The Downfall of Batman In The Silver Age of Comics

[@timfortune9]

SIlver Age DC: "Superman is really popular, so let's make Batman more like Superman to make him popular too!" Modern Age DC: "Batman is really popular, so let's make Superman more like Batman to make him popular too!"

[@stevensteviepryde5888]

This is exactly why I'd love to see a crossover between '66 Batman and Man of Steel Superman 🤣

[@stevedziedziak422]

this is too true.

[@saidi7975]

Except even Superman was toned down then. Golden Age Supes was a goddamn mad lad !

[@MurphyBats1983]

Great summary of the Silver Age Batman - its too bad Batman had to fall that low in order for the DC editors to finally recognize they needed to hire people like Denny O’Neil, Neal Adams and others in order to save the character.

[@drmidnight680-kz2le]

@@Superlad945 I'm only familiar with comics from 10 years before crisis. This documentary is not accurate because Batman was 2nd only to Superman in the silver/bronze age. Detective Comics,Batman, Brave and the Bold used to sell 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 each month for each one of these titles. Also Flash, Green Lantern,Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, Legion of superheroes were popular and sold 1,000,000 or more each month specially during summer. They just tried different stories, not because they were loosing sales. They used to try anything all the time.

[@drmidnight680-kz2le]

@@Superlad945 yes that's accurate up to early 70s is all I know, I didn't watch late 70s or 80s. The Legion of superheroes comic book was a top selling comics too. House of Mystery, House of Secrets, Mystery in Space. Our Army at War. I was a DC fan but also had a complete collection of Marvel Comics.

[@speedracer1945]

I read these comics back then and Batman stories were goofy bavk then but the big change was in 68 when Batman had a bigger cape as he looked cool as the stories were wrote much better .

[@drmidnight680-kz2le]

@@speedracer1945 and sales went down.

[@speedracer1945]

@@drmidnight680-kz2le didnt notice then I was a kid back then and bought comics for the art and cover . Mostly Marvel comic arcs as well .

[@XX-sp3tt]

A lot of those stories you described actually sound really cool. Batman having to testify in court. Bruce studying under a legendary detective. And Ace continues to appear in modern times.

[@Darthzilla99]

I would love a modern take on the Mystery man story. Jim Gordon becoming a vigilante has great potential. Maybe the plot could be Jim is trying to solve a case and his Mystery man persona is an undercover disguise.

[@josephwaul6137]

​@@Darthzilla99Kind of like how Batman uses the Matches Malone persona.

[@jonbrewer297]

@@Darthzilla99 We got a bit of it in the last round of Joker comics; it's all about Jim Gordon.

[@wallacelang1374]

I was a child during the 1960s and a teenager in the 1970s, so I was reading both Superman and Batman comic books during the Silver Age of these superheroes. That so-called psychologist who wrote "Seduction Of The Innocent" had utterly destroyed most of Batman canon for his contempt of comic book fiction. However eventually Neal Adams finally came in to rescue Batman from the death spiral of camp humor. For Neal Adams was a fan of Batman's Golden Age comic books.

[@juniorjames7076]

Of course I am biased, but the Batman of my early '80s childhood (1982-1988) will always be my favorite era. The Dark Knight Detective was in ultimate form in the mid '80s, Brave and the Bold (art by Jim Aparo, stories by Mike Barr) became the best Bat book to buy, until he formed The Outsiders and then THAT became my favorite book. Frank Miller's Dark Knight graphic novel in '84 put him over the top in mainstream media.

[@wallacelang1374]

@@juniorjames7076 your childhood of the 1980s was at the close of Neil Adams tenure as writer/illustrator of Batman comic books, which in essence was the dawn of the Bronze Age of comic books. For during the Bronze Age majority of the Silver Age comic book writers and illustrators were retiring from the business. I love the Silver Age of comic books because of the incredible art work of the time from illustrators such as Curt Swan (Superman) and Neil Adams (Batman). However we all have our own preferences from our childhoods, that doesn't mean that anyone is wrong it only means what we have been raised on.

