When did the very first mention of Batman appear?

Batman first appeared in 1939, specifically created for DC Comics by artist Bob Kane. Batman made his debut in Detective Comics #27, the May 1939 issue.

In how many forms has Batman been reinvented throughout his history?

The superhero character Batman has popped up not only in a variety of comic books and major motion pictures, but also in radio serials, live action and animated television series, and interactive games. Before Batman Begins, there were four other major live action films released in theaters detailing the life of Batman, his friends, and his foes.

Does Batman have any superpowers?

Suprisingly, no. He is human and relies on a variety of manmade tools to assist him in his crime fighting endeavors. In Batman Begins, Batman gets help from his Utility Belt, complete with a grappling gun to swing from rooftops, periscope to see around corners, metallic weapons called Batarangs, ninja spikes for scaling walls, and small explosives. He also uses brass forearm gauntlets for climbing and as a shield against bladed weapons.

Is Batman’s background history that is depicted in Batman Begins based on accounts by the actual comic book stories of Batman?

According to Christopher Nolan, the films director, “There is no one definitive account of Batman’s origins, but throughout the interpretations of his character over the years, there are key events that make Batman who he is and make his story the great legend that it has come to be. There were also a lot of very interesting gaps in the mythology that we were able to interpret ourselves and bring in our own ideas of how Bruce Wayne and Batman would have evolved specifically.”

How did the filmmakers come to choose Christian Bale for the role of Batman in Batman Begins?

Nolan states in the studio production notes that “Christian Bale was the ideal choice to play a young Bruce Wayne, particularly a Bruce Wayne still struggling very much with the demons that drive him to become Batman…He is a very complex character who exists on the razor’s edge between good and bad. Christian embodies that sense of danger and ambiguity that can be channeled into something very positive and very powerful. He has that kind of intensity, that fire burning inside. You look into his eyes and you believe that this man would go to those extremes.”

The film’s producer Chuck Roven continues, “Bruce Wayne is an ordinary man who has made himself extraordinary, through sheer determination and self-discipline…Christian exemplifies this kind of passion, dedication and commitment. He has a wonderful presence as Bruce Wayne and Batman, and brings an amazing power to his performance, both physically and emotionally.”

Why does Bruce Wayne put up a façade of being an indulgent spoiled bachelor when his true heart believes strongly in fighting injustice?

The last thing Bruce wants is to be found out. Because of this he needs to put up a public image that is the opposite of everything that Batman stands for. The one person most likely to find out about Bruce’s secret identity is Rachel Dawes, his former love interest. Because Rachel is so concerned about the crime and deterioration of Gotham, Bruce has to portray an image opposite of this to throw Rachel off, thus he puts on the public persona of frivolous, womanizing playboy who doesn’t notice or care that the city is crumbling to ruins.

“One of the consequences of Bruce Wayne’s decision to transform himself into Batman is that he’s put in a position of having to debase himself in Rachel’s eyes,” Nolan says. “She believes him to be capable of extraordinary things, but she cannot know that he is indeed performing extraordinary good. She has to see him as somebody wasting his resources and his talents, and she really can’t bear to see that.”

I don’t remember the character of Rachel Dawes in the comic books, was she created just for this movie?

No, she is the only main character in Batman Begins who is not based on a character from the comic book mythology. According to Nolan, he and Goyer created the character of Rachel to “represent the life Bruce Wayne might have if he weren’t tied into his destiny of having to create a very dark alter ego through which he helps people.”

What is the educational and employment background of Dr. Jonathan Crane?

Dr. Crane is an accomplished young psychiatrist and the head of the prisoner population at Gotham’s Arkham Asylum mental facility. His medical specialty is the study of fears and phobias. In his research, he has developed a toxin through which he can tap into and unleash his patients’ worst fears, and as his alter-ego, the hideously-masked Scarecrow, he uses terror and paranoia as weapons against them.

Was the Batmobile custom made? What are some of its important features?

Every aspect of the Batmobile was custom made, going against the tradition of most film vehicles where they are comprised of a pre-existing car fram with a plastic shell placed over it. The Batmobile is equipped with a 5.7 liter, 350 cubic inch, 340-horsepower engine with approximately 400 pounds of torque. 9 feet, 4 inches at its widest point, the vehicle is 15 feet long and weighs 2.5 tons. It accelerates from 0-60 in under 5 seconds and can jump 4-6 feet in height, up to a distance of 60 feet, and then peel off as soon as it hits the ground. The Batmobile also has no front axel, allowing it to make extremely tight turns. Its wheels are held from the side.

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