The Rise and Fall of Batman in the Golden Age of Comics

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Chapters:
00:00 Opening
01:00 The First Year
07:33 The Rise
16:11 The Fall
19:23 The 1950s
22:24 Ending
The Original Golden Bat Series: • The Original Golden, S...
Music by Adrian Von Ziegler and Karl Casey @WhiteBatAudio
#BatmanHistory #BatmanGoldenAge #SalazarKnight

[@ElectroBolt771]

"Batman doesn't kill" Meanwhile DC: "There is a sickening snap as the Cossacks neck breaks under the mighty pressure of the Batman's foot"

[@alexandrefrauches132]

As much I enjoy alot of this classic golden age stories, I kind wish the golden age Batman evolution from dark brooding killer to adopt his no killing rule was part of the story rather than just a retcon. Maybe the writers could had created a story where Robin argues with Batman about his use of guns and this is what makes Batman realize in the end that killing is wrong, showing how Robin is not just a partner but also Batman's conscience, inspiring Bruce to be more hopeful hero.

[@SalazarKnight]

Darwyn Cooke did something similar on The New Frontier.

[@alexandrefrauches132]

@@SalazarKnight Yeah but Batman role in the story wasn't much explore compare to the silver age characters like Hal Jordan and J'onn.

[@bradenhogan2]

Within a couple years into the Golden Age, Batman said he never intentionally killed. Commissioner Gordon reiterated this whenever he made Batman a deputized agent of the GCPD. The second story in Batman #1 - the one written before Robin was created but published later - he expresses the first version of his no kill rule when he’s killing one of the giant monsters and says he hates to kill, but this time it’s necessary. So, it was technically addressed in canon, even if you consider it a retcon. I don’t really think it’s out of character for him to be willing to kill in some situations. I think if Darkseid or Ra’s al Ghul or someone were threatening a large amount of lives, he would suspend his no kill rule, recognizing that if he doesn’t stop them then they won’t be stopped. But it’s always the absolute last resort because it goes against his rule and he always finds another way because he’s a competent crime fighter

[@secretsquirrel6718]

I too often think about what goes through the minds of comic book fantasy heros..it's alot of fun to daydream about their philosophy and how the story could have been changed to shape it one way or another. It's nice to have alot of time on one's hands to do this instead of something important.

[@colechung7806]

I think that's what Darwyn Cooke did in New Frontier

[@markshulusky6680]

I love the golden age stories. When I was a comics crazed kid back in the 1970's, there were no omnibus collections and all of this material was LEGENDARY.

[@TheNedH]

My only exposure to the Golden Age stuff in the '70s was the book "Batman from the '30s to the '70s", which reprinted many of the classic stories, but most of them were not in color. There were color splash pages with collages of famous covers that I committed to memory I looked at them so much.

[@Tabish29]

​@@TheNedHI have that book. It's b&w and looks xeroxed.

[@jakeproven256]

I'll be honest even the sillier Batman comics from the golden and silver ages have a special place in my heart.

[@Ian-hj4yt]

...

[@jakeproven256]

@@Ian-hj4yt What are you saying?

[@lrobin-is8dg]

@@jakeproven256I think he says “…”

[@iconoclast137]

i appreciate you starting this by explaining how badly bob kane screwed over bill finger

[@rickytoddbotelho9555]

The ' purple glove' look on the early batman run i was lead to believe was actually a misprint caused by the printer. Not actually the way Bob intended ❤🎉

[@TsukiCondor]

I am still loving how far your mic quality and editing has gotten over 5 years. Keep up the amazing content Sal, and here's hoping for the same Bat Time and same Bat Channel

[@MutantsInDisguise]

Thank you for the uploaded highlight of Batman's early years. Plus, fantastic elements were presented before 1954.

[@terror_fedgaming9392]

Wow! I’ve been watching your videos for a while and the evolution of your content is amazing! You’ve became so confident with what you’re producing. This is quality stuff, I only wish more Batfans could see this.

[@SalazarKnight]

You and me both, friend!

