Batman Timeline: the Bronze Age

 Go to Batman Timeline: the Golden Age.

 Go to Batman Timelinethe Silver Age.
 Go to Batman Timeline: the Modern Age.

1970, January - O'Neil and Adams first collaborated on the story "The Secret of the Waiting Graves" in Detective Comics vol.1 #395.

 

page 4 of "The Secret of the Waiting Graves" - text: Denny O'Neil - pencils: Neal Adams - inks: Dick Giordano - letters: Ben Oda - unknown collorist. Detective Comics vol.1 #395, DC Comics, January 1970.

            

Dick Giordano (1932-2010).

             June - First appearance of Dr. Kirk Langstrom the Man-Bat in Detective Comics #400, created by Frank Robbins and Neal Adams.

Detective Comics vol.1 #400, DC Comics, June 1970. Pencils: Neal Adams - inks: Neal Adams - unknown collorist.

 1971, May – First appearance of Talia al Ghul in "Into the Den of the Death-Dealers!" in Detective Comics vol.1 #411, created by Dennis O'Neil and Bob Brown.

page 8 of " Into the Den of the Death-Dealers!" - text: Denny O'Neil - pencils: Bob Brown - inks: Dick Giordano - letters: Ben Oda - unknown collorist. Detective Comics vol.1 #411, DC Comics, May 1971.

 June – First appearance of Ra's al Ghul in the story "Daughter of the Demon" in Batman #232, created by Dennis O'Neil and Neal Adams .

Batman vol.1 #332, DC Comics, August 1985. Pencils: Neal Adams - inks: Neal Adams - unknown collorist.

 1972 – "Equal pay" a Public Service Announcement featuring Dick Gautier as Batman is aired with production by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the Center for American Progress Action Fund (CAPAF).

Dick Gautier (1931-2017).

 September, 16 – is aired the episode "The Dynamic Scooby-Doo Affair" of Hanna-Barbera’s “The New Scooby-Doo Movies”, where Olan Soule reprises his role as Batman. 

            December, 16 - is aired the episode "The Caped Crusader Caper" of Hanna-Barbera’s “The New Scooby-Doo Movies”, where Olan Soule reprises his role as Batman.

1973, September, 8 – Hanna-Barbera’s “Super Friends” first aired on ABC. Olan Soule reprises his role as Batman. 

1974, January, 12 – Bill Finger dies in Manhattan, New York.

            August, 24 - Hanna-Barbera’s “Super Friends” is cancelled on ABC.

1976 - Adam West performed "The Story of Batman" and "Batman and Robin", for Target Records.

March– First appearance of Dr. Leslie Maurin Thompkins (sometimes spelled Tompkins) in Detective Comics vol.1 #457, created by Dennis O'Neil and Dick Giordano.

page 11 of "There Is No Hope in Crime Alley!" - text: Denny O'Neil - pencils: Dick Giordano - inks: Dick Giordano and Terry Austin (backgrounds) - letters: Ben Oda - unknown collorist. Detective Comics vol.1 #457, DC Comics, March 1976.

1977, February, 12 - Filmation’s “The New Adventures of Batman” first aired on CBS. Adam West reprises his role as Batman. 

April – National Periodical Publications becames DC Comics.

May, 28 - Filmation’s “The New Adventures of Batman” is canceled

June – First appearance of Silver St. Cloud in Detective Comics #470, created by Steve Englehart and Mike Gold.

page 11 of "The Master Plan of Dr. Phosphorus!" - text: Steve Englehart - pencils: Walt Simonson - inks: Al Milgron - collors: Jerry Serpe - letters: Ben Oda - unknown collorist. Detective Comics vol.1 #470, DC Comics, June 1977.

 August - start the work of Steve Englehart and penciler Marshall Rogers in Detective Comics #471.

Steve Englehart (1947-).

Marshall Rogers (1950-2007).

September, 10 - Hanna-Barbera’s “The All-New Super Friends Hour” first aired on ABC. Olan Soule reprises his role as Batman.

1978, April – the participation of Steve Englehart and penciler Marshall Rogers ended in Detective Comics #476.

            July/August – First appearance of Preston Payne, the third Clayface in Detective Comics vol.1 #478, created by Len Wein, Mike W. Barr and Marshall Rogers. 

