Is Batman a rip off of the old silent movie, "The Bat?"

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   Stevennix2001posted 12 years ago

   Okay, I know I'll get a lot of flak for this forum post, but I figured it'll be a lot of fun anyway.  First of all, I just want to point out that I have nothing but the utmost respect for the character batman, and his creator, Bob Kane.  In terms of superhero movies and comic books, I think it would be hard to argue that any other character has endured as much success as he has commercially. 
   
   However, in light of building up my review for the upcoming "The Dark Knight Rises", I've decided to review a series of hubs leading up to it.  Two of them thus far happen to be the old silent film, "The Bat", and it's remake, "The Bat Whispers."  I know some of you are probably asking, what do those movies have to do with Batman?
   
   Well, back in 1926, there was an old silent movie that was adaptation of a Broadway play.  In the film, it featured a mysterious super criminal calling himself "The Bat."  In this movie, this super criminal not only dresses like a giant bat, but he even dons a black cape.  Another thing you folks might notice is that he too travels rooftop to rooftop using a complex system of grappling hooks, while having a handy utility bag.
   
   Oh and it's gets even better too, as he uses a gun to only shoot other criminals...sort of similar to how the ORIGINAL batman used to shoot people with the very same gun that killed his parents.  Now, I'm not saying that batman is a total copycat, as he has evolved over the years to become drastically different.  however, there's no denying the similarities, as i pointed out in my review of both films. 
   
   however, i know some people will probably be offended by saying, "HOW DARE YOU INSIGHT SUCH ACCUSATIONS TOWARDS BOB KANE!?!"  Okay, I'll tell you what, here's an article that'll show you proof of what I'm talking about.  And by the way, I've seen both films entirely, and I've researched batman extensively for those that remember my "superheroes assemble" hubs a while back.  therefore, at the risk of sounding conceited, I know what I'm talking about. 
   
   However, please don't allow me to tell you what to think, as i'd rather you told me what you think.  here's the link to judge for yourselves:
   
   http://www.headinjurytheater.com/article32.htm
   
   Okay, assuming you've read the link, I want to know your exact opinions on this.  Was batman originally a rip off of the old silent movie?  Or do you think not?  And is your opinion changed by the article and it's facts knowing what you've learned?  Please discuss.

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   Robwriteposted 12 years ago

   There's probably something to that. I wouldn't be surprised. I know that Bill Finger (the writer of the first Batman story) and Bob Kane (the artist) took inspiration from the Shadow, and to a lesset extent, Zorro, but I didn't know about the Bat. I can believe that finger and Kane saw these films and utilized them in the Batman Comic.
   
   It would be really funny if the Bat had taken in a ward who became his sidekick 'Pigeon!'

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      Stevennix2001posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yeah that would've been funny.  However, I think it's worth noting that Batman isn't a total copycat in this day and age.  Sure, I can definitely see how the ORIGINAL batman could be misconstrued that way based on the evidence, but over time Batman has evolved into a completely different character than he was originally, at least i think so.

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   Stevennix2001posted 12 years ago

   anyone else have anything to add?

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   Captain Redbeardposted 12 years ago

   It's said that there are no more original idea's, however that being a recent saying, it still stands to reason that Kane "borrowed" idea's for his character. I mean everyone raves about Avatar but when I first saw it I thought, "This is a grown up version of Ferngully the Last Rain forest".
   
   The link wouldn't open for me so I wasn't able to read it. My connection has been touchy lately but I will try to open it again later when I have more than two bars on my wifi. I'm excited to read it. I've loved batman since I was a kid and have always been enamored by the idea of a somewhat everyday guy taking down the badguys the cops couldn't. But regardless of what this article says, I don't think it would make me lose my love for this dark knight nor would it paint Bob in a bad light for me

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