The First Batman Comics – A Different Batman
The first Batman comics were written in a pulp style representative of the times. In these early stories, Batman was not above using firearms, or even harming or killing criminals with little to no remorse. Being a detective more so than a superhero, Batman was more akin to a private eye than a capes and tights crimefighter, despite his appearance. Things toned down a little when Robin joined the Caped Crusader, but were still kept in that pulp tone.
Bill Finger, the co-creator and famed writer of Batman in those early days, wrote the famous origin of Bruce Wayne in Detective Comics #33 in 1939. This issue depicted a young Wayne witnessing the death of his parents in that ever familiar scene. This led to the dark tone and nature of the Batman character. He later suggested that Batman needed a Watson to his Holmes, which is where Robin, the Boy Wonder came into play, much to the chagrin of the other co-creator Bob Kane. Sales doubled, and so kid sidekicks began popping up everywhere.
When Batman branched off into his own titular series (though he still appeared in Detective Comics as he does to this day) he was shown killing two giants with a gun in the first issue. Editor Whitney Ellsworth put a stop to this aspect of the original Batman character for good by decreeing he could no longer kill or use a gun. The first Batman comics featured a cold, calculating detective, but future stories would show his heart and mind more profoundly because of this decision.
That first issue of Batman also introduced The Joker and Catwoman, two of the most, if not the most prolific villains in Batman’s rogues gallery. Now with his new edict of less violence, and with a stable of baddies to call his own, Batman was tearing up the charts. Along with Superman, Batman was and is a cornerstone of DC Comics (then called National Publications), and at that time they were the #1 company in the industry.
A few years later, post-WWII, Batman had lost his edge and had become more colorful and paternal than in the first Batman comics. Then Batman, and all comics, were brought under attack with psychologist Fredric Wertham’s book “Seduction of the Innocent” in which he blames comics for the moral decay of the youth. As far as Batman was concerned, he suggested that Batman and Robin were portrayed as lovers as opposed to a father and son/teacher and mentor relationship, which led to the Comics Code Authority. This resulted in even cheerier Batman stories that were a complete departure from the original character.
In 1964, sales on the Batman comics were drastically down, and, according to Kane, DC was considering killing the character off. Instead, editor Julius Schwartz took over the line and instituted changes that would temporarily stave off death. Unfortunately, with the popularity of the television show, Schwartz was asked to make the comic more campy like the show. The show had brought in a bunch of new readers and sales were high. But when the show ended not long after the sales dropped once again.
In 1986, Frank Miller revitalized and redefined the Batman character, telling a story of a 50 year old Batman coming out of retirement in “The Dark Knight Returns”. This would inspire darker toned stories in the regular continuity like the popular “The Killing Joke. Finally, Batman was returned to the former glory of the first Batman comics, and that classic, yet modernized version of the character still thrives today.
About the Author
Follow the exploits of rockers DEMON TWEAK and the racing clan HARD DRIVING HEROES, as they battle the evil trickster Loki at http://www.classic-comic-books.com . Also read articles on your favorite classic comic book heroes written by our resident historian VIRGIL THE STORYTELLER.
Batman Saves Catwoman
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Batman Retro Tin Sign $9.13 12.5″ x 16″ metal sign featuring the Caped Crusader: Batman! Sign is made of sturdy tin and features a detailed and distressed image of Batman on the front…. |
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ADAM WEST BRUCE WAYNE, BURT WARD ROBIN DICK GRAYSON, LEE MERIWETHER THE CATWOMAN CESAR ROMERO THE JOKER, BURGESS MEREDITH THE PENGUIN FRANK GORSHIN THE RIDDLER BATMAN 8X10 PHOTO $5.99 At Moviestore we have an incredible library of celebrity photography covering movies, TV, music, sport and celebrity. Our exclusive photographs are professionally produced by our in-house team; we perfect bright vibrant colors or wonderful black and white tones for our photographic prints that you can display in your home or office with pride. All our images are produced from genuine original nega… |
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Catwoman Movie (Pose in Black, Door) Poster Print – 25×70 $7.14 Catwoman Movie (Pose in Black, Door) Poster Print – 25×70… |
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Batman: The Animated Series: Secrets of the Caped Crusader $5.25 Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 09/01/2009… |
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Catwoman / Batman Returns The 2-faces of Catwoman in one 2-pack. In Catwoman, Patience Philips, a mild-mannered artist, is given a second chance at life. With her newfound power, Patience becomes Catwoman, and sets out to stop her former employer’s callous plan to unleash an appallingly dangerous product into the world. In Batman Returns, Batman returns to do battle against the mysterious Cat Woman and the diabolical Pengu… |
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Host Of Heros Collection (Boxset) Batman Begins / CatWoman / Robin hood – Prince Of Thieves / Constantine Avengers $10.49 Host Of Heros Collection (Boxset)Includes fives Title: 1)Batman Begins |
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Batman Catwoman vs. Batgirl Statue $199.99 Batman Catwoman vs. Batgirl Statue |
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Batman/Tarzan: Claws Of The Catwoman $5.84 Buy and sell [Batman/Tarzan: Claws Of The Catwoman] at great prices. |
