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| Batarang | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Detective Comics #31 (September1939) |
| Created by | Gardner Fox |
| In story information | |
| Type | Weapon |
| Element of stories featuring | Batman |
Thebatarang is a roughlybat-shaped throwing weapon used by theDC ComicssuperheroBatman. Batarangs are a staple of Batman's arsenal, appearing in every majorBatman television andfilm adaptation to date.
The name "Batarang" is aportmanteau ofbat andboomerang, and was originally spelled "baterang".
The earliest depictions were of scalloped,metal boomerangs used to attack opponents, which quickly flew back to the thrower.
Batarangs are customizable throwing weapons,[1] based onshurikens andboomerangs, and are collapsible[2] so that a large number of them can fit inside ofBatman's utility belt.
Batman uses batarang as a weapon of ranged attack, the primary alternative tofirearms, which he usually rejects for personal reasons.
Batarangs are used primarily to knock guns and other tools out of an assailant's hand.[3]
They also serve as Batman's calling cards to alert criminal elements of his presence (much like the character's antecedentZorro, who leaves the mark "Z" to his defeated foes) and props to create an illusion to the superstitious that he commands bats when he throws them.
Although they are named after boomerangs, batarangs have become more likeshuriken in recent interpretations.
The use of the batarang has been in a state of constant development since its early appearances.
According toThe Essential Batman Encyclopedia[4],
"The most consistently used versions of the Batarang included ones with micro-serrated edges; a hard-impact version for stunning criminals; a remote-controlled one linked to his Utility Belt; and an aerodynamically edged model with a throwing top."
Also known as the Batrope, rope batarangs were used asgrappling hooks before the Grapple Gun's introduction.
Electric variants that deliver powerful electric shocks to whatever they come in contact with. These batarangs can incapacitate enemies or overload electronic devices.[5]
After the 1985-1986Crisis on Infinite Earths, Batman developed smaller batarangs with sharp edges that could disarm criminals.
Explosive variants that explode once they hit their target.[6]
Remote-controlled variants that let Batman fully steer the batarang via a remote control. These are used when a straight line of sight isn't possible. These batarangs have cameras in them so that Batman can see where they are going.[7]
In 1946, Batman and Robin developed a "batarang gun", and then a lighter "batarang pistol" in 1947.
A 1957 story called "The 100 Batarangs of Batman!" (Detective Comics #244, June 1957) detailed the magnetic batarang, the seeing-eye batarang, the flash-bulb batarang, the bomb batarang, the rope batarang, the police whistle batarang and the mysterious Batarang X, among others.[8]
Batgirl uses batarangs.Nightwing, a former Robin, is known to use his own modified batarangs calledWing-Dings, which are styled after abird.Tim Drake, the third Robin, also possesses his own R-shaped shuriken.[3]
In an issue ofTeen Titans (Vol. 3), Drake claims that he hid the costs for shipping aBatmobile fromGotham City toSan Francisco in "the batarang budget", which he tells the others is "bigger than you might think".
The current version ofBatwoman uses foldable S-shaped throwing weapons stored in two sets of three on her gauntlets; these can be removed and thrown by hand, launched pneumatically, or used as forearm-mounted blades.[9][10]
Catman uses weapons inspired by Batman's and calls them "catarangs".
Like Robin,Anarky, an occasional antagonist of Batman, makes use of shuriken formed after his own gimmick, the "circle-a".
AThrowing Bird—colloquially referred to as a "Birdarang"—is a roughly bird-shaped throwing weapon used byRobin as a non-lethal ranged attack alternative tofirearms.
As with Batman, Robin can launch his weapon with a launcher located on his lower arm. They are also used by Robin in non-Batman media such asTeen Titans Go! where they appear under the name Birdarangs.
Ken Washio (the eagle) from the 1972 anime seriesScience Ninja Team Gatchaman (Battle of the Planets) also use Birdarangs.[11]
Batarangs first appeared inDetective Comics #31 (September 1939), in the story "Batman Versus the Vampire".
Batman threw the first batarang at the Monk and missed, but later in the story, the batarang helped him knock over a chandelier and escape from the villain's trap.[12]
A 1957 story called "The 100 Batarangs of Batman!" (Detective Comics #244, June 1957) included an "origin story" for the batarang, which was given to Batman by circus performer Lee Collins.
InFrank Miller'sBatman: The Dark Knight Returns #2, illustrates one use of Batman's batarang; one criminal thought it was a bat chasing him, and when it hit his hand, revealing to be a batarang, alerting him of Batman's presence.
Later, inBatman #575 (January 2000), that during the hero's fight with the terrorist Banner, the villain thought he saw Batman grabbing two bats from a flock and throws them during their fight.
