Holy 85 years Batman! This Saturday, fans around the world will celebrate their love of DC’s “Dark Knight” with Batman Day 2024.
The “Caped Crusader” is one of the most iconic characters in the world and is recognized thanks to his portrayal in universally beloved comics, TV shows, cartoons, movies, video games and collectibles since he first appeared in 1939’s “Detective Comics #27.”
On Sept. 26, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will honour Batman with a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame, next to the star of television’s “Batman,” Adam West and the co-creator of the character, Bob Kane. Batman will also be awarded the Guinness World Records title for the first superhero with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In Lethbridge, the Movie Mill is screening 1989’s “Batman” starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson for one day only on Saturday.
Movie Mill social media guru Chelsea Bretzke says superheroes have been such a big part of movies for so long. “I grew up watching Adam West and the ‘POWs’ and ‘BAMs’ and the ‘holy shark repellent Batman.’”
According to Bretzke, the 1980s Batman is a little bit darker, as director Tim Burton took the pop culture phenomenon back a little bit more to the comic book.
Batman, in all its iterations, is introduced to new generations, time and time again.
“I think that’s such a great thing to offer it in a movie theatre because you can go to ‘Batman’ with your grandpa who loved Batman and your kids that love Batman. It brings people together in that fandom. I think that’s a really neat thing. I just love watching that,” notes Bretzke. “I love people who love something and are already fans and passing it along to the next generation.”
The 1989 “Batman” movie is so nostalgic and comic book-esque, but Bretzke’s favourite is the “The LEGO Batman Movie.”
Dylan Purcell from Showcase Comics and Hobbies says characters like Batman are bigger in pop culture than they are in the tangible sales of monthly comic books. “The comic book, everybody remembers getting off the spinner rack and stuff like that. Batman is dominant. I think DC Comics releases about seven or eight Batman titles a month right now, which is a lot.”
“Batman is the driving economic force behind DC Comics. But he’s also in pop culture. He’s far and away their most popular character,” adds Purcell.
When you’re talking about DC, you’re talking about Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman, notes Purcell. “Those are their big three, that’s their trinity and that’s what they work off of.”
One can’t forget Robin, “The Boy Wonder” in the “Dynamic Duo” or Batgirl.
According to Purcell, among kids right now, “Teen Titans Go” has been popular for the past 15 years. “’Teen Titans Go’ is led by Robin and that’s Batman’s sidekick. Batman’s impact reaches just about everything from a comic book perspective DC Comics does.”
Batman, thanks again for saving us from the Joker, Penguin, Catwoman, The Riddler, Mr. Freeze, Two-Face, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Bane, Scarecrow and even Vincent Price’s Egghead.
(Photo selfie by Stan Ashbee)
