Superhero 411: Batman

Today we're starting a series where we'll feature one of the superheroes on the American Superhero Team and delve deeper into their history. For our first article we'll be looking at the Dark Knight himself, Batman.

Batman

Real name: Bruce Wayne
First Appearance: Detective Comics #27 (1939)

Occupation: Businessman/Philanthropist/Vigilante
Religion: Episcopalian / Catholic (lapsed)

Operates in: Gotham City

Batman was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger and fist appeared in Detective Comics #27 (May 1939) as "The Bat-Man". Batman's secret identity is Bruce Wayne, an American millionaire and later billionaire playboy, industrialist and philanthropist.
As a young boy Bruce witnessed the murder of his parents at the hands of a mugger and swore an oath to bring criminals to justice. As Bruce grew up he sought masters around the world to train him to his physical, mental and intellectual peaks. Upon returning to his hometown of Gotham City he donned a bat-themed costume to strike fear into criminals as he brings them to justice.
Unlike most superheroes Batman does not possess any superpowers, but instead relies on his intellect, detective skills, advanced technologies, wealth, physical prowess, martial arts skills, will power, intimidation and fear.
Batman became a popular character soon after his debut and in 1940 gained his own self-titled comic book. Since then Batman has remained popular and has several interpretations in various media. The 1960s saw the Batman television series that used a camp style that was associated with the character until the late 1980s with the release of The Dark Knight Returns miniseries by Frank Miller and the first of the Batman feature films that returned the character to his darker roots. Batman has become a cultural icon around the world, and has been the focus of much pop culture, both serious and not.