[@FirstnameLastname-my7bz]

@@wallacelang1374 yeah, Swan is top. He was very different due to inkers and the fact that he Started as Boring copycat just like Boring was Shuster copycat, but his art was and is, always the A game. Funny how in the end he illustrated all three (Earth-2, Earth-1 and Post-Crisis) Superman married with Lois. Also predicted Chris Reeve and Hank Cavill, while most of his Silver Age stuff was clearly inspired after George Reeves face, just like nowadays Gary Frank draws Chris Reeve (sometimes almost for everyone, Superman, Batman, Thomas Wayne, Ozymandias, Comedian, Black Adam even, Dr. Manhattan, once you see you can't unsee it, especially in latest works like Doomsday Clock) or Jason Fabok after Hank Cavill, and Clay Mann was Cavill facing at first but then Reeve after trunks returned, but recently I think it is mix between two.

[@jonbrewer297]

Well, Wertham was a psychologist, and his other well-known work was showing the trauma caused by segregation. But he just knew jack shit about comics, so he made it all up.

[@wallacelang1374]

​@@jonbrewer297I just never cared for Frederick Wertham for his vicious innuendos in "Seduction Of The Innocent" ruined a perfectly good friendship between Bruce Wayne / Batman and Dick Grayson / Robin, including the deliberate murder of Alfred Pennyworth who had basically raised Bruce Wayne after he had seen the gruesome deaths of his parents Thomas Wayne and Martha Wayne.

[@officegossip]

It’s funny when you show the stark contrast of what Marvel was doing at the same moment with a very clear difference in overall quality. Kirby was absolutely killing it in the Silver age. You could read any of his stories in this day and age and they hold up extremely well even with the funny Stan Lee-isms added in.

[@lyndoncmp5751]

Not just Kirby. Romita, Buscema, Colan etc.

[@jonbrewer297]

@@lyndoncmp5751 Yeah, DC would probably be defunct if not for the fact that Stan Lee was such an asshole to his talent.

[@VladyO]

It's so fascinating how Batman's self-censorship and use of outlandish, absurd fantasy in the Silver Age evolved to become essential to the entire Batman mythos. I know people hated these stories for Batman but I greatly enjoy them with hindsight.

[@Thespeedrap]

I never read any of those Batman stories which one do you recommend for me to read?

[@stevepensando2593]

​@@ThespeedrapThe Zebra Batman storyb is goofy as hell, but it has a lowkey terrifying concept behind it

[@HepCatJack]

If you enjoyed them, perhaps you were more of a Superman reader. The Legion of Super Heroes stories in this period of time were similar to the Superman stories.

[@largefactory]

@@stevepensando2593- that shit sounds dope

[@luckiller019]

Hi, Grant Morrison. How do you do

[@rpc717]

"Hiding his doggo identity and being a good boy all around." 😂👍🏼

[@piplup12]

Dude , Your ability to cram a ton of information into such a short amount of time is astounding . Your videos are easily the best for Batman research!

[@fabioblanco8571]

Associating The Rainbow Batman with homosexuality is a current view. I don't think anyone thought anything like that at the time.

[@anthonyallmond3682]

Remember Gay used to mean happy not homosexuality

[@eddy_malouempereur_du_cong6536]

​@@anthonyallmond3682 and queer just mean weird back then

[@Ganondorfdude11]

The rainbow flag was first used in a gay pride parade in 1978. Before that it didn't have any particular association with the gay rights movement.

[@paulheap1982]

​@@eddy_malouempereur_du_cong6536no queen to mean homosexual started alot sooner than you think.

[@jimgillespie6109]

I do wish you had mentioned how the TV costume Adam West wore had design elements taken from the comics. If you look at old comics, study Batman's mask: the black shadow perpetually covering the mask (except for the blue nose) as well as the semi-circular eye slits. Those elements are right there in West's costume. In a very weird way, the TV suit is the most comics accurate Batman suit of all. By the way, when you do the Bronze Age Batman, please don't overlook the contributions of Englehart, Rogers, and Austin in Detective Comics, and the fantastic story by Barr and Golden for Batman Special #1.

[@kforcer]

The Wrath is great. Chuck Dixon said there was some weird agreement made between someone, somewhere that made The Wrath off-limits for use. He said he never figured out why that was.

[@HepCatJack]

The look of Batman's gloves originally came from an earlier character called "The Bat".

[@juniorjames7076]

The Batman of my early '80s childhood (1982-1988) will always be my favorite era. The Dark Knight Detective was in ultimate form in the mid '80s with Brave and the Bold (art by Jim Aparo, stories by Mike Barr) being the best Bat book to buy, until he formed The Outsiders and then THAT became my favorite book. Batman stories were grimy, sometimes creepy, and even international- one minute in the backstreets of Gotham ghetto, next page following a clue to the backstreets of Istanbul or Budapest! Frank Miller's Dark Knight graphic novel in '86 put him over the top in mainstream media.

