Batman first appeared in a 1939 comic book and ever since, his bat persona and bat gear have ranged from lighthearted and campy to dark and dangerous. The farcical Batman of the 1960s, portrayed by Adam West, is dear to the hearts of Baby Boomers. But the generations of the last thirty years know and love The Dark Knight as an avenging shadow that spells doom for criminals like the Joker (played by Heath Ledger in the 2008 blockbuster movie), the Penguin, and Mr. Freeze.
No matter which Batman version you prefer, one thing makes this superhero stand out among his peers. Batman has no superpowers. He relies instead on his intelligence, physical strength and agility, crime-solving skills, wealth, and technology to wage his war on crime.
