Batman (comic book)

BatmanComicIssue1,1940

Batman is an ongoing comic book series featuring the DC Comics superhero Batman as its main protagonist. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in 1939, and the success of this appearance led to the launch of his own comic book series in 1940. The series has been published continuously since its inception, making it one of the longest-running comic book series in history.

Publication history

The Batman comic book series debuted in the spring of 1940, with the first issue featuring the introduction of The Joker and Catwoman. The series was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, who are credited with the creation of the Batman character.

Throughout its history, the Batman series has seen contributions from many notable writers and artists. Frank Miller's Batman: Year One and The Dark Knight Returns are considered seminal works in the character's history. Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's Batman: The Long Halloween and Batman: Dark Victory are also highly regarded. More recent notable runs include Grant Morrison's tenure, which introduced the concept of Batman Incorporated, and Scott Snyder's The Court of Owls storyline.

Storylines and arcs

The Batman series has featured numerous iconic storylines and arcs, including:

• Batman: Year One – A retelling of Batman's origin story.
• The Killing Joke – A graphic novel exploring the origins of The Joker.
• Knightfall – A storyline where Batman is defeated and replaced by Azrael.
• Hush – A mystery involving a new villain named Hush.
• The Court of Owls – A storyline introducing a secret society that has controlled Gotham City for centuries.

Characters

The Batman series features a wide array of characters, both allies and adversaries, including:

• Alfred Pennyworth – Batman's loyal butler and confidant.
• Robin – Batman's sidekick, with several characters taking on the mantle over the years.
• Commissioner Gordon – The commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department and one of Batman's closest allies.
• The Joker – Batman's arch-nemesis, a psychopathic clown with a penchant for chaos.
• Catwoman – A cat burglar with a complex relationship with Batman.
• Two-Face – Formerly Harvey Dent, a district attorney turned villain.
• The Riddler – A criminal mastermind obsessed with riddles and puzzles.
• Bane – A physically imposing villain known for breaking Batman's back in the Knightfall storyline.

Related pages

• Detective Comics
• Batman: The Animated Series
• The Dark Knight Returns
• Batman: Year One
• The Joker
• Gotham City