It’s day 2 of our theme week on Stories You Might Have Missed in 2024. In September 2024, Batman got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This was a big deal, because he was the first superhero to receive the honor.
Batman was created in 1939 by Bob Kane and Bill Finger after DC Comics requested more superhero titles to capitalize on the success of Superman. Finger came up with the bame Bruce Wayne for Batman’s alter ego. His first name came from Robert the Bruce, a Scottish patriot, and his last name from Founding Father Mad Anthony Wayne. Batman debuted in Detective Comics #27 in 1939. He quickly became popular and soon had a solo title starting in 1940.
Unlike most superheroes, Batman doesn’t have any super powers, instead relying on his intellect, fighting skills, and wealth. Speaking of wealth, Forbes estimates Bruce Wayne’s worth at $9.2 billion, making him the 3rd richest superhero after Tony Stark and T’Challa, the Black Panther. In film, Batman has been played by Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale, Ben Affleck, and most recently Robert Pattinson. But no one has played the character more than voice actor Kevin Conroy. He played Batman in 8 TV series, 13 animated movies, and 10 video games!
Today, the Batman franchise is one of the highest grossing media franchises of all time. Batman is on of the most iconic characters in pop culture and has been listed among the greatest comic book superheroes and characters ever created. Learn more in the audio below!