Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Teaching Graphic Novels in the Classroom
  • Home
  • About This Site & Author
  • Rationale
    • Tennessee Curriculum Standards
    • Statement of Rationale
    • Assessment of Need
    • Reviews
  • About the Author: Frank Miller
  • Before Reading...
    • What is a Graphic Novel?
    • History of the Batman
    • Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Character List
    • Prior to Reading and Preview Activities
  • Graphic Novel Summary
    • Book 1 "The Dark Knight Returns"
    • Book 2 "The Dark Knight Triumphant"
    • Book 3 "Hunt the Dark Knight"
    • Book 4 "The Dark Knight Falls"
  • Historical Context
  • Cultural Connections
  • Literary Explorations
  • Themes
  • Additional Resources
    • For Parents, Administrators, and Teachers>
      • Censorship Concerns
      • Works Cited and Consulted
      • Additional Resources
      • Downloads
    • For Students

History of the Batman

     Every superhero must have a beginning, and the Batman is no different.  
     Bruce Wayne was just like any normal child, but his parents were brutally murdered on the streets of Gotham.  After this, he vowed to right wrongs, protect the innocent, and fight the forces of evil...to get revenge.  He embraced the darkness and became the Batman.
     Below is the documentary on Batman's History, which was dubbed "Legends of the Dark Knight:  The History of Batman".   

Below is a downloadable handout, courtesy of Dr. Phyllis Thompson at East Tennessee State University, on the Genealogy of Batman.  This can be used as background information on Batman for students and teachers alike.
lecture_notes._batman_i._geneaology.docx
File Size: 227 kb
File Type: docx
Download File


“History of the Batman – 1 of 4”.  The History Channel.  Warner Bros. Entertainment.  Online video clip. 
                YouTube.  24 May 2011.  16 Jun. 2012.  Web. 
               <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkYK4F2ai0U>.

“History of the Batman – 2 of 4”.  The History Channel.  Warner Bros. Entertainment.  Online video clip. 
                YouTube.  24 May 2011.  16 Jun. 2012.  Web. 
               <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89U2nie0Tfc&feature=relmfu>.

“History of the Batman – 3 of 4”.  The History Channel.  Warner Bros. Entertainment.  Online video clip. 
                YouTube.  24 May 2011.  16 Jun. 2012.  Web. 
               <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tuqA19mDzM&feature=relmfu >.

“History of the Batman – 4 of 4”.  The History Channel.  Warner Bros. Entertainment.  Online video clip. 
                YouTube.  24 May 2011.  16 Jun. 2012.  Web. 
               <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNIaSi88E2c&feature=relmfu >.


Miller, Frank. Batman: The Dark Night Returns. 9th ed. New York, NY: DC Comics, 2002.  Print.

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