[@hungfao]

Even at a young age in the 60s, I felt the stories did tend to be silly. My favorite comic character was Spiderman. But then towards the end of the 60s and especially the early 70s, Batman got very interesting. Adams' art was one vast improvement and the darker tone of the stories was exactly what that needed.

[@FirstnameLastname-my7bz]

What was Superman origin for you growing up and now? What elements

[@YAMISOOLD2009]

As someone who is a big fan of Batman and loved the Batman tv series this was the best video I have ever watched putting that tv show in context with the actual comic book. Ever since the Tim Burton Batman I have heard how the tv show "ruined" Batman. But this video proves that this is not the case. In point of fact the Adam West tv show actually saved Batman...for a while at least. The show was developed around the Batman that was being presented in DC comics of that time period. So I would love people to quite blaming the show for Batman's lighter tone. I also loved that you showed us so many panels and covers from the Silver Era. I would never be able to catch up on all that on my own so you have at least made me feel that I have and that I know what I missed out on before my time! Thank you for this great history lesson!

[@cartervandenberg4771]

I don't think any character has changed as drastically over the years as Batman, and this was definitely one of the biggest turning points. Thank you for covering such an interesting moment of history

[@detective29]

One key thing that was not mentioned.... You note how successful Superman comics were in the 1950's. Much of that was due to the tv show. Batman became very popular in the 60's for the same reason. Having read quite a few of the 1950's Superman and Batman comics, the story quality had little to do with Superman's popularity. Both heroes had equally schlock stories in their comics. The big difference was the aliens and monster stories fit better with the Superman concept than it did with Batman. Enjoyed this video and look forward to watching more of them!

[@Enid2Sacramento]

Excellent coverage of one of the most popular comic book characters in history. Hard to believe he came so close to cancellation in the early '60s. There's another great KZbin video on the making of the Michael Keaton Batman movie. It took nearly 10 years to get it produced due to initial disinterest by movie studios.

[@подэмерон]

Sorry for English but i love you man. Through years your videos become more and more appealing in sound and visual department. Documentary level of montage.

[@laurelsilberman5705]

That was great English, for the record. And I agree with your comment 100%!

[@MaxP_88]

This is one of the best comics related channel in KZbin. Wish there were more like it that documented the history of comics in general this way and less about "Who would win in a fight" or just summaries of popular storylines for people who don't read.

[@Random-nw9gi]

Owen liked comicd

[@elenasalwa9828]

It is a truly rare occurrence that KZbin algorithm recommends something actually great. With that in mind, I have no idea how this happened but your video popped up on my main and I couldn’t be more grateful! Instant like and subscribe! I am huge Batman fan (duh), always has been and this video was really a treat! I’m currently making my way through complete Batman story post crisis based on Comprehensive Reading Order published by Near Mint Condition and I see plenty fantastic documentary videos you’ve made that will be a perfect companion! Packed with information and delivered in such a captivating way! Thank you! You’re awesome!

[@SalazarKnight]

Thank you!

[@bujilou]

This video is so well done. The editing, the writing, like I know this era as a mostly forgotten mess but I walked away feeling like I was there. You even keep me attentive for the more uninteresting topics like Bat baby. Well done

[@porflepopnecker4376]

One of the high points of my life was being at a convention in, I think, 1979, and looking over Neal Adams' shoulder as he drew a picture of Batman for David Prowse.

[@jartober]

The best part about Batman in Silver Age is Lois Lane #70. Lois vs Catwoman! Iconic.

[@blockmasterscott]

My favorite Batman was from early 70s to the mid 80s. He was so dark, sinister, and cool back then.

[@Thespeedrap]

Good Batman stories which inspired the 90s Animated series I'm guessing.

[@juniorjames7076]

I agreee, but of course I am biased. The Batman of my early '80s childhood (1982-1988) will always be my favorite era. The Dark Knight Detective was in ultimate form in the mid '80s with Brave and the Bold (art by Jim Aparo, stories by Mike Barr) being the best Bat book to buy, until he formed The Outsiders and then THAT became my favorite book. Batman stories were grimy, sometimes creepy, and even international- one minute in the backstreets of Gotham ghetto, next page following a clue to the backstreets of Istanbul or Budapest! Frank Miller's Dark Knight graphic novel in '86 put him over the top in mainstream media.

