Batman Timeline: the Golden Age

  I first published this serie of articles in August 2014 in my first blog, 

Campo de Zinias. I decided to republished it now but with some alterations. 

Hope you can enjoy it.

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

Batman appeared for the first time in May of 1939 and has completed his 75th birthday but for sure he's not ageing. He's still full of life and generating high profits to the ones working with him. Some people says Superman is the best superhero ever created but to me the first place is for the Big Bad Bat.

Because Batman sells amazingly he appears in any possible mass media and had turned a cultural icon in the Western civilization. Rival publisher houses present his characters alongside with him. Batman has been twisted or amalgamated with other characteres just... to sell more and more. To me is quite clear that there are so many bat-options around, much more than necessary but as I said, Batman sells.

I don't like what they are doing with the character in the comics, especially. Apparently there is a need to shock and disturb the reader as it was a guarantee of quality. I think the writers are wrong and to me, the best of Batman still are his first four stories. They are somber, nearly depressed, but with no need to shock, just tell good, moody stories; so moody that the editors decided to create a Robin to lead Batman to a juvenile mood just to guarantee the selling - and of course they were wright. With stories being produced in an industrial scale is quite clear that quantity must be over quality.and if in this ocean of stories you really want good tales, be prepared: it is not easy task.  Among few exemples are "Batman: the Dark Knight return" and "Batman: the killing joke", books where we can find real originality in the use of the character.

To honor the best of all crime fighters I did this time line; it's not complete. Many can say his favorite book is not here, or game, or writer or villain. But I think what I did is enough to show how deep is Batman rooted in Western culture.

           

1914, February, 8 – Milton "Bill" Finger is born in Denver, Colorado.

Bill Finger (1914-1974).

1915, October, 24 - Robert Kahn is born in New York City.

Bob Kane (1915-1998).

1933 - Robert Kahn changes legally his name to Bob Kane.

1937, March - Detective Comics vol.1 #1 published by the newly formed Detective Comics, Inc.

1938, April, 18 - Superman's first appearance was in Action Comics vol.1 #1, published by National Allied Publications, a corporate predecessor of DC Comics (cover-dated June 1938).

1939, May – Batman comes to light in Detective Comics vol.1 #27 with "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate," by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, originally referred to as "the Bat-Man". Alfred Stryker is the first criminal to face the hero and he do not lives to tell us his experience.

The original Batman as created by Bob Kane. Was Bill Finger who suggested a different visual.

This very first published image of Batman appeared in Action Comic vol.1 # 12 (May, 1939).

Detective Comics vol.1 #27, DC Comics, May 1939. Pencils: Bob Kane - inks: Bob Kane - unknown collorist.

 

excerpt of "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate" - text: Bill Finger - pencils: Bob Kane - inks: Bob Kane - unknown collorist - letters: Bob Kane. Detective Comics vol.1 #27, DC Comics, May 1939.

Alfred Striker was Batman's first foe, killed by the hero. Bob Kane forgot Batman's ears.
Excerpt of "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate" - text: Bill Finger - pencils: Bob Kane - inks: Bob Kane - unknown collorist - letters: Bob Kane. Detective Comics vol.1 #27, DC Comics, May 1939.

July - In Detective Comics vol.1 #29 Gardner Fox and Bob Kane present Batman's characteristic utility belt and his first super-villan, Doctor Karl Hellfern, the Doctor Death.

Doctor Death.
Detective Comics vol.1 #29, DC Comics, July 1939. Pencils: Bob Kane - inks: Bob Kane - unknown collorist.

September - the Batplane and the batarang are introduced in Detective Comics vol.1 #31 by Gardner Fox. Bruce Wayne's first girlfriend Julie Madison also had her first appearance, created by Bob Kane, Gardner Fox, and Bill Finger.

Julie Madison.
Excerpt of an untitled story - text: Gardner Fox - pencils: Bob Kane and Sheldon Moldoff (backgrounds)- inks: Bob Kane - unknown collorist - letters: Sheldon Moldoff. Detective Comics vol.1 #31, DC Comics, September 1939.