[@michaelbracko8754]

Thank you for uploading this video. Since discovering your channel and videos, I have gained an interest in the golden, silver, and bronze age Batman stories. I've been reading a lot from these eras lately and I have been really enjoying myself. So again thank you, without your videos I would've never gave these older comics a chance.

[@jaredgarcia8638]

And to think by 2034, this Batman will be in the public domain

[@rayvenkman2087]

If DC doesn’t do the copyright extensions...

[@jaredgarcia8638]

@@rayvenkman2087 I think they already did. Plus DC will just make another version of Batman. Keep in mind they own the post crisis batman. Golden Age Batman (as far as 1939 is concerned) would be the only Batman that would be legally okay to use

[@rayvenkman2087]

@@jaredgarcia8638 Wow. I could make my own murderous no-chill Batman novel when that happens.

[@jaredgarcia8638]

@@rayvenkman2087 yeah, you could.

[@Darklantern2984]

I loved the golden Bat series.

[@cajohnson1967]

Fantastic updated video on the Golden Age - I liked the original video too, but great content, audio and editing on this one! Keep up the good work.

[@ss21titus]

I just found an issue of a crossover with Spiderman and batman! I was so stoked seeing my two favorites heroes on the same cover being their from different spectrums! Hopefully u can add a review on this story too!!

[@markmagician2471]

I have that comic

[@johnlindsay7301]

I’ve read a lot of the early Batman Detective Comics stories and they are actually pretty good. Yes they are dated but the art is very stylized, the stories are quite dark and mysterious, and there is a ridiculousness to them as well that really makes them enjoyable. Much like the early Spider-Man comics, the early Batman comics are worth while reads.

[@Gimili10]

I like the Golden Age. Like Dick Tracy, it's a lovably basic way of doing crime stories. I also like your video and eye for detail, but I think you're wrong about why Batman declined after WWII. If I'm not mistaken, Superman continued to thrive for long after that. But people were temporarily put off from dark stories. It goes without saying that this hurt Batman.

[@micah301]

Well done Salazar!!! Love your stuff!!🤘

[@chris_t2020]

Although I liked this revamp version of the Goldenbat I still believe the old videos are a worth-watching piece of history due to the number of details you provide in them. Either way, I appreciate the fact you kept them in the channel. Keep up the good work as always Mr. Salazar. THE one and only Batman channel.

[@donaldallen9804]

Fantastic video keep up the great work 👍

[@igorgakalo4412]

Man, I’m so glad I’ve found your channel. That’s fantastic what you’re doing here, and this video stands out! Thank you for your time you’re investing into this channel 🎉

[@santiagobojorquez]

This is the most complete and best Batman Channel. Amazing work bro!

[@BitBoltShow]

Great look at a bunch of ancient comics I haven't read myself. Very informative and well edited; thanks for the great video! I learned so much about my favorite detective.

[@ftheman1108]

Dude your videos are truly incredible. The level of quality and detailed information is next level

[@jakeel85]

Great video. Really well made.

[@davidtorres2048]

Such great execution on Batman, I love your videos! Thank you!

[@chris_t2020]

Keep the great work, Mr. Salazar.

[@SalazarKnight]

I will, Chris!!

[@MikaylaJLaird]

Golden Bat! Love it, keep up the awesome work!

[@MayoBaluyut]

What an enjoyable watch. Thank you!

[@VietPham-jj8qt]

Bob Kane is basically the Golden Age Mark Zuckerberg

[@AceLM92]

I don't know how I missed this when it was uploaded, but I'm glad I found it now when trying to find the old golden age videos. While it kind of saddens me that I can't find the older videos now, I don't see the links in the description, I do like this update because it's more in line with your current style and you yourself had in prior videos disowned your older videos. And it's actually a funny coincidence as I replaced my copy of the Batman Chronicles trade paperback in favor of the Golden Age Volume 1 (which has better quality paper and more stories) around the same time.

[@wDStarDust]

Came here from Alex lennen’s entire history of Batman vid. He was right. You are WAYY too underrated. I cant wait to watch the Complete Batman history 🍿 ❤🦇

[@Nicolas-rb9mj]

muy buen video!

[@abdulrahmanaljohani4660]

Great video, are you going to do a similar video to the silver age of comics ?