[@randalldowling1068]

The YT algorithm brought me here. I wasn't expecting much. I have been loving comics for several years, but this video honestly impressed me. A lot. Subscribed. 🦇

[@michaelchoman1625]

Mr. Zero would later become Mr. Freeze, you know.

[@kevingallagher188]

It really amazes me how many young people fail to accept that a lot of fans enjoyed Batman before Neal Adams drew a very small amount of stories at DC. I don't look at the modern version of Batman as the best , he runs the gambit from too good to be beaten, too antisocial to be a team player, too hate filled to be loved, too judgemental to be honest with himself to be likeable. That's not enjoyable.

[@lefthandedsophiethepop-wit503]

Totally agree, a lot of those "dark detective" Batman stories are more repetitive than anything in the silver age, "law and order" with a guy at the crime scene with a Dracula cape😴

[@RamManNo1]

Modern Batman is a caricature of an edge lord. People today feel validated by reading “sophisticated mature” comics. Yet….. they are still just reading comics.

[@cheyennesmith3365]

It’s guess that’s where they got the idea of Wayne moving into a penthouse in the Dark Knight.

[@jonbrewer297]

Yep. The penthouse also shows up in early New Teen Titans before Dick gets his own place. And again in the DickBats era because of course Grant Morrison will do what they do best.

[@aidanhever3369]

Do you remember the second and third season of the 1967 Spiderman cartoon, where he finds himself in a nightmarish atmosphere and fights bizarre aliens and demons ? Kinda like that, but worse.

[@rodmoore1577]

You mean Batman sales were so low that Aquaman sales were better? They must have been selling 5 copies a week!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@AceLM92]

Delightful. Even when rebooting your older videos, you still find new material to include

[@SalazarKnight]

One of the main reasons I do it :)

[@AceLM92]

@@SalazarKnight makes the reboots distinguishable. They are special editions in a way

[@camerondodge2070]

It's weird just how great the good stories of this period were compared to the rest. Like, the initial appearances of the Outsider, the Composite Superman stuff, Milo, and most of the Riddler episodes of the show (though I am an unabashed Frank Gorshin fanboy, so I may be biased in that regard). There were some great stories, and some great characters, they just get overshadowed by all the rest of it.

[@TsukiCondor]

Good to be early, it's always interesting and kinda sad seeing much the Comic Code caused a moral panic. It's amazing how we where (more less) able to rebound.

[@TsukiCondor]

Also I think Batmans stagnation was likely also a byproduct of Kanes tight grip over Batman the character didn't allow them to flesh out him. While I have an fondess for werid silver age, it's crazy to think there was a time Batman was in the literal shadow of Superman.

[@TsukiCondor]

@@Superlad945 Thats true, but at the same time but yea people forget how popular Aquaman was in the 60s

[@peterwoodhouse4314]

It's funny to reflect how Superman in the Fifties was the golden goose. Action, Adventure, Lois L., Jimmy O. all sold 300,000+ to half a mil+ solidly into the mid and late 60s, let alone the Superman flagship title. Then Batman's books surged post-TV show (as did the overall sales landscape), before nearly every DC title slumped as Marvel picked up and comic sales crashed into the 70s. Now given Nolan's film trilogy and post-Grant Morrison, Batman seems to be DC's sole winning multimedia formula while they don't know what to do with Supes.

[@XX-sp3tt]

Planetman showed up in Brave and the Bold, and bravely defended Pluto's right to be a planet.

[@christianemden7637]

Funnily enough applying everything that worked for Superman to Batman was a major desaster, but somebody thinking decades later applying the things working for Batman (dark, brooding) to Superman would be a good idea. Which gave us man of steel, and no I don’t like it.

[@shriramasokan5726]

you mean the movie right and i loved it

[@steveturner609]

Well I loved Man Of Steel, I think it’s an absolutely fantastic movie, awesome and epic in its scope, and just every about it was so good! It has a timeless quality about it, and perhaps that’s why it is now finally ( a Decade after it’s Theatrical Release) beginning to garner the Respect and Recognition that it so richly deserves!!

[@Jamika729]

It was trash

[@davebielke6319]

My 70s Batman was a finesse, acrobatic, detective. Not the Darknight yet but still a great mystery he needed to solve every issue

[@jmgonzales7701]

finesse>

[@nocty7356]

I will not stand for Bat Mite slander

[@ChristyAbbey]

5 characters made it through. Bats, Supes, Wondy... and everyone forgets Aquaman and Green Arrow were published continually from 1940 to near the bronze age.

