For the first time, the entire scope and history of the Bat arsenal,
from the famous cowl, the awesome Batmobile, the catacomb-like Batcave
to the tank-like Tumbler is documented in this encyclopedic chronicle by
Matt MacNabb. It is really Batman's equipment and the unique gizmos he
employs to keep Gotham safe that not only defines him but transforms him
into a superhero. After all, he's one of the very few superheroes who's
as human as the rest of us. Survey the many iterations of the Batman
legend since its debut in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939: the
original ferocious and bitter avenger, the campy crusader of the '60s TV
series, the dark brooding antihero of the graphic novels and the recent
Chris Nolan Dark Knight films. What's the one thing that remains
consistent about this most mysterious of superheroes through the
decades? His gear, his arsenal. When the Bat signal hits the night sky
all the world knows who's been called. If you really want to get to know
Batman, and his 75-year legend, you must know his material. You think
you know Batman? You don't know the tenth of it. Matt MacNabb unravels
the how and why of each significant piece of the Batman toolbox, along
with intimate behind the scenes stories and knowledgeable commentary by
the people who designed them. To really know Batman, you must know this
army of dedicated, talented artists, writers and technicians who are the
ones who have really brought the Caped Crusader to life over the
decades. They are Batman's secret pit crew, swapping the Bat tires and
equipping the Bat utility belt. Most of them grew up as super fans of
the comics and the books and the TV shows and the movies the same way
everyone else did, but they got the lucky break to contribute to the
legend. This book includes: - Entire history of the Batman legend, in
all media - In-depth interviews with the people behind the Bat cosmos -
Expert analysis of the Bat legend by the author and other Bat-gurus -
Exhaustive, intimate catalog of Batman's incredible crime-fighting
tools - Comparison of the various Bat incarnations, from comic book to
film and beyond - The Bat foes - from the Joker to Bane - expert
analysis and commentary