A rifle-like grappling gun first appeared in Frank Miller'sBatman: The Dark Knight Returns #1. However, the now standard hand-held version of Batman's grappling gun first appeared in the 1989Batman film. It gradually replaced the batarang and a rope in the comics after artistNorm Breyfogle introduced a grapple gun inBatman #458 in January 1991.
That tool became the standard in the subsequent animated series, comics, films, and video games such asBatman: Arkham Asylum and inBatman: Arkham City a more advanced version called the Grapnel was introduced which could be used to launch Batman into the air to glide using kinetic energy.
In the film adaptations of Batman, the batarangs shown roughly match the adapted bat logo of the respective franchise.
Following the backlash against thecampBatman television series, the franchise has avoided falling into the perceived overuse of thebat- prefix, for which the 1960s series was criticized.
Though featured prominently, the batarangs are rarely referred to by name, unlike theBatcave andBatmobile.
The television seriesBirds of Prey also features batarangs. However these versions are circular and bear the Birds of Prey symbol, rather than the traditional bat shape.
In the episode "Nothing's Shocking" from thefifth and final season ofGotham,Bruce Wayne uses sharp objects and throws them at an enemy similar to the batarangs, foreshadowing their full appearance later in the season. The batarangs officially appear in the series finale "The Beginning...". In the episode, Batman uses his batarangs to defeatJeremiah Valeska.
Kate used the batarangs in the television seriesBatwoman.
The batarang used inBatman was a foldable metal bat-shaped boomerang attached to a line and was used to ensnare an enemy's legs and manually drag them back.
Batman Returns also featured a computerized version that could be programmed to fly after specific targets.Batman Forever featured two types of batarangs: one with a string which catches one ofTwo-Face's thugs in the Gotham City bank and a "Sonar Batarang" that uses the "Sonar Suit" to destroy the Super Box and the Nygmatech building.
Other batarangs are seen in the Batcave, along with the one used inBatman Returns but not used during the film.
Batarangs also appeared inBatman & Robin.
The 2005 filmBatman Begins showed them as a simple bat-shapedshuriken, used mainly for distraction rather than as weapons, fitting in with that film's depiction of Batman'sninja training.
WhileThe Dark Knight uses the batarang in its promotional posters, it is not thrown in the film.
As part ofLucius Fox's improvements on theBatsuit, he adds blades on the suit that shoot out of Batman's arm, which are similar to the batarang.
To gain leverage over his fight with theJoker, Batman shoots these blades at him, distracting him and giving Batman the upper hand.
His true batarangs are only seen once during the film; when Bruce Wayne puts away his Batsuit after deciding to turn himself in to the police, he takes a minute to pick up and stare at one of his batarangs, and then proceeds to put it away with the rest of his gear.
Two versions of the batarang were created for the 2022 filmThe Batman, though ultimately only one was used in the film.
Batman's chest insignia doubles as a bat-shaped knife, which he first uses to cut through police tape and enter a crime scene and later to cut a powered electrical cable hanging precariously over rising flood waters filled with hundreds of civilians.
The other version the batarang created for the film was exclusively used in promotional artwork such as that seen on toy boxes.
This alternate batarang is similar to what was used in theDark Knight trilogy, being a smaller shuriken-esque throwing weapon that matched the symbol used on theBat-Signal.
InBatman: The Animated Series his use of batarangs is ubiquitous.
The standard is a serrated crescent shaped. One version attached to a line allowed him to snare criminals as well as ascend and swing from rooftops as a grappling hook, but he relied on his grappling gun for transportation. Another version is a shuriken-based once used to puncture a water tower to nullify an invisible opponent's cloaking advantage.
Batman Beyond,[13] another animated series, which takes place 50 years in Gotham City's future, hasTerry McGinnis donning a high tech version of thebatsuit to become the new Batman.
This suit, among many other features, has the ability to automatically load ultra-compact foldable circular batarangs in the wearer's hand or shoot them through the top of the wrist. The batarangs are collapsible and come in a variety of forms including electrical versions, explosive versions to demolish obstacles, and grappling hooks.
In theJustice League animated series, Batman employed a variety of Batarangs, including explosive Batarangs and electrically charged variants.
In theTeen Titans animated series, Robin uses similar modified batarangs to the adult Nightwing, referred to as "birdarangs".
The same weapons are used byThe Batman's interpretation of Robin. Robin also uses circular Batarang type weapons in the TV seriesYoung Justice.
In the animated seriesKrypto the Superdog, Robbie the Robin uses comical weapons called "beakerangs", which are miniature projectiles that contain incapacitating foam.Ace the Bat-Hound also wields more traditional Batarangs.
InThe Batman, the batarangs are mostly depicted as futuristic throwing weapons lined with fluorescent blue, and making a distinct humming noise while flying through the air. They are also portrayed as sharp enough to slice through metal pipes.