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Catwoman $3.98 Learn how to crack a whip with feline ferocity! Uncover the secrets of the all-leather wardrobe! Study the sizzling one-liners that keep Batman aching for more! Chock-full of insightful feline fatale tips, this illustrated tell-all delivers the searing details of Catwoman’s kitschy career. Sleek and sexy, the greatest cat burglar of all time sank her claws into the Caped Crusader back in 1940 and hasn’ t let go since. Part homage, part how-to, this handsome treatise divulges Catwoman’s stellar techniques at everything from scaling walls to tickling a gentleman’s fancy without mercy. With a brief history of her many incarnations over the years, loads of terrific vintage illustrations, sections on fashion and romance, and personal tips on getting ahead, this spunky vinyl-covered volume (oooh! purple PVC!) will attract both new fans of the slinky girl kitty and time-tested aficionados. It’s the purr-fect ode to The Feline Felon, The Mistress of Malevolence, The Princess of Plunder . . . a.k.a. Catwoman. |
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Catwoman Halloween Mask – Batman $19.95 From Tim Burton’s sequel to the hit original film adaptation of the worldwide comic sensation, Michelle Pfeiffer gave life to Catwoman in Batman Returns. With this officially licensed Batman item, the Catwoman Halloween Mask will help you do the same! This vinyl mask has the same staples and style of Batman’s sometimes nemesis, sometimes flame in the 1992 hit Batman sequel! This one size fits all mask will be the perfect throwback to an older era of Batman! Grab the Catwoman Halloween Mask today! |
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Women’s Catwoman Costume – Batman Deluxe Catwoman $48.95 Mamma meow! This bad babe has nine lives and wants to spend a few of them haunting Batman! Our Batman Deluxe Catwoman costume is beyond your wildest expectations! This Women???s Catwoman Costume comes with a black vinyl headpiece with attached cat ears! This Women???s Catwoman Costume also includes a black vinyl top, black glovelettes with attached rhinestone claws, and even black vinyl pants with scratch details! So, when you want to prowl around town wreaking havoc, order this Batman Deluxe Catwoman Costume today! |
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Batman Catwoman Whip Purple Juniors Tee Shirt $14.99 Officially licensed Batman Catwoman Whip Purple Juniors Tee Shirt. Features Catwoman wielding her whip. 100% cotton. |
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Catwoman Costume For Kids – Batman $29.95 This costume is the cat???s meow! If you???re looking for a great Halloween costume, it won???t kill you to be a little curious about this Batman Catwoman Costume For Kids. Our Batman Catwoman Costume For Kids comes with a black and flesh-tone jumpsuit with attached black glovelettes. This also includes a black headpiece with attached cat ears! This is puuuuurrrrrfect for a feisty feline! So if you???re looking for an amazing look for just one of your nine lives, order this costume today! |
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Adult Catwoman Costume – Authentic Batman Catwoman Costumes $39.91 This whip lashing feline has a taste for high stakes theft! Officially licensed, Adult Catwoman Costume includes headpiece, the Catwoman costume jumpsuit, belt and boot-tops. Available in women’s size standard only. Need a couple’s costume? Team up with your partner dressed at Batman! Catwoman is one of Batman’s most enduring love interests and is considered by Wizard Magazine to be #51 of the ’100 greatest villains of all time’! 100% Polyester. Machine wash, cool water. Line dry, no bleach. |
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Catwoman Hat $20 Catwoman Hat This 100% cotton twill Catwoman Hat is an officially licensed DC Comics Batman adjustable hat with a Velcro closure. The Catwoman image is applied to the front of this 6 panel baseball Catwoman hat. **NOTE** This particular Flash hat’s bill is roughed up a little to give it an intentional worn and well used hat feel. |
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Batman Catwoman Navy T-Shirt $18 Batman Catwoman Navy T-Shirt This is an officially licensed Batman t-shirt in which these Batman shirts have been screen printed with the Batman image on front. These Batman tshirts are usually made from heavyweight preshrunk 6oz. cotton tee shirt blanks. Check back often for some of our new Batman clothing and other Batman Merchandise at great prices only at – www.StylinOnline.com. |
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Batman Catwoman Victory T-Shirt $18 Batman Catwoman Victory T-Shirt This is an officially licensed Batman t-shirt in which these Batman shirts have been screen printed with the Batman image on front. These Batman tshirts are usually made from heavyweight preshrunk 6oz. cotton tee shirt blanks. Check back often for some of our new Batman clothing and other Batman Merchandise at great prices only at – www.StylinOnline.com. |
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Batman Catwoman Gem T-Shirt $18 Batman Catwoman Gem T-Shirt This is an officially licensed Batman t-shirt in which these Batman shirts have been screen printed with the Batman image on front. These Batman tshirts are usually made from heavyweight preshrunk 6oz. cotton tee shirt blanks. Check back often for some of our new Batman clothing and other Batman Merchandise at great prices only at – www.StylinOnline.com. |
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Batman Catwoman Kitty Baby Tee $18 Batman Catwoman Kitty Baby Tee This is an officially licensed Batman Baby Tee in which these Batman shirts have been screen printed with the Batman image on front of this cotton junior fitted babydoll tee shirt. These Batman Baby Tee Shirts are usually made from a softer 5oz. stretchy cotton. These Batman Baby Tees are designed to be fitted babydoll style shirts for someone who likes to wear form fitted style of a shirt. Check back often for some of our new Batman clothing and other Batman Merchandise at great prices only at – www.StylinOnline.com. |
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Batman Catwoman Rooftop Baby Tee $18 Batman Catwoman Rooftop Baby Tee This is an officially licensed Batman Baby Tee in which this girls shirt has been screen printed with a Batman design on the front of this cotton junior fitted babydoll tee shirt. These Batman Baby Tee shirts are usually made from a softer 5oz. stretchy cotton baby doll tee shirts. These Batman Baby Tees are designed to be fitted babydoll style shirts for someone who likes to wear form fitted style of a shirt. Check back often for some of our new Batman clothing and other Batman Merchandise at great prices only at – www.StylinOnline.com. |