[@SalazarKnight]

It's not in my plans at the moment, but never say never!

[@ODDdiddle]

Love your videos

[@JZuni37]

Same been a batman fan since I was little

[@TheGothamite3]

What an amazing video

[@musicman2569]

This was an excellent, informative and fantastic break down of The Golden Age Batman

[@diamonddylanpage7150]

Good lord this is in depth. First time I've heard of Linda Page and I've been a Bat fan for 40+ years!! Bravo great work.

[@abdelali9279]

What an interesting story, really good to have a condensed story of this original era for Batman, looking forward the bronze era video

[@jpotter2086]

Subscribed ... read batman for decades ... love hearing this recapped for the millionth time LOL

[@albertogalvan2444]

Amo este canal es la guía definitiva del caballero oscuro ,la introducción perfecta para un estudio euxastivo saludos 🤟🤟🤟

[@oofyeet5935]

great video Golden Age Batman (or later earth-2 Batman) always has place in my heart not my favorite but still great I hope that new Batman Show Takes Inspiration however there is A Batman Fan Series titled "Mystery Of The Batman" that is kinda Of Like A Golden Age Batman serial It has finished as of now.Anyway this cheered up my up day as I have a flue as of now ,you have really Imporved since the first Golden bat Episode

[@robinschicha4712]

Personal I like the idea that Batman get his „No killing-Rule“, after his backstory got created and the death of his parents became a thing. Killing his enemies is not realy fun 🤩 to watch in the long run - more possibility’s to show his ability’s. And the Villain can return later 😎

[@joaoairesdematos1024]

Saw this and all the batman history videos, incredible stuff!! Quick question, is there any list you created with a chronological order of all comics? I would love to read some in continuity but the internet doesn't have pre-crisis!

[@SalazarKnight]

Well, Pre-Crisis can be tricky! For instance, everything between 1939 and 1969 can be read in the same order as it was published without problem. But starting in 1970, some stories start in Detective Comics and end in Batman, or viceversa. DC started focusing in Batman's continuity only in the late 60s/early 70s and even then, things were not really tight until the 80s. I have on my channel videos about my Top 10 stories for the Golden, Silver and Bronze Ages of Batman, so maybe that can be helpful if you want some reading material from that period.

[@sparkageddon3186]

thank u bro for givin us the full details of the batman story from beginnin to end on how the characters was made in order from the start u help me out alot to where it became easy writin my first black batman comic novel batman: shadows of new orleans which is not canon in the DC I hope u can do the batman and robin scooby doo crossover on ya opinion thats how i first found out about batman and robin joker and penguin since i was born in 85 and it came out in the late 70s keep up the good work

[@wallacelang1374]

My parents used to read the superhero comic books of the Gold Age, but because of the scrap paper recycling drives of World War 2 they turned in most of their own comic books. Thus I have only seen a scant few issues of Batman, Detective Comics, Superman, Action Comics, Flash Comics and Justice Society of America. However when my brothers and my sister were born in the 1950s and I was born in 1960 our parents bought for us Silver Age comic books that were mostly DC Comics with a few Marvel Comics thrown in as well.

[@vicmartinoofficial331]

I really enjoyed this video about the Golden Age Batman perhaps more than all the other Batman videos (and they are all good) posted here at "Salazar Knight's" You Tube channel.

[@vicmartinoofficial331]

Long Live Bill Finger and Bob Kane be damned!

[@arcademcfly1039]

I enjoy the background music! My son LOVES DARK GROUNDS

[@ADiretoria100]

Okay my jaw DROPPED when I found out Red Hood was from the golden age and not from the Killing Joke HOLY SHIT

[@djangosusamogus742]

Personally I prefer the one from 1951 because the Joker wasn’t just a stunt double but achtually the real red Hood the entire time. He was already smart and just became crazy when he jumped headfirst into the vat of chemicals.

[@saki3963]

Bill finger is the true creator of batman

[@leonunez8335]

I never cares for Batman as a character but I love the Golden Age and your take and presentation of the story of Golden Age Batman. I know you only do Batman Content but could you do Golden Age Superman as well!??

