List of Batman creators
Although Bob Kane achieved renown for creating the fictional superhero Batman, he and others have acknowledged the contributions of Bill Finger for fleshing the character out, writing many of his early stories, and creating the character's origin. Many other comic book creators (writers, artists, and sometimes editors who contributed important ideas or altered how the character would be presented) have contributed to the character's history since Batman's introduction in Detective Comics #27 in 1939. This list identifies some who made notable contributions with enduring impact.
Creators of Batman
- Bob Kane — concept, creator & artist. Co-created several secondary characters including Dick Grayson/Robin, butler Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth, Police contact James "Jim" Worthington Gordon, Senior, the clown prince of crime The Joker, cat-burglar Selina Kyle/Catwoman, the gentleman of crime Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot/The Penguin, former District Attorney turned villain Harvey Dent/Two-Face, the frozen hearted Dr. Victor Fries/Mr. Freeze (as Mr. Zero), the master of fear Dr. Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow, shapeshifter Basil Karlo/Clayface, Alice in Wonderland inspired criminal Dr. Jervis Tetch/The Mad Hatter, Mad scientist Dr. Hugo Strange, The Cavalier, The Monk, Sal Maroni, Tony Zucco, Joe Chill, Floyd Lawton/Deadshot, photographer Vicki Vale, Mary Elizabeth "Bette" Kane/Bat-Girl, Bat-Mite and Bruce's Parents Martha Wayne & Dr. Thomas Wayne.
- Bill Finger — co-creator & developer (uncredited), also a writer. Also Co-created several secondary characters including Dick Grayson/Robin, butler Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth, police contact James "Jim" Worthington Gordon, Senior, clown prince of crime The Joker, cat-burglar Selina Kyle/Catwoman, prince of puzzlers Edward Nigma/The Riddler, the gentleman of crime Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot/The Penguin, former District Attorney turned villain Harvey Dent/Two-Face, master of fear Dr. Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow, Julian Gregory Day/Calendar Man, shapeshifters Basil Karlo/Clayface & Matt Hagen/Clayface, Alice in Wonderland inspired criminal Dr. Jervis Tetch/The Mad Hatter, mad scientist Dr. Hugo Strange, Cameron van Cleer/Killer Moth, Professor Achilles Milo, gangsters Sal Maroni, Tony Zucco & Lew Moxon, photographer Vicky Vale, Ace the Bat-Hound, Bat-Mite, Mary Elizabeth "Bette" Kane/Bat-Girl, Thomas Blake/Catman and Bruce's parents Martha Wayne & Dr. Thomas Wayne.
Notable contributors
Writers
| Name/Tenure | Notable Stories/Titles | Notable Characters Co-Created By | Notes |
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| Mike W. Barr |
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Whilst he and Jerry Bingham originally created Damian Wayne, it was Grant Morrison & Andy Kubert who reinterpreted the character for more modern times. | |
| Ed Brubaker
1998- |
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Also co-created the majority of the Police Officers and Detectives featured in Gotham Central. |
| Gerry Conway 1980-1983 |
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| Paul Dini
1997–Present |
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Whilst not writing comics till 2006, he did write for other Batman mediums before that time see below. |
| Chuck Dixon |
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Also co-created Nightwing's new home of Blüdhaven as well as some of his rogues gallery. |
| Steve Englehart
1974- |
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| Gardner Fox
1939--1968 |
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He helped script Batman's origin story. Also the co-originator of the Batarang and (proto-) Batplane. | |
| Neil Gaiman | |||
| Alan Grant |
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| Devin Grayson |
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Is currently the only ongoing female/non-heterosexual Batman writer. | |
| Jeph Loeb |
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| Frank Miller |
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He re-established Batman's origin during Crisis on Infinite Earths. He was also an artist on The Dark Knight Returns and Strikes Again. | |
| Doug Moench |
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| Jim Mooney | |||
| Grant Morrison |
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| Alan Moore |
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| Dennis O'Neil |
As well as beging a long-term writer, he was also an editor of the Batman titles, and is credited with 'rebooting' the Batman character. | ||
| George Pérez | |||
| David Vern Reed 1950-1956, 1975 |
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| Greg Rucka |
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| Dan Slott |
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| Scott Snyder |
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Court of Owls was co-created with artist Greg Capullo |
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Jim Starlin |
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| John Wagner |
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| Len Wein |
Was also Editor-in-Chief of DC Comics during Crisis on Infinite Earths. | ||
| Marv Wolfman | |||
| David Wood |
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Worked as an uncredited "Ghost" writer during the Golden-Silver and Bronze Age. |
Artists
| Name/Tenure | Notable Stories/Titles | Notable Characters Co-Created By | Notes |
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| Neal Adams 1968-2012 |
Covers only
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known for drawing the definitive 1970s visual interpretation that returned Batman to his gothic roots. | |
| Jim Aparo |
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| Norm Breyfogle | |||
| Brian Bolland |
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| Ernie Chan 1975-1977 |
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| Dick Giordano | |||
| Carmine Infantino |
Penciller and primary artist of the 1964 "New Look" Batman | ||
| Kelley Jones 1995-2010 |
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Artist best known for his runs on Batman with writer Doug Moench. | |
| Jim Lee |
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| David Mazzucchelli |
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| Tom Mandrake | |||
| Dave McKean | |||
| Sheldon Moldoff |
One of Bob Kane's primary "ghost artists". | ||
| Don Newton | |||
| Graham Nolan | |||
| Frank Robbins | |||
| Jerry Robinson |
Early ghost artist for Bob Kane. | ||
| Marshall Rogers |
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| Tim Sale |
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| Walter Simonson | |||
| Lew Schwartz | |||
| Ryan Sook |
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| Dick Sprang | |||
| Curt Swan |
Drew many late 1950s and early 1960s Batman covers (although best known for Superman work). |
Other notable contributors
| Name | Title | Tenure | Notable titles | Characters Co-Created By | Notes |
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| Tim Burton | Movie Director |
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Pushed Batman into the public eye by making him Dark outside of the comic book media. | ||
| Paul Dini |
Television (Animation) |
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Came up with a new tragic origin story for Mr. Freeze, in Batman The Animated Series, involving the creation of the character of Nora Fries, which is now commonly used in the comics. | |
| William Dozier |
TV Producer |
1966-1968 |
Created the Batman 1966 TV series. | ||
| Christopher Nolan |
Movie Director |
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Rebooted the Batman movie franchise into a more realistic setting. | ||
| Jack Schiff | Comic Book Editor | ||||
| Julius Schwartz |
Comic Book Editor |
1964-1979 |
None |
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| Lorenzo Semple Jr. |
TV Writer |
1966-1968 |
Developed look and wrote most episodes of the Batman 1966 TV series. | ||
| Bruce W. Timm |
Animator & Producer |
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Created the character sheets for Batman: The Animated Series. |
See also
External links
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