Batman (also referred to as the Bat-Man or the Batman, and additionally as the "Caped Crusader" and the "Dark Knight") is a fictional character, a comic book superhero co-created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger (although only Kane receives official credit), appearing in publications by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939.In the original version of the story and the vastmajority of subsequent retellings, Batman's secret identity is Bruce Wayne, a billionaireplayboy, industrialist, andphilanthropist. Having witnessed the murder of his parents as a child, Bruce trainshimself both physically and intellectually and dons a bat-themed costume in order tofight crime. Batman operates in the fictional American Gotham City, assisted byvarious supporting characters including his main sidekick Robin, occasional assistance from former sidekick Batgirl, the police commissioner James Gordon, and his butlerAlfred Pennyworth, and fights an assortment of villains influenced by the characters'roots in film and pulp magazines. Unlike most superheroes, he does not possess anysuperpowers; he makes use of intellect, detective skills, science and technology, wealth, physical prowess, and intimidation in his war on crime. Starting 2009, the roleof Batman has been taken up by Wayne's former ward and the first Robin, Dick Grayson.Batman became a popular character soon after his introduction and gained his own comic
book title, Batman, in 1940. As the decades wore on, differing interpretations of the character emerged. The late 1960s Batman television series utilized a camp aesthetic associated with the character for years after the show ended. Various creators worked toreturn the character to his dark roots, culminating in the 1986 miniseries Batman: TheDark Knight Returns, by writer-artist Frank Miller, while the success of director TimBurton's 1989 film Batman helped to reignite popular interest in the character. A cultural icon, Batman has been licensed and adapted into a variety of media, from radio to television and film, and appears on a variety of merchandise sold all over the world.
