Batman facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Batman
Art by Mikel Janín
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Detective Comics #27 (cover date May 1939 / release date March 30, 1939)
Created by	Bob Kane Bill Finger
In-story information
Alter ego	Bruce Wayne
Place of origin	Gotham City
Team affiliations	Justice League Batman Family Batmen of All Nations Batman Incorporated Outsiders
Partnerships	Robin (various) Alfred Pennyworth James Gordon Catwoman Batgirl (various) Superman Wonder Woman
Notable aliases	Matches Malone Lefty Knox Dark Knight The World's Greatest Detective Caped Crusader
Abilities	Genius intellect Expert detective Skilled martial artist and hand-to-hand combatant Utilizes high-tech equipment

Batman is a famous fictional character created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger for DC Comics. He is one of DC Comics' most important characters. Batman's secret identity is Bruce Wayne, a very rich businessman.

Batman is one of the most popular superheroes in the world. He first appeared in comic books in 1939. Since then, he has been in many radio shows, movies, TV shows, books, and video games. You can also find many toys and other items related to Batman and his world.

Batman lives in the fictional Gotham. He often works with his trusty sidekick, Robin. Different people have taken on the role of Robin over the years, usually young heroes that Batman helps train. Batman is known as the "Dark Knight" and the "World's Greatest Detective."

Batman's Comic Book Start

Batman was first called "Bat-Man" by his creator, Bob Kane. He made his very first appearance in 1939 in Detective Comics No. 27. Batman was the second superhero created by DC Comics, after Superman.

Batman's origin story is a sad one. When Bruce Wayne was a young child, his parents were tragically killed by a criminal after they left a theatre. This event made Bruce decide that he wanted to stop bad things from happening to others. He promised to dedicate his life to protecting his city, Gotham City.

As he grew up, Bruce Wayne learned many different ways to fight and solve mysteries. As an adult, he created a special costume to scare criminals. He hoped this would help reduce crime in Gotham. He called himself Batman.

Batman's Cool Tools

Batman's car, the Batmobile

Batman uses many amazing tools to help him fight crime. These tools can change a bit depending on the story. Some of his most famous tools include:

• His special car, called the "Batmobile".
• A motorcycle known as the "Bat-Pod".
• A special belt filled with gadgets, called a "utility belt".
• Bat-shaped boomerangs called "Bat-A-Rangs".

His suit also has cool features. He has radio signals in his bat ears to communicate. Sometimes, his suit even has tasers built in to shock his enemies. In some stories, he has unique items like a kryptonite ring or a "Bat-Saber," which is his version of a lightsaber.

Batman's Friends and Allies

Batman often gets help from other good people in Gotham. Batman and his helpers are often called the "Bat Family." Some of these friends also wear costumes and become superheroes when they assist him.

Some of the important people who help Batman are:

• His sidekick, Robin. Many different people have been Robin, including Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, and Damian Wayne.
• His loyal butler, Alfred Pennyworth.
• Police commissioner James Gordon.
• Wayne Enterprises CEO and president Lucius Fox.
• Commissioner Gordon's daughter, Barbara Gordon. Barbara became a superhero named Batgirl and later used the name Oracle.

Commissioner Gordon uses a special Bat-Signal. This light shines a bat symbol into the sky when he needs Batman's help. Batman is also often friends with other famous superheroes like Superman and Wonder Woman. These three are sometimes called the "Trinity." Batman is also part of big superhero teams that fight evil, like the Justice League (or JL) and Justice League Dark (or JLD).

Batman's Enemies

Batman fights many different villains. These villains are often called his "Rogues Gallery." Some of his most famous enemies include:

• The Joker
• The Penguin
• Ra's al Ghul
• The Scarecrow
• Talia al Ghul
• Poison Ivy
• Catwoman
• Mr. Freeze
• Bane
• The Riddler
• Two-Face
• Clayface

Batman on Television

Adam West played Batman in the 1960s TV series

In the 1960s, a live-action TV series called Batman became very popular. In this show, Adam West played Batman, and Burt Ward played Robin.

There have also been many cartoons featuring Batman. Some popular ones include:

• Superfriends
• Batman: The Animated Series
• Batman Beyond
• Justice League

Batman also appears in other shows where he might not be the main character. For example, "Birds of Prey" was a live-action series about Batman's daughter, the Huntress. A newer animated show is Beware the Batman.

Batman in Movies

Batman has starred in many movies over the years, starting in the 1940s. Here are some of the most well-known films:

• 1966 Batman: This movie was based on the 1960s TV series and starred Adam West.
• 1989 Batman: Tim Burton directed this film, with Michael Keaton as Batman.
• 1992 Batman Returns: Also directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton.
• 1995 Batman Forever: Directed by Joel Schumacher, with Val Kilmer as Batman.
• 1997 Batman & Robin: Directed by Schumacher, starring George Clooney.

The The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012) was a very popular series of films:

• 2005 Batman Begins: Directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale.
• 2008 The Dark Knight: Also directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale.
• 2012 The Dark Knight Rises: The final film in Nolan's trilogy, with Christian Bale.

Batman also appeared in the Lego Movies:

• The Lego Movie (2014)
• The Lego Batman Movie (2017)
• The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)

More recently, Batman has been part of the DC Extended Universe films:

• 2016 Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice: Directed by Zack Snyder, with Ben Affleck as Batman.
• 2016 Suicide Squad: Ben Affleck also appeared as Batman.
• 2017 Justice League: Directed by Zack Snyder, with Ben Affleck.
• 2021 Zack Snyder's Justice League: An extended version of the 2017 film, with Ben Affleck.

• 2022 The Batman: Directed by Matt Reeves, starring Robert Pattinson as a younger Batman.

Images for kids

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  First published image of Batman, in Action Comics #12, announcing the character's debut in the forthcoming Detective Comics #27

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  Batman made his debut in Detective Comics #27 (May 1939), cover art by Bob Kane

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  DC Comics concept art of Bruce Wayne by Mikel Janín

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  Batman and Robin, art by Jack Burnley

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  Adam West as Batman in the 1960s TV series.

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  Batman as depicted in the 1990s animated series.

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  Michael Keaton as Batman in the 1989 film.

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  Ben Affleck as Batman in the DC Extended Universe.

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  Left to right: Burt "Robin" Ward; Adam "Batman" West

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  Yvonne "Batgirl" Craig

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  Left to right: Burgess "Penguin" Meredith; Frank "Riddler" Gorshin; Caesar "Joker" Romero

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  Julie "Catwoman" Newmar

See also

In Spanish: Batman para niños