Gardner Fox (1911-1986).

November – Batman’s origin is revealed in Detective Comics vol.1 #33 in a story written by Bill Finger with art of Bob Kane. First appearances of Thomas and Martha Wayne and Joe Chill.

1940 - New York World's Fair Comics featuring Superman, Batman, and Robin with 96 pages and a cardboard cover.

January - Batman became the main cover feature of the Detective Comics with issue #35.

Detective Comics vol.1 #35, DC Comics, January 1940. Pencils: Bob Kane - inks: Bob Kane - unknown collorist.

February – First appearance of Professor Hugo Strange in Detective Comics vol.1 #36, created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane.

Prof. Hugo Strange.
Excerpt of an untitled story - text: Bill Finger - pencils: Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson (backgrounds)- inks: Bob Kane - unknown collorist - letters: Jerry Robinson. Detective Comics vol.1 #31, DC Comics, September 1939.

April – First appearance of Robin in Detective Comics vol.1 #38, created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson.

Detective Comics vol.1 #38, DC Comics, April 1940. Pencils: Bob Kane - inks: Jerry Robinson - unknown collorist.

Jerry Robinson (1922-2011) by Dan Chusid via Wikipedia.

Spring -Batman vol.1 #1 introduces two of his most persistent enemies, the Joker and Catwoman, both were created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger.In her first stories Catwoman was known as The Cat. In "The Giants of Hugo Strange"Batman shoots some monstrous giants to death. That story prompted editor Whitney Ellsworth to decree that the character could no longer kill or use a gun.

The Joker.
Excerpt of an untitled story - text: Bill Finger - pencils: Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson (backgrounds)- inks: Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson (backgrounds) - unknown collorist - letters: Jerry Robinson. Batman vol.1 #1, DC Comics, Spring 1940.

Catwoman.
Excerpt of an untitled story - text: Bill Finger - pencils: Bob Kane - inks: Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson (backgrounds) - unknown collorist - letters: Jerry Robinson. Batman vol.1 #1, DC Comics, Spring 1940.

June – First appearance of Basil Karlo, the first Clayface in Detective Comics vol.1 #40, created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger.
 

Basil Karlo, the first Clayface.
page 1 of an untitled story - text: Bill Finger - pencils: Bob Kane - inks: Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson (backgrounds) - unknown collorist - letters: Jerry Robinson. Detective Comics vol.1 #40, DC Comics, June 1940.

1941, Spring - World's Best Comics #1 teaming Superman, Batman and Robin. Linda Page has her first appearance in Batman vol.1 #5 created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane.

Linda Page and Bruce Wayne.
Excerpt of an untitled story - text: Bill Finger - pencils: Bob Kane - inks: Jerry Robinson and George Roussos (backgrounds)- unknown collorist - letters: Jerry Robinson. Batman vol.1 #5, DC Comics, Spring 1941.

             Summer -World's Best Comics #2 have its name changed to World's Finest Comics.

            Fall – First appearance of Dr. Jonathan Crane, the Scarecrow in World's Finest Comics vol.1 #3, created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. 

Scarecrow.
Excerpt of an untitled story - text: Bill Finger - pencils: Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson (secondary figures) - inks: George Roussos - unknown collorist - letters: George Roussos. World's Finest Comics vol.1 #3, DC Comics, Fall 1941.

November - Batman is made an honorary member of Gotham City's police department in Batman vol.1 #7 by Bill Finger and Bob Kane.

December – First appearance of the Penguin in Detective Comics vol.1 #58, created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger.

Penguin by Bob Kane.

 1942, August – First appearance of Harvey Kent, the Two-Face in Detective Comics vol.1 #66, created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger.

Two-Face.
Excerpt of "The Crimes of Two-Face!" - text: Bill Finger, according a Bob Kane idea - pencils: Bob Kane - inks: Jerry Robinson and George Roussos (background) - unknown collorist - letters: Ira Schnapp. Detective Comics vol.1 #66, DC Comics, August 1942.

