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Comic origins: First appeared in Detective Comics # 27 in 1939.
Unlike the popular Man of Steel, Batman is a mere mortal whose abilities revolve around his exceptional training and limitless financial means as millionaire (or billionaire in modern times) Bruce Wayne. Bob Kane created the character of Batman from a combination of a Leonardo da Vinci design of a flying bat-like device and another popular masked avenger, Zorro. Batman's origin story has been told many times over with details changing depending on the writer or artist. The constant remains that his parents died in front of him in a robbery, leaving him an orphan. Afterwards, Bruce was raised by his butler, Alfred. Driven by a need to avenge his parents' death, young Bruce disappeared from his home of Gotham City in order to train and become a worthy adversary for the crime-ridden city. Although the early comics left the time between Wayne's departure of Gotham and his return as The Dark Knight up to the imagination, more recent origin stories (as well as director Christopher Nolan's take in Batman Begins) show Batman studying fighting techniques under various masters.
Portrayed on screen by: Lewis Wilson (Batman serial, 1943); Robert Lowery (Batman and Robin serial, 1949); Adam West (Batman the Movie, 1966); Michael Keaton (Batman, 1989; Batman Returns, 1992); Val Kilmer (Batman Forever, 1995); George Clooney (Batman and Robin, 1997); Christian Bale (Batman Begins, 2005 and The Dark Knight, 2008) |
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Comic origins: First appeared in Batman # 1 in 1940.
Perhaps the most famous and beloved comic villain of all time (arguably more well-known than even Lex Luthor). Like Batman, The Joker has taken many forms over the years. The basic origin story remains the same (scarred by chemicals that turned his face white) and look (white face, red lips, green hair, purple suit) but aside from that, many artists have taken great liberties with their interpretation of this evil clown. With each telling, the Joker seems to get more and more ruthless, a homicidal maniac whose motives range from typical ransom demands to aspirations of taking over Gotham City. The Joker is a murderer with flare. He has been known to use a deadly gas of his own creation that leaves his victims permanently scarred with a ghastly grin. Ledger's portrayal of the clown prince of evil looks to be the darkest yet, drawing influence from comics such as Alan Moore's "The Killing Joke" and Grant Morrison and Dave McKean's "Arkham Asylum."
Portrayed on screen by: Cesar Romero (Batman the Movie, 1966); Jack Nicholson (Batman, 1989); Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight, 2008) |
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Comic origins: First appeared in Batman # 16 looking considerably different than the English gentleman we know today.
In his first form, Alfred was stout and considerably less dignified, a wannabe detective eager to help Batman solve his crimes. When Batman was turned into a serial in 1943, the actor to portray Alfred, William Austin, sported a pencil-thin mustache, was well-dressed and spoke with an English accent. Soon the comic artists altered Alfred to resemble his on-screen counterpart, a look that remains to this day. Alfred's character has remained the most consistently reliable over the years, with every incarnation of the character remaining fairly similar. Alfred Pennyworth raised Bruce from a young boy after the death of his parents. He is well aware of Bruce's "extracurricular" activities and, although he occasionally disapproves, is always there to lend a helping hand when needed and keep Wayne's nighttime activities as a crime avenger running smoothly.
Portrayed on screen by: William Austin (Batman serial, 1943); Alan Napier (Batman the Movie, 1966); Michael Gough (Batman, 1989; Batman Returns, 1992; Batman Forever, 1995; Batman and Robin, 1997); Michael Caine (Batman Begins, 2005; The Dark Knight, 2008) |
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Comic origins: First appeared in Detective Comics # 27 (1939)
Police Commissioner James Gordon has been at Batman's side since the very beginning. In some incarnations of the character, he is aware of Wayne's alter-ego and in some he is not. During Batman's ups and downs, Gordon has remained a constant proponent of the Caped Crusader's activities, which some have accused of bordering on vigilante tactics. In all Batman stories, Gordon has separate relationships with both Bruce Wayne and Batman.
Portrayed on screen by: Lyle Talbot (Batman and Robin serial, 1949); Neil Hamilton (Batman the Movie, 1966); Pat Hingle (Batman, 1989; Batman Returns, 1992; Batman Forever, 1995; Batman and Robin, 1997); Gary Oldman (Batman Begins, 2005; The Dark Knight, 2008) |
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Comic origins: First appeared in Detective Comics # 66 (1942)
Arguably the second most known Batman villain (his rivals in that category would be The Penguin and The Riddler). One of the most intriguing villain origin stories in all of comics, Harvey Dent started out as District Attorney of Gotham City and fellow enemy of crime alongside Batman. A horrible accident involving acid (there are a few different origin stories for the specifics) left half of his face scarred and half of his mind as well. As Two-Face, the two sides of Dent's personality are constantly at war. He always carries a coin, scarred on one side and clean on the other, which he uses to make his every decision.
Portrayed on screen by: Billy Dee Williams (Batman, 1989); Tommy Lee Jones (Batman Forever, 1995); Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight, 2008) |
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Comic origins: First appeared in Batman # 307 in 1979
One of the more recent Batman characters to make his way into the Nolan films, Fox works for Bruce Wayne's family business, Wayne Enterprises. In both the comics and by the end of Batman Begins, Fox is the CEO of Wayne Enterprises. A talented designer assigned to the creation of prototype gadgetry, weaponry and vehicles, Fox has come to be a sort of armorer for Batman akin to James Bonds' Q character. Although it is never directly stated that Fox is aware of Wayne's alter-ego, the two seem to have an understanding.
Portrayed on screen by: Morgan Freeman (Batman Begins, 2005; The Dark Knight, 2008) |
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Comic origins: new character created for Batman Begins.
As the story goes in Batman Begins, Dawes grew up with Bruce. Her parents worked for the Waynes and the two played together as children. During Bruce's absence, Dawes went to law school and interned in the Gotham City District Attorney's office. When Bruce returned, she had become Assistant District Attorney.
Portrayed on screen by: Katie Holmes (Batman Begins, 2005); Maggie Gyllenhaal (The Dark Knight, 2008) |