[@SalazarKnight]

The whole Golden Age of Superman would be a tremendous task that I probably won't be able to do justice. Maybe the first year or something like that, but the whole Golden Age... I think that would be too much to handle!

[@leonunez8335]

@@SalazarKnight no task is impossible!! If you're able to do Batman then you're able to do Supes!!

[@leonunez8335]

@Amit Kaner nooooo.. I'm saying that I never cared for Batman

[@dcmarvelcomicfans9458]

@@leonunez8335 someone already did the history of the Golden Age Superman

[@leonunez8335]

@@dcmarvelcomicfans9458 I want him to do it

[@harsyakiarraathallah2222]

to Me... Batman is the Idea of Bob Kane and Created by Bill Finger!

[@TONYGILLEY]

Did you delete your original Golden and Silver-Age Batman video series? I was looking forward to watching them again after I recently revisited The Bronze Bat series.

[@SalazarKnight]

The videos are unlisted, but still available in the playlists section of the channel!

[@pacecory1]

honestly, i think the silver age and bronze age are my favorite comic decades.

[@vinigressana]

The Joker's WHAT NOW?

[@jorgecarrera8806]

I had to pause and rewind the video, I thought I heard wrong lol

[@10141991]

What was the last ha batman comic?

[@lorionravindradasan8138]

Make one on golden age superman

[@ss21titus]

I'm early!! 😱😱😱

[@varanid9]

You can't count how many times Batman carried a gun by counting the number of times somebody drew him with one. Presumably, he carried it always and it's just seen when he uses it. A vigilante who kills isn't going to not use a gun to kill, he just avoids using it because it's loud or he hasn't had the chance to draw, but, again, logically, is ready to use it if he has to or he wouldn't carry it.

[@oluhamilton2121]

Kane....HACK makes good. As far as l am concerned, ROBINSON IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL BATMAN ARTIST

[@mattmorris2141]

Tons of great content...but it's ushered, not ooshered. (See around minute 9).

[@SalazarKnight]

Thanks!

[@behindthescenesphotos5133]

Bruce Wayne's rich, no good excuse to have them sharing a bed, that was just asking for trouble.

[@zardox78]

21:24 Yeah, I have a really hard time believing that panel was drawn absentmindedly. It wasn't some happenstance snapshot that got taken out of context. That was a conscious choice between that and a near-infinite number of other ways to draw them having that exchange. Really think about it. Why would anyone opt to draw the two of them that way? What possible reason could there be? Why did it not click in their heads somewhere along the way? "Whoa! What did I just draw here? This... could clearly be interpreted as something kinda fucked up." Because they didn't think it was. They actually thought they were being subtle, with everyone in their safe all-covering pajamas. And "What little boy wouldn't want to have an innocent sleep-over with their hero, Batman?!" Keep in mind, this is at a point where they couldn't even show a married couple sleeping in the same bed on TV. You don't want the Comic Book Code to come in and neuter your stories? Maybe lay off of the whole attempted normalization of children sharing beds with adults thing.

[@doofyproductionsofficial]

Anyone who looks at this panel and genuinely sees them waking up in the same bed and unironically points to this as being gay needs glasses. If you actually take a gander at the illustration, you'll see that these are two beds next to each other. There are separate headboards with a space where the wall is evident, and there's a line between them delineating the edge of Bruce's mattress. Is it a cramped and awkward drawing? Yes, but this is a concise expository panel to refresh the concept of Batman and Robin's secret identities for new readers, not the Mona Lisa. All the comics in this era consistently depicted Bruce and Dick as sharing a room with two beds next to each other. They kept their costumes in a compartment in each of their dressers, and there are some stories where this setup provides the plot complications (ie, Dick needs to sneak out for some reason without Bruce noticing, etc). The poorly executed close-up perspective skews this at a glance, but these artists were expected to crank out an insane amount of work at once if they wanted to make what passed as a living wage. This seemingly suspicious imagery is a side effect of taking shortcuts, not a deliberate subliminal message. It's a modern interpretation that Bruce and Dick have a father - son relationship. The original depiction was that of brothers because comics were geared towards kids. Hence, the notion of these two sharing a room is entirely innocent. It wasn't until all the Werthams of the world intentionally started putting perverted spins on comic book material that scrambling for justifications had to be done to account for an unfounded level of scrutiny towards throwaway children's entertainment. Read Golden or Silver Age Batman comics and see for yourself that the true dynamic is older brother Bruce and younger brother Dick, with Alfred evolving from his comedic relief role to the fatherly one handling all the adult things like laundry that Bruce and Dick are either too immature or preoccupied to deal with. If one puts themselves in the mind of a ten year old boy and views the Dynamic Duo as siblings and the Batcave as their no-girls-allowed treehouse club, these stories instantly lose the strangeness we impose on it by reading it as for adults.

