CHAPTER 8: 5 Facts Every Bat-Fan Should Know
1. Bob Kane’s original name for our hero was “Bird-Man.”
2. Bob Kane’s original choice for his sidekick’s name was “Mercury.”
3. The actual correct date on the giant penny in The Hall of Trophies in The Batcave is “1947.”
4. Before he began signing his comic book art “Bob Kane,” he signed it “Rob’t Kane.”
5. The first ever published image of The Bat-Man was NOT in Detective Comics #27, but was in Action Comics #12.
Dr. Michael Uslan is a Professor of Practice at the Indiana University Media School. He is the Executive Producer of many award-winning movies, including Batman Vs Superman: Dawn Of Justice; The Lego Movie; and The Dark Knight Trilogy: Batman Begins; The Dark Knight & The Dark Knight Rises. He is also the Executive Producer of a wide range of TV movies, animated TV Series, and documentaries. He won an Emmy Award for “Best Animated Series” with his production of Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego? ®
Dr. Uslan was the instructor of both the first accredited college course and correspondence course on comic books (Indiana University 1971), and the author of the first textbook on comics, The Comic Book In America. He has authored a wide range of books and graphic novels, including, America At War- A History Of War Comics; Mysteries In Space- A History Of Science Fiction Comics; Best Of Archie; The Comic Book Revolution, and his memoir, The Boy Who Loved Batman. He worked with his friend and mentor, Stan Lee, on many comic books, including their most recent initiative, Just Imagine.
He is the recipient of the World’s first Doctorate of Comic Books, Monmouth University 2012, and also has a JD from Indiana University School of Law; M.S, Urban Education, Indiana University School of Education; and BA, History from Indiana University.
