I have become a very big fan of the Dark Knight. I offer this page to share my enthusiasm about Batman with everyone else. I cannot guarantee how correct this information is, but if you find something that isn't right, please email me.
I am considering including reviews of the monthly titles on an ongoing basis. If you would like to help me with this project, please write me and we'll talk.
Please take the time to visit The Dark Knight's File of Gothamites. This is a guestbook, so please leave your comments. I'd like to find out who visits my page, and what you think of it.
Batman is a mortal superhero, with no mutant abilities or god-like powers. He's a hero who happens to be the greatest detective in the world, and survives only because he ensures that he keeps himself in top form.
Batman was created by two bullets - two bullets that killed his parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne, when Bruce was only seven. Bruce Wayne decided that no one should ever have to undergo the loss of those they love to crime. As he grew up, he spent his time learning criminology. After finishing school, he travelled the world, visting the best universities and auditing courses related to crime-fighting.
He also travelled the world to learn the various martial arts from the masters. After this, he began fighting crime in the city of Gotham.
Batman never uses a gun (except for in Year Two), and never kills. He feels that all life is precious, and thus he preserves lives, and brings criminals to justice. In order to do this, he has to instill fear in his opponents. This is why he uses the identity of a bat - people are afraid of bats. Batman does not appear during the day, but only at night. His combination of the various martial arts allows him to defeat his enemies without killing them. Occassionally, Batman gets hurt, and then his butler, Alfred, patches him up.
There are a few people who have played the role of Batman. Of course, Bruce Wayne is the most obvious one. Bruce developed the character of the Batman. During the Knightfall, KnightQuest, and KnightsEnd series, Jean Paul Valley played the part of Batman. He is often referred to as "AzBat," to differentiate him from the Bruce Wayne Batman. Dick Grayson, Robin #1, also filled in for Bruce during the period called Prodigal.Read below to find out more about these series. For those die-hards out there, other people have played the role of Batman as well. Thomas Wayne, Bruce's father, dressed as a Bat-man fora Hallowe'en party, and stopped some sort of robbery, being given the name "Batman." Alfred has also filled in as a temporary Batman at times of need.
Batman keeps a Robin to help maintain his humanity - to balance out his dark side, to maintain his humanity and sanity. Dick Grayson was the first Robin. Dick's parents were killed during a circus act, so Bruce Wayne took him into his home as his ward. At some point, Bruce revealed that he was the Batman, so Batman brought Dick into the crime-fighting role of Robin. Dick eventually left Batman; Dick was nearly killed during one adventure and Batman decided that he could not risk Dick's life any more. Dick left Batman and joined the Teen Titans. Robin became leader of the Teen Titans and became Nightwing of the New Titans.
Jason Todd was the second Robin. The origins of Jason are unclear due to DC changing the history of Jason. One version has Jason's parents being killed in the same situation as Dick's, another story has him as a street urchin who Batman took in. Regardless, Batman had Jason fill in the role vacated by Dick. Jason, while chasing a woman he felt was his mother, was killed by the Joker. The decision to kill Jason off was made by a phone-in poll conducted by DC. Batman has a memorial to Jason in the Batcave, with his Robin costume and a plaque that reads, "Jason Todd - a Good Soldier."
Tim Drake is the third Robin. Tim discovered that Bruce Wayne was Batman, so Batman felt he had no choice but to bring him in as Robin. Tim is the current Robin. Tim trained Jean Paul Valley in his role as Batman. Tim's parents were kidnapped by terrorists; his mother was killed and his father was left a near-vegetable. Tim is highly skilled in using a computer, and often does a lot of research for Batman on the computer.
Again, for those die-hards, Bruce Wayne was actually the first Robin. As he was training himself to become a crime-fighter, Bruce developed the persona of Robin. Also, The Dark Knight Returns, an Elseworlds graphic novel, tells of a fifth Robin in the future, Carrie Kelly.
Bruce Wayne is a very rich man, who resides in Wayne Manor, on the outskirts of Gotham City. Wayne is the owner of Wayne Enterprises, a very large and successful company. Bruce's parents were killed by a mugger when Bruce was very young (about five or six), and the money that his parents' had was placed in trust, eventually becoming worth a lot. Bruce decided that no one should have to lose their loved ones to crime, and became Batman. During the day, however, Bruce effectively fools people into thinking that he is a rich, stupid fop.
