These traits make him a very versatile tool for social commentary.

Batman, not Gary Oldman.

Unfortunately, space does not allow discussion for every screen Batman in full detail.

He began with quite a pulp style, wielding a gun and dishing out murderous crime-fighting.

Despite this, within a year he had a sidekick and a solo publication.

He was enjoying regular team-ups with Superman inWorlds Finest Comicsby the autumn of 1940.

However, World War II spreading across Europe changed the world of comic books greatly and patriotism was everywhere.

These brightly coloured pictures stripped away the dark mystery of the character.

Like many interpretations to follow, this take on the character split opinions.

He criticised the low production costs too.

Kane dismissed the serial as one of those typical propaganda vehicles for bolstering up the war effort.

This character bears similarity to a minor comic villain Dr Deker who stole a brainwashing machine in the comics.

Batman himself was presented as a secret government agent, not an unlawful vigilante.

Batman was now a family man, devoid of any gritty mystery that made him popular originally.

signs, a clear attempt to echo the pillars of Pop Art through pure over-the-top camp.

The comics soon began imitating the show.

became a frequent occurrence in the comics.

To react to this event in the comic book world proved to be a difficult task.

How could a superhero be made relevant to an event that had already happened?

Spider-Man is confronted by passers-by who demand to know where he was.

So did Captain America.

Thats one of the things theyre there for.

Joshua C Feblowitz noted that this imagery is hauntingly familiar.

These references to terrorism all emit from one character Heath Ledgers Joker.

Indeed Batman must invade personal privacy to stop the Joker by tapping mobile phones.

Batman on-screen benefits from constantly being reborn and often matches social context in the way that comics cannot.

I havent had time to talk about all the screen incarnations of Batman here.

But how do you think the other Batmen could fit into this theory..?