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History - Timeline
History

General Overview | Bob Kane | Timeline | Media |

BATMAN: Yesterday, Today, & Beyond

Ever since the Depression-era dawn of one of America's most well-known pop culture icons, Batman has had continual success. Nearly every single year over the past six-plus decades, something significant has occured in the world of Batman, be it a comic book event, a new motion picture or cartoon series, with no signs of slowing down. You name it, it's documented in the never-ending BYTB Timeline.

1939

May

Batman's debut in Detective Comics #27 in "The Case of Bat-Man & the Chemical Syndicate" written and illustrated by Bill finger and Bob Kane. Also the first appearance of Commissioner James Gordon.

September
The prototypes of the Batarang and Batgyro are introduced to Detective #39 by author Gardner Fox and by Kane.

November
Detective Comics #33 reveals Batman's origin.

1940

February

Professor Hugo Strange makes his debut in Detective #36.

May
Batman gets his very own self-titled series. The Joker and Selina Kyle alias Catwoman make their first appearance in Batman #1.

June
In Detective #40 Clayface appears for the first time.

April
Robin the Boy Wonder, make his first appearance in Detective Comics #38. Sales double.

1941

February

The prototype of the Batmobile is introduced to Detective Comics #48.

Spring
World's Best Comics #1 hits shelves. It features the team of Superman, Batman and Robin. The title is later changed to World's Finest.

Autumn
Scarecrow, alias psychology professor Jonathan Crane, has his first appearance in World's Finest #3.

December
First appearance of Oswald Cobblepot, alias The Penguin, in Detective Comics #58.

1942

February

The Bat-symbol appears for the first time in Detective Comics #60.

August
First appearance of Two-Face in Detective Comics #66. In reality it concerns D.A. Harvey Kent, later changed to Harvey Dent.

1943

April-May

First appearance of Alfred Beagle (later changed to Pennyworth), Bruce Waynes Butler, in Batman #16.

July 15th
Batman, a 15 chapter Serial from Columbia, with Lewis Wilson and Douglas Croft as Batman and Robin.

October 25th
Batman & Robin begins in several newspapers at the same time as a cartoon, from Kane and Finger. Released by the McClure Syndicate (appeared until 1946.)

October 29th,
The Bat-Cave appears for the first time in the Batman newspaper cartoon.

1945

September 15th,

Arise Batman and Robin for the first time in the radio ending Superman financed by Mutual (US insurance).

1947

February

Robin gets his own series in Star Spangled Comics #65

1948

June-July

Batman #47 reveals The Origin Of Batman.

October-November
First occurrence of Vicki Vale,

October
The first apperance of The Riddler in Detective Comics #140. The puzzle prince is in reality Edward Nigma, later is changed to Nygma.

1949

May 26th,

Second Columbia Serial releases a low-budget serial film, Adventures Of Batman and Robin. In the main roles, Robert Lowery and John Duncan as Batman & Robin, and Jane Adam as Vicki Vale.

1950

February

The today classical Batmobile replaces the old version in Detective Comics #156.

1952

May-June

The first comic book meeting of Batman & Robin and Superman in Superman #52.

1954

July-August

Batman doubles for Superman in World's Finest #71.

1955

June

The Dynamic Duo's crimefighting pet, Ace the Bat Hound is introduced in Batman #92.

1956

July

Batwoman, Kathy Kane makes her first appearance in Detective Comics #233.

1958

May

Bat-Mite's first appearance in Detective Comics #267. The magic Kobold from another dimension decides to help Batman during the crime prevention and thereby inadvertently creates chaos.

1959

February

The villainous Mr. Zero appears for the first time in Batman #121. His name is later changed to Mr. Freeze.

1960

March

In The Brave and the Bold #28, Batman becomes a member of the Justice League Of America.

1961

April

In Batman #139, Kathy Kane’s niece Betty is introduced as the first Batgirl.

1964

May

Exactly 25 years after Batman was first introduced, a "New Look" is given to the Dark Knight In Detective Comics #327, with the Bat-Symbol and the newly designed Batmobile.

June
Dick Grayson’s Aunt Harriet is introduced after the death of Alfred in Detective Comics #328.

1966

January 12th,

First television appearance of the Dynamic Duo played by Adam West and Burt Ward on ABC's Batman series. Batmania breaks out.

May 22nd
Batman is nominated for Individual Achievements in Sound Editing, Outstanding Comedy Series, and Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Comedy to Frank Gorshin for the episode "Hi Diddle Riddle".

May 29th
The Ledger syndicate releases the new Batman cartoon for the newspaper.

June
Poison Ivy makes her first appreance in Batman #181

Summer
Batman comes to the cinemas. The first complete live action film with Cesar Romero, Burgess Meredith, Frank Gorshin, and Lee Meriwether as The Joker, Penguin, Riddler and Catwoman. On the television series Catwoman was played also by Julie Newmar and Eartha Kitt and The Riddler as John Astin.

December
Alfred comes back to Batman comic books after his appearance in the television series. It is discovered that he never died.

