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The Batman of Earth-Two is a parallel version of the fictional DC Comics superhero, who was introduced after DC Comics created Earth-Two, a parallel world that was retroactively established as the home of characters which had been published in the Golden Age of comic books. This allowed creators to publish Batman comic books while being able to disregard Golden Age stories, solving an incongruity, as Batman had been published as a single ongoing incarnation since inception. The character history of the Earth-Two Batman accordingly adopts all of the earliest stories featuring the character from the 1930s and 1940s, while the adventures of the mainstream Batman (who lived on "Earth-One") begin later in time and with certain elements of his origin retold. Both were depicted as separate, though parallel, individuals living in their respective universes, with the "older" Earth-Two character eventually reaching his retirement and death.
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Fictional character biography
Childhood and early history
Batman's origin and history begins the same as the classic version except the timeframe occurs when the Detective Comics #27 was originally printed: 1939. Most of the events surrounding his formative years are the same, but earlier.
- Bruce Wayne was born circa 1915-1916.[1]
- Bruce's parents were killed when he was eight by Joe Chill, in 1924.[2] Alfred Pennyworth, a later creation, did not raise him. They met for the first time after Batman had already met Robin (and in fact, this version of Alfred was Alfred Beagle, which was kept for the Earth-Two distinction).
- After a period of training, a young Bruce Wayne becomes Batman. His first printed story is "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate",[3] although story content implies that this was not his first mission.
- Bruce Wayne meets eight-year-old Dick Grayson, following the murder of his parents. Grayson eventually takes the identity of Robin.[4]
- Superman and Batman become lifelong friends. Unlike the antagonistic friendship of their modern incarnations, they get along right away and have many team ups. Along with Kal-L, Batman participates in the Justice Society and the war-time only All Star Squadron.
- Batman dies in 1979.[5]
Divergence with Earth-One
At the dawn of the Silver Age of comics, DC Comics decided to reimagine several of their greatest superheroes. The Flash and Green Lantern were reimagined as Barry Allen[6] and Hal Jordan.[7] Superman and Batman were different and remained untouched. It was later revealed that the current heroes live on a parallel world to the Golden Age heroes. When Barry Allen met Jay Garrick,[8] it meant there were two Flashes, two Green Lanterns, two Supermen, and two Batmen. Since Batman and Superman were the same, the divergence between the characters was their age. Eventually, Batman ages to the point that he retires. During his post vigilante career, he becomes the police commissioner of Gotham City. The Batman legacy is carried on by an adult Dick Grayson who never becomes Nightwing. Eventually, Wayne would marry Catwoman, Selina Kyle. They have a daughter, Helena Wayne, the Huntress.[9] Wayne was eventually coaxed out of retirement for one last mission as Batman, where he ultimately perished.[10] In the limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths, the multiverse as we know it is destroyed. Among the lost worlds is Earth-Two. Following this crisis, Earth-Two "never existed" and retroactively removed the Earth-Two Batman from history, blending elements of his past with Earth-One, effectively creating a new modern continuity.[11][12]
Infinite Crisis
