Batman

By Cheryl Mullin on Dec 24, 09 09:00 AM

He's already been voted the most popular superhero ever this year, but Batman just didn't have what it takes to be Geekworld's Christmas number one.
Created in response to an appeal by National Publications for more superheros, Batman debuted in 1939 in Action Comics #27.
Bob Kane's original sketches of Bruce Wayne's alter ego were of a man in red tights, wearing a small domino mask with two stiff wings jutting from his back and swinging from a rope.

It was Bill Finger's suggestion to make the mask a cowl, the wings a cape and give him gloves - and so Batman was born.
His first story was The Case of the Chemical Syndicate, which portrayed the character as a ruthless vigilante who had little or no remorse for killing or maiming criminals.
Batman was an instant hit and in 1940 was given his own title, while still starring in Detective Comics.
The character was one of only a handful of comic superheroes to be continuously published throughout the 40s, 50s and early 60s as popularity in the genre waned.
But by 1964 even the Caped Crusader was feeling the pinch and with drastically falling sales it was decided Batman needed a revamp.
Artist Carmine Infantino was brought in to overhaul Batman's costume - including a yellow ellipse behind the bat-insignia. The Batmobile was redesigned and Alfred was killed off, although this was quickly reversed due to a fan lashback.
The launch of the TV series Batman in 1966 had a profound effect on the comic. Sales surged, with over 900,000 copies being sold every month and 'campy' elements from the show began to make their way into the comics.
But it was to be short lived - the show's popularity soon dropped off and it was eventually cancelled in 1968. With the show's demise, sales of the comic took a nosedive and writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Neal Adams were brought in to distance Batman from the campy portrayal of the show.
By the 1970's the Dark Knight had returned to his dark roots, stalking the villains of Gotham administering quick and violent justice.
But even this did little to help the character and by 1986 sales were at an all time low. Step forward Frank Miller and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. Miller's tale of a 50-year-old Batman coming out of retirement in a possible future was a huge success and introduced the character to a fresh generation of comic fans.
Batman has been involved in some of DC's hardest hitting storylines including the 1993 series in which Batman's back was broken by Bane.
Left paralysed, Bruce Wayne asks Azrael to become the Caped Crusader and carry on the good fight in Gotham.
There was also 1988's Batman: A Death in the Family in which Robin was killed by the Joker.