The Science of Superheroes
Chapter One
The Dark Knight
Batman
A NonSuper Superhero
One of the true icons of comic book culture is Batman, a superhero
without super powers. The scourge of the underworld, Batman is a
spectacular crime fighter with a dazzling array of weapons and gadgets.
Unlike most comic book heroes who are gifted with extraordinary
powers, Batman is an ordinary man who develops his skills
through training and hard work. A master detective, Batman is one of
the few superheroes who outthinks as well as outfights his opponents.
The creation of artist Bob Kane, Batman first appeared in Detective
Comics, #27 May 1939. Like Superman from a year before, the
costumed crime fighter caught on quickly with the reading public,
and within a few years, was starring in his own comic as well as continuing
to appear in Detective Comics.
Unlike Superman, however, Batman wasn't unique in comics.
Before he debuted, a number of noncostumed heroes appeared in the
pages of Detective and Action Comics. Soon after Batman's appearance,
a number of very similar costumed heroes with secret identitie ... read full excerpt from The Science of Superheroes ebook
