The “Caped Crusader,” the “Dark Knight,” the “Bat-Freak,” “Batsy” — whatever name you know him by, Batman is easily DC Comics’ most prolific of heroes.
But how much do we actually know about him and his world? From his debut in 1939’s Detective Comics, to his extensive list of live-action films, Batman has racked up considerable popularity and great status.
Rubbing shoulders with super-powered aliens and Amazon warrior princesses, Batman isn’t just a man with a cape and a cool costume. There’s so much more to know about this extraordinary DC hero, from his backstory, comic book trivia, to some behind-the-scenes facts that will make him even more spectacular.
So, whether you’re a newbie to the famous movie series or just want to know a tad bit more about the Dark Knight, here are the most fun and interesting Batman facts out there.
30 Things You Need to Know About Batman
1. You Can Learn ‘Batmanology’ at University
Curious about how Batman manages what he does? The University of Victoria in Canada offers a curriculum on whether it is possible for the human body to achieve and tolerate what Batman can do.
From training, to his diet and intelligence, this course by Dr E Paul Zehr presents all the trivia you need to know about the Dark Knight’s superhuman capabilities. If you know the Caped Crusader though, that’s a tall order.
2. Kevin Conroy Was the Longest-Running Batman
Several actors have played Batman, but Kevin Conroy was in this role for a whooping 30 years before his untimely death in 2022.
Starting with the legendary 1992 TV show, Batman: The Animated Series, the actor had a long-lasting portfolio as the voice of Batman: over 15 video games, more than 13 animated movies, and around 15 TV series. That’s quite a resume, Kevin!
3. Bruce’s Net Worth is Over $9 Billion
Here’s some juicy information about Batman! In 2015, Forbes set out to answer the question of who “fiction’s richest” are. At a net worth of $9.2 billion, Bruce Wayne comes a not too shabby 6th place, being wealthier than Richie Rich (7th) but not as rich as Charles Foster Kane (5th).
Although this puts him on the low end of the world’s richest, we don’t see Batman complaining anytime soon. On the other hand, you can find out who the richest DC character is on our list!
4. Wayne Enterprises Is Worth Over $30 Billion
Why is Batman so rich, anyway? Bruce wouldn’t be half the bat without the assets provided by Wayne Enterprises, a company that’s been in his family for generations.
This trillion dollar conglomerate has branches in steel, food, aerospace, biotechnology, chemicals, electronics, entertainment, shipping, medicine, and even private security just to name a few. The company reportedly rakes in $31.3 billion in annual revenue. Not too bad, hey? Small wonder then that WayneCorp claims to have built Gotham.
5. There’s a City Called ‘Batman’
In 2008, Hüseyin Kalkan, the mayor of ‘Batman’ (a city in southern Turkey) attempted to sue Warner Bros. and Christopher Nolan for using the city’s name without permission.
Although claiming there was only one ‘Batman’ in the world, there was no real news after about it. Batman first appeared as a comic book character in 1939. The question is, what came first? The chicken or the egg?
6. Christian Bale’s Bat-Voice was Edited Post-Production
One of the most iconic things about Christian Bale’s run as Batman is his deep, gritty voice that strains the vocal cords of fans and parodists to this day.
But interestingly enough, in The Dark Knight, the infamous growl was added by Christopher Nolan in post-production and the actor himself used a more reasonable voice during filming.
7. There’s a Reason Bruce Drives a Lambo
These Batman facts are getting juicier! When he’s not hitting the streets in his tank in The Dark Knight trilogy, Bruce drives a cool grey Lamborghini. Specifically, the 2006-model Murciélago. Well, did you know this model translates to “bat” in Spanish? So fitting!
8. You Can Be Batman with $300 Million
In his publication “Batman Unauthorized,” author and assistant professor Darren Hudson Hick estimated that it would cost someone about $300 million to equip themselves in a way to become Batman.
Most of that goes towards buying a 3.500sqft supercomputer, a bomb shelter conversion and a tricked-out 1000bhp concept car. The list does miss out a custom boat, plane, helicopter and space station, however.
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9. The Batsuit was Originally Red
The Batsuit hasn’t always been dark or stealthy. Before his infamous black and grey suit, many would remember Batman prowling the streets in a cape of ocean blue in the 1950s and 1960s.
Throughout the years, the tights have varied between ash grey and near-black, while the bat-symbol has spent time over a yellow circle on his chest. You’d be interested to know, however, that Batman co-creator, Bob Kane’s original design saw the hero wearing a red leotard and blonde hair!
