Gotham City is a busy place, with a lot going down each and every week. In this monthly column, Joshua Lapin-Bertone helps you stay on top of it all by letting you know what you should be paying attention to within the Bat-Family…and why.
I know this is a Batman column, but since we’re in the middle of the Summer of Superman, I couldn’t help but use it this month to spotlight the Man of Steel. But don’t worry, Dark Knight fans, because there’s plenty of Batman below too. That’s because Batman and Superman’s destinies have been intertwined from the beginning. Since the Golden Age of Comics, the two heroes have had parallel careers, with the actions of one affecting the other.
Before we begin, if you haven’t seen Superman yet, get to the nearest theater because it will blow you away. The most direct reference to Batman is an interstate sign leading to Gotham City. While I don’t think Gunn planned it that way, I like to think it was a metaphor because with Superman, all roads lead to Batman and vice versa.
Batman wouldn’t exist without Superman—literally. Batman was created in 1939 because Superman’s runaway success inspired editor Vin Sullivan to ask for more superheroes. While Batman made his first full appearance in 1939’s Detective Comics #27, the character was seen in an ad found in Action Comics #12, which by some accounts was published two weeks earlier. If true, it means the first illustrated image of Batman appears at the end of a Superman story, but even if it’s not, it’s clear that Superman was right there for Batman’s debut.
But that’s just the start. In 1939, Superman became the first superhero to have his own self-titled comic book. Guess who was the second? That’s right, Batman got his own self-titled series in 1940.
Also, did you know that Batman co-architect Bill Finger is responsible for many important parts of Superman lore? Finger co-created Lana Lang and Lori Lemaris. He was also the first person to name Superman’s adoptive father Jonathan, and he wrote the story where Superman learns of his Kryptonian heritage for the first time.
In fact, if you look at Batman and Superman’s most iconic creators, you’ll find that most of them have had legendary runs on both characters. There’s Grant Morrison, Denny O’Neil, Joshua Williamson, Marv Wolfman, Greg Rucka, Tom Taylor…and that’s just to name a few.
It’s hard to imagine how different Batman and Superman’s history would be if they didn’t have one another. Even if Batman doesn’t appear in a Superman story, the influence is there, right under the surface. For example, the popularity of 1992’s Batman: The Animated Series inspired Warner Bros. Animation to give the Man of Steel a similar treatment with Superman: The Animated Series four years later. On the film side, the success of the 1978 Superman film encouraged Warner Bros. to invest in a Batman project, which led to Tim Burton’s 1989 classic film. And the success of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy was on WB’s mind during the production of Man of Steel, which Nolan helped Zack Snyder bring to life.
In fact, I’m willing to bet that James Gunn’s Superman will somehow influence the next cinematic version of the Dark Knight in one form or another.
In 2018’s Batman: Prelude to the Wedding: Nightwing vs. Hush #1, Bruce Wayne chooses Clark Kent to be his best man in his wedding to Selina Kyle. The first time I read the comic, the choice shocked me. Wouldn’t someone like Alfred Pennyworth or Dick Grayson be a more appropriate choice?
In hindsight, Clark makes perfect sense. It’s true that Alfred is closer to Bruce in a traditional sense, and Dick has been by his side through more adventures than Clark ever will. But Superman and Batman share a different kind of connection. Together, they broke down barriers in the comic book industry, leading the way for others to follow. When you realize what the pair means for comics as a medium, it’s hard to imagine Bruce picking anyone else.
Today, their connection is stronger than ever. Mark Waid’s Batman/Superman: World’s Finest is currently one of DC’s premier books. Consider this—how many superhero duos have had decades of ongoing comic titles devoted to their partnership? From World’s Finest, to Superman/Batman and the later Batman/Superman, to Waid’s current series, no other duo comes close.
They’ve been best friends (look at those ’40s era World’s Finest covers), they’ve been bitter enemies (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns) and everything in between. Aside from Robin, Alfred and the Joker, it’s hard to think of a character who has altered Batman’s destiny as much as Superman.
If you’re a Batman fan, then the Summer of Superman should excite you. Remember, Superman having great success has always inspired DC to try new things with Batman. As I watch Superman take flight, it makes me truly excited about what’s next for Batman.
Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, movies and comics for DC.com, is a regular contributor to the Couch Club and writes our monthly Batman column, "Gotham Gazette." Follow him on Bluesky at @joshualapinbertone and on X at @TBUJosh.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.