Jean Paul Valley, son of Ludovic Valley, was a computer science graduate student at Gotham University. One night his father appeared at his door, dressed in a strange costume, dying of gunshot wounds. He begged Jean Paul to strip him and leave him in an alley, and to open "that box I gave you." Jean Paul travelled to Europe, and there he found out that he had been trained since he was young to assume the role of Azrael, the Avenging Angel. Jean Paul, as Azrael, saved the life of Bruce Wayne, so Wayne gave Valley a job with Wayne Enterprises. Jean Paul began training with Robin to override the assasination "Program" and to turn himself into a protege of Batman. After Bane broke Batman, Jean Paul took over as Batman. He has since lost that role, and is back to being Azrael. Check out the Azrael Home Page.
Alfred Pennyworth is the butler at Wayne Manor. Alfred knows the identity of Batman, as well as those of the Robins. Alfred has just returned to the employ of Bruce Wayne, thanks in part to the efforts of Nightwing (read Nightwing: Alfred's Return). In Batman, Alfred returned in issue #521. If it weren't for Alfred, Bruce/Batman and Tim/Robin would be very messed up. And Bruce had just convinced Tim to learn how to fold laundry when Alfred showed up...
The current mayor of Gotham City, Mayor Krol is a real sleaze. Krol hated the Batman, until he saved his sorry ass after the Joker and Scarecrow took control of him (during Knightfall). Krol then supported Batman's actions, and urged Jim Gordon to both utilize Batman, and to change the G.C.P.D. to accept Batman's methods. Eventually, Gordon was demoted from the position of Commissioner by Krol, to be replaced by Jim's wife, Sarah (Essen) Gordon.
Krol is involved in a three-way mayorial race, against Marion Grange and Jim Gordon. I'm not sure when the election is, but it's pretty soon.
Oracle is Barbara Gordon, Jim Gordon's daughter. While Barbara was Batgirl at one point, the Joker shattered her spine when he shot her a few years ago. Barbara is now forced to move around in a wheelchair, and has decided to use her abilities at information-gathering to assist Gotham's crime-fighters. Oracle knows the identity of Batman.
Lucius Fox is the man who runs WayneCorp. Because Bruce plays a fop and utter airhead, and because he's too busy being Batman, he needs someone to run his businesses for him. Lucius does this, and even though he knows that Bruce isn't the idiot he pretends to be, he does not know that Bruce is Batman.
Bullock is a doughnut-eating cop who is always on the scene of the newest crimes in Gotham. Harv was just recently released from the hospital. Harv is usually seen in the company of his partner, Detective Renee Montoya.
Montoya is an excellent officer, who believes very much in the Batman's actions. I think she realizes that the police have no chance to stop crime like Batman does. Montoya's convictions were badly shaken when AzBats took over.
Jim Gordon first met Batman when he was a lieutenant on the Gotham City Police. Gordon, a former Chicago cop, provided information to the Batman, allowing Batman to capture criminals. Gordon eventually became the Police Commisioner, and stayed at that post until very recently. After Knightfall, Gordon no longer trusted the Batman, due to the changes that occurred as Jean Paul Valley took over as Batman. Gordon would no longer "use" Batman, and Mayor Krol wanted him to, in order to ensure his re-election. Krol replaced Jim Gordon with Sarah Gordon, who is Jim's second wife. They are estranged, and Jim didn't like this change, as Sarah, who formerly did not like Batman, agreed to use him for the Mayor. So now Jim has resigned as a police officer, Sarah is the commisioner, Jim is running for Mayor, and Bruce Wayne wants to support Marion Grange in her bid for mayor (as long as she puts Jim Gordon back in the Commisioner's Office). What a twisted plot!
I'm trying to improve on this section, so please give it time. If you have information on these villains, please email me and give me the information, and I'll try to include it. Please try to include where the information is from. Information from Elseworlds titles can't be used, as it is only a possible scenario.
The Joker is Batman's arch-nemesis. While Joker's origin is open to interpretations, it is possible he was a down-and-out comedian who joined a gang as Red Hood. Red Hood fell into a vat of acid during a robbery that Batman broke up, and has really gone around the bend. He is completely psychotic, making his crime spiels very difficult for Batman to predict. The Joker is currently at-large, having escaped the police on his way to the hospital (after the beating of his life that AzBats put into him).
Current Status:
Harvey Dent was the District Attorney of Gotham City. After Boss Maroni threw acid in his face during a trial, the alternate ego of Harvey came to the surface. Two-face relies on a coin with a scarred head to make all decisions. Every victim, every decision is based on the flip of that coin.