Detective Comics vol.1 #479, DC Comics, September-October 1978. Pencils: Marshall Rogers - inks: Dick Giordano - collors by Tatjana Wood.

             September, 2 - Hanna-Barbera’s “Super Friends” is canceled.

           September, 9 - Hanna-Barbera’s “Challenge of the Superfriends” first aired on ABC. Olan Soule reprises his role as Batman.

             December, 23 - Hanna-Barbera’s “Challenge of the Super Friends” is cancelled.

1979, January – First appearance of Lucius Fox in Batman #307, created by Len Wein and John Calnan.

excerpt of "Dark Messenger of Mercy!" - text: Len Wein - pencils: John Calnan - inks: Dick Giordano - collors: Glynis Wein - letters: Ben Oda - unknown collorist. Batman vol.1 #307, DC Comics, January 1979.

January, 18 - Hanna–Barbera produced “The Chalenge”, the first episode of “Legends of the Superheroes” that is aired on NBC with Adam West as Batman.

           January, 25 - Hanna–Barbera produced “The Roast”, the second episode of “Legends of the Superheroes” that is aired on NBC with Adam West as Batman.

          September, 22 - Hanna-Barbera’s “The World Greatest Super Friends” first aired on ABC. Olan Soule reprises his role as Batman.

1980 – September, 17 - Hanna-Barbera’s “The World Greatest Super Friends” is canceled.

1983, March – first appearance of Jason Todd and Waylon Jones, the Killer Croc in Batman #357, created by Gerry Conway and Don Newton. 

page 10 of "Squid" - text: Gerry Conway - pencils: Don Newton - inks: Alfredo Alcala - collors: Adrienne Roy - letters: Ben Oda - unknown collorist. Batman vol.1 #357, DC Comics, March 1983.

 June – The Brave and the Bold vol.1 #200 is the last number of vol. 1. The issue also have the first apparition of The Outsiders.

The Brave and the Bold vol.1 #200, DC Comics, September-October 1978. Pencils: Jim Aparo - inks: Jim Aparo - collors by Anthony Tollin.

Jim Aparo (1932-2005).

            August –Batman and the Outsiders debuted. It was created and originally written by Mike W. Barr and illustrated by Jim Aparo.

Batman and the Outsiders #1, DC Comics, August 1983. Pencils: Jim Aparo - inks: Jim Aparo - unknown collorist.

1984 - September, 8 - Hanna-Barbera’s “Super Friends: the legendary superpowers show” first aired on ABC. Olan Soule reprises his role as Batman.

1985, August – first appearance of Roman Sionis, the Black Mask in Batman vol.1 #386, created by Doug Moench and Tom Mandrake.

Batman vol.1 #386, DC Comics, August 1985. Pencils: Tom Mandrake - inks: Tom Mandrake - collor: Anthony Tollin.

 August, 31 - Hanna-Barbera’s “Super Friends: the legendary superpowers show” is canceled.

September, 7 - Hanna-Barbera’s “The Super Powers Team: Galactic Guardians” first aired on ABC. Adam West reprises his role as Batman.

Batman Timeline: the Silver Age

         Go to Batman Timeline: the Golden Age.
         Go to Batman Timeline: the Bronze Age. 
         Go to Batman Timeline: the Modern Age.
        

1958, September – First appearance of Julian Day, the Calendar Man in Detective Comics vol.1 #259, created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff (credited as Bob Kane).

Detective Comics vol.1 #259, DC Comics, September 1958. Pencils: Curt Swan - inks: Stan Kaye - unknown collorist.

Curt Swan (1920-1996).

1959, February – First appearance of Dr. Victor Fries, the Mr. Zero in Batman vol.1 #121, created by Bob Kane, David Wood and Sheldon Moldoff.

Batman vol.1 #121, DC Comics, February 1959. Pencils: Curt Swan - inks: Stan Kaye - unknown collorist.

 May - First appearance of Bat-Mite in Detective Comics vol.1 267 in a story titled "Batman Meets Bat-Mite" written by Bill Finger and with art by Sheldon Moldoff.

Detective Comics vol.1 #267, DC Comics, May 1959. Pencils: Curt Swan - inks: Stan Kaye - unknown collorist.

             September – First appearance of Ted Carson, the second Firefly in Batman vol.1 #126, created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff.

