Batman (comic strip)

The "Batman" comic strip began a few years after the creation of the comic book "Batman". At first titled "Batman and Robin", a later incarnation was shortened to "Batman". The comic strip had three major and two minor runs in American newspapers.

"Batman and Robin", 1943–1946

The first series was written by Bob Kane and others. It was published as both a daily strip and a Sunday strip. This series has been reprinted by DC Comics and Kitchen Sink Press in one Sunday and three daily volumes.

"Batman and Robin", 1953

The second series was written by Walter B. Gibson and was published on Sunday only. This short-lived attempt to revive the "Batman" comic strip ran only in "Arrow, the Family Comic Weekly", which was edited by Gibson. A few of these very rare strips are reprinted in the book "Batman: The Sunday Classics 1943–46".

"Batman and Robin", 1966–1974

Although it was credited to "Bob Kane", this series was actually ghostwritten, as noted below. The strip ran on Sunday from 1966 to 1968 and daily from 1966 to 1974. At first, this series was a camp revival drawing on the popularity of the "Batman" TV show, with a guest appearance by Jack Benny. Later, it told more serious Batman stories, and featured guest appearances by Batgirl, Superman, and Aquaman.

Episode Guide

Daily only stories, written by Whitney Ellsworth:
* "Catwoman", drawn by Shelly Moldoff
* "Joker", drawn by Joe Giella
* "Jolly Roger", drawn by GiellaSunday only stories, written by Ellsworth
* "Penguin", drawn by Moldoff
* "Nasty Napoleon", drawn by Moldoff followed by Carmine Infantino
* "Batchap and Bobbin", drawn by GiellaSunday and daily stories, drawn by Giella, written by Ellsworth
* "Poison Ivy"
* "The Collector"
* "Batgirl"
* "Pretty Boy Floy"Sunday and daily stories, drawn by Al Plastino, written by Ellsworth
* "Superman's Missing Powers"
* "Aqua-Batman"
* "Plastic Surgery"

The Sunday strip ended either on July 13 or on July 20, 1968. The daily strips continued, and were drawn by Plastino through Jan. 1, 1972, with Nick Cardy assisting on the art toward the end. They were written by Ellsworth until July 1970, and then by E. Nelson Bridwell. A new artist and writer took over the strip on January 3, 1972. Batman disappeared from the strip, although Bruce Wayne continued as a character. The strip featured a hero called Galexo until it ended in 1974.

"The World's Greatest Superheroes", 1978–1985

From 1978 to the late 1980s, Batman appeared in a strip variously titled "The World's Greatest Superheroes", "The World's Greatest Superheroes Presents Superman", and "The Superman Sunday Special". For information on writers and artists, see "Batman: the Sunday Classics 1943–46".

"Batman", 1989–1991

The most recent revival of the strip, titled simply "Batman", ran Sunday and daily from November 6, 1989 to August 3, 1991. The first story was written by Max Allan Collins and drawn by Marshall Rogers. All of the other stories were written by William Messner-Loebs and drawn by Carmine Infantino and John Nyberg. All of these strips were reprinted in "Comics Revue".

Episode Guide

* "Catwoman"
* "The Penguin"
* "The Joker"
* "Two-Face"
* "Robin"
* "The Riddler"
* "The Mad Hatter"