Current Status:
Jonathan Crane was a professor of Psychology at Gotham University, specializing in the psychology of fear. Bullied upon as he grew up due to his bookishness and his gangly figure, he became Scarecrow to get even with his bullies at school. After his dismissal from Gotham U. he killed those people responsible for his dismissal.
Current Status:
Arnold Etchison was a very, very sick puppy, who felt that he needed to feed upon the souls, and blood, of his relatives. He killed 26 of his family members before being allowed to die by AzBats.
Current Status:
Otis Flannegan, the Ratcatcher, was Gotham's City's ratcatcher, until he was sentenced to twenty years for adbuction, aggravated assault, second degree murder, and destruction of public property. He escaped during his parole meeting, only to be recaptured during an attempt to flood Gotham's sewers and subway.
Current Status:
Bane, of course, was the man who broke Batman. Bane began a very successful attempt to control all crime in Gotham City, by requiring a "tribute" - some 50% of all the take. Bane was captured by Jean Paul Valley shortly after he became Batman. After spending some time in Blackgate, Bane escaped (with some help from KGBeast) and is now trying to prevent the flow of Venom into Gotham. While he met up with Batman, he did not want to fight him.
Current Status:
Edward Nigma, the Riddler, is a man who delights in the setting up of a crime, and in forewarning the police (and Batman) of his upcoming capers. These warnings are always sent in the form of a riddle.
Current Status:
Jervis Tetch is the Mad Hatter, and likes to use mind control devices to accumulate "troops."
Current Status:
Zsasz is a serial killer that puts a cut in his skin for every person that he kills.
Current Status:
This is some whacko that, like Scarecrow, uses fear to get to his victims.
Current Status:
Garfield Lyns (sp?) is a pyromaniac who lights fires for the sake of loving fire; but he also is working for Black Mask's gang as their torch man.
Current Status:
Pamela Isley is a botanist who was turned into something else by Woodrue's experiments. Her body manufactures toxins to which she is immune, however, a kiss from her is certain death.
Current Status:
Waylon Jones is a man with some strange genetic disorder, one that is slowly turning him into a crocodile. He used to be a professional crocodile wrestler, and uses his imense strength to crush people. Croc recently escaped from New Arkham.
Current Status:
Batman titles are produced by DC, a division of Warner Brothers. For a table of the newest Batman comics, what the newest number of each title is, and who the Batman must face in them, check out my Current Titles page. don't worry, there aren't spoilers in there - no plot lines are given away!
There are several comics in which Batman appears as the primary protagonist:
Batman usually is reserved for Batman, Alfred, and Robin. It also is part of the Batman continuity, like Detective Comics. After Prodigal, Batman decided to return to his roots. He has returned to be a darker, more intimidating kind of guy, and changed his costume to reflect that change. Gone are the grey and blues, and in is a suit of total black. Because of this, Kelly Jones, the current Batman penciller, is drawing Batman to look much more sinister and darker. I have decided that the new appearance of Batman is very appropriate, as Jones really does a mean Batman. Unfortunately, Jones can't draw a face that doesn't look frumpy, and I find that that can really take away from a scene. But his images of Batman in the shadows almost scares the bejeebers out of me.
This was the first comic in which Batman appeared, nearly sixty years ago. This often includes Robin and the supporting cast (like the various members of the Gotham City Police Department. Detective Comics is part of the Batman continuity, so it includes parts of the ongoing saga of Jim Gordon's life, his demotion, resignation, and current running for mayor of Gotham City. Hopefully, the election will be held soon. I hope that whatever happens, Jim Gordon gets reinstated as Commishioner, and Krol gets booted out as mayor.
Also part of the Batman continuity, SOTB often focuses on the characters other than Batman. For example, recent issues have told stories about the Joker, Solomon Grundy, and Anarky. This title has a harder psychological edge than the other Batman titles, and is often much darker.
Elseworlds is not the name of a title, but a label applied to alternative Batman stories. They are not part of the continuity, and are often based upon what-if? themes. For example, Brotherhood of the Bat focused on a future where Batman has died and Ras Al Ghul uses the Batcave to launch a band of Batmen to clean Gotham City of crime.
There are several comics in which Batman does appear, but not as the primary protagonist:
I have come to pass judgement on you... Thus does Azrael, the Avenging Angel of the secret Order of Saint Dumas, speak as he prepares to assasinate an enemy of the Order. The title of Azrael is heriditary, passed from father to son. Azrael's job was to assasinate rogue members of the Order of Saint Dumas, an ultra-secret order founded by rogue members of the Knights Templar.