[@d-manthecaptain1382]

You're completely correct. Well, to be fair, they were backup features, they didn't have their own books. Wondy Supes and Bats were what drew in readers, Ollie and Arthor were bonuses.

[@YahyaAlfitna]

I think that psychologist had his own issues which he projected onto the comics.

[@mkoh979]

I absolutely love this channel since the first golden age videos ! Top quality and a lot of passion behind these vids 👍🏼

[@patrickvillers6454]

My favorite Batman comic book artist of all time is Carmine Infantino when I was a kid growing up in 1966 I had Batman an Robin posters on My wall by Carmine Infantino not to mention a large assortment of Batman comic books.

[@tomchris60]

What an informative and concise history of Batman's Silver Age. Growing up in the 60s, this comic book era is warmly nostalgic. Carmine Infantino's more photo realistic, "New Look" Batman (along with the tv show) was my first memory of the caped crusader. But I do remember DC reprinting Batman's 50's/early 60's stories in "Giant" 80 page editions and being jarred by it. While the early stories retain some Golden Age flavor ( and illustrated by the legendary Dick Sprang) the later "Batman Family" exploits was, as the video illustrates, a bizarre period with some of the worst artwork in the character's history. Yet I ate it all up like my Good Humor Ice Cream!

[@therussiancomicbookgeek]

I can’t wait for the Bronze Age video

[@MrJohnffrey87]

At least until Neal Adams and Dennis O’Neill came in and fixed it.

[@edgewiseCL]

Clicked on your page out of curiosity not from the algorithm but your comment on Alex Lennen's video. Totally underrated channel! Hope you get way more subs u deserve it

[@BenedictPH]

I agree with you. Though I still forgot time to time that Silver Age Batman IS still the Prime Counterpart we follow until now

[@espacemaxim]

Looking forward to hear more from Neal Adams and Jim Aparo, my two favorite Batman artists!!!

[@PeterTennant]

I kinda like less dark Batman. Serious detective stories but also have some fun

[@OlgaZuccati]

"While Batman struggled to keep a straight face" by osiris, that pun had me in

[@Gimili10]

Silver Age Batman can be described in three words: trial and error.

[@joshuanelson6795]

Despite the writing not being up to modern standards, I think there's a lot of fun to be had with Silver Age comics...for Marvel. I've always thought that Silver Age DC stories were mostly terrible, and this video was a stark reminder of why. The Bronze Age really did save Batman comics (and arguably the industry as a whole) from being written off as childish nonsense.

[@mikesmusicden]

Really interesting and well-done video. Thank you for taking the time to make it! I always liked the Neil Adams Batman the best; both the art and the stories were more grounded and believable (as much as a comic can be believable).

[@Dendood]

Holy schizoid Batman! That was a great video!!! What a wild ride of editorial and creative pursuits. My great wish now is for our present day "Combat Boots Batman" to meet it's timely demise at the hand of new editorial and creative vision. Surely someone can save us from all the Kevlar and Combat Boots.

[@rottensquid]

I think there's a little too much inertia in the modern DC editorial approach. The Didio/Lee regime kept claiming they were wiping and reinventing the whole line, but it was the same people with the same ideas of what works, so their "fresh" approaches seemed anything but. I've met both of these guys. They're both terrifically nice folks, and by all accounts, they were loyal bosses. But their creative choices seemed to be the same old attempts to recapture the magic of The Dark Knight Returns. DC editorial has been trying, and mostly failing, to do that for 30+ years now. Unfortunately, the "Combat Boots Batman" is the end-product of that direction, and because everyone is still trying to chase that dragon, I don't see anything fresh and different coming along to supplant it anytime soon. Comics have been failing so long, they no longer know how to measure what's working and what isn't. So they tend to always stay the course, for fear of losing the last loyal fans they have. But as with the DCEU or the Star Wars franchise, they're try please the loudest fans, rather than the fans most interested in quality work. Loud fans aren't interested in quality, they're interested in control. That's why they're loud, to influence the product. And DC has been listening to them so long, they're they only people the books still appeal to. Believe me, there are a lot of people at DC who're trying to change it. But whether they can or not in the long run, we'll just have to wait and see.

[@DarkDekicDuka]

This is just about the best content on KZbin. Keep going man, you’re doing great!

