Ross 1 Triscilla Ross Ms.
Bell English IV Period 6 3 September 2013 Batman is The Man Batman fell onto the path of a superhero after the tragic death of his parents. Comic books in general began many years ago and the popularity has allowed them to continue to todays day and age. Batmans artistic creator Bob Kane has received credit in the eyes of many as the sole creator. Batman comics are action filled with the ending always in batmans favor. The reasons behind batmans superhero creation as well as his lack of real super powers make his comics an excellent read. History of Comic Books Comic books are considered to be one of the five only art forms native to America. The name comic book however is somewhat misleading in the fact that not all comic books are humorous. They generally include pictures with dialogue captions that serve to tell and illustrate individual themes which make a story. Today the earliest known comic book was called The Adventures of Obadiah Oldbuck. (Coville, Jaime) This shows the first original comic book known was by Rudolphe Topffer created in 1827 but not published until later in the 1800s. Many comics began as comic strips and expanded into lengthy volumes or collections of issues in chronological order over a time period. The first really big comics being batman and superman still are popular today. Throughout the years comics have served Different purposes for the different ages in which they are categorized.
Ross 2 Comic books in American culture are said to be relaxing while serving a commercial purpose. Comics although not seeming complex in style show how the different age groups relate to cultural and political issues. During the Golden Age of comics (1930-1950) it became a very recognized form of entertainment and when the war came around it showed patriotism and used Superheros to stress the importance of public warfare. The Silver Age (1956-1971) struggled because the use of other forms of entertainment being television however they came full circle with the use of Superheros that display the struggle between good and evil relating to societys issues. The Bronze Age (1971-1980) of comics displayed a shift from real issues to an emphasis on form and style when this didnt work they decided to help their pockets and their characters were seen on television. Then began the Iron Age (1980-1987) which focused on form making it the content of the comic, they displayed many characters struggling with sanity, questioning their identity and eventually being killed off. In present day and age you can no longer buy a comic for a dime seeming as though they were so cheap now however prices have risen. In the modern day and age from (1987 to present) comics although not that popular as before have finally discovered their true form or style and were able to even make it by adding on new characters without completely destroying the old characters. Comics may have struggled throughout the years but the fact that they made it is something to be recognized. History of Batman Batman is the superhero without super powers. He is the prime example that being a superhero doesnt require super powers just time and hard work. Batman with the motivation and determination was able to become one of the most feared superheros. Millionaire Bruce Wayne was just a kid when he watched his parents get gunned down during a mugging in Gotham city. The Crime would define his life, as he dedicated himself to becoming the worlds greatest
Ross 3 weapons against crime-the Batman.(Batman) This quote shows that Bruce Wayne did not decided this path easily he witnessed the brutal mugging and death of his parents in the lonely alleyway and knew that he would fight crime to avenge his parents death. In order to become the well known Superhero he is today he stocked up with all this high tech equipment that would aide him in what seemed like a helpless fight against crime. However the equipment was only the first step in his journey of hard work. He studied like a detective would such as criminology, criminal psychology, and forensics and he mastered them. To protect himself he studied martial arts, and other fighting forms. For the young Bruce Wayne this was not only a physical challenge but a mental challenge as well. Batman however did not walk the path completely alone. Batman was supported by those who took care of him after his parents passing. At fourteen he was cared for by Alfred Pennyworth the butler and Doctor Thompkins both of which were instrumental in Bruce becoming a crusader against crime. Bruce Wayne not only became the Batman but he also inherited his family fortune becoming a billionaire and taking over his fathers company Wayne Enterprises. The whole idea of Billionaire by day and Crusader by night wasnt exactly perfect. In the Beginning Batman was just Bruce Wayne the vigilante but that didnt work so well and he was lucky to make it through the day. In order to really make this Crusader idea work he had to come up with a better idea. That day in his study this idea came crashing through the window of his late fathers study a bat which made him realize that in order to make this work he had to make people fear him and the child at heart believed this was a sign it had worked on him before so why not now. This led to the Batman known today fighting crimes and protecting the people of Gotham Cities on television screens, in comic books and the hearts of his believers. Batman really has made it full circle from some crazy vigilante with a hope and a dream to one of the most popular superheros created.
