Together, they refined the idea. The wings were replaced by a black, scalloped cape, the costume became dark and sinister and the character’s backstory fell into place: wealthy playboy by day, merciless crimefighter by night. The Bat-Man made his first appearance in Detective Comics No 27, May 1939, and became an instant hit.
Now, 80 years later, Batman is hailed as one of the greatest superhero creations of all time. With numerous TV shows, video games, animations and big Hollywood film franchises under his (utility) belt, Batman isn’t merely a comic-book character, but a cultural icon.
And he’s not the only one. The comics universe has become nothing short of a cinematic phenomenon, with big-budget superhero films released by DC and its rival Marvel every few months, complemented by spin-off TV shows and merchandise in the form of anything and everything.
As part of the DC empire’s year-long global celebration of Batman’s 80th anniversary, the landmark 1,000th issue of Detective Comics was released in March, documenting the Caped Crusader’s past, present and future. It also serves as a nostalgic reminder of where this hero’s story, like so many others, all began—on the flimsy pages of a comic book, selling for just a few pence at the newsstand, but introducing children to a whole new realm of imagination.
Denne historien er fra September 25, 2019-utgaven av Country Life UK.
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Denne historien er fra September 25, 2019-utgaven av Country Life UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Kitchen garden cook - Apples
'Sweet and crisp, apples are the epitome of autumn flavour'
The original Mr Rochester
Three classic houses in North Yorkshire have come to the market; the owner of one inspired Charlotte Brontë to write Jane Eyre
Get it write
Desks, once akin to instruments of torture for scribes, have become cherished repositories of memories and secrets. Matthew Dennison charts their evolution
'Sloes hath ben my food'
A possible paint for the Picts and a definite culprit in tea fraud, the cheek-suckingly sour sloe's spiritual home is indisputably in gin, says John Wright
Souvenirs of greatness
FOR many years, some large boxes have been stored and forgotten in the dark recesses of the garage. Unpacked last week, the contents turned out to be pots: some, perhaps, nearing a century old—dense terracotta, of interesting provenance.
Plants for plants' sake
The garden at Hergest Croft, Herefordshire The home of Edward Banks The Banks family is synonymous with an extraordinary collection of trees and shrubs, many of which are presents from distinguished friends, garnered over two centuries. Be prepared to be amazed, says Charles Quest-Ritson
Capturing the castle
Seventy years after Christian Dior’s last fashion show in Scotland, the brand returned under creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri for a celebratory event honouring local craftsmanship, the beauty of the land and the Auld Alliance, explains Kim Parker
Nature's own cathedral
Our tallest native tree 'most lovely of all', the stately beech creates a shaded environment that few plants can survive. John Lewis-Stempel ventures into the enchanted woods
All that money could buy
A new book explores the lost riches of London's grand houses. Its author, Steven Brindle, looks at the residences of plutocrats built by the nouveaux riches of the late-Victorian and Edwardian ages
In with the old
Diamonds are meant to sparkle in candlelight, but many now gather dust in jewellery boxes. To wear them today, we may need to reimagine them, as Hetty Lintell discovers with her grandmother's jewellery
