Digging Into The Dark Knight's Secrets
No matter how many films you’ve watched or mountains of comics you’ve read, there’s always more you can learn about the Dark Knight. Batman has been carrying around the cape since 1939 and over the years some of his strangest backstory and most unknown trivia has been lost to time. With that in mind, here are 20 facts only his biggest fans know.
1. The Real Creator Behind The Mask
Sure, Bob Kane created Batman…but so did Bill Finger. The co-creator of Batman was largely forgotten by fans and comic geeks alike for years until recently because Kane did all of the publicity while Finger actually wrote most of the early Batman comics. Kane originally wanted Batman to wear red tights and chicken wing-looking accessories with a small half-face mask, making him look more like Manga Hercules. Finger convinced him to ditch the wings for a sleek cowl, scallops on the bat cape, and a darker color palette.
2. A Turkish City Sued The Production
Mayor Hayri İlmaz of a Turkish city named Batman decided back in 2008 that the Christopher Nolan film was to blame for everything wrong with his city. He attempted to sue Nolan and Warner Bros. for using the name Batman without permission and told reporters there should only be one Batman. Ilmaz lost the case pretty quickly as Batman comics had been published decades before his city was even founded.
3. Bruce Wayne’s Favorite Comfort Food
Soup! Well, not JUST soup. In particular, Mulligatawny soup. Batman’s favorite meal is a curried soup from South India. Alfred makes him this whenever he comes home soaked from police battles.
4. The Caped Crusader Was Originally Darker
Yeah, the Caped Crusader didn’t used to have a problem with ending lives. When Batman first debuted back in the late 1930s he carried a firearm and used it to scare goons off with. During his first few stories, Batman caused the passing of criminals by dropping them into vats of acid.
5. A Secret Connection To The Beatles
Okay, so no, Sir. Paul McCartney did not appear in a Batman comic killing his alter ego or intentionally hide clues to his death on The Batman TV show from the 1960s…but some people certainly thought he did. During an episode of the show, there was a mural of men that looked strikingly similar to McCartney. Fans took to various comic covers for hints as well, pointing to issue #121 as solid proof when you look at a character on a poster in the background.
6. The Batcave Didn’t Start In The Comics
Would you believe the hero used to operate without his expansive underground fortress? The Batcave first appeared in the 1943 Batman movie serial, but was quickly adopted into the comics. Bruce Wayne previously stored most of his equipment in a secret room or warehouse/barn behind his mansion. Creators at DC liked the cavern so much they designed it to be Batman’s official headquarters.
7. He Is A Master Of 40 Languages
Bruce Wayne isn’t just worldly because he lived overseas for years. The man can literally speak 40 languages! From Japanese to Icelandic to multiple variations of Kryptonian speech, Batman makes sure he never has to rely on a translator when visiting foreign countries or talking to his Man of Steel pals.
8. Batman Adopted An Alien Starfish
When he isn’t busy fighting burglars, Batman will occasionally find time to adopt strange alien lifeforms. During a surprisingly heart-felt run from recent years, Batman befriended and “adopted” a piece of the monstrous villain Starro. After keeping the sentient starfish in a jar, Batman names him Jarro and raises him as his own son. Jarro wears his own mini Robin costume and believes he is Batman’s greatest sidekick of all time.
9. The Surprising Origin Of Gotham’s Name
We assumed Gotham was named due to its ominous connotations, but publishers picked the name completely by accident. Writer Bill Finger randomly opened up a NYC phone book and stumbled across an ad for “Gotham Jewelers.” The name sounded cool to him, so he eventually decided on naming Batman’s hometown after that jewelry store instead of “Civic City” or “Coast City.”
10. He Once Merged With Wolverine
Back in the ’90s, DC and Marvel teamed up for one huge crossover where they merged their heroes together to form new characters. Batman/X-Men’s Dynamic Duo became known as Dark Claw, a combination of both Batman and Wolverine. Logan Wayne gained not only Bruce’s fortune and intelligence, but also his battle-ready detective skills.
11. The Secret Behind The Ginger Ale
While Bruce Wayne likes to appear as a party boy at galas and events around the world, he never actually takes a sip of alcohol. He must constantly stay in top shape and have a clear mind at all times. Instead of champagne, he drinks ginger ale with brown food coloring so it resembles bubbly.
12. Batman Has An Older Brother
For many years fans assumed Bruce Wayne was an only child. There have been hints through various comic books that he actually had an older brother named Thomas Wayne Jr. He suffered a brain injury when he was younger and spent the rest of his life in a psychiatric hospital. Bruce grew up not knowing he had a brother until they eventually ran into each other as adults.
13. He Was Almost A Yellow Lantern
Sinestro Corps rings are powered by fear. It only makes sense they wanted the man who frightens criminals on a nightly basis to join their team. One time Batman was given the opportunity to wield a yellow power ring because of his intense evil aura. He ended up taking off the ring after a few seconds because his willpower and experience with a GL ring previously gave him immunity.
14. The 10:48 Secret
If you happen to find a grandfather clock in Wayne Manor, check to see if its time is set to 10:48. Batman’s parent’s passed at 10: 48 pm in Crime Alley, so this time has significant meaning to him. Turning the clock hands to this time is usually how Batman accesses the hidden entrance to the Batcave.
15. He Memorized The Entire City
The Caped Crusader doesn’t need GPS to navigate throughout Gotham. He actually knows every street, alleyway, and building by heart. He could fly through the city on his rooftop completely blind and still know where he’s going. Knowing Gotham this well is also how he always knows where the police and criminals are at all times.
16. The First Actor To Play Him Was Only 23
Whenever someone mentions the first Batman, most people automatically picture Adam West. But Lewis Wilson was the dark knight way back in 1943! He was only 23 years old when he was cast to play him, making him the youngest actor to portray a live-action Batman. He still had to play up-aged to play a grizzled veteran as Bruce Wayne in the serial.
17. He Owns A Piece Of The Moon
Somewhere out in space, Batman owns a good chunk of the moon. In the comics, he bought it so that the Justice League had a place to legally build their Watchtower that wouldn’t get the international community angry. Trust Batman to own a piece of the moon; his money is his most under appreciated superpower.
18. Andy Warhol Made A Batman Movie
Before the big budget blockbusters, pop artist Andy Warhol made an unauthorized movie in 1964 simply called Batman Dracula. It was silent and experimental, only ever shown at art galleries and thought to be lost for decades. Only snippets of the footage have surfaced since, making the full film a holy grail for superfans.
19. The Meaning Behind The Name Bruce Wayne
The names Batman chose for his alter ego have an interesting backstory. Batman’s names are a nod to two famous figures in history. “Bruce” is named after Robert the Bruce, who was the king of Scotland and freed his nation from English rule. “Wayne” is named after “Mad” Anthony Wayne, a revolutionary war figure known for his passionate, fiery behavior.
20. He Beat The Incredible Hulk
Back in 1981’s Marvel vs. DC one-shot comic, Batman went toe-to-toe with Marvel’s strongest hero and kicked his butt. Sure he didn’t punch him like you see in the movies, but Batman devised a plan to knock him out with knockout gas and kicked him in the solar plexus to make Hulk inhale it. Whether you buy it or not, Bruce can take out anyone with the right strategy.
