Batman... The Most Exploited Superhero?!?

Batman, The Caped Crusader, Creature of the Night, quipping crime fighter is DC Comic’s most exploited Superhero. Since his poignant introduction in the 1930’s, with the heart-rending death of his parents the iconic hero was a smash hit with fans…  fans that demanded more! And, DC Comics gladly gave fans what they wanted, while raking in the dough.

The masked hero has changed over the years, for instance in the earliest years the Bat was a violent hero… going so far as to throw a villain from a rooftop and executed a vampire. This quickly made him an enemy of Police Commissioner James Gordon. But, the Batman character became more popular than DC Comic’s anticipated and the publisher became fearful that younger readers would emulate the Caped Crusader’s disturbing aspects.

To curb the violence DC Comics eliminated the use of firearms and extreme force, declaring “Batman would never take a life!” And, sidekick Robin was created… in attempt to soften Batman’s darkness the young superhero Robin was introduced, and sales skyrocketed again. Their popularity was so overwhelming that DC began publishing two comic book titles and the Dynamic Duo even starred in a newspaper strip where they encountered their first defeat toSuperman (later Superman would become an ally).
 
 The strip lasted a mere two years… largely do to the fact that newspapers refused to run the strip… primarily because they were already running Superman strips. This did not hinder sales of the iconic hero and his sidekick, they continued to rake in sales as they soared up the popularity ladder, right to the very top.

But, all good things come to an end… real life psychiatrist ‘Fredrick Wertham’ declared that comic books were morally corruptive, to impressionable young readers and he also insinuated that Batman and Robin were a homosexual duo?! In response to these damaging claims along with U.S. Senate criticism and parental disapproval DC Comics introduced the “Bat-family “with the “Batman” as a fatherly figure. They also fashioned The Caped Crusader as a kinder and gentler Batman… fans dropped the comic like a hot potato, in fact sales were so low the Batman was headed for cancellation.

Enter editor Julius Schwartz… adds the yellow oval to Batman’s chest throws

away the “Bat-Family” including Alfred but holding onto Robin. And, the Bat is back to his original dark self, while Robin is sent to join the Teen Titans. Batman’s popularity again soars and merchandise along with comic book sales skyrocket. The comic book exploded jumping to television with the “Batman” series starring Adam West as The Caped Crusader and Burt Ward as Robin. But soon, the popularity would die down and the television show would be cancelled.

Enter Neil Adams, who would slowly reinvent the superhero… his ears grew longer, his brow more foreboding and his cape overwhelmed comic panels. Yes, The Batman was back!

New and shocking adversaries are introduced… Ra al Ghul, Man-Bat, Two-Face and an updated Joker were among the wickedest introduced! Again, the Caped Crusader soared to the top and Batman was soon everywhere, and the exploitation commenced. Fans would find the Bat in several comic books, on t-shirts, made into action figures and statues. The sales soared again!

The Bat took on many roles after Neil Adams, but never lost its popularity again… possibly because of movies, television cartoon shows and adult programs along with numerous appearances in several well written and drawn comic books published under DC Comics…

In my opinion, it’s the comic book writers and artist that make Batman what he is today with their exceptional stories and mind-blowing artwork. Is the character exploited... yes. But who cares... Batman makes for the best reading in comic books! If you’re not reading Batman comics and love great adventures than you must read a Batman comic! And, you can find one of the largest selections of Batman comic books for sale online here at White dragon Comics… just click this link to all of the latest and best in New Back-Issues of Batman Comic Books and enjoy reading awesome adventures!

Barbie66
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