Wednesday 24 July 2013

BATMAN & ROBIN , THE NEXT GENERATION

During the 1950's and early 1960's many of the stories in the Batman comics became more SCI-FI and fantasy based. This lead to the introduction of new characters into the Batman Universe.

The Bat-man "Family" was born, and overall the fans loved the addition of Bat-woman. Bat-Girl, Bat-Hound and even Bat-mite. It was a much simpler time, and Bat-man had come along way from the Dark vigilante  of the 1930's , and he was still a long long way from becoming the Dark Knight he is today.

During the late 1950's and early 1960's the editors of the Batman Comics came up with a unique concept, Imaginary Tales written by Bruce Wayne's man servant Alfred.

For years Superman Comics had enjoyed imaginative tales of Lois and Clark getting married and having a family, so now DC Comics decided Batman could also go in this direction too.

The First of these "WHAT IF"  tales appeared in  Batman 131# from April 1960

The premise of the story was ........





ALFRED WRITES

Alfred, trying out a new typewriter, engrosses himself in writing a story of the possible future. In this tale, Bruce Wayne marries Kathy Kane,  after which he reveals his identity as The BAT-MAN. Batman retires shortly thereafter  and passes on his mantle to Dick Grayson, now an adult, who becomes Batman II. Bruce Wayne, Jr., son of Bruce and Kathy Kane, the now retired Batwoman, petitions to be trained as the new Robin. Initially Bruce Jnr finds his mother objects to his request, but eventually he succeeds and becomes Robin II.
BRUCE WAYNE JNR aka ROBIN II

The story goes on to detail Bruce Jnr's rocky road into becoming the new Robin, with a little help from his Parents who come out of retirement to help .  After Alfred finishes his story, Both Bruce and Dick read it, and decide that although the story is good, it would be too dangerous for anyone else to read it. Alfred agrees, but acknowledges to himself that maybe some time in the future he would write another tale of the future Batman Family.

Over  the next few years Alfred wrote more stories and told the further tales of  The new Bat-man & Robin Team, How Bat-Girl became the new Bat-woman and how Kathy Kane became Mrs Bruce Wayne.,,,,,, AND Mrs BAT-MAN
MORE TALES FROM THE BAT-CAVE
THE "NEW" DYNAMIC DUO 
BAT-GIRL BECOMES A BAT-WOMAN 
MR & MRS BAT-MAN

These stories written as fun marked the end of Bat-woman and the original Bat-Girl, who soon disappeared from the comics along with Ace the Bat-Hound and Bat-mite.

This would bring the end to the Golden and Silver age of Bat-Man who would go on and be revamped for the Modern Age and the swinging 1960's.

A final Good Bye from The BAT-MAN FAMILY of the 1950/s & 1960/s

Next Time a look at the new sixties Dynamic Duo.

Until then enjoy !

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