Batman (Dark Knight Universe)
Encyclopedia
Batman is a fictional character
, an alternate version
of DC Comics
superhero
of the same name
, created by Bob Kane
and Bill Finger
. This Batman was created by Frank Miller
and first appeared in The Dark Knight Returns #1 (February 1986).
, while on the verge of turning 30. He later said that he, "could stand that [his] little brother was older than Spider-Man
, but that [he himself] was getting older than Batman, that was something that needed to be stopped."
Although All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder is printed under the All Star DC Comics
imprint
, it takes place in its own continuity outside of Grant Morrison
's All Star Superman
canon
. According to Miller, All Star Batman is the same version of his character set in the continuity of The Dark Knight Returns (DKR), Year One (YO) and The Dark Knight Strikes Again (DKSA). However, this has proven difficult as DKR and DKSA are set the late 1980s with an older Batman while All Star Batman has a younger version of the character set in 2008. Out of all of these, Year One is the only one still in current DC continuity.
At the end of issue 52
, it is revealed that the DC Multiverse
of 52 different Earths still exists. The Dark Knight Universe (DKU) is designated Earth-31.
/Post-Crisis Batman, Miller's Batman
begins his journey after his parents are murdered by a two-bit thief
, however in Dark Knight Strikes Again, it is hinted that he never found out who did it. He traveled the world in search of a means to fight crime, which included different Martial Arts and Forensic Skills. After returning to Gotham City
in his early twenties, Bruce takes up the mantle of the Batman. In his first few months, he exposes police corruption
in the Gotham City Police Department
, unsettles the empire of crime lord Carmine Falcone
, and gains an ally in Sergeant James Gordon
. At some unspecified point, shortly after the events of Year One, he stops The Joker from poisoning the water supply.
In the second year of his career, Batman takes on a protégé in young acrobat Dick Grayson
, whose parents are killed by a hitman upon the Joker's orders. Batman accepts Dick into his inner circle, and he debuts as Robin
. It is during this time that he meets the still on-its-tenure Justice League of America (JLA) members Superman and Hal Jordan, to whom he shows nothing more than complete disrespect. During this time, Bruce Wayne shows that he completely enjoys the liberty of being Batman, and constantly refers to himself as The Goddamn Batman. His own inexperience makes him reckless and ruthless towards criminals.
Fifteen years prior to the events of DKR, Batman fires Dick Grayson as Robin and replaces him with Jason Todd. Some time later, Bruce is involved in "the riots," during which he modifies the Batmobile
to its tank-like structure. Batman later becomes a member of the JLA and seems to develops a strong friendship with Hal Jordan
, similar to his friendship with Superman in the Mainstream DC Universe, twelve years before DKR.
Two-Face
gets apprehended by Batman one last time before his retirement. His last crime is the kidnapping of siamese twins, and the JLA is pressured into disbanding by political correctness groups. While most members of the JLA retire, Superman goes to work for the government, and Batman continues to fight crime in Gotham. Batman's best friend in the superhero community, Hal Jordan (AKA Green Lantern) retires to space before Batman begs him to stay.
Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane becomes Arkham Home for the Emotionally Troubled, due to the wave of political correctness. Jason dies under unspecified circumstances; exactly what happened is unexplained, but it is known that the Joker had a hand in his death. Ten years before DKR, Batman retires over the burden of Jason's death. According to Superman, the other superheroes "almost threw a party." The Joker enters a catatonic state for about ten years due to Batman's disappearance.
Seven years before DKR, Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne meet one last time before their final confrontation in DKSA. The meeting seems to end badly, since they do not speak again for ten years.
Over the next two decades, Bruce takes to drinking heavily and engaging in near-suicidal
risk-taking. Despite maintaining his image as a playboy, he invests a considerable amount in the rehabilitation of Harvey Dent, the former Two-Face
. Following an "anniversary" of Batman's last crusade with Jim Gordon, a 60-year old Bruce is almost mugged by a group of street hoods. He defends himself, realizing that he cannot ignore the rising wave of crime.
A new teenage gang called "The Mutants" begins to terrorize the police and citizens of Gotham. Bruce begins suffering night terrors and sleepwalking which ends in his waking in the Batcave. After watching The Mark of Zorro
and reliving the murders of his parents (who had taken him to see the film on the night they were killed), he dons the cape and cowl once more. He manages to save Gotham from Two-Face, the Mutant Gang, and the Joker. Superman is sent by the Government to stop Batman's shockingly vicious style of vigilantism. Batman confronts the Man of Steel with a variety of weapons, including several missiles and a sonic gun. Batman fights Superman to what appears to be his own death, but not before beating Superman. It is later revealed that he was induced to catatonia but revived to lead an underground subversive movement alongside Green Arrow, Carrie Kelly, the New Robin, and the Mutants (although renamed the Sons of Batman or S.O.B.).