 August/September - In Batman vol.1 #12, Bill Finger mentioned "secret underground hangars" connected with Bruce Wayne’s house.

1943, May– In Batman vol.1 #16 Alfred arrives at Bruce's and after deducing the Dynamic Duo's secret identities, joins their service as their butler. Story by Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Jerry Robinson.

Alfred.
Excerpt of "Here Comes Alfred!" - text: Don C. Cameron - pencils: Bob Kane - inks: Jerry Robinson and George Roussos (background) - unknown collorist - letters: George Roussos. Batman vol.1 #16, DC Comics, April-May 1943.

             
 April - First appearance of Dumfree Tweed and Deever Tweed, the Tweedledum and Tweedledee in Detective Comics vol.1 #74, created by Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson and Don Cameron.

Detective Comics vol.1 #74, DC Comics, April 1943. Pencils: Jerry Robinson - inks: Jerry Robinson - unknown collorist.

            July, 16 – Columbia Pictures releases the first of fifteen chapters of the serial “Batman”, directed by Lambert Hillier and with Lewis Wilson as Batman. In the second chapter entitled "The Bat's Cave" Batman have a complete underground crime lab whose entrance was via a secret passage through a grandfather clock and included bats flying around.

Lewis Wilson (1920-2000) as Batman.

October, 25 – Batman goes to the comic strips drew by Bob Kane and written for Don Cameron, Bill Finger, Jack Schiff and Alvin Schwartz

1944, January – The Batcave is introduced in the comics in Detective Comics vol.1 #83. Story by Don Cameron and Jack Burnley.

August - First appearance of Professor Carter Nichols in Batman vol.1 #24, created by Joe Samachson and Dick Sprang.

Professor Carter Nichols.
Excerpt of "Sir Batman at King Arthur's Court!" - text: Bill Finger - pencils: Paul Cooper [as Bob Kane] - inks: Ray Burnley - unknown collorist - letters: Ira Schnapp. Batman vol.1 #36, DC Comics, August-September 1946.

1945, February – Alfred’s original last name, Beagle, is revealed in Detective Comics vol.1 #96.

            March - Batman and Robin made regular appearances on the radio drama “The Adventures of Superman” on the Mutual Broadcasting System.

1946 – The first series of Batman strips is canceled.

1947, February – Detective Comics, Inc. changes its name to National Comics Publications.

1948, October -First appearance of Edward Nigma, the Riddler in Detective Comics vol.1 #140, created by writer Bill Finger and Dick Sprang .

Detective Comics vol.1 #140, DC Comics, October 1946. Pencils: Win Mortimer - inks: Win Mortimer - unknown collorist.

Win Mortimer (1919-1998).

            October/November – First appearance of the first Mad Hatter and Vicky Valle in the story "Scoop of the Century!"in Batman vol.1 #49, created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Lew Schwartz.

the first Mad Hatter.
Excerpt of "The Scoop of the Century!" - text: Bill Finger - pencils: Bob Kane (Batman and Robin figures only); Lew Schwartz - inks: Charles Paris - unknown collorist - letters: Ira Schnapp. Batman vol.1 #49, DC Comics, October-November 1948.

Vicky Vale.
Excerpt of "The Scoop of the Century!" - text: Bill Finger - pencils: Bob Kane (Batman and Robin figures only); Lew Schwartz - inks: Charles Paris - unknown collorist - letters: Ira Schnapp. Batman vol.1 #49, DC Comics, October-November 1948.

1949, May, 26 – Columbia Pictures releases the first of fifteen chapters of “Batman and Robin” directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and with Robert Lowery as Batman.

Robert Lowery (1913-1971) as Batman.

 1950, June/July - First appearance of Floyd Lawton, the Deadshot, created by Bob Kane, David Vern Reed and Lew Schwartz in Batman vol.1 #59.

Deadshot.
Excerpt of "The Man Who Replaced Batman!" - text: David Verne - pencils: Bob Kane (Batman and Robin figures only); Lew Schwartz - inks: Charles Paris - unknown collorist - letters: Ira Schnapp. Batman vol.1 #59, DC Comics, June-July 1950.