1967

January

The Million Dollar Debut of the second Batgirl in Detective Comics #359, librarian and daughter of Commission Gordon, Barbra Gordon. In the Batman TV series, she is played by Yvonne Craig.

1968

September 12th

The first Batman animated TV series, The Batman Superman Hour starts on CBS.

1969

December

Robin pulls off to study. Batman must now fight crime alone, in "One Bullet too Many!" Batman #217. The definite end of the original team of Batman & Robin.

1970

June

In Dective Comics #400 scientist Kurt Langstorm becomes Batmans opposite – Man-Bat.

1971

May

In Detective Comics #411 a new woman steps into Batman's life, the mysterious Talia.

June
A wealthy eco-terrorist, Ra's Al Ghul makes his first appearance on Batman #232.

1973

September 8th,

Batman becomes part of the Super Friends, an animated show based on DC Comics' Justice League.

1975

September-October

The Batman Family comic series debuts.

1976

November

Super Friends becomes its own comic book series.

1977

February 12th,

West and Ward are reunited as the voices of the dynamic Duo in a new cartoon series, The New Adventures Of Batman.

1979

January

In a two hour special, Adam West, Burt Ward, and Frank Goshen reunite as Batman, Robin and the Riddler as they team up with other heroes such as Green Lantern, Black Canary, The Flash, Hawkman, Captain Marvel, and The Huntress in Legends of the Super-Heroes.

1983

March

Jason Todd, previously introduced in Batman #357, becomes the new Robin in Batman #366.

May
The Joker gets his own shortlived self-titled comic series.

August
Batman quits the JLA and leads a new group of superheroes into combat in Batman and the Outsiders #1.

1984

June

In Tales of the Teen Titans Dick Grayson becomes Nightwing and gives Robin up.

1986

March

Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Returns hits shelves, featuring an aged Batman of the future. It is considered a pioneer of the comic book industry and reinforces the darker, modern Batman.

1987

February

Miller's "Batman: Year One" begins in Batman #404. It tells a revamped origin of Batman for the Modern Age and becomes the standard origin story.

1988

February

The first appearance of the Ventriloquist and his doll Scarface in Detective Comics #583

Summer
The Killing Joke by Graham Nolan hits shelves. The Joker cripples Barbara Gordon, and his Modern Age origin is revealed.

December
The comic series "A Death in the Family" runs from Batman #426-429. Jason Todd, the second Robin, is killed by the Joker due to fans' choice.

1989

May
Batman's 50th anniversary is celebrated through media, merchandise, and an upcoming film.

June 23rd,
Tim Burton's anticipated film Batman premieres in theaters worldwide, starring Micheal Keaton, Jack Nicholson and Kim Basinger. It is the biggest blockbuster of the year, spawning what could be considered as "Batmania II".

November
Batman: Legends Of the Dark Knight #1. A comic series which deals intensively with the start of Batman’s career.

1990

March 26th

Batman wins an Oscar for Best Art Direction - Set Decoration at the 63rd Annual Academy Awards.

December
Tim Drake becomes the third Robin in Batman #487. Drake appeared for the first time in Batman #436, in August 1989.

1992

June

Tim Burton's sequel, Batman Returns hits theaters, taking an even darker approach to Batman. It features Danny Devito and Michelle Pfeiffer as The Penguin & Catwoman.

June
Batman: Shadow of the Bat #1 hits shelves.

August
Spoiler, daughter of the villian Cluemaster, makes her first appearance beside the Dynamic Duo in Detective #647.

September 5th
Creative team Paul Dini & Bruce Timm's Batman: The Animated Series premieres on Fox with the episode "On Leather Wings". It becomes a smash hit, setting new standards for animated television.

September 11th,
The Joker's new sidekick, Harley Quinn is introduced in Batman: The Animated Series, long before she makes her Modern Age comic debut years later.

October
Jean Paul Valley A.K.A. Azrael makes his debut in the 4-part series Batman: Sword of Azrael.

The Batman Adventures #1, a comic adaptation of Batman: The Animated Series.

November 4th
In Batman: The Animated Series, Adam West plays the voice of The Grey Ghost, Bruce Wayne's childhood hero.

1993

January
The villianous Bane makes his first appearance in Vengeance of Bane #1, which reveals his history.

March 29th
Batman Returns is nominated for Best Makeup and Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards.

July
At the peak of Denny O'Neil's "Knightfall" story arc, Bane breaks Batman’s back, opening the door for a temporary substitute, Azrael in Batman #497.

August
Catwoman gets her own self-titled comic series.

September 18th
Batman: The Animated Series creators Alan Burnett, Jean MacCurdy, Eric Radomski, Randy Rogel, Tom Ruegger, Dick Sebast, and Bruce Timm win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Animated Program for the episode "Robin's Reckoning".

December
The animated movie Batman: The Mask of the Phantasm premieres featuring a new villian.

November
Robin's own self-titled comic series starts.

1995

February
Arael, Batman's temporary replacement, get's his own self-titled comic series.

June
Director Joel Shumacher's film Batman Forever premieres. It features a new Batman played by Val Kilmer and Robin by Chris O'Donnel, plus Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey as the villianous Two-Face & The Riddler.

