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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2015 15:13:44 GMT -5
Brian Cronin has an interesting article on the origins of the Batcave up at CBR today. It reminded me of a discussion we were having a while back on what things in comics started in other media (like Jimmy Olsen and what not), but I could not remember which thread it was in. And much to my surprise, the Batcave was not a comics innovation but introduced in the Batman serials as a cost saving measure on sets, and then later introduced into the Batman comic mythos. Cronin traces the developments of the Bat's hq up to the intro of the Cave as well. I just find it interesting it was a later accretion to the mythos from an outside source given how integral the cave itself has become to the origin of the Batman in later tellings, especially the Nolan film version. -M |
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2015 18:17:09 GMT -5
Thanks for the link. I love articles on comic book history
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Post by Phil Maurice on May 30, 2015 20:39:07 GMT -5
Terrific article. In fact, according to my copy of BATMAN - The Sunday Classics 1943-1946, that illustration of the "BAT CAVE" by Bob Kane Dick Sprang was included with promotional materials provided to newspapers by the McClure Syndicate to solicit business in Summer 1943, concurrent with the serial, though they would not see print until November of that year.
Budget reasons or no, the idea of a Bat Cave clearly struck Batman's creators as a great and obvious one, which they quickly incorporated into his milieu. |
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Post by chadwilliam on May 30, 2015 20:56:29 GMT -5
That serial also gave us a thin, mustachioed Alfred in the form of William Austin. Actually, come to think of it, Alfred really benefited from a lot of the on screen adaptations of his character. It was because of the Adam West series that the comics brought him back to life and I'm also pretty sure that it was an episode of Super Friends that introduced the idea that Alfred had been the Wayne's butler since Bruce Wayne was a child (though I doubt that's what influenced Frank Miller's revision). |
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Post by Phil Maurice on May 30, 2015 21:22:24 GMT -5
I'm also pretty sure that it was an episode of Super Friends that introduced the idea that Alfred had been the Wayne's butler since Bruce Wayne was a child I don't recall that one. Super Friends didn't focus much on the secret identities of the heroes, though the show did acknowledge them. I could see that happening on the Filmation Batman cartoon, but I don't know. Wherever it occurred, I'd love to see it.
Len Wein and Jim Aparo established that Alfred's father had worked for Bruce's father in Untold Legend of the Batman (1980). Then Miller happened.
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Post by chadwilliam on May 30, 2015 21:48:56 GMT -5
I'm also pretty sure that it was an episode of Super Friends that introduced the idea that Alfred had been the Wayne's butler since Bruce Wayne was a child I don't recall that one. Super Friends didn't focus much on the secret identities of the heroes, though the show did acknowledge them. I could see that happening on the Filmation Batman cartoon, but I don't know. Wherever it occurred, I'd love to see it.
Len Wein and Jim Aparo established that Alfred's father had worked for Bruce's father in Untold Legend of the Batman (1980). Then Miller happened.
It wasn't dwelled upon in the episode - a Scarecrow one in which Batman has to relive his parents murder - but during a montage of events following the death of his parents, we see Alfred standing beside a young Bruce Wayne at the cemetery. If it sounds dark for an episode of Super Friends it was.
I can't find the episode online but it would have definitely been the episode "The Fear" from 1985.
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Post by Phil Maurice on May 30, 2015 21:59:56 GMT -5
I can't find the episode online but it would have definitely been the episode "The Fear" from 1985. Ah, you're talking about The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians, the final incarnation of the Super Friends. Forgive me, I am an old and did not remain with the series through that late date. You're 100% right and from what I can gather, this is the first time that Batman's origin is told outside of the comics, and it was written by Alan Burnett, later a contributor to B:TAS. Nicely recalled, chadwilliam. I'm going to look for the episode now. If I find it, I'll let you know.  ETA: Found it! Enjoy! The Fear |
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Post by coke & comics on May 30, 2015 23:02:40 GMT -5
I watched the Batman serials recently. Their take on Alfred and the introduction of the Batcave are the only two worthwhile things in them.
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Post by coke & comics on May 30, 2015 23:10:19 GMT -5
I can't find the episode online but it would have definitely been the episode "The Fear" from 1985. Ah, you're talking about The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians, the final incarnation of the Super Friends. Forgive me, I am an old and did not remain with the series through that late date. You're 100% right and from what I can gather, this is the first time that Batman's origin is told outside of the comics, and it was written by Alan Burnett, later a contributor to B:TAS. Nicely recalled, chadwilliam. I'm going to look for the episode now. If I find it, I'll let you know. :) ETA: Found it! Enjoy! The FearBeen a while since I've seen any of these. Having trouble getting past that Robin sounds like he needs Scooby Snacks. |
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Post by Phil Maurice on May 30, 2015 23:30:58 GMT -5
Having trouble getting past that Robin sounds like he needs Scooby Snacks. Or is about to deliver a long-distance dedication.  |
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Post by coke & comics on May 31, 2015 1:26:22 GMT -5
Having trouble getting past that Robin sounds like he needs Scooby Snacks. Or is about to deliver a long-distance dedication. Also unnerving how many times Batman is referred to--by others as well as himself-- as the "man with no fear". Silly Batman, that's Daredevil. |
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2015 1:28:55 GMT -5
Or is about to deliver a long-distance dedication. Also unnerving how many times Batman is referred to--by others as well as himself-- as the "man with no fear". Silly Batman, that's Daredevil. or Hal Jordan Green Lantern.... -M |
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2015 10:33:01 GMT -5
This is the Batcave that I grew up reading about   I was in awe of the Batcave in the Adam West Series ...   My thoughtsLater, in Batman #12 (August–September 1942), Bill Finger mentioned "secret underground hangars." was the first time that's was mentioned and I'm not questioning the authentcity of Phil Maurice he mentioned about Dick Sprang either. I'm torn apart - is Bill Finger or Dick Sprang that created the Batcave. |
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Post by crazyoldhermit on Jun 2, 2015 1:41:02 GMT -5
This is the Batcave that I grew up reading about My thoughtsLater, in Batman #12 (August–September 1942), Bill Finger mentioned "secret underground hangars." was the first time that's was mentioned and I'm not questioning the authentcity of Phil Maurice he mentioned about Dick Sprang either. I'm torn apart - is Bill Finger or Dick Sprang that created the Batcave. I grew up in the 90s and without comics so the Batcave to me was always a very dark, mausoleum-esque cavern with bats and moisture and no regard for workplace safety standards but I did have a sort of "I Spy" book featuring large illustrations of the Batcave and other locations in Gotham (each one was taken over by a villain on New Years Eve in some massive Sinister Six-esque scheme). That rendition of the Batcave was very similar to the Sprang illustration and while I was a little unnerved by how different the comic versions were (not even realizing there were comic books) I was amazed by it all the same. |
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