Batman has from time to time also used them in hand-to-hand combat. He has additionally used several other variations, including explosive batarangs, electric batarangs, and batarangs with a special technologicalvirus that disable machinery.
Also, the Batman uses a special remote-controlled batarang, that is a little larger than the other versions, can adhere to any surface, and has a miniature high-resolution camera.
Despite them being futuristic, these batarangs have the most boomerang characteristics, and are shown return to Batman's hand.
InThe Batman vs. Dracula,Alfred Pennyworth treated some of the batarangs withgarlic in preparation of the Dark Knight's battle withCount Dracula.
InBatman: The Brave and the Bold, the batarangs are not shown as high tech futuristic throwing tools like inThe Batman, but as simple shuriken/boomerangs that he uses to fight crime.
Batman has also been shown to be able to turn his bat symbol into a batarang, as seen the pilot episode, "The Rise of the Blue Beetle!". Also,Owlman, Batman's parallel universe counterpart, has a similar weapon to the batarang, however, his, instead of spinning at high speeds, fly straight like a glider.
In the seriesBeware the Batman, the batarangs have a shape similar to the Nolan films, with bronze and gray coloring. Some are collapsible. Others employ miniaturized scanners allowing Batman to study potentially dangerous objects from afar. Others carry explosive charges.
InRobot Chicken DC Comics Special III: Magical Friendship, Batman reveals to Robin that he created a Batarang out ofKryptonite which he planned to use to kill Superman if he ever turned evil. Later in the special, Batman stabsComposite Superman's shoulder with the Batarang, weakening him enough to allow Superman to defeat him.
InBatman: Mask of the Phantasm, Batman throws a Batarang at an approaching bomb before it reaches an apartment building, causing it to detonate.
Batarangs appeared in the animated filmBatman: Year One.
InBatman: Under the Red Hood, Batman uses a Batarang to jam theRed Hood's pistol and prevent him from killing theJoker.
Batman used Batarangs inSon of Batman.
InBatman vs. Robin, Damian Wayne throws a Batarang in front ofDollmaker to intimate him as he started to run away.
Batman: The Killing Joke featured a scene where Batgirl used an exploding Batarang to open the doors of a moving truck driven by criminals, allowing Batman to enter the truck.
Batarangs were used by Batman inBatman: Return of the Caped Crusaders, and its sequel,Batman vs. Two-Face.
InBatman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Batman threw Batarangs atShredder during their fight, but Shredder shattered them with his arm blades.
InBatman: Hush, Batman used Batarangs to sever the tubes which pumpedBane's Venom into his mask, before use more Batarangs to sever overhead power cables, which then electrified Bane and rendered him unconscious.
Batman used a Batarang as a melee weapon during his fight against mutated animals inDC League of Super-Pets, and he did not throw the Batarang throughout the fight.
The Batarang was a primary weapon inBatman: The Caped Crusader. It was used to climb and swing inBatman: The Movie.
Batman: Vengeance features regular andelectrified batarangs as throwing weapons.
Lego Batman: The Video Game features batarangs[14] (in two different colors), which can be used by four characters; Batman & Batgirl (black and yellow), and Robin &Nightwing (red and green).
In theBatman Begins video game, Batarangs were only used to interact with the environment, in order to scare henchmen.[15]
TheGame BoyBatman game allowed the collection and use of up to three Batarangs that could be thrown simultaneously.
In the fighting gameInjustice: Gods Among Us and the sequel,Injustice 2, Batman is equipped with Batarangs, which he can throw at his opponents.
Batman uses Batarangs as throwing weapons inJustice League: Cosmic Chaos.
InBatman: Arkham Asylum, Batman can wield a single Batarang from the beginning, and the player has the opportunity to unlock multiple variations such as remote-controlled Batarangs and Sonic Batarangs.
In addition, the Collector's Edition of the game comes with a 14" plastic Batarang model affixed to a display base.[16]
The Batarang appears in the sequel,Batman: Arkham City, introducing a new variation, a reverse Batarang which can loop behind an enemy and attack from behind.
Batman: Arkham Knight, the third and final installment in Rocksteady's Arkham trilogy, also features the batarang with many of the same variants and abilities seen in the previous two games. Batman also has a new Batarang called the Bat Scanner he can throw high into the air around Gotham to scan a specific area.
Toy andprop replica company NECA produced a batarang replica based in the Arkham Knight design, which can be purchased through video game retailer Gamestop.
This batarang replica can be folded at its middle hinge and rapidly opened with the press of a button, and also has a removable LED light panel.
A Batarang prop from the 1997 filmBatman & Robin has been donated to theSmithsonian Institution, and is in theNational Museum of American History's entertainment collection.[17]
It was donated byWarner Bros. studio chairmanBarry Meyer in 2013 along with other film props, including a golden ticket from 2005'sCharlie and the Chocolate Factory and models fromGremlins 2: The New Batch.[18]
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