10. ‘Batman & Robin’ is the Worst Batman Movie
Here’s a (not so) surprising fact about the Batman movies… Batman & Robin is considered the least successful and one of the worst Batman movies of all time.
Failing the most at the box office and receiving an embarrassingly low IMDb rating of just 3.7, George Clooney’s Batman is one that is not favorably remembered. It’s even been ranked as one of the worst DC movies ever, too.
11. Batman Was Almost a Yellow Lantern
Did you know that the the villainous group, Sinestro Corps, attempted to recruit Batman? Like all their power rings, the Yellow rings choose their owner, the strongest provider of the emotion they are linked to.
Batman is such a terror to the underworld of Gotham that he was picked by a ring as the one most capable of instilling fear. He refused however, as Bat’s desire to impart justice is stronger than his desire to instill fear.
12. There’s a Batman-Wolverine Hybrid
What do you get when you combine the backstories, personalities and talents of Batman and Wolverine? Logan Wayne a.k.a. ‘The Dark Claw’. Indeed, there’s a Marvel and DC crossover character!
Created by both universes in a joint comic-book, Amalgam Comics, the regenerative powers, heightened senses and indestructible bones of Wolverine were combined with the immense intelligence, peak physical perfection and passion for justice of Batman. Gotham city criminals? Run.
13. Robin Was Killed by Popular Vote
This Batman fact might surprise you. The death of Jason Todd in 1988’s A Death in the Family was one of the great shockers of comic history. Batman’s side-kick was killed via a crowbar by none other than the Joker. But did you know that it was decided by the fans?
DC Comics decided the outcome by running a call-in poll to see if Bat-fans wanted Jason to live or die — 5,271 calls voted for him to live, 5,343 voted for him to die. Poor Robin.
14. Bruce Has a Busy Love Life
While there have been other flings, Batman has had three main women in his life: Selina Kyle, Talia al Ghul, and Wonder Woman.
Although Batman has been known to connect with Diana in the Justice League animated series, he has been most reciprocal towards Selina Kyle, as Talia’s “we can rule together” desires tend to put him off anything long-term.
Oh, and if you’re a Wonder Woman and Batman shipper, you’ll be pleased to know that they shared a kiss in the Trinity comic series.
15. Batman Has Secret Talents
Batman wouldn’t be Batman without the vast array of skills, techniques and talents in his arsenal. He is a master of over 127 forms of martial arts, is well-versed in at least seven languages (including Japanese, German and Russian), and has degrees in multiple scientific and engineering fields.
He is also the master of the power nap; just one hour of sleep is as effective for him as eight hours are for us.
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16. His Utility Belt Has Over 100 Gadgets
According to this Reddit user, Batman has around 140 gadgets in his Bat-Utility Belt to solve anything with preparation. Whatever the mission, the Caped Crusader always carries a set of batarangs, smoke bombs, a rebreather, a first aid kit, and remote trackers.
But he also has a few odd items in there, too. Like a ‘Batman balloon’ (which he inflated to look like a powerful genie), crayons (to draw a fake stop sign and alter traffic), a make-up kit (to disguise himself) and randomly, a shark repellent. Handy.
17. Bruce Wayne Has a Brother
Bruce Wayne isn’t an only child after all. In 2011’s The New 52, Thomas and Martha have a second child named Thomas Wayne Jr, who is born prematurely and sent to Willowwood Asylum.
After the Wayne murders, the son turns into a villain known as Lincoln March. He blames Bruce for their parents’ death, and so seeks revenge on Batman.
18. Batman Has a Son
Only die-hard fans are aware of this fact about Batman. Believe it or not, he has a son. Indeed, somewhere, out there is a mini-version of Bruce Wayne, who goes by the name Damian Wayne.
Batman and Talia al Ghul’s son first appeared in the 1987 comic, Batman: Son of the Demon. He is described as violent and murderous at a young age, and at one point even takes up the identity of Robin.
19. Wayne Family Locations Are All Over Gotham
The legacy of the Wayne Family can be seen throughout Gotham, the most famous signs of their legacy being the Solomon Wayne courthouse; the Wayne Memorial down Crime Alley where Bruce’s parents were murdered; and the Old Wayne Tower, which was designed by Alan Wayne, Bruce’s great-great-grandfather.
20. A Cameraman Was Killed on Set
While filming the Joker chase scene in The Dark Knight, the car that the cameraman was in, crashed into a tree, killing him before the medics could treat him. Conway Wickliffe was honored alongside Heath Ledger in the film’s credits. Tragic…
21. Batman Has a Double
One of the more interesting and personal enemies of Batman is Hush. In the arc Heart of Hush, he tries to become Bruce Wayne.