After going underground, Bruce Wayne and his young sidekick, Catgirl (Carrie Kelly, Robin
from Batman: The Dark Knight Returns), train an army of "batboys" to save the world from a "police-state" dictatorship
led by Lex Luthor
. In a series of raids on government facilities, Batman's soldiers release from captivity other superheroes including: the Atom (trapped for years in a petri dish
), Flash (forced to run on a treadmill to provide America with free power), and Plastic Man
(now insane and trapped in Arkham Asylum
). Elongated Man
is recruited from his job as a commercial spokesman and Green Arrow
is working with Batman.
Batman receives a communication from Carrie, who is being attacked by the same psychopath who dispatched the Martian Manhunter and other heroes. Batman recognizes the assailant as Dick Grayson, the first Robin, who has been genetically manipulated to possess a powerful healing factor, and is now criminally insane. Batman shows nothing but contempt for his former sidekick and plans his death the moment they face each other. Batman hurls himself and Grayson into a miles-deep crevasse filled with lava and blows up the entire cave, igniting an underground volcano and destroying everything. Robin falls in the lava, but Batman is saved by Superman at the last moment and brought to Carrie in the Batmobile.
It is unclear if Bruce Wayne survives the ordeal.
.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
, an alternate version
Alternate versions of Batman
The following is a list of alternative versions of Batman from all media, including DC Comics multiverse, Elseworlds, television and film.-Canon depictions:* Bruce Wayne is the original Batman...
of DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
of the same name
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
, created by Bob Kane
Bob Kane
Bob Kane was an American comic book artist and writer, credited as the creator of the DC Comics superhero Batman...
and Bill Finger
Bill Finger
William "Bill" Finger was an American comic strip and comic book writer best known as the uncredited co-creator, with Bob Kane, of the DC Comics character Batman, as well as the co-architect of the series' development...
. This Batman was created by Frank Miller
Frank Miller (comics)
Frank Miller is an American comic book artist, writer and film director best known for his dark, film noir-style comic book stories and graphic novels Ronin, Daredevil: Born Again, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Sin City and 300...
and first appeared in The Dark Knight Returns #1 (February 1986).
Publication History
In his introduction to The Dark Knight Returns #1, Frank Miller says that he got the idea for the character while going through a midlife crisisMidlife Crisis
"Midlife Crisis" is a song by the American rock band Faith No More. It was released on May 26, 1992 as the first single from their fourth album, Angel Dust...
, while on the verge of turning 30. He later said that he, "could stand that [his] little brother was older than Spider-Man
Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a fictional Marvel Comics superhero. The character was created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Steve Ditko. He first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15...
, but that [he himself] was getting older than Batman, that was something that needed to be stopped."
Although All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder is printed under the All Star DC Comics
All Star DC Comics
All Star was an imprint of ongoing comic book titles published by DC Comics that ran from 2005 to 2008. DC has published two titles under the All-Star banner, featuring Batman and Superman....
imprint
Imprint
In the publishing industry, an imprint can mean several different things:* As a piece of bibliographic information about a book, it refers to the name and address of the book's publisher and its date of publication as given at the foot or on the verso of its title page.* It can mean a trade name...
, it takes place in its own continuity outside of Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
's All Star Superman
All Star Superman
All-Star Superman is a twelve-issue comic book series featuring Superman that ran from November 2005 to October 2008. The series was written by Grant Morrison, drawn by Frank Quitely, digitally inked by Jamie Grant and published by DC Comics...
canon
Canon (fiction)
In the context of a work of fiction, the term canon denotes the material accepted as "official" in a fictional universe's fan base. It is often contrasted with, or used as the basis for, works of fan fiction, which are not considered canonical...
. According to Miller, All Star Batman is the same version of his character set in the continuity of The Dark Knight Returns (DKR), Year One (YO) and The Dark Knight Strikes Again (DKSA). However, this has proven difficult as DKR and DKSA are set the late 1980s with an older Batman while All Star Batman has a younger version of the character set in 2008. Out of all of these, Year One is the only one still in current DC continuity.
At the end of issue 52
52 (comics)
52 was a weekly American comic book limited series published by DC Comics that debuted on May 10, 2006, one week after the conclusion of the seven-issue Infinite Crisis. The series was written by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, and Mark Waid with layouts by Keith Giffen...
