Golden Age of Golden Age of Batman Batman

(1939-1956)(1939-1956)

Golden Age of Golden Age of Batman Batman

(1939-1956)(1939-1956)Nina Bejany Guy Nehme

Batman BeginsBatman BeginsBatman BeginsBatman BeginsBatman first appeared on the pages of a comic book in Detective Comics #27 “The Case of the Chemical Syndicate”

It was released May, 1939

Co-created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger

Only Kane recieves official credit

GothamGothamGothamGothamThe name “Gotham City” was first used in Detective Comics #48 in February, 1941It is the universal city, it represents all modern cities

It is modeled after such cities as Chicago, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Pittsburg

Batman: Batman: The Ultimate The Ultimate Example of Good Work Example of Good Work

EthicsEthics

Batman: Batman: The Ultimate The Ultimate Example of Good Work Example of Good Work

EthicsEthicsBatman is a super hero without any super powers

He relies upon intense training, discipline, his arsenal of “toys”, and intellect to fight crime

Batman represents the perfectibility of man and the great American work ethicTheoretically any individual has the ability to become like Batman through hard work and dedication

The belief, embodied by Batman, that hard work brings about success and greatness gave many Americans hope during a time when unemployment levels reached about 25%

Gangsters and VillainsGangsters and VillainsGangsters and VillainsGangsters and VillainsBatman originated at the end of the “Gangster Era”, a period form the late 1920s to the early 1930s in which the United States experienced a period of widespread lawlessness

This period saw the rise of such notorious mobsters as: Al Capone, “Baby Face” Nelson, George Kelly "Machine Gun", John Dillinger, and "Pretty Boy" Floyd

John Dillinger“baby face” Nelson

Batman’s earliest enemies were more realistic criminals, such as petty thieves and mobsters

Batman’s parents were murdered Joe Chill, a thief under the direction of mafia boss Joe Moxon

Original Moral CodeOriginal Moral Code Original Moral CodeOriginal Moral Code “Batman was written originally in the style of the pulps” When first introduced, Batman wore gun under his cape and didn’t show any remorse for causing death

When the criminal falls into an acid tank at the end Detective Comics #27 Batman declares it “A fitting end for his kind.”In Detective Comics #29, Batman threatens some criminals “Tell me! Or I’ll kill You”In Batman #1, Batman exclaims, “Much as I hate to take human life, I’m afraid this time it’s necessary!” before using the Batplane’s machine gun to kill the criminals

Changing Moral CodeChanging Moral CodeChanging Moral CodeChanging Moral CodeBy the end of 1941, Batman moral credence had gone through a drastic transformation

In Batman #4 Batman tells Robin, “we never kill with weapons of any kind!” and there’s a caption which states “The Batman never carries or kills with a gun.

These changes in Batman were due to audience response and the changing political climate in the world

Letters were written by concerned mothers who were afraid that having their children exposed to such gory material would have a negative impact on them.There were also fears that Batman would be seen as a violent, authoritarian figure like Hitler

Batman & RobinBatman & Robin Batman & RobinBatman & RobinRobin was introduced in Detective Comics #38 in April, 1940

His name was based on Robin Hood

He was introduced to humanize Batman and to lighten the mood of the comic

His debut coincided with the changes to Batman’s “moral code”

He signaled the end of the depression

He relieved the gloom and isolation of Batman

Children could relate to him

Batman Fights to Reclaim Batman Fights to Reclaim Its ImageIts Image

Batman Fights to Reclaim Batman Fights to Reclaim Its ImageIts ImageAs a way to reclaim the

image of Batman and Robin as respectable cultural icons, heterosexual love interest were introduced

The cover of Batman #87 reads “Batman Falls in Love”Batgirl was introduced as a love interest for RobinBatwoman was also introduced a little later as another possible love interest for Batman

Even Alfred, the butler, was killed off and replace by Aunt Harriet, to include more women

The Comics Code The Comics Code AuthorityAuthority

The Comics Code The Comics Code AuthorityAuthority

Due to the Senate Committee investigations being held to determine the correlation between comic books and juvenile delinquency, various comic book companies created the Comics Code authority (CCA) in October, 1954

The CCA guidelines contained rules pertaining to violence, religion, costume, marriage, sex, and advertising

Every comic approved by the CCA had a CCA seal on its cover

Examples of Some C.C.A. Examples of Some C.C.A. GuidelinesGuidelines

Examples of Some C.C.A. Examples of Some C.C.A. GuidelinesGuidelinesCrime

In every instance good shall triumph over evil and the criminal punished for his misdeeds

CostumeAll characters shall be depicted in dress reasonably acceptable to society

DialogueProfanity, obscenity, smut, vulgarity, or words or symbols which have acquired undesirable meanings are forbidden

Sex and MarriageThe treatment of love-romance stories shall emphasize the value of the home and the sanctity of marriage

AdvertisingLiquor and tobacco advertising is not acceptable

Batman Goes to CampBatman Goes to CampBatman Goes to CampBatman Goes to CampThe post-war crackdown on comics brought an end to the Golden Age of Batman in 1956

In order to follow the guidelines of the CCA, the plot lines got sillier and sillier

In 1964 Batman was given a new look, which included the yellow ellipse behind the costume’s bat symbol

Movies and TV seriesMovies and TV seriesThe Dark Knight Rises (2012)

The Dark Knight (2008) (movie)Batman Begins (2005) (movie)Catwoman (2004) (movie)Return to the Batcave (2003) (TV movie)Birds of Prey (2002-2003) (TV series)Batman & Robin (1997) (movie)Batman Forever (1995) (movie)Batman Returns (1992) (movie)Batman (1989) (movie)Legends of the Superheroes (1979) (TV movie)Batgirl (1967) (short TV movie)Batman the Movie (1966) (movie)Batman (1966-1968) (TV series)Batman and Robin (1949) (movie serial)The Batman (1943) (movie serial)

THE END

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