In terms of history, Hush (One Dr. Thomas Elliot) held an immense envy for the child Bruce, and using his skills at plastic surgery, he attempted to copy Bruce in every way in order to steal the Wayne fortune. Sounds like an awesome movie plot. Nolan, we’re looking right at you.
22. There are Multiple Characters of Robin
Did you think there was just one Robin? You thought wrong. In fact, there have been five Robins so far.
They include Dick Grayson, who grew up to become Nightwing; Jason Todd, who was killed by the Joker; Tim Drake, who was a balance between Grayson’s good manners and Todd’s impudence; Stephanie Brown (yes, a girl) who was tortured to (near) death by Black Mask; and Damian Wayne, son of Bruce and Talia al Ghul, raised in the League of Assassins until Batman adopted him.
23. He’s Essential to the Justice League
Batman might not be ‘superhuman,’ nor is he the fastest or have indestructible skin, but since the Justice League began, he’s been a pivotal part of the group.
Beyond providing emotional grounding for the more heroic personalities, his detective skills make him a master strategist for the team and pretty much every tech asset they use (including the Watchtower) is made possible by WayneCorp.
24. Bruce Wayne has a Higher IQ than Einstein
This has got to be one of the most fun Batman facts! He may be a fictional character, but believe it or not, Bruce Wayne has an IQ that is higher than Albert Einstein’s! Einstein’s IQ was said to be between 160-180 while Bruce’s is a whooping 192!
25. Gotham is Inspired by Real Cities
Taking in the surroundings of the legendary city of Gotham, you may have noticed a warm feeling of familiarity with Bruce Wayne’s stomping ground.
Well, did you know the concept of Gotham is loosely inspired by the atmosphere and architecture of Chicago and New York City? Most specifically, Batman writer Dennis O’Neil described the city as “Manhattan below Fourteenth Street at eleven minutes past midnight on the coldest night of November.” So keep an eye out for the Caped Crusader should you visit these cities, as he may be closer than you think!
26. Some of the Penguins in ‘Batman Returns’ Were Real
Yep, you read that right! And of course it did, if you’re taking down a villain like Penguin, you’ve got to make sure you hire his closest associates!
In fact, $1 million of the movie’s $80 million budget was actually spent on ensuring real-life penguins were used on set…talk about dedication to the character! They also used robotic penguins which were slightly larger than the real ones. According to this Reddit user, the mech-penguins were so realistic, that the real penguins cuddled up to them.
27. ‘Bruce Wayne’ Was Inspired by A King
Everybody knows the name Bruce Wayne, regardless of how tuned into DC they may be. But did you know the origins of this powerful name actually stretch across time?
Batman creator Bill Finger created the name Bruce Wayne by combining the likeness of Robert the ‘Bruce’ King of Scotland, with American revolutionary Anthony ‘Wayne’. Nothing spells justice more poetically than the names of two immense historical figures mashed together in a billion-dollar armored suit!
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28. Robin Is Indeed Inspired by Robin Hood
Sticking with the theme of names, did you know the origins of Batman’s faithful side-kick actually draws from English folklore?
That’s right, the creation of Robin wasn’t inspired by the bird with the same name as many would have you believe. Instead, it derives from Robin Hood: an innocent hero whose sole purpose is to help those less fortunate than himself. Batman better keep a safe eye on his wallet, though…
29. The Batmobile Creator Made Cars for Celebs
The iconic design of the Batmobile from the 1960’s show is one that lives long in the memory of any Batman fanatic, but maybe you’ve noticed its likeness elsewhere?
That’s because designer George Barris, whose Batmobile was inspired by the Lincoln Futura, also designed models for shows such as The Munsters, Knight Rider and The Beverly Hillbillies. He also custom-designed cars for Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Michael Jackson and Sonny and Cher.
30. No One Wanted Michael Keaton in the Role
Michael Keaton is a fan-favorite today, but at the time of his casting back in 1989, this was far from the truth.
Keaton’s career was primarily built on taking comedic parts: not the best resume for a crime-fighting anti-hero. Newspapers ran stories questioning the casting, while an alleged 50,000 letters were written against it. However, director Tim Burton pushed hard to bring Keaton on board, to the extent his own producers thought he was playing a cruel prank!
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To rival the detective skills of the man himself is no easy accomplishment, but we’ve managed to successfully dig up these best facts about Batman.
Are there any facts our detective senses might have missed? Let us know in the comments. Until next time!
Originally published in February 2018.