[@jarkoer]

There was a time in history where comic creators acknowledged that they themselves were to blame for falling sales, then explored what readers wanted and wrote towards that?! Unbelievable. Comic creators never had that much self-awareness and practicality. It is an entirely ego-driven business. Everyone knows that.

[@richardmark9161]

McFarlane Toys is actually making The Whirly Bat vehicle for his updated Super Powers line 🚁 🦇

[@YahBoiiTroy]

Not too far in, instant subscribe. Damn fine content. Succinct yet comprehensive and delivered with flair. Hell yeah.

[@Joy-ul5fl]

Excellent video! I learned so much. Thanks

[@ThomRealEstate-k1y]

The comics code had one unintentional side effect. Mad magazine was born, in 1955 it morphed from a comic to a magazine due to the code.

[@crystalalumina]

Sorry the intro just left me wondering something, how did no one at the time thought that the dude who implied a gay relationship between Batman and Robin was a total weirdo for even beginning to think that in the first place? Like if someone comes to me pointing at a drawing of a man and his adopted son saying "they're gay" I would immediately send that person to the asylum

[@burner555]

"Because it shows men having emotions and care for their kids, which is gay, which is bad" Also, these puritans hate the idea of being more than 1 person in a bed

[@poolboyinla]

This video is amazing.

[@SalazarKnight]

Thank you!

[@marcustmachado]

This is the best video of this channel. Amazing research and edit.

[@redactedandredactedaccesor7290]

Amazingly well put together. MORE!!!

[@crimsonmask3819]

Yeah, all the popular spin is here: Wertham was "asinine." Finger "created" Batman." Bob Kane was a monster (for handling his business exactly the same way Will Eisner and other _name brand_ cartoonists did in that era). The CCA didn't actually _prop up_ the dying superhero genre, _including_ Batman. Etc.

[@josesarango3408]

great surprise! love the silver age videos

[@davidtorres2048]

This was freakin’ amazing! Great tidbits of knowledge I’ve never heard before

[@Death138death]

I love your channel and how in depth you get! Keep up the amazing work sir!

[@carlospatricio5214]

Excellent job, man. The video is perfect, congratutations. Carlos Patrício, from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

[@SalazarKnight]

Thank you Carlos! And hello Brazil! 🇧🇷

[@rodrigomarcondes5857]

Since Schwartz based silver age Batman on James Bond, I wonder if the Outsider was based on Blofeld, in the 60's bond movies before Blofeld's appearance was revealed, you would only hear his voice and he would not be shown until a lot of movies later

[@kforcer]

I thought the Harvey Harris story was very good. Either way, most of these stories, unthinkable or not for modern times, are still better than 99% of the contemporary Batman tales. I'll take Bill Finger's worst over Tom King's best any day of the week.

[@juniorjames7076]

Of course I am biased, but the Batman of my early '80s childhood (1982-1988) will always be my favorite era. The Dark Knight Detective was in ultimate form in the mid '80s, Brave and the Bold (art by Jim Aparo, stories by Mike Barr) became the best Bat book to buy, until he formed The Outsiders and then THAT became my favorite book. Frank Miller's Dark Knight graphic novel in '84 put him over the top in mainstream media.

[@SalazarKnight]

My next video is going to be all about that fantastic era!

[@XX-sp3tt]

14:47 Ironic, given Batman would simply build another family.

[@macsnafu]

Great overview of these periods in Batman's history.

[@misterlyle.]

Fascinating video, but I am a bit confused. I started buying Batman comics with the one you feature here--Robin is leaving for college, and Batman is closing the Batcave. That cover with the Batmobile in back is about the last time we would see that 1960s design (based on the Lincoln Futura/Barris Batmobile). In that general time frame, the artists were producing a more realistic style and there were no TV villains. The Golden Age style was distinctly different, as was the intermediary period during the second half of the 1960s. Later would hear mentions of "Silver Age." I have previously understood that my comic collection is from the Silver Age, but the time frame isn't aligned with your narration in this video. Some of what you describe as from the Silver Age I would have considered clearly part of the Golden Age, including for example, the original Bat-woman. Now I am seeing from Wikipedia that there has been some controversy about when one age ends, and the next begins. Presumably, one would have to consider my collection to be from the early Bronze Age, but that must be some kind of retroactive re-classification. Is this a topic you can clarify?