, it is revealed that the DC Multiverse
Multiverse (DC Comics)
The DC Multiverse is a fictional continuity construct that exists in stories published by comic book company DC Comics. The DC Multiverse consists of numerous worlds, most of them outside DC's main continuity, allowing writers the creative freedom to explore alternative versions of characters and...
of 52 different Earths still exists. The Dark Knight Universe (DKU) is designated Earth-31.
Fictional Character Biography
Much like the mainstream New EarthNew Earth
"New Earth" is the first episode of the second series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, first broadcast on 15 April 2006. It is a sequel to the first series episode "The End of the World", and brings back its villain who was thought to be destroyed, Lady Cassandra, as...
/Post-Crisis Batman, Miller's Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
begins his journey after his parents are murdered by a two-bit thief
Joe Chill
Joe Chill is a fictional character in the DC Comics Batman series. He is best known for murdering young Bruce Wayne's parents , thus making him indirectly responsible for Batman's existence....
, however in Dark Knight Strikes Again, it is hinted that he never found out who did it. He traveled the world in search of a means to fight crime, which included different Martial Arts and Forensic Skills. After returning to Gotham City
Gotham City
Gotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
in his early twenties, Bruce takes up the mantle of the Batman. In his first few months, he exposes police corruption
Police corruption
Police corruption is a specific form of police misconduct designed to obtain financial benefits, other personal gain, or career advancement for a police officer or officers in exchange for not pursuing, or selectively pursuing, an investigation or arrest....
in the Gotham City Police Department
Gotham City Police Department
The Gotham City Police Department is a fictional police department servicing Gotham City, as depicted in comic books published by DC Comics, in particular those tied into the Batman books.-History of GCPD:...
, unsettles the empire of crime lord Carmine Falcone
Carmine Falcone
Carmine "The Roman" Falcone is a fictional character in DC Comics' shared universe, the DC Universe, who made his debut in the four part story Batman: Year One written by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli in 1987.- Publication history :...
, and gains an ally in Sergeant James Gordon
James Gordon (comics)
James Worthington Gordon, Sr. is a fictional character, an ally of Batman that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane...
. At some unspecified point, shortly after the events of Year One, he stops The Joker from poisoning the water supply.
In the second year of his career, Batman takes on a protégé in young acrobat Dick Grayson
Dick Grayson
Dick Grayson is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and illustrator Jerry Robinson, he first appeared in Detective Comics #38 in April 1940....
, whose parents are killed by a hitman upon the Joker's orders. Batman accepts Dick into his inner circle, and he debuts as Robin
Robin (comics)
Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
. It is during this time that he meets the still on-its-tenure Justice League of America (JLA) members Superman and Hal Jordan, to whom he shows nothing more than complete disrespect. During this time, Bruce Wayne shows that he completely enjoys the liberty of being Batman, and constantly refers to himself as The Goddamn Batman. His own inexperience makes him reckless and ruthless towards criminals.
Fifteen years prior to the events of DKR, Batman fires Dick Grayson as Robin and replaces him with Jason Todd. Some time later, Bruce is involved in "the riots," during which he modifies the Batmobile
Batmobile
The Batmobile is the automobile of DC Comics superhero Batman. The car has evolved along with the character from comic books to television and films. Kept in the Batcave, which it accesses through a hidden entrance, the Batmobile is a gadget-laden vehicle used by Batman in his crime-fighting...
to its tank-like structure. Batman later becomes a member of the JLA and seems to develops a strong friendship with Hal Jordan
Hal Jordan
Harold "Hal" Jordan is a DC Comics superhero known as Green Lantern, the first human shown to join the Green Lantern Corps and a founding member of the Justice League of America. Jordan is the second DC Comics character to adopt the Green Lantern moniker...
, similar to his friendship with Superman in the Mainstream DC Universe, twelve years before DKR.
Two-Face
Two-Face
Two-Face is a fictional comic book supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. and is an enemy of Batman. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #66 , and was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger....
gets apprehended by Batman one last time before his retirement. His last crime is the kidnapping of siamese twins, and the JLA is pressured into disbanding by political correctness groups. While most members of the JLA retire, Superman goes to work for the government, and Batman continues to fight crime in Gotham. Batman's best friend in the superhero community, Hal Jordan (AKA Green Lantern) retires to space before Batman begs him to stay.
Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane becomes Arkham Home for the Emotionally Troubled, due to the wave of political correctness. Jason dies under unspecified circumstances; exactly what happened is unexplained, but it is known that the Joker had a hand in his death. Ten years before DKR, Batman retires over the burden of Jason's death. According to Superman, the other superheroes "almost threw a party." The Joker enters a catatonic state for about ten years due to Batman's disappearance.