[@jakeproven256]

Batman is bleeding in the pannel at 3:47, quite impressive for 1939 considering comics were aimed at kids in those days, sure it's black and not red but hey good compramise.

[@oofyeet5935]

No they were for kids starting in 1950s-1969 that image was from 1939

[@jakeproven256]

@@oofyeet5935 Actually comics were aimed at kids in 39, that's why Robin was introduced. Plus, I know that image is from 1939, I'm not stupid.

[@ryszakowy]

at least his story got to end instead of retcons after retcons to keep the money train going

[@actualzafra]

I'm sorry, they tried to get the attention of younger audiences with Joker's WHAT

[@reddchan]

Batman belongs in the 1940’s, just like Dick Tracey, Zorro or Tarzan they belong in their era

[@mikeyprivett92]

Started this video off with incorrect facts. Spiderman is the most iconic and most beloved superhero

[@blade8989]

Hhh

[@kytim89]

Bob Kane was an intellectual thief.

[@jaredgarcia8638]

Oh without a doubt. I was devastated by how much of a narcissistic thief he was. Because as a kid, I looked up to him believing he soley created Batman. Bill Finger deserved a lot more than what was given

[@bradenhogan2]

And yet, without him you still wouldn’t have Batman. His work on the character was essential, even if he was greedy and dishonest. Additionally, important to note, as SalarKnight did, that this was standard for the time, even if his excessive greed and dishonesty weren’t

[@kytim89]

@@bradenhogan2 He's still a thief though.

[@bradenhogan2]

@@kytim89 I never said anything indicating I disagreed with that statement on the surface. Just the underlying attitude that “Bob Kane took more credit than was due him, therefore he is not due any credit for Batman.” Even if it were true that every single creative decision was made by Finger (which it’s clearly not), at the very least Kane discovered Finger, as well as Robinson. So, the cold hard fact will always remain that no Kane = no Batman

[@jaredgarcia8638]

@@bradenhogan2 you know what you've make a good point. Guess it's one of those situations where we take the good from the bad deals

[@JZuni37]

First

[@ODDdiddle]

👍

[@aidanhever3369]

(Sadly sigh)... I know they haven't aged very well, but those were historical parts of your career as a Batman historian.

[@SalazarKnight]

True. But they're not gone. It just takes a bit more effort to find them.

[@aidanhever3369]

@@SalazarKnight How so ?

[@SalazarKnight]

They're only unlisted. Meaning that people can still watch them with the links in the description, as I mentioned at the end of the video.

[@thegunslinger8806]

To say batman was inspired is to go with the lie about Bob Kane being his soul "creator" when in fact Batman was a work of plagiarism and this has been confirmed by many in the industry. Same with the gun, they stopped using it in order to get away from the shadow comparison, an IP that was still far more popular even after the post war period. You want batman? The ruthless gun toting detective batman was batman! And to this day no one's leaned hard enough into that other than in the 70s and 80s but the ruthlessness is yet to ever return.

[@lulu_TheWitchBoy]

21:31 omg this is so gross… Dick is Bruces son, and he’s a kid… homophobes are so dumb like Oml still happening till this day too🙄

[@RowbuttBatmin]

Is there anyone that does what you do for Xmen? I would be so interested

[@SalazarKnight]

ComicBookGirl19 used to do X-Men videos back in the day. She had an amazing documentary series on them that actually inspired a lot of my early work. She has moved on from comics content, but I think her X-Men documentaries are still available on her channel.