Batman vol.1 #126, DC Comics, September 1959. Pencils: Curt Swan - inks: Stan Kaye - unknown collorist.

1960, February - Batman debuted as a member of the Justice League of America in The Brave and the Bold #28.

1961, April - First appearance of Katty Kane, the Bat-Girl in Batman vol.1 #139, created by Bob Kane and Sheldon Moldoff.

Batman vol.1 #139, DC Comics, April 1961. Pencils: Sheldon Moldoff - inks: Sheldon Moldoff - unknown collorist.

November – National Comics Publications becames National Periodical Publications.

December – First appearance of Matt Hagen, the second Clay Face in Detective Comics vol.1 #298, created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff.

 

Detective Comics vol.1 #298, DC Comics, December 1961. Pencils: Sheldon Moldoff - inks: Sheldon Moldoff - unknown collorist.

1963, January -First appearance of Thomas Blake, the Catman in Detective Comics vol.1 #311, created by Bill Finger and Jim Mooney.

Detective Comics vol.1 #311, DC Comics, January 1963. Pencils: Dick Dillin - inks: Sheldon Moldoff - unknown collorist.

1964 – The sales on Batman titles had fallen drastically. Bob Kane noted that, as a result, DC was "planning to kill Batman off altogether."In response to this, editor Julius Schwartz was assigned to the Batman titles. He presided over drastic changes, beginning with 1964's Detective Comics vol.1 #327 (May 1964), which was cover-billed as the "New Look". Schwartz introduced changes designed to make Batman more contemporary, and to return him to more detective-oriented stories. He brought in artist Carmine Infantino to help overhaul the character. The Batmobile was redesigned, and Batman's costume was modified to incorporate a yellow ellipse behind the bat-insignia. The space aliens, time travel, and characters of the 1950’s such as Batwoman, Ace, and Bat-Mite were retired. Batman's butler Alfred was killed off (though his death was quickly reversed) while a new female relative for the Wayne family, Aunt Harriet, came to live with Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. It leads Batman to the Multiverse. The Batman from the Golden Age is from the Earth-Two while the new Batman is from the Earth-One, “our” universe. The Earth-Two version of Batman partners with and marries the reformed Earth-Two Catwoman, Selina Kyle (as shown in Superman Family #211) and fathers Helena Wayne, who, as the Huntress, becomes (along with Dick Grayson, the Earth-Two Robin) Gotham's protector once Wayne retires from the position to become police commissioner, a position he occupies until he is killed during one final adventure as Batman. Batman titles however often ignored that a distinction had been made between the pre-revamp and post-revamp Batmen (since unlike The Flash or Green Lantern, Batman comics had been published without interruption through the 1950s) and would on occasionally make reference to stories from the Golden Age.Nevertheless, details of Batman's history were altered or expanded upon through the decades. Additions include meetings with a future Superman during his youth, his upbringing by his uncle Philip Wayne (introduced in Batman vol.1 #208, January/February 1969) after his parents' death, and appearances of his father and himself as prototypical versions of Batman and Robin, respectively. In 1980 then-editor Paul Levitz commissioned the Untold Legend of the Batman limited series to thoroughly chronicle Batman's origin and history.

Julius Schwartz (1915-2004).

Carmine Infantino (1925-2013).

the "New Look" edition.
Detective Comics vol.1 #327, DC Comics, May 1964. Pencils: Carmine Infantino - inks: Joe Giella - unknown collorist.

             - Little Brown & Co. publishes Donald Barthelme's collection of short stories "Come Back, Dr. Caligari", that contains the story "The Joker's Greatest Triumph." Batman is portrayed for purposes of spoof as a pretentious French-speaking rich man.

             June – First appearance of Auntie Harriet Cooper in Detective Comics vol.1 #328, created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff.

Aunt Harriet Cooper.
Excerpt of "Gotham Gang Line-Up!" - text: Bill Finger - pencils: Sheldon Moldoff - inks: Joe Giella - unknown collorist - letters: Gaspar Saladino. Detective Comics vol.1 #328, DC Comics, June 1964.

 1965, May – Batman team-up for the first time. The honor is for the Green Lantern in The Brave and the Bold #59. 

The Brave and the Bold vol.1 #59, DC Comics, April-May 1965. Pencils: Gil Kane - inks: Gil Kane - unknown collorist.