Seven years before DKR, Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne meet one last time before their final confrontation in DKSA. The meeting seems to end badly, since they do not speak again for ten years.
Over the next two decades, Bruce takes to drinking heavily and engaging in near-suicidal
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
risk-taking. Despite maintaining his image as a playboy, he invests a considerable amount in the rehabilitation of Harvey Dent, the former Two-Face
Two-Face
Two-Face is a fictional comic book supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. and is an enemy of Batman. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #66 , and was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger....
. Following an "anniversary" of Batman's last crusade with Jim Gordon, a 60-year old Bruce is almost mugged by a group of street hoods. He defends himself, realizing that he cannot ignore the rising wave of crime.
A new teenage gang called "The Mutants" begins to terrorize the police and citizens of Gotham. Bruce begins suffering night terrors and sleepwalking which ends in his waking in the Batcave. After watching The Mark of Zorro
The Mark of Zorro
The Mark of Zorro may refer to:*The Mark of Zorro , silent film starring Douglas Fairbanks*The Mark of Zorro , starring Tyrone Power*The Mark of Zorro , television movie starring Frank Langella...
and reliving the murders of his parents (who had taken him to see the film on the night they were killed), he dons the cape and cowl once more. He manages to save Gotham from Two-Face, the Mutant Gang, and the Joker. Superman is sent by the Government to stop Batman's shockingly vicious style of vigilantism. Batman confronts the Man of Steel with a variety of weapons, including several missiles and a sonic gun. Batman fights Superman to what appears to be his own death, but not before beating Superman. It is later revealed that he was induced to catatonia but revived to lead an underground subversive movement alongside Green Arrow, Carrie Kelly, the New Robin, and the Mutants (although renamed the Sons of Batman or S.O.B.).
After going underground, Bruce Wayne and his young sidekick, Catgirl (Carrie Kelly, Robin
Robin (comics)
Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
from Batman: The Dark Knight Returns), train an army of "batboys" to save the world from a "police-state" dictatorship
Dictatorship
A dictatorship is defined as an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by an individual, the dictator. It has three possible meanings:...
led by Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor
Lex Luthor is a fictional character, a supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics, and the archenemy of Superman, although given his high status as a supervillain, he has also come into conflict with Batman and other superheroes in the DC Universe. Created by Jerry Siegel and...
. In a series of raids on government facilities, Batman's soldiers release from captivity other superheroes including: the Atom (trapped for years in a petri dish
Petri dish
A Petri dish is a shallow glass or plastic cylindrical lidded dish that biologists use to culture cells or small moss plants. It was named after German bacteriologist Julius Richard Petri, who invented it when working as an assistant to Robert Koch...
), Flash (forced to run on a treadmill to provide America with free power), and Plastic Man
Plastic Man
Plastic Man is a fictional comic-book superhero originally published by Quality Comics and later acquired by DC Comics. Created by writer-artist Jack Cole, he first appeared in Police Comics #1 ....
(now insane and trapped in Arkham Asylum
Arkham Asylum
The Elizabeth Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane, commonly referred to simply as Arkham Asylum, is a fictional psychiatric hospital in the DC Comics Universe, usually appearing in stories featuring Batman...
). Elongated Man
Elongated Man
The Elongated Man is a fictional comic book superhero in the DC universe. He is a reserve member of the Justice League. His first appearance was in The Flash vol. 1, #112...
is recruited from his job as a commercial spokesman and Green Arrow
Green Arrow
Green Arrow is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp, he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in November 1941. His secret identity is Oliver Queen, billionaire and former mayor of fictional Star City...
is working with Batman.
Batman receives a communication from Carrie, who is being attacked by the same psychopath who dispatched the Martian Manhunter and other heroes. Batman recognizes the assailant as Dick Grayson, the first Robin, who has been genetically manipulated to possess a powerful healing factor, and is now criminally insane. Batman shows nothing but contempt for his former sidekick and plans his death the moment they face each other. Batman hurls himself and Grayson into a miles-deep crevasse filled with lava and blows up the entire cave, igniting an underground volcano and destroying everything. Robin falls in the lava, but Batman is saved by Superman at the last moment and brought to Carrie in the Batmobile.
It is unclear if Bruce Wayne survives the ordeal.
In other media
Bruce Wayne/Batman will appear in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies of Batman: Year One and The Dark Knight Returns voiced by Ben McKenzieBenjamin McKenzie
Benjamin McKenzie Schenkkan , better known as Benjamin McKenzie, is an American actor and producer. He is best known for playing Ryan Atwood in the television series The O.C. and for playing Ben Sherman in Southland. He appeared in the films Junebug and 88 Minutes which earned him a Sarasota Film...
.