Editing Batman (section)

== In popular culture ==
{{Main article|Batman in popular culture}}
Batman has ascended to the status of a [[Popular culture|global pop culture]] phenomenon, transcending his origins in comic books. His influence expanded notably with the release of the 1989 film, which propelled him to the forefront of public consciousness through widespread merchandising. ''[[The Guardian]]'' describes Batman as emblematic of the constant reinvention characteristic of modern mass culture, embodying both iconic status and commercial appeal, making him a quintessential cultural artifact of the 21st century.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Finkelstein |first1=David |last2=Macfarlane |first2=Ross |date=March 15, 1999 |title=Batman's big birthday |url=https://www.theguardian.com/g2/story/0,,314504,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080114031758/http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0%2C%2C314504%2C00.html |archive-date=January 14, 2008 |access-date=June 19, 2007 |work=The Guardian |location=London}}</ref>

===Media appearances===
{{Main|Batman (franchise)}}

Apart from comics, Batman's presence spans various mediums, including newspapers, radio dramas, television, stage, and film. From the 1940s serials to contemporary TV shows like "[[Gotham (TV series)|Gotham]]" and "[[Titans (2018 TV series)|Titans]]", Batman's legacy endures. Celebrating the character's 75th anniversary, Warner Bros released "Batman: Strange Days", showcasing his timeless appeal.<ref>{{harvp|Daniels|1999|p=50}}</ref>

In September 2024, Batman become the first superhero to be given a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]]. It was the 2,790th star.<ref>{{Cite web |last=nrueda |date=2024-09-26 |title=Batman becomes first superhero with star on Hollywood Walk of Fame |url=https://usa.inquirer.net/157489/batman-becomes-first-superhero-with-star-on-hollywood-walk-of-fame |access-date=2024-10-06 |website=INQUIRER.net USA |language=en}}</ref>

==== Criticism ====
Batman has been criticized by fans for the extreme changes in tone and style between different iterations of the character in the franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Glazebrook |first=Lewis |date=2023-10-10 |title=Why Batman's Most Consistent Movie Complaint Is Actually Great For The DCU's Reboot |url=https://screenrant.com/batman-tone-complaint-dcu-reboot-good/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref>

=== Different interpretations ===
{{Further|Homosexuality in the Batman franchise|Batman in popular culture#Psychological interpretation}}
Gay interpretations of Batman have been studied academically since psychologist [[Fredric Wertham]]'s claims in 1954.<ref>Wertham, Fredric. ''Seduction of the Innocent''. Rinehart and Company, Inc., 1954. pp. 189–90.

For discussion of Wertham's impact see Brooker (2001).</ref> Andy Medhurst and Will Brooker have explored Batman's appeal to gay audiences and the validity of a queer reading.<ref>Medhurst, Andy. "Batman, Deviance, and Camp." ''The Many Lives of the Batman: Critical Approaches to a Superhero and His Media''. Routledge: London, 1991. {{ISBN|978-0-85170-276-6}}, p. 150.</ref> Meanwhile, in [[Psychology|psychological]] interpretations, Dr. Travis Langley sees Batman as representing the "shadow archetype", confronting inner darkness to fight evil, according to Carl Jung and Joseph Campbell's theories. Langley's analysis adds depth to Batman's psychological complexity.<ref name="Langley">Langley, Travis. ''Batman and Psychology: A Dark and Stormy Knight''. John Wiley & Sons; 1st edition, 2012, {{ISBN|1-118-16765-1}}</ref>