Film
The Jewish origins of Batman
Joel Meadows sets out the Dark Knight's origins on his 80th birthday
January 29, 2020 16:23
Joel Meadows sets out the Dark Knight's origins on his 80th birthday
January 29, 2020 16:23Batman - first seen in a comic book 80 years ago today — is arguably one of the most iconic comic characters in the world. But he and his sidekick, Robin wouldn’t have existed without their two creators, Bill Finger and Bob Kane, both Jewish Americans.
Danny Fingeroth, comics historian sees Jewish life reflected in the caped crusader’s genesis and stories: “Batman’s creation, in the wake of Kristallnacht, shows us a world where nothing is secure, including the presence of one’s loving parents.
"I think that informs the whole subtext of Batman, that everything we thought was safe and assured could be taken from us in an instant,” he says.
Current Superman writer Brian Michael Bendis, also sees a connection between Batman and Judaism.
“I thinks its creators being Jewish is a massive connection. Though not as obvious as Superman’s Jewish roots, which is so like the Moses story, Batman is filled with talmudic lessons.”
“Kane’s father would bring the Batman creative team a traditional Sabbath dinner every Friday night when they were working in their studio.
"So there was at least some traditional Jewish life going on while the early Batman stories were being created. I have to think that may somehow have come through in the stories”.
"With 80 years of history, Batman has been seen on film and TV and still in the pages of the comic magazine that gave DC its name, Detective Comics.
This month sees the publication of Detective Comics 1,000, featuring many of the most notable creators who have worked on the character over the years including artist Neal Adams, writers Scott Snyder, Dennis O’Neil and current writer Tom King.
There is a new Batman film in the planning stages directed by Planet Of The Apes reboot director Matt Reeves , with the main role still to be cast since Ben Affleck walked from the role. So, 80 years after his first appearance in Detective Comics 27, Batman is still fighting the forces of darkness.
And it’s all thanks to two American Jews.