[@SalazarKnight]

To my knowledge and understanding, this is what historians have generally agreed upon: - Golden Age | Start: 1939; End: mid-1950s - Silver Age | Start: mid-1950s; End: 1969 - Bronze Age | Start: early-1970s; End: 1986 This is the categorization system that I've known for as long as I can remember. Then again, I didn't live to see those ages happening in real time, so if this is a retroactive arrangement, I couldn't tell.

[@misterlyle.]

@@SalazarKnight Thanks for the reply. There is an analog in other areas regarding the naming of things in history. Nobody called WWI by that name until much later. In 2001, saying "nine-eleven" would have confused people. There was no such thing as the Internet during the 1970s, so social customs progressed in the traditional way, not under pressure from media narratives or social influencers. As I mentioned before, in the early 1970s, I never heard mention of the "Silver Age"; that came later to differentiate that time from the Golden Age. Using the expression "Bronze Age" even later yet. According to the Wikipedia article, the current comics time period has two different names, Modern Age and Dark Age. I predict one of those will win out.

[@lafelong]

@@SalazarKnight I lived through some of this, and I'd agree with this timeline (we didn't really name these "ages" until later like @misterlyle. says below, but we could easily recognize them by the artwork at the time). Even though I started reading and buying comics in the early bronze age, I had inherited a ton of Golden/Silver age comics from older cousins/uncles - my comics were 90% DC. Great video, btw. You mention the wackiness of the Batman titles, but the Superman titles were doing the same thing - the "What If?..." and Jimmy Olsen stories were pretty crazy. lol. As far as Batman artists go - Carmine Infantino, Dick Giordano, Neal Adams, Jim Aparo. 'nuff said.

[@abdelali9279]

wow, I would've never imagined that DC was thinking on cancelling Batman, twice! I mean they knew it was a pillar of the company but exploitated his image by chasing so many trends at the same time, that when their decisions almost killed the book, they were fine with the idea of just cancelling, glad so many individuals wanted to try to pick it up until we got into the bronze age.

[@Oscuros]

This was really good, thank you. I look forward to the next instalment, when I first got into Batman as a little boy. But for this video, there were also some interesting insights into what Grant Morrison was referring to with his Batman as a family man idea when he came back after being "killed" by Darkseid.

[@oofyeet5935]

Fantastic video really shows things have changed over the years some for better some for worse

[@haileyshannon7548]

Tales from the Crypt took the fall, so superheroes could live on. Batman and Robin switching ages, I thought that only happened with Sailor Moon and Chibi Moon

[@hydrolito]

Cartoon series Superman Aquaman hour of adventure in 1967 to 1968 was changed to Batman Superman adventure hour in 1968 to 1969.

[@MickAshMetalMan]

Thank you, that's a great video!

[@Chandasouk]

Stumbled upon your channel randomly but am glad that I did. I got DC Infinite app and have been looking to explore this era of Batman.

[@k-trashradio5163]

Keep in mind bat baby was published the same year spider-man.

[@Joy-ul5fl]

A character that has been around as long as Batman is going to have ups and downs creatively,!

[@chrisbuttonshaw2088]

and then Grant Morrison brings a bunch of this weirdness into his run 50 years later..... the man is a loon and I love him

[@ronaldmccomb8301]

Bronze Age Batman is my favorite.

[@chris_t2020]

This is definitely the new and improved version of the Silver Bat. It's incredible too see your improvement over the years on this channel. As I always say you are THE Batman youtuber. Great work as always Salazar.

[@SalazarKnight]

Thank you so much! It makes me really happy to read that :)

[@jetuwu8960]

Common W content pls don’t stop🙏🙏

[@Deadman1957TEB]

I tend to watch the smaller channels, the ones with a few people on, talking comics or nerdy stuff, and you can join in in the chat! But saying that the channels you've mentioned here, I've subscribed to a few including yours, as they look like fun, and with 60+ years of reading and collecting under my belt, I'm always willing to learn, and see what I've missed! Enjoyed this Vid, very much!

[@ffiiggyy]

Question, did you base your username on the DC character?

[@Deadman1957TEB]

@@ffiiggyy Yes, one of my favourites!

[@HrvojeGrahovac]

Silver Age started in 1961 with the release of Fantastic Four #1 The foundation of the O'Neil/Adams stories are in the Bob Haney stories in Brave and the Bold and Frank Robbins in Detective Comics in the late 1960s

[@jonbrewer297]

Well, the official beginning of the Silver Age is with the institution of the Comics Code Authority. The Golden Age technically ended with V-J Day too. By the way, the Bronze Age began with Jack Kirby leaving Marvel for DC, and the Dark Age began with Crisis on Infinite Earths and ended with Grant Morrison's Justice League.

