Man-Bat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Man-Bat |
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The Man-Bat from Who's Who in the DC Universe #12,
art by Michael Golden |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Detective Comics #400 (June 1970) |
| Created by | Frank Robbins (writer) Neal Adams (artist) Julius Schwartz (concept) |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Robert Kirkland "Kirk" Langstrom |
| Species | Metahuman |
| Team affiliations |
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| Partnerships | Khalid Nassour |
| Notable aliases | Dr. Kirk Langstrom |
| Abilities | (As Langstrom):
(As the Man-Bat):
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Man-Bat (whose real name is Robert Kirkland "Kirk" Langstrom) is a made-up character from American comic books. He is published by DC Comics. Man-Bat first appeared in Detective Comics #400 in June 1970. He was created as an enemy for the superhero Batman.
Man-Bat is part of Batman's group of villains. At first, he was shown as a bad guy. Later stories, however, sometimes show Man-Bat as a character you can feel sorry for, or even a hero who does good things.
In his first story, Kirk Langstrom was a zoologist. He studied animals, especially bats. He wanted to give humans a bat's amazing sense of hearing, called sonar. He made a special liquid that he thought would do this. When he tested it on himself, he changed into a scary half-bat, half-human creature. He lost his mind and acted only on animal feelings. Batman found a way to change him back. But Kirk Langstrom would often turn into Man-Bat again. Sometimes, he kept enough of his human mind to use his powers for good. Other characters have also become Man-Bat creatures, including Kirk's wife, Francine Langstrom, and his father, Abraham.
Man-Bat has appeared in many different types of media. These include television series and video games. In 2017, the website IGN said Man-Bat was the 16th best Batman villain.
Man-Bat's Comic Book History
The character first appeared in Detective Comics #400 in June 1970. He was created by Frank Robbins and Neal Adams. Their editor, Julius Schwartz, helped with the idea. Man-Bat even had his own comic book series in 1975–1976. However, it was not very popular and stopped after only two issues.
Kirk Langstrom's Story
Dr. Kirk Langstrom is a zoologist who studies bats. He creates a special liquid to give humans a bat's sharp sense of sonar. He tries the liquid on himself. It works, but it has a terrible side effect. It changes him into a scary creature that is half-human and half-bat. This change makes him so upset that he temporarily loses his mind. He goes on a wild rampage. Batman then finds a way to change him back to normal.
Later, Langstrom takes the liquid again, and Man-Bat returns. He also convinces his wife, Francine Langstrom, to drink the serum. She goes through the same change, becoming the She-Bat. Together, they cause trouble in Gotham City. Batman once again helps them return to their human forms.
Sometimes, Langstrom takes the serum but keeps enough of his mind to help others. During one of these times, he worked with the detective Jason Bard. In another story, in Action Comics #600, Jimmy Olsen accidentally puts Superman into a cave. This cave is where the Man-Bat lives. Jimmy does this to protect Superman from kryptonite radiation. The Man-Bat calms down the confused Superman. Then, he calls Hawkman, who helps Superman get over the radiation.
Kirk and Francine have a daughter named Rebecca ("Becky") and a son named Aaron. Because of how the serum affected Aaron's DNA, he is born with a very bad illness. Francine turns him into a young Man-Bat to save his life. This happens in issue #3 of the Man-Bat (vol. 2) comic series by Chuck Dixon.
Man-Bat in Movies
- Kirk Langstrom and the Man-Bat Commandos appear in Son of Batman. Xander Berkeley voices Kirk, and Dee Bradley Baker makes the Man-Bat sounds.
- Kirk Langstrom, as the Man-Bat, is in the Batman Unlimited movies. Phil LaMarr provides his voice.
- He first shows up in Batman Unlimited: Animal Instincts. Langstrom was working on a serum to help people who couldn't hear or see. But he accidentally turned himself into the Man-Bat. The Penguin uses this to his advantage. He gives Langstrom cures in exchange for Man-Bat helping with crimes. Langstrom also creates robot animals for the Penguin's "Animalitia" group. However, Red Robin helps Langstrom's human mind return while he is Man-Bat. This allows him to help defeat the Penguin. He also defends Gotham from a meteor. This burns out the formula, turning him back into Langstrom.
- Langstrom returns in Batman Unlimited: Mechs vs. Mutants. In this movie, he works for Bruce Wayne as a robotics expert.
- The Man-Bat appears in Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom. Dee Bradley Baker again provides his sounds. He tries out for a spot on the Legion of Doom. But Lex Luthor removes him from the tryouts.
- The Man-Bat makes a quick appearance without speaking in The Lego Batman Movie.
See also
In Spanish: Man-Bat para niños
- List of Batman family enemies
Images for kids
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Batman fighting Man-Bat in the textless cover of Man-Bat (vol. 3) #3 (August 2006). Art by Mike Huddleston.
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Francine Langstrom as she appears in Batman and the Outsiders (vol. 2) #9 (September 2008). Art by Julian López.
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The Man-Bat in Batman: The Dark Knight (vol. 2) #28 (April 2014). Art by Ethan Van Sciver.
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The Man-Bat in The Batman.
