As a lifelong Batman fan, writing the first edition and now the second edition of this book has fulfilled my dream of making a small contribution to the history of this wonderful character. Though this book is primarily about Batman’s big screen adventures, it is important to recognize the fact that Batman was born on the comics page. So first and foremost, I would like to thank the talented artists, writers and editors at DC Comics who have created Batman comic stories since 1939—so many of you have entertained, amazed and inspired me, both as a little boy and as a grown man.
I would particularly like to thank the late Bob Kane, Batman’s creator. Like so many other Batman fans, I have often been flippant about Kane. History shows that Bill Finger was so instrumental in helping Kane to develop Batman that he probably should have been given an equal byline in the character’s creation. History also shows that Kane came across as ungenerous by keeping that byline all for himself for so many years.
That said, however, as I really studied the history of Batman’s creation, it struck me that Kane was the one who initially undertook the task to create a new costumed comic hero in the wake of Superman’s success. Finger helped Kane flesh out all of the costume and character details that made Batman so memorable, and of course a huge number of subsequent artists and writers created works that made Batman the icon he is today—but it all started with Bob Kane. Batman is indisputably a product of his ambition. Thank you for bringing Batman into our world, Mr. Kane.
I also need to specifically thank another legend in the history of the Batman character as well. Michael Uslan decided to take on the task of producing a serious live-action Batman big screen work in the late 1970s, a time when most everyone in the world could only see the character as a washed-up camp craze. It took Uslan a decade of hard work to realize his goal through the release of the 1989 film Batman.
When Batman took the world by storm, the way the general public viewed Batman was totally changed. The movie introduced millions upon millions of people to “our” Batman, the dark hero we serious Batman fans loved. This incredible shift in the general public’s perception of Batman would not have happened had the film never been made—and the film never would have been made without Uslan’s vision and tenacity. Thank you for giving us the 1989 Batman, Mr. Uslan.
I would also like to thank a few Batman scholars who are personal friends of mine. Bill Ramey, creator of the wonderful Batman website Batman-on-Film, has been a great help to my research over the years. And Ross Bagby was very kind to provide me with information and insight regarding Batman’s 1940s radio adventures.
I would like to thank my parents, Larry and Sally Reinhart, who have said on more than one occasion that I was practically born with a cape tied around my neck. They bought me so many great Batman books and toys when I was a child, and when I grew up they patiently waited for me to “grow out” of my Batman obsession like most all other kids did. Well, I never did, but they didn’t seem to mind and they still loved me anyway—thanks, Mom and Dad.
My biggest thank you goes out to my wife Jill, our sons Taylor and Keaton, and our daughter Jenna for always sharing in my enthusiasm for Batman and his world. Many times over the years as Halloween rolled around they were good sports, donning capes and masks with me and running out into the autumn night by my side. And I have especially treasured the opportunity to witness Taylor, Keaton and Jenna become knowledgeable Batman fans in their own right. We have shared countless Batman adventures together, and getting the chance to see the character through their eyes as well as my own has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Thanks Jill, Taylor, Keaton and Jenna—you truly are my “Batman Family.”