1996

March 25th
Batman Forever is nominated for Best Cinematography, Best Sound, and Best Sound Effects Editing at the Academy Awards.

June
Batman: Black & White #1 is published, a comic series featuring graphic stories by several different writers and artists.

October
Nightwing gets his own self-titled series.

1997

June 20th

Batman & Robin premieres, the second film by Shumacher with yet another Batman played by George Clooney. It also features Alicia Silverstone as Batgirl, plus Arnold Schwarzenegger and Uma Thurman as Mr. Freeze & Poison Ivy. The film sets a new low for success and ends the current Batman movie series.

Summer
Batman: Sub-Zero, the animated movie, comes direct to video.

September
The New Batman Adventures premieres on the Kids WB!. A series continuing where Batman: TAS left off, takes the characters further through their careers in a restylized look.

Warner Bothers' animated Batman - Superman Movie is released direct to video. It shows the first meeting of The World's Finest in their battle against Lex Luthor and The Joker.

1998

April

An earthquack ravages Gotham City in the crossover story Cataclysm.

1999

January
Gotham Knights #1 hits shelves, a series that focuses on the Batman Family.

A comic series based on women of the Batman world, Birds of Prey #1 is published.

January 10th
Batman Beyond, a cartoon series about a futurist Gotham City, premieres on the WB. It shows an elderly Bruce Wayne mentoring high school student Terry McGinnis as the new Batman.

July
Cassandra Cain, the future second Batgirl, makes her first appearance in Batman #567.

2000

April

Batgirl #1 hits comic shop shelves, featuring Batgirl II.

December 10th
Batman Beyond: Return of The Joker is released direct to video.

2001

March
In the story arc "Officer Down", which starts in Batman #587, Commissioner Gordon is shot and eventually retires from the GCPD.

December
Gotham Central #1 hits shelves, a series focused on the Gotham City Police Department.

After 15 years Frank Miller's long awaited sequel to Batman: The Dark Knight Returns hits shelves, The Dark Knight Strikes Again.

2002

October 9th
Focused on the women of Gotham, a Birds of Prey live action series premieres on the WB network. The series is shortlived however and cancelled halfway through the first season.

November 17th
The animated series Justice League premieres on Cartoon Network in a 90 minute special, "Secret Origins". It stars several DC Comics heroes and villians, the first of its kind since Super Friends.

December
The highly acclaimed team of Jeph Loeb & Jim Lee tackle Batman #608, Chapter One of the Hush story arc, where Batman faces a mysterious new masked foe. It is the biggest story of '02.

2003

March 9th
Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam & Burt airs on CBS. The two-hour movie reunites former Batman stars in a comedy adventure.

May
In the final issue of Azrael: Agent of the Bat, #100, Jean Paul Valley is murdered while defending the name of The Order of Dumas.

July 19th
An Anime-influenced children's cartoon, Teen Titans premieres on Cartoon Network, featuring Robin as the team leader.

August
A new comic series about the World's Finest, Superman Batman #1 premieres with the hit story arc "Public Enemies".

October 21st
Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman is released on video and DVD. A New Batman Adventures story featuring a mysterious new character.

2004

February

Robin #125 hits shelves, where Tim Drake's father finds out about his alter ego beside Batman, forcing him to resign the mantel of the Boy Wonder. Stephanie Brown, A.K.A. Spoiler, becomes the Girl Wonder in the following issue, but is fired shortly after.

July
A new Warner Bros. film starring Halle Berry hits theatres by the name of Catwoman. It features an entirely new character and plot, disliked by the majority of comic fans. The film recieves minimal success.

July 31st
The animated series Justice League Unlimited first airs on Cartoon Network, featuring many new characters of the DC Universe.

September 11th
Kids WB! debuts a new cartoon series The Batman with the episode "Bat in the Belfry", featuring Batman in his third year of crime fighting and majorly restylized Joker.

The Batman Strikes #1 hits shelves, a comic adaptation of the brand new cartoon series The Batman.

October
The crossover event War Games begins in Batman: 12 Cent Adventure #1. The gang war results in the death of Spoiler, Tim Drake's return as Robin, and Black Mask as Gotham's crime boss. Batman and all other vigilantes end up on the bad side of the GCPD.

After recieveing a mysterious package Jake Drake, the father of Tim, is murdered by Captain Boomerang in Identity Crisis #5. The current team of both Batman & Robin are now officially orphans.

2005

April 4th
Krypto the Superdog, a new cartoon aimed at young children, premieres on Cartoon Network. It features the superanimals of DC Comics, including Squeaky the Cat and Ace the Bat Hound.

April
Kicking off "Family Reunion", the villian known as The Red Hood is apparently revealed to be the undead Jason Todd, AKA Robin II, in Batman #638.

June 15th
The first major Batman film in nearly a decade, Batman Begins hits theatres. Directed by Christopher Nolan, it stars a fresh cast of Christian Bale, Morgan Freeman, Katie Holmes and Ken Watanabe among others and focuses on the beginning of Bruce Wayne's journey to become Batman, a story never-before told.

 

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