The Historical Batman

Paper Summary:

This paper describes the different comic conceptions and incarnations of Batman from his debut in the 1960s until today. The paper shows that how we conceptualize "Batman" reveals a great deal of the values of our age. It also points out that the idea that anyone can become a force of justice, provided he works hard enough, still fascinates the American psyche.

From the Paper:

"Batman is one of the iconic superheroes of the 20th century. He was (and still is) immortalized in cartoons and comic books. He was transformed into a famously (one might say infamously) campy television series of the 1960s, became part of a popular revival of comic book films during the 1980s and 1990s, and was even parodied in a kitschy Saturday Night Live running joke as one of two muscular superheroes known as the "Ambiguously Gay Duo." His popular appeal seems everlasting, but his conceptualization in the popular consciousness is even more plastic than, well, Plastic Man. He is either the most brooding of all superheroes, and the most flawed, or the most unrealistically campy."

Sample of Sources Used:

• "Batman." Directed by Tim Burton. 1989.
• "Batman: The Animated Series Episode Guide." Warner Brothers. 2003. 1Mar 2008.http://www.batmantas.com/cmp/episode.htm#OLW
• "DC Comics: Batman." 1 Mar 2008.http://www.dccomics.com/sites/batman/
• Ebert, Roger. "Batman Begins. 13 Jun 2005. The Chicago Sun Times. 1 Mar 2008.http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050613/REVIEWS/50525003/1023
• Morris, Marti Jo. "Batman & Robin: "Crime Fighting Duo or Ambiguously Gay Duo?" Pop! Journal. Published by the University of Idaho. 2003. 1 Mar 2008.http://www.class.uidaho.edu/pop/Bat%20Man.htm

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