1951, February - First appearance of the prisoner 234026, the Killer Moth in Batman vol.1 #63, created by Bill Finger, Dick Sprang and Lew Schwartz. In the story "The Man Behind The Red Hood!" in Detective Comics vol.1 #168 the Red Hood made his first appearance; he was created by Bill Finger, Lew Schwartz, and Win Mortimer.

Killer Moth.
Excerpt of "The Origin of Killer Moth!" - text: Bill Finger - pencils: Bob Kane (Batman and Robin figures only); Lew Schwartz - inks: Charles Paris - unknown collorist - letters: Ira Schnapp. Batman vol.1 #63, DC Comics, February-March 1951.

Detective Comics vol.1 #168, DC Comics, February 1951. Pencils: Lew Schwartz - inks: George Roussos - unknown collorist.

1952, June - First appearance of Garfield Lynns, the first Firefly in Detective Comics vol.1 #184 , created by France Herron and Dick Sprang.

Detective Comics vol.1 #184, DC Comics, June 1952. Pencils: Win Mortimer - inks: Win Mortimer - unknown collorist.

 1953 - Walter B. Gibson writes a second comic strip for Batman.

June - In the story "The Mightiest Team in the World" in Superman vol.1 #76, Batman teams up with Superman for the first time and the pair discovers each other's secret identity. The team-up of the characters was "a financial success in an era when those were few and far between"; this series of stories ran until the book's cancellation in 1986.

1954 - Batman comics were among those criticized when the comic book industry came under scrutiny with the publication of psychologist Fredric Wertham's book Seduction of the Innocent in 1954. Wertham's thesis was that children imitated crimes committed in comic books, and that these works corrupt the morals of the youth. Wertham criticized Batman comics for their supposed homosexual overtones and argued that Batman and Robin were portrayed as lovers. Wertham's criticisms raised a public outcry during the 1950s, eventually leading to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority. The tendency towards a "sunnier Batman" in the postwar years intensified after the introduction of the Comics Code. Scholars have suggested that the characters of Batwoman (in 1956) and Bat-Girl (in 1961) were introduced in part to refute the allegation that Batman and Robin were gay, and the stories took on a campier, lighter feel. Fredric Wertham asserted in his Seduction of the Innocent in 1954 that "Batman stories are psychologically homosexual." He claimed, "The Batman type of story may stimulate children to homosexual fantasies, of the nature of which they may be unconscious." Wertham wrote, "Only someone ignorant of the fundamentals of psychiatry and of the psychopathology of sex can fail to realize a subtle atmosphere of homoeroticism which pervades the adventures of the mature 'Batman' and his young friend 'Robin.'"

Frederic Wertham (1895-1981).

 1955, July – first appearance of Ace, the Bat-Hound in Batman vol.1 #92, created by writer Bill Finger and artist Sheldon Moldoff.

Batman vol.1 #92, DC Comics, June 1955. Pencils: Win Mortimer - inks: Win Mortimer - unknown collorist.

Sheldon Moldoff (1920-2012).

August/September – Fist issue of The Brave and the Bold.

1956, April – First appearance of Jervis Tetch, the second Mad Hatter in Detective Comics vol.1 #230, created by Bill Finger and Sheldon Moldoff.

Detective Comics vol.1 #230, DC Comics, April 1956. Pencils: Win Mortimer - inks: George Roussos - unknown collorist.

 July – First appearance of Batwoman in Detective Comics vol.1 #233. She was created by Bob Kane and Sheldon Moldoff with writer Edmond Hamilton under the direction of editor Jack Schiff, as part of an ongoing effort to expand Batman's cast of supporting characters. 

Detective Comics vol.1 #233, DC Comics, July 1956. Pencils: Sheldon Moldoff - inks: Sheldon Moldoff - unknown collorist.

October – The Silver Age of Comic Books in DC Comics is sometimes held to have begun in 1956 when the publisher introduced Barry Allen as a new, updated version of The Flash in Showcase #4. Batman is not significantly changed by the late 1950s for the continuity which would be later referred to as Earth-One.