Batman

Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

1939- present

Above: Clipping from Chicago World, Oct. 8, 1949
Background: Photograph of the Comcast Center, Philadelphia, PA, by Carol Highsmith

Thanks to Michelle Zupan and Cheryl Davis from the TPS Network LOC.gov

This space is reserved for a contextualizing essay. If you would like to contribute one, please contact us.

Add to the discussion

The initial conversation addresses some of the questions that are used to analyze a primary source, but not all. Please record your insights on the following prompts, and what it can tell us about everyday American life in the era. Then, submit them to the site for publication:

The three podcasts above address the 1980s and 1990s versions of Batman. How has the character reflected other time periods before and since then?
How has socio-economic class been addressed in Batman since his introduction?
Why has this character been reinvented so many times, especially in just the last two decades?

Listen to the original conversations

(Rogues) Gallery

Batman began in a visual medium—print comics—making the character highly recognizable in popular culture. Submit images of instances when you have come across some depiction of Batman or another, and caption what it tells you about the time period from whence it came.