Who is the Golden Age Batman?
The Origin...
The Golden Age Batman was introduced to the world in Detective Comics 27 in May, 1939. He is unique from most other super heroes of the time in that he has no super powers but instead relies upon superior training and intellect (along with some great toys!). He is known as the world's greatest detective. He resides in Gotham City and is the alter-ego of millionaire playboy Bruce Wayne. Wayne took up the mantle of the Batman after devoting his life to fighting crime upon witnessing the murder of his parents. Realizing that criminals are cowardly and superstitious, he decided to fashion his crime-fighting costume after a dark creature of the night, a bat, in order to instill fear into all criminals he encountered. The first told origin of the Batman was in Detective Comics 33, November, 1939. The first detailed origin of the Batman was told in Batman 47 in June/July, 1948. The origin has been modified slightly over the years, however, the basic facts have remained the same. The character was given his own magazine in the Spring of 1940 with the publication of Batman 1. During the 1940's, 50's and early 60's, Batman appeared regularly in Detective Comics, Batman, and World's Finest Comics.
The Most Toys...
One of the hallmarks of the Batman is the unique crime fighting gadgets he has created. Perhaps best known are the following: The Utility Belt, the Batcave, the Batmobile, the Batplane, the Batarang, The Batrope, The Batgyro, the Batcycle, the Batboat, the Bat Signal, and many others.
Other Characters...
Starting with Detective Comics 38 in April, 1940, Batman was joined by his crime fighting partner, Robin the Boy Wonder (Dick Grayson). Batman and Robin were later joined by their faithful butler, Alfred (his last name was Beagle and later changed to Pennyworth), in Batman 16 in April/May, 1943. The team of Batman, Robin and Alfred became the nucleus of the Batman stories during the 1940's, 50's and early 60's. Police Commissioner James Gordon was also a constant character in the adventures of Batman and Robin, however, he did not know that Batman and Bruce Wayne were one in the same. He first appeared in Detective Comics 27. Other regular or semi-regular characters included Vickie Vale, Batwoman (Kathy Kane), Bat-Girl(Betty Kane - golden age), Bat-Mite, Bat-Hound (Ace), and Professor Carter Nichols.
Look! Up in the Sky...
In Superman 76, May/June, 1952, Batman and Superman (Clark Kent) teamed-up for the first time and learned each others civilian identities. Starting with World's Finest Comics 71 in July/August, 1954, Batman, Robin and Superman became occasional partners and teamed-up in each issue to fight crime. The origin of the Superman-Batman team is told in World's Finest Comics 94 and in Adventure Comics 275, August, 1960.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly...
Batman has had his share of arch villains, the most notorious being the Joker, Penguin, Two-Face, and Catwoman. Although Catwoman was a nemesis of Batman, she was also at times a love interest and crime fighter.
A New Look...
Although the Golden Age officially ended in 1945, the Golden Age Batman remained a stable character for DC Comics until May, 1964 when the modern or "new look" Batman was introduced in Detective Comics 327. The "new look" Batman first appeared in the Batman title in issue 164 and in World's Finest Comics in issue 141. The main distinguishing characteristic of the modern Batman was the bat-symbol on his uniform contained within a yellow oval. The Golden Age Batman had only a single black bat on his uniform with no yellow oval. The Golden Age Batman Site is devoted to the Batman before introduction of the "new look" Batman in 1964. Although this time line touches the Golden Age, Post Golden Age, Pre-Silver Age and Silver Age of comics, the Batman appearing on this time line is the Golden Age Batman, remaining relatively unchanged until Detective Comics 327.
What are the Comic Book "Ages"?
Throughout this site the term "Golden Age" is used to describe the Batman character to which this site is devoted. What are the various "ages" commonly referenced by comic book collectors? Following is a summary of the comic book ages:
The Platinum Age: 1897 - 1932
The Golden Age: 1933 - 1945 (Partially Included in the Golden Age Batman Site)
The Atomic Age: 1946 - 1956 (Included in the Golden Age Batman Site)
The Silver Age: September, 1956 - 1969 (Partially Included in the Golden Age Batman Site)
The Bronze Age: 1970 - 1979
The Modern Age: 1980 - Present
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This site was created by William F. Jourdain. The contents of this site are copyrighted ©, 1996-2000, William F. Jourdain except for those characters and symbols which are the copyrighted works and trademarks of DC Comics, Inc. No part of this page or any other part of the Golden Age Batman site may be reproduced or copied without express permission of the author. The author is not responsible for the content of any page or site which may be linked to this site and has had no input into the content of said linked site or sites.