Originally created in the late 1930s, Batman has become one of the most popular superheroes of all time. First appearing in DC's Detective Comics #27, The Caped Crusader took the world by storm and exploded in popularity. All these years later Batman is a prominent cultural icon, appearing in comic books, video games, animated and live-action television, and a number of films ranging in tone from playful and campy to dark and brooding. The much-beloved character serves as a beacon of vengence and justice, inspiring our inner hero and striking fear into the hearts of criminals everywhere.