![]() There was a second Jewish resonance in Batman - and, in fact, in all superheroes: They had secret identities.Įven as a young fan of superheroes, I realized that the notion of a secret identity was simultaneously laughable - and enticing. In that sense, Bruce Wayne/Batman was a stand-in for countless Jewish children who emerged from the war years deeply damaged by what they had witnessed. ![]() Many observers have noticed that the Jewish-created superheroes emerged in the shadows of World War II and that their original mission was to fight the Nazis.Īs Kane's pen was hitting the paper, I wonder if he was thinking of the Jewish children who were seeing their parents killed before their eyes - in concentration camps and ghettos that had just begun to crop up across Europe? There was something in him that was driven, obsessed and haunted. Yes, there was a trauma - but a much deeper one.īatman began as Bruce Wayne, who, as a child, saw his parents killed before his eyes by a robber.Įven as a kid, I sensed Batman carried something dark within his psyche (the "dark knight," indeed). Not to mention that Clark Kent, Superman's "mortal" alter-ego, works in a profession favored by many other Jews - as a mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper.īut, with Batman, it was different. So was Superman, of course - a refugee from a dying planet, adopted by a childless couple (with echoes of the biblical Moses story) - the ultimate immigrant success story. Stan Lee created Spider-Man, Hulk and the Fantastic Four.īatman was the brainchild of Bob Kane - born Robert Kahn in 1915.īut, beyond the fact that his creator was Jewish, what was so "Jewish" about Batman? Superman was created by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel. I could not have known this at the time, but Batman also was very "Jewish."įirst of all, let's go back to the very origins of the superhero industry in the United States. He was the only one who didn't have any superpowers.īut, what I liked the most about Batman was that he was very smart, and very rich, and had all sorts of cool gadgets. Among my friends, there was a constant debate: Who was better - Superman or Batman?īecause in the entire pantheon of superheroes - Superman, Flash, Green Lantern, Spider-Man, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, to name a few - Batman was unique. ![]() We loved the show - despite the fact that there was something famously ridiculous and campy about it.Īs a young boy, I loved comic books and superheroes. I am referring to the death of Adam West, whose most famous role was as the titular hero in the "Batman" television series, which ran from 1966-1968. HANDOUT/HO Show More Show LessĮarlier this year, many of us lost a piece of our childhood. (KRT) NC KD 2002 (Vert) (smd) HOUCHRON CAPTION (): The campy antics of Batman and Robin are showcased during TV Land's "Batman" marathon this week. Frameline35 Show More Show Less 9 of9 KRT ENTERTAINMENT STORY SLUGGED: BATMAN KRT PHOTOGRAPH VIA HANDOUT (April 22) Beginning April 29, 2002, TV Land will begin a special marathon of "Batman" episodes that will showcase the acting talents of Adam West as Batman. Winner ofthe Batman and Friends Look-Alike Contest wil get a signed Bat-Pak. Comedian Lisa Geduldig will interview West onstage and show clips from "Batman" and West's earlier career. 12 at Herbst Theatre, featuring Adam West, Batman from the 1960s TV series. ![]() Lennox Mclendon/STF Show More Show Less 6 of9 Burt Ward as Robin (left) and Adam West as Batman in a scene from 'Batman: The Movie' Show More Show Less 7 of9 Burt Ward portrayed Robin, left, and Adam West was the Dark Knight in the campy 1960s television series "Batman." Show More Show Less 8 of9 "Holy Herbst Theatre, Batman!" takes place at 8 p.m. (AP Photo/Mark Elias, File) Mark Elias/STF Show More Show Less 5 of9 A native of Washington state, Adam West died on June 10 at age 88. On Saturday, June 10, 2017, WestÂs family said the actor, who portrayed Batman in a 1960s TV series, has died at age 88. 27, 1989 file photo, actors Adam West, left, and Burt Ward, dressed as their characters Batman and Robin, pose for a photo at the "World of Wheels" custom car show in Chicago. ![]() But it's lagging behind the staggering numbers of its predecessor, 2008's "The Dark Knight." (AP PHoto/Warner Bros., File) Ron Phillips/HONS Show More Show Less 4 of9 FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. DC Entertainment Show More Show Less 3 of9 FILE - In this file film image provided by Warner Bros., Christian Bale portrays Bruce Wayne and Batman in a scene from "The Dark Knight Rises." The Dark Knight Rises" stayed atop the box office for the second straight weekend, making just over $64 million. Christian Bale starred as a truly Dark Knight in 2005's "Batman Begins." Show More Show Less 2 of9 Created by Bob Kane, Batman got his start in the comic books. 1 of9 The character Batman has seen many revivals and re-envisionings. ![]()
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