Bat-Man: Hero of the Bat-Man: Hero of the Great DepressionGreat Depression

May, 1939

Dectective Comics #27

Writer: Bill Finger Illustrator: Bob

Kane

Bill Finger

February 8, 1914 – January 18, 1974

Co-created: − The Joker− The Penguin− Catwoman− Two-Face− The Riddler− Green Lantern

Bob Kane

October 24, 1915 – November 3, 1998

Created:− Robin− The Joker

Who is the Bat-Man? Bruce Wayne, a

billionaire. As a child, he

witnessed the murder of his parents, and swore revenge.

Defends Gotham City with fear, fighting, and a keen mind.

Superman made comics popular! By 1939, Superman

was appearing in two titles.

Many new companies began creating costumed superheroes.

It was DC who struck gold yet again with Bat-Man!

The Depression

October 29, 1929 - Early 1940's

In 1933 25% of all Americans were unemployed.

Many Americans were homeless or living in relief camps.

A Dark Hero for a Dark Time The Depression

was a decade long when Batman first hit the newsstands.

Street crime, burglaries, and violence were all too common.

Hitler's evil machinations were unfolding in Europe.

Bruce Wayne

Represents the ultimate Depression-Era fantasy of affluence and power.

With Wayne, readers could imagine a life with no financial constraints.

Bat-Man

Represents the ultimate Depression-Era fantasy of action, success, and justice.

Fought common real-life villains that people were dealing with every day. Kidnappers, smugglers, gangs, and thieves were among Bat-Man's first adversaries.

Offered readers an escape from their harsh lives – In comics, at least, there was a hero who used his money and abilities to protect citizens from dangerous streets.

Robin Introduced in April

of 1940; Dectective Comics #38.

Robin grabbed the interest of younger readers who could identify with a child hero who fought back when they couldn't themselves.

World War II Hitler's rise to power

began in the mid 20's.

By 1939, he had already violated the Treaty of Versailles multiple times.

Europe was entrenched in war for two years before America became involved.

World War II Europe crumbled

before the Nazi's. Hateful racist

policies were quickly implemented in order to realize Hitler's vision of a pure “Arayn” race Europe as they enforced his racist policies.

Nazi Propaganda Hitler manipulated

German citizens into accepting his Final Solution of genocide.

He used patriotic posters, newspapers, books, film, radio, and comic books to spread his message of hate.

Vica

Created by Vincent Krazousky, a Nazi supporter in German occupied France.

He used comics to enforce racial and political stereotypes.

Superheroes fought WWII before the U.S. Government

Many American comic books dealt with the war in Europe well before the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Here we see Superman overpowering Hitler and denouncing Aryanism in 1940.