Gil Kane (1926-2000).

            November – First appearance of Mark Desmond, the Blockbuster in Detective Comics vol.1 #345, created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino.

Blockbuster.
Excerpt of "The Blockbuster Invasion of Gotham City!" - text: Gardner Fox - pencils: Carmine Infantino - inks: Joe Giella - unknown collorist - letters: Gaspar Saladino. Detective Comics vol.1 #345, DC Comics, November 1965.

1966 - is aired a Public Service Announcement featuring Adam West as Batman called “U.S. Savings Bonds for Vietnan War”.

            - MGM's "Leo the Lion" label releases “The Official Adventures Of Batman And Robin” (with the episodes: “The Legend of Batman and Robin”, “The Penguin's Plunder” and “The Joker's Revenge”) and later a second LP called “More Official Adventures of Batman & Robin” (with the episodes “The Marriage of Batman and Batwoman”, “The Fake Boy Wonder” and “When Batman Became a Coward”).

 January, 12 – 20^th Century Fox releases through ABC the first espisode of “Batman” with Adam West as the hero.

Adam West (1928-2017) as Batman.

             May – First appearance of Arthur Brown, the Cluemaster in Detective Comics vol.1 #351, created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino.

Detective Comics vol.1 #351, DC Comics, May 1966. Pencils: Carmine Infantino - inks: Murphy Anderson - unknown collorist.

Murphy Anderson (1926-2015).

             May, 5 - 20^th Century Fox ended the first season of “Batman” with Adam West as the hero.

            June – First appearance of Dr. Lillian Rose, the Poison Ivy in Batman vol.1 #181, created by Robert Kanigher and Sheldon Moldoff.

Batman vol.1 #181, DC Comics, June 1966. Pencils: Carmine Infantino - inks: Murphy Anderson - unknown collorist.

             July, 9 – written by Whitney Ellsworth and E. Nelson Bridwell and initially drew by Sheldon Moldoff started the third serie of Batman in comic strips. Later the series will be draw by Joe Giella, Carmine Infantino and Al Plastino.

           July, 30 - 20th Century Fox releases “Batman” directed by Leslie H. Martinson and with Adam West as Batman.

              September, 7 - 20^th Century Fox lauches the second season of “Batman” with Adam West as the hero.

1967, January – First appearance of Barbara Gordon in "The Million Dollar Debut of Batgirl!" by writer Gardner Fox and artist Carmine Infantino in Detective Comics vol.1 #359.

Detective Comics vol.1 #359, DC Comics, January 1967. Pencils: Carmine Infantino - inks: Murphy Anderson - unknown collorist.

 March, 30 - 20^th Century Fox ended the second season of “Batman” with Adam West as the hero.

            September, 14 - 20^th Century Fox launches the third season of “Batman” with Adam West as the hero.

November –The Brave and the Bold #74 stablished the series as a team-up magazine between Batman and other stablished super-heroes.

1968, March – Mr. Zero is renamed as Mr. Freeze in Detective Comics #373 by Gardner Fox.

Detective Comics vol.1 #373, DC Comics, March 1968. Pencils: Irv Novick - inks: Irv Novick - unknown collorist.

Irv Novick (1916-2004).

March, 14 – 20^th Century Fox cancels the “Batman” series with Adam West as the hero.

         September, 14 – Filmation launches the animated series “The Batman/ Superman Hour” broadcasted on CBS. Batman is voiced by Olan Soule.

Olan Soule (1909-1994).

1969 - Starting in 1969, writer Dennis O'Neil and artist Neal Adams made a deliberate effort to distance Batman from the campy portrayal of the 1960s TV series and to return the character to his roots as a "grim avenger of the night". O'Neil said his idea was "simply to take it back to where it started. I went to the DC library and read some of the early stories. I tried to get a sense of what Kane and Finger were after". To some their work is considered the end of the Silver Age in comics.

Dennis O'Neil (1939-).

Neal Adams (1941-).

            - In 1969, Dick Grayson attends college as part of DC Comics' effort to revise the Batman comics. Additionally, Batman also moves from his mansion, Wayne Manor into a penthouse apartment atop the Wayne Foundation building in downtown.

January, 4 – CBS cancelsFilmation’s “The Batman/Superman Hour".