This title is all about Azrael, the avenging angel, who is really Jean Paul Valley. Azrael was introduced in a four part Batman special, Sword of Azrael. Check for info on Azrael comic storylines, check out the Azrael Comic Guide. The Azrael title has focused on Jean Paul's search for the secrets of The System. The System is the method of training that future Azraels undergo to prepare themselves for their role in the Order. This title is truly amazing. I hated him as Batman, but he has a certain appeal when he is filling the role he was destined to.
Catwoman is all about Selina Kyle, who is the villain Catwoman. I have only read several issues of this title, those associated with KnightFall, so I really can't say too much about it. I haven't even particularly enjoyed them, and unless they are part of a Batman crossover, I don't read them. Check out the Catwoman Review.
JLTF issue 5 and 6 was part of KnightQuest: The Search, so I have included them here for this purpose only.
Dick Grayson, as previously mentioned, is Nightwing. Nightwing was a member of the Teen Titans, and now has a title to himself (for a while, anyway). The first was the issue in which Alfred, who Dick considers his best friends, undergoes some adventure and decides to return to Gotham. Right now, a four part series is coming out about Nightwing. This series is all about Dick trying to find out the truth behind his parents' deaths.
Robin is, of course, the balance for Batman between his dark side and his human side. Tim Drake is the current Robin in this title. I have just started reading these and I am starting to really get into them. I like the refreshing look at the crime-fighting life, as seen by a young man rather than a vertern like Batman. Batman often appears in this title, due to his interactions with Robin. Arianna, Tim's girlfriend, also appears here.
The main focus of this title is Robin's attempts to mesh his two sides - an assistant of Gotham City's protector (and a pretty good protector on his own) and a fifteen year old teen trying to get through school and have some semblance to a social life. Sometimes Robin does his duties solo, sometimes he is doing work for Batman. Either way, this title is way too cool.
Batman has faced many opponents throughout his career: Joker, Riddler, Two-Face, Mad Hatter, and Scarecrow are just some of them.
While Batman feels that his greatest foe has been the Joker, his biggest enemy recently was Bane. The Knightfall story was that of Bane releasing the inmates of Arkham Asylum, the home for the criminally insane. Batman wore himself out, physically and mentally, trying to recapture most of those criminals. Bane observed Batman throughout this time, learning as much as he could about him. At one point, Bane saw Bruce Wayne and recognized him as being Batman.
When Batman was at his weakest, Bane fought Batman and defeated him. Bane broke Batman's back in the process, leaving him crippled. Bruce Wayne felt that Batman needed to exist, so Jean Paul Valley, a young man in the employ of Wayne Enterprises (and who used to be Azrael, an "avenging angel" that saved Batman's life), took over the mantle of the Bat.
AzBat (Jean Paul Valley as Batman) is the focus of the period entitled KnightQuest. AzBat was much more violent than Bruce Wayne was as Batman. One of his first jobs as Batman was the defeating of Bane. AzBat grew more and more violent, eventually allowing a criminal, Abatoire, to die. While this was happening, Police Commisioner Jim Gordon grew more distant from AzBat, not liking the change. Detective Bullock, however, liked the new Batman, and helped him instead.
This is the story of Bruce Wayne as he recuperates from his broken back. Tim Drake's father was kidnapped, along with his doctor, Dr. Kinsolving. Bruce Wayne, while no longer Batman, decided to find Tim's father and the doctor, who was also helping Bruce overcome his injury. Bruce follows them to England, and in the process of trying to retrieve them, Alfred resigns as his butler, refusing to assist Bruce in harming himself any further. Bruce everntually rescues Tim's father, and rescues Dr. Kinsolving, somewhat.
This is the story of Bruce Wayne regaining his abilities (Dr. Kinsolving, through her psychic abilities, healed his back). Even though he nearly regained his abilities, he lost the ability to hurt anyone. This was regained by re-visiting Lady Shiva. Bruce then returned to reclaim the mantle of the Bat from Jean Paul Valley, who had really gone over the edge. Jean Paul Valley was no longer Batman, but neither was Bruce Wayne.
Bruce was not ready to be Batman again, and Tim was too young, so Bruce asked Dick Grayson, his "Prodigal Son," to become Batman. Dick was Batman for some time, and finally, several months ago, Bruce became Batman again. This only happened after Bruce re-evaluated his motivations for being Batman. Batman is much darker than ever now.
