The ORIGINAL History of Batman | DC Comics

The Batman of Earth-Two is an alternate version of the fictional superhero Batman, who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was introduced after DC Comics created Earth-Two, a parallel world that was retroactively established as the home of characters whose adventures had been published in the Golden Age of comic books. This provided justification within the fictional world of Batman stories for DC Comics publishing Batman comic books that disregarded the character's Golden Age stories, as Batman had been presented as a single ongoing incarnation of the character since his earliest stories were published.

Batman of Earth-Two first appeared in Justice League of America #82 and was created by Dennis O'Neil and Dick Dillin.

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 then-mainstream Silver Age Batman (who lived on "Earth-One") begin later in time and with certain elements of his origin retold. Each were depicted as separate, though parallel, individuals living in their respective universes, with the "older" Earth-Two character eventually reaching his retirement and death.

A parallel to this character is introduced in Justice Society of America (vol. 2) Annual #1 (2008) entitled "Earth-2" where the Post Crisis Earth-2 is fully introduced. The most notable difference between Pre-Crisis Earth-Two Wayne and his newer Post-Crisis Earth-2 incarnation is that the Post-Crisis Earth-2 Joker learned the real identities of Robin and the Huntress after turning Gotham DA Harvey Simms into the new Two-Face (Harvey knowing Helena's identity already).

A new parallel to this character was introduced in the 2012 Earth-2 series who died in the first issue, protecting that world from Darkseid's forces, alongside that world's Superman and Wonder Woman. His father, Thomas Wayne, later took up the mantle to atone for earlier sins, including deceiving his son about his own death. Dick Grayson would also take up the mantle during Earth 2: Earth's End and Earth 2: Society. Helena would later don the mantle after Dick retired at the end of the Society series.

[Rgoid]

The Golden Age/Earth-2 Bruce Wayne’s life was an ironic one: It was his parents’ deaths that started his career as the Batman and it was his wife’s death that ended it.

[ninjagamer]

This is such a great idea for a video. The older era of the DC Comics canon is generally completely overlooked, forgotten, ignored, or just not known about by pretty much everyone else. Thank you for making this!

[luckysix]

While I am someone that is fine with the “endless crusade” of mainline comic continuity (though wish they also didn’t play the death card so often.) I can see this is a good respectable end for the Batman. He got to settle down with a wife and a kid that wasn’t traumatized but still continued to help fight as Commissioner. He went out on his own terms and got to do the most Batman thing you could think of by stopping a crime while dead.

And yeah I would like to see more comic content like this on the channel.

[thedeepchocolate]

I love how this Batman actually got an ending, something his mainstream counterpart would never get in a million years

(Mom I’m famous)

[marmik]

"Only legends live forever, not the men who make them."
That might be one of the deepest things I've ever heard. Comics really should do more of this, sticking with an idea and not just going back to the status quo. The change makes the characters more real and it helps the readers connect more and the characters grow and change with them.

[arkfounder]

It blows my mind that most DC fans don't know that the original Batman has been dead since the 1970s and never came back.

[charlottewolery]

Suddenly superhero comics have become palatable. I thought it was the stupid costumes and garish villians but it's the lack of closure, or even timeline development that makes me hate them.

This... was a great story. Fixed in time, developing constantly, ending decisively. No soap opera crap, no floating timeline.

I respect that immensely. Thank you for opening my eyes.

[spadesofpaintstudios]

Honestly I actually like how they do the original Batman, he died in a an actually realistic way even when dead he did good deeds. One of my favorite versions of Batman that’s for sure.

[adityaahuja]

Fun Fact: In the All Star Squadron Annual 3 (published in the early 80s but Set in 1940 before the All Star Squadron main series), Batman, Robin and and the other JSAers had their aging rate slowed due to being exposed to some weird radiation thanks to supervillain Ian Karkull. Explains why this Batman had the energy of a person far younger than his proper age until his death

[eggzisstenshulldredd]

I never even knew, but I've been needing a video like this for a long time. Putting some respect on the source material while telling the original story from start to end as the creator intended.

[mentalist]

Golden Age Batman and Silver Age Superman were the only characters to get an official conclusion to their stories.
Fun fact with Silver Age Superman is that when the main Superman writer heard about the planned Crisis on Infinite Earths he didnt want to have Superman just end with no conclusion for the characters.

[alcottic]

It’s weird to see that the old original Batman had cancer. It also odd because that’s how Kevin Conroy sadly passed away.

Rest in Peace Kevin Conroy🦇

[BonzerMrT]

I would love this for the Original Barry Allen Flash. Barry had a timeline where he grew up, became the flash, had his wife and moved on, but then the alternative timeline is the one where Eobard Thawne tampers. What happened to the Barry that became the flash without having his mom die or having met Thawne yet. It was kinda Teases in Infinite Frontier.

[liltateinc.]

It would actually be really interesting if the future of Batman in the Mainstream became a series of other characters carrying on the legacy of Batman. It would really open the doors for some really cool story ideas

[Tallen-jubi]

This story shows us the true meaning of all of Batmans work and efforts in his seemingly endless war on crime. His legacy and his story are all truly admirable from start to finish, this batman is the definition of a hero.

[SleepingGroke]

Honestly, this is why I prefer the stories outside the main DC universe.
They are allowed to have a proper lifespan, instead of basically being in a floating timeline.

[rogerjustice]

What a great storyline, you put it together perfectly. I was not even aware this particular Batman. I used to be an avid comic book reader, in the store every week but over time Comics began to get more and more expensive and there's just no way I can keep up. This is the next best thing, just want to say a very sincere thank you. I will now be a big fan of yours LOL and continue watching your videos

[MrSnoopdoog]

I'm no fan of comics but this was very pleasant to watch, keep em coming man!

[Tha_Spider]

This makes me want to read earth 2 comics

[sneak]

This was fantastic! Loved to see a new take on Batman, seeing as I had no idea about earth 2 characters having a definitive ending, would love to see a series of these. Think you could do Superman next?