After Kal-L returned[13] from his banishment,[11] he confronted the modern Batman, whom he told that he believes Earth-Two's destruction was precipitated by the death of the Earth-Two Batman, and offers to stand alongside the current Batman if he helps him to restore Earth-Two. Most of the Earth-Two survivors, Wonder Woman, Superman, and Lois Lane died during this newer Crisis. The Infinite Crisis hardcover had several lines of dialogue rewritten to imply the survivors were being called somewhere instead of fading out of existence. Wonder Woman mentions she is being pulled somewhere,[14] and Lois Lane does as well.[15] Earth-Two was the only resurrected Earth that was empty- Sand mentions the world appears to be new and manufactured- but the anomalies are ignored by Alexander Luthor, who states that his only concern is finding the perfect Earth. During his last words, Superman says to Power Girl "They're still out there", a possible reference to the lost heroes of the Earths that fell during the original Crisis[16]
One Year Later
In the One Year Later story arc of JSA, members of a heretofore inactive Justice Society are attacked by the Gentleman Ghost. With the villain suddenly possessing limited control over the spirits of the dead, Jakeem Thunder and the Thunderbolt are assisted in battle by the spirits of various deceased JSA members and allies, including the Batman of Earth-Two (Although Jakeem is confused by his presence, noting that Batman isn't dead, but the Thunderbolt tells him not to worry about it). Before the ghosts depart, Jakeem asks Batman how they can defeat the Ghost, and Batman tells Jakeem that he must be struck down by a hero of noble blood; this is later revealed to be a reference to Wildcat, who had an ancestor in the seventeenth century who was a colonial baron.[17]
References
- ^ "Secret Origins Starring the Golden Age Batman" Secret Origins vol. 2, #6 (Sept 1986) DC Comics
- ^ "Secret Origins Starring the Golden Age Batman" Secret Origins vol. 2, #6 (Sept 1986) DC Comics
- ^ "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate" Detective Comics, #27 (May 1939) DC Comics
- ^ "Robin the Boy Wonder" Detective Comics, #38 (Apr 1940) DC Comics
- ^ "Only Legends Live Forever!" Adventure Comics vol. 1, #462 (Mar 1979) DC Comics
- ^ "Mystery of the Human Thunderbolt!" Showcase vol. 1, #4 (Sept/Oct 1956) DC Comics
- ^ "SOS Green Lantern!" Showcase vol. 1, #22 (Sept/Oct 1959) DC Comics
- ^ "Flash of Two Worlds!" The Flash vol. 1, #123 (Sept 1961) DC Comics
- ^ First appearance: "Divided We Stand!" All Star Comics vol. 1, #68 (Sept/Oct 1977) DC Comics
- ^ "Only Legends Live Forever!" Adventure Comics vol. 1, #462 (Mar 1979) DC Comics
- ^ a b "Final Crisis" Crisis on Infinite Earths, #12 (Mar 1986) DC Comics
- ^ "The End of the Beginning" All-Star Squadron, #60 (Aug 1986) DC Comics
- ^ "Infinite Crisis" Infinite Crisis, #1 (Dec 2005) DC Comics
- ^ "Faith" Infinite Crisis, #5 (Apr 2006) DC Comics
- ^ "Touchdown" Infinite Crisis, #6 (May 2006) DC Comics
- ^ "Finale" Infinite Crisis, #7 (Jun 2006) DC Comics
- ^ "...The Living Must Answer" JSA, #85 (Jul 2006) DC Comics
See also
- All-Star Squadron
- America vs. The Justice Society -- miniseries in which Batman (through his diary, discovered post-mortem) accuses the JSA of committing treason during World War II
- Golden Age Robin
- Golden Age Catwoman
- Huntress (Helena Wayne)
- Justice Society of America
- Multiverse (DC Comics)
- Superman (Kal-L)
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| Creators | Bob Kane · Bill Finger · Other writers and artists |
| Supporting characters | Robin (Tim Drake) · Nightwing (Dick Grayson) · Batgirl (Cassandra Cain) · Batwoman · Alfred Pennyworth · Lucius Fox · Barbara Gordon · Commissioner Gordon · Harvey Bullock · Azrael · Huntress |
| Villains | Bane · Catwoman · Clayface · Harley Quinn · Joker · Killer Croc · Mad Hatter · Mr. Freeze · Penguin · Poison Ivy · Ra's al Ghul · Red Hood (Jason Todd) · Riddler · Scarecrow · Talia al Ghul · Two-Face · Ventriloquist |
| Locations | Arkham Asylum · Batcave · Gotham City · Wayne Enterprises · Wayne Manor |
| Equipment | Batarang · Batmobile · Batcycle · Batsuit · Utility Belt |
| Miscellanea | Publications · Storylines · Alternate versions of Batman · Batman in popular media |