These storylines occurred from January 1993 until February 1995. Batman is pretty much back to normal now. Alfred has returned to work at Wayne Manor, Dick has struck out on his own again as Nightwing, and Jean Paul Valley has returned to being Azrael again.
I'd like to thank the following people for their contributions that helped form this page:
I've changed to a newer, uglier counter. The site where my counter was has been down lately, so I installed one at my site. It doesn't look as nice, but at least it works! If you know where I can get a better looking one, please drop me a line.
Please write and tell me what you think. I will write back, I promise!
I am considering including reviews of the monthly titles on an ongoing basis. If you would like to help me with this project, please write me and we'll talk.
I am planning a major overhaul of the pages very soon. Only the final product will be publicly available - I keep my testing to myself
I have developed a database of my comic collection for Lotus Approach 3.0. I may make that database's information available, with some sort of search capabilities. My collection is only of Batman (and related) comics from 1992 on, so it is quite limited. Would this be useful to anyone?
I will be adding more pictures to the page. I have recently scanned some stuff in, and I am in the process of editing those scans. If you have suggestions, email me with the title, number, page, and if possible, the panel. I want to get one for each character mentioned in the page, villains, Gothamites, Heroes, etc.
I am always updating this page. This happens at least every couple of days, although sometimes the changes are minor.
The Shadow Of The Bat has fallen upon x people since 20 Sept 95.
Visitors:
People:
The Heroes...
Batman:
Robin:
Their Public Counterparts...
Bruce Wayne:
Tim Drake:
Tim is Robin, a pretty-cool fifteen year-old. Tim's mother was killed rather recently, and his father was a pretty sick guy until very recently. Mrs. McIlvaine is the housekeeper at the Drake home, and Dana is Jack Drake's newest love interest. Tim is always trying to hide his "other self" from Jack and Mrs. McIlvaine, and from his girlfriend, Ariana. Ariana is undergoing a crisis of her own (and Robin's, too), as her family is moving away from Gotham.
Jean Paul Valley:
Other Gothamites...
Alfred:
Harold:
Harold is a little fellow that Batman picked up some time ago, who was a former employee of the Penguin. Harold is a genius when it comes to developing new gizmos for Batman. I believe he also helped design and build the new Batmobile. Harold has a dog named Ace.
Mayor Krol:
Oracle:
Lucius Fox:
Gotham City Police Department...
Sarah (Essen) Gordon:
Sarah is the wife of Jim Gordon. She was recently promoted to the position of Police Commissioner, due to her willingness to use Batman. Sarah and Jim are separated right now.
Sargeant Harvey Bullock:
Detective Renee Montoya:
Jim Worthington Gordon:
The Villains...
The Joker:
Two-Face:
Scarecrow:
Abbatoir:
Ratcatcher:
Bane:
The Riddler:
The Mad Hatter:
Zsasz:
Cornelius Stirk:
Firefly:
Poison Ivy:
Killer Croc:
Batman:
Detective Comics:
Legends of the Dark Knight:
LotDK is a relatively new title that is not a Comics Code Authority-approved comic. This means that it is intended for mature readers, as it may contain very graphic violence or adult themes. LotDK is meant to provide authors/artists with a means to explore alternative views about the Dark Knight. This title is not part of the Batman continuity, except in the case of crossovers like Knightfall et al. These stories are either from early in Batman's career, or in the future. They are not, per se, Elseworlds titles. The artwork can get pretty freaky at times, and sometimes the story is pretty twisted. Recent examples, such as Engines or Jazz, were pretty mind-bending topics.
Shadow of the Bat:
Elseworlds:
Azrael:
Know that men call you Liar!
Know that men call you Betrayer!
Know that men call you Defiler!
Therefore, it is the duty of the Angel Azrael to bring you punishment-
The punishment of death by fiery sword!The Batman Chronicles:
The Batman Chronicles is a very new title devoted to those characters involved with Batman, but not about Batman himself. This gives the supporting cast of characters a chance to develop and have their own adventures. Issue #1 included Huntress and Anarky. Issue #2 is the continuation of SOTB #42, and includes a story about Harold and one about Sarah Gordon.
Catwoman:
Justic League Task Force:
Nightwing:
Robin:
Recent storylines...
Knightfall:
KnightQuest - The Crusade:
KnightQuest - The Search:
KnightsEnd:
Prodigal:
Credits and Thank You's:
Notes & Hopes...
Notes:
Hopes: