Wonder 1966
Image courtesy of Primaryignition.com
Burt Ward unmasked, 1966
Image courtesy of imdb
In celebration of the Caped Crusader’s anniversary the Batman 60’s TV series
is being released in a limited edition blu-ray
Image courtesy of Amazon
Batman’s first trip to big screen happened in 1943 as part of a 15 part serial. In 1989 Michael Keaton brought Batman to life with Tim Burton directing.
Since then we’ve seen Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale and up next is Ben Affleck (but NO Matt Damon as Robin)
Michael Keaton in and out of costume 1989
Image courtesy of geekshizzle
Of course what would Batman be without the evil villains. The likes of the Joker, Catwoman, the Penguin, the Riddler and the list goes on and on.
There’s always trouble makers lurking in the shadows of Gotham City.
Caesar Romero as The Joker
Image courtesy of donchild.devianart.com
Jack Nicholson as The Joker, 1989
Image courtesy of NY Daily News
Juli Newmar, Lee Meriweather and Eartha Kitt all portraying the Purrrrfectly divine Catwoman
Image courtesy of NY Daily News
Burgess Meredith as The Penguin
Image courtesy of batman.wikia
Danny DeVito as Oswald Cobblepot, aka The Penguin
Image courtesy of batman.wikia
Frank Gorshin as The Riddler
Image courtesy of Comicvine
Image courtesy of DC comics
So, Happy Birthday Batman!!! Here’s to the next 75 years
Image courtesy of taylormarsh.com