Ross 4 Biographical Information on the Artist Bob Kane the artist of Batman is also seen as the sole creator. Bob Kane was born on October 24, 1975 in New York. (Bob Kane (1916- ) This quote describes the artists birth place and also some insight on the era he grew up in. His birth name was Robert Kahn but when he turned eighteen he got his name changed to Bob Kane. Bobs obsession with comics began at a relatively early age doodling everywhere he had the chance even on top of other comics for practice. His father being a printer in the New York Daily News encouraged his son and even showed off his work. In his teens he began making and selling his own cartoons and even competed in a comic strip contest which he won. After high school he won a scholarship and was able to study art for nine years but that wasnt the end. Bob Kane studied at several different art schools until finally starting his road to success. Everyone has to start of somewhere and for Bob Kane that was a staff artist job for Fiction House. After publishing and making many comic strips and books he finally set his eyes on bigger and better. In only a years time of trying to get in to DC Comics he was working there and his career had a great start. With money clouding his sight and dreams burning through his pocket he was bound to make it to the big leagues. After only seven months he created Batman the ultimate super hero as well as super human for his lack of actual powers other than willpower. Batman began as the dream of eighteen year old Bob Kane influenced by Zorro, Leonardo Da Vinci, and the movie The Bat. However Bob Kane was not the sole creator of Batman as many believe. He received help from colleague and friend Bob Finger and some others but he is the one who receives full credit. After selling Batman to DC Comics while keeping copyright of the character he was wealthier than most creators. However batman wasnt
Ross 5 the end all to be all Bob Kane went on to make many other comic strips, cartoons and the like. He even helped in the creation of television shows and movies related to comics. Summary of the Comic Book Penguins Big Score issue one of the Batman Adventures comic features three acts the first Charm School Dropout, second Top of the World Ma!, and the third Power of the Press. (Puckett, Kelly) the comic shows the classic theme of good versus evil involving Batman, the evil Penguin and his minions and the big mastermind the Joker. The comic begins with one of the penguins new minions watching batman fight crime television. The villains are enjoying dinner playing activities when of course someone feels the need to display their ego to the world. After villain chow they are left a present or proposition from another villain. After a series of bank robberies and millions of dollars stolen batman knew something was going on. He said A rash of bank thefts. Millions in cash stolen. Now suddenly Penguin the most charitable man in Gotham City.(Puckett, Kelly) This quote shows that Batman knew that penguin could not change overnight from being a super villain to being a community man donating and sharing his wealth. Batman is smarter than most and when he finally gained the evidence against Penguin he went to put a stop to it. At the annual charity banquet Penguin was awarded for a generous donation wrongfully which was taken back when Bruce Wayne donated more money at the last minute to ensure that only people who deserve recognition receive it. Penguin was fired up that Bruce Wayne stole his thunder so he went to get revenge that benefited his ego and his pocket. However his plan went south as he easily broke into Bruce Waynes unguarded mansion. It was so easy because Batman was one step ahead knowing that penguin would retaliate he created a trap. He got them where he wanted them turned the lights off and as they split up attacked. Penguin on the other hand was allowed to enter the safe where he unknowingly confessed to
Ross 6 Gotham City why he committed the crimes all of which was part of Batmans plan. Joker however the mastermind of the whole thing and he too was pleased with the ending. Personal Review of Comic Penguins big score the Batman adventures comic book had so much suspense it kept the readers hanging on the edge of their seats. The ending was very stereotypical in the fact that batman had the upper hand against the Penguin and showed everyone his true colors. However the comic was an interesting read in how they set it up starting off with a plan but only giving the vague details about it. This caused the reader to know something was going to happen but just not what was going to happen almost making them read on. Batman truly is the best super hero in that he doesnt have any super powers but he is content and always goes with his gut feeling. It just proves that if you really desire to do something you will find a way to get it done by working around the conflicts. Batman is able to use an accumulation of his learned skills and abilities to lead a double life and really be an amazing Super Hero. Dont assume all the stereotypes are true because they may pull a fast one on you. As you begin the comic you may think that the Joker made this proposal in the hopes of the Penguin and his minions to come out with the upper hand but that was not the case. The Joker who was the initial mastermind behind the whole scheme is everything but predictable. On the last page of the comic the Joker states Foiled by batman. (Puckett, Kelly) The joker said this in a manner that seems everything but upset. He was overjoyed at the fact that Batman was able to expose the Penguin. No one could have ever expected that it was the Jokers plan to make sure that Penguin ultimately failed and was exposed. This was very shocking but added a good twist the average reader goes on assuming that the joker would be upset his plan didnt carry on as planned but that was not the case. The joker was able to receive the items he wanted and used the penguin to
Ross 7 get and then he ultimately is the best villain because he exposed Penguin while he was working for him. This comic ended in such a way the reader cant help but wonder whats next.
Ross 8 Works Cited Page "A History of the Comic Book." Random History. 18 Mar. 2008. 28 Aug. 2013. <http://www.randomhistory.com/1-50/033comic.html>. "Batman." Dc Comics . 1 Sep. 2013. <http://www.dccomics.com/characters/batman>. "Batman Biography, History." Superhero Stuff. 1 Sep. 2013. <http://www.superherostuff.com/biographies/batman_biography.html>. "Bob Kane (1916- )." Ro Gallery. 1 Sep. 2013. <http://rogallery.com/Kane_Bob/KaneBob- Bio.html>. Coville, Jamie. "Platinum Age." The History of Comic Books. 15 Aug. 1996. 28 Aug. 2013. <http://www.thecomicbooks.com/old/Platinum.html>. "He Gave Hope Even In The Darkest Knight ." Bob Kane. 1 Sep. 2013. <http://www.bobkane.com/>. Puckett, Kelly (w), Kane, Bob (a) Burchett, Rick (i) Taylor, Rick (c) Harkins, Tim (l). Penguins Big Score. Batman Adventures 1 (1992-1995). Print.