[@XX-sp3tt]

Interesting how Wayne Manor and the Batcave returned. And now that the teenagers who sneered at he Batman TV show are now old men... suddenly these elements don't seem so bad anymore...

[@arcadeassassin7176]

I love how later comics went on to explain Batman's bizarre behavior during the silver age by saying that he was on hard drugs the whole time. Also to anyone who hasn't watched the Adam West series I highly recommend it. Getting a couple friends over and watching the Batman TV series is some of the most fun I've had with a superhero show.

[@ramonegues5689]

Is there any specific comic that said that?

[@arcadeassassin7176]

@@ramonegues5689 I think it was in Batman: R.I.P. by Grant Morrison. Though I may be remembering it wrong.

[@EvandroACruz]

@@arcadeassassin7176 This is bullshit.Modern Batman lives in a different universe of earth-1 Batman.Morrison just refuse to accept the DC history is not a only one universe.

[@arcadeassassin7176]

@@EvandroACruz Calm down dude. It's just a comic book you don't need to get this mad. Besides batman only ever gets soft rebooted unlike most other dc characters large portions of his history remain in tact with only his origin being retold. Plus Batman: R.I.P. is in continuity so your essentially saying that the cannon is wrong about it's self. And also who cares it's about telling good stories not getting bogged down in pointless continuity based gatekeeping.

[@largefactory]

@@ramonegues5689- it’s Batman R.I.P. for sure and it’s one of my favorite Batman stories, definitely try it out. And it’s not just hard drugs that explain his behavior, it’s a wild read.

[@RangerJohnreid]

The 1940s Batman comics were surreal! Amazing! Those comics were outrageous! It wasn’t like Superman at all. The 1950s Batman had more sci-fi content. It was fun. The 1960s Batman was senseless. It sold because of the tv show, but wasn’t like the show!

[@ESTYMANAGRANIATV]

And who will dispel any doubts about the sexuality of today's "Batwoman"? Oh, the irony.

[@kevin10001]

I feel for Batman through the hype for the 1989 Tim Burton when my 5 year old self found the television series when the family channel no known as freeform aired it as hype for the movie when everyone owns clamoring for Batman content and my love of Batman grew since growing from a love of the series and the subsequent movie to a general love of the characters where the series still holds a special place in my heart being my introduction to the character and the series started my love of behind the scenes information on television shows and movies with me trying to find ways to watch it online before streaming was a thought in anyone’s head so I would end up on websites with the behind the scenes information about the series and movie finding behind the scenes pictures so I’m forever grateful to Adam west and Burt ward for maybe making there masterpiece of television and cinema

[@haserrea]

your videos are so cool! is there any chance you could do the same with other DC characters? im so hungry for more informative comics videos like these

[@d-manthecaptain1382]

He mentioned before when pressed about a series on Wonder Woman's or Superman's Golden Age history that it wouldn't be possible, it's too much work, it takes tons of reading to get all the proper information for Batman.

[@TK-xh8oj]

Very much looking forward to Bronze Age Batman video. Mahalo

[@FirstnameLastname-my7bz]

That's not true. All comic code rules were ALREADY started implementing at DC in 1941 for all superheroes, including abiding law, no kills, no kidnapping or torture, no guns usage (before that even Superman was shooting, like in Action Comics 23 first Luthor appearance), etc etc etc. Since guy who made Comics code Whitney Ellsworth literally worked at DC as global editor! There began some notorious exceptions in WW2 covers (but only in covers) and in 60's , but only after 70's Superman and Batman killed again by proxy.

[@m1lst3r89]

I am not against Silver Age Batman although I acknowledge its goffiness but you gotta admit they they were whimsical in their own right, like B sci fi movies of 1950s era. Even Grant Morrison took concept of these stories for his run although I am not big fan of it.

[@basilreid257]

Wow great history you did an amazing job I had no idea about the diver age Batman.

[@StormRaider14]

Amazing video! :)

[@ClarksCreek]

It's kinda fitting that the final major change to #Batman in the Silver Age, that being leaving Wayne Manor and the Batcave and heading to the Wayne Foundation penthouse, then became such crucial inspiration for the setting of one the most successful dark Batman adaptations ever, The Dark Knight.