7 Batman Facts You Won’t Believe Are True

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Batman is one of the most famous and beloved superheroes of all time. For over 80 years, he’s been Gotham City’s silent guardian, watching from the shadows and battling some of DC’s most dangerous criminals. Beyond comic books, Batman has become a huge part of popular culture, appearing in many movies and shows, so even people who don’t read comics know who he is.

Batman is a hugely popular character, and most people know the basics about him. But even longtime fans might be surprised by some lesser-known truths. The details behind his history, family, and how he became Batman are often quite complex. Here are seven fascinating facts that will deepen your understanding of the Dark Knight.

7) Batman’s “No Kill” Rule Was an Editorial Mandate

Although Batman is now well-known for his strict rule against killing, he didn’t always adhere to it. In his very first appearance in Detective Comics #27, Batman actually killed the villain Alfred Stryker by throwing him into acid. Later, in Batman #1, the story showed Batman dealing with men mentally and physically altered by Hugo Strange. He captured one of these victims, whom he referred to as a “monster,” and then hanged him from his plane before flying off, leaving the man’s body dangling over the city.

As you might expect, that decision wasn’t popular. It led to a firm rule at DC Comics: Batman would not kill. Editor Whitney Ellsworth officially stated this going forward, and while Batman has occasionally killed in specific situations since then, he’s largely avoided it.

6) Batman is “Dad” to a Piece of Starro

Batman is famous for adopting children into his family, like Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, and Tim Drake. But one of his most unusual ‘children’ isn’t a person at all – it’s a thinking starfish! During the ‘No Justice’ comic event, Starro – a powerful alien starfish – teamed up with the Justice League to battle the Omega Titans and ultimately sacrificed himself. After the battle, Batman discovered a small, surviving piece of Starro and took it in, naming it Jarro.

Jarro develops a close, father-son bond with Bruce Wayne/Batman. He also feels very protective of the Justice League, even using his powers to try and shield them from danger posed by the Legion of Doom. Batman was able to reason with Jarro, allowing him to genuinely assist the League by providing a warning – and ultimately, letting Jarro achieve his dream of being a great Robin. Though unconventional, Batman and Jarro forge a working relationship as father and son.

5) Batman Has an Older Brother

Many fans assume Bruce Wayne is an only child, but that’s not the case. He actually has an older brother named Thomas Wayne Jr., who was first introduced in a comic book back in 1974. As a child, Thomas was hit by a car and suffered serious, permanent brain damage. He required long-term care at Willowood Asylum. Bruce’s parents, Martha and Thomas Wayne, intended to tell Bruce about his brother, but their tragic deaths prevented them from doing so.

Bruce eventually learned about his brother when that brother became the villain known as the Boomerang Killer. Batman had to fight and stop him, and later also dealt with the strange situation of Deadman possessing his brother’s body. In other versions of reality within the DC universe, things are just as dark, with Thomas Jr. becoming the villain Owlman and joining the shadowy Court of Owls.

4) The Batcave Didn’t Originate in Comics

Most people picture the Batcave when they think of Batman, but it wasn’t part of the character’s origins. Early comics showed Batman with a secret tunnel leading to a barn for the Batmobile, and briefly mentioned underground hangars. However, the fully developed Batcave – including the famous entrance hidden behind a grandfather clock – didn’t appear until the first Batman movie serial in 1943. The serial’s writers are responsible for creating the iconic cave that fans recognize today.

As a longtime fan, I’ve seen a lot of Batcaves over the years, but it all started with Detective Comics #83 back in 1944. That’s where it officially appeared for the first time! And honestly, no matter how many different versions filmmakers and comic artists come up with, it always feels like the perfect, definitive hideout for Batman.

3) Batman Has Defeated Darkseid. Twice.

Darkseid is the most powerful villain in the DC Universe – so powerful that even Superman needs help to fight him. Surprisingly, Batman has actually beaten him twice! In one instance, during the ‘Final Crisis’ storyline, Batman used a special bullet designed to kill gods, successfully taking Darkseid down. Although Batman was then blasted with Darkseid’s Omega Beams and sent back in time – leading to a whole new adventure – it still counts as a victory.

Batman’s second victory against Darkseid was a straight-up brawl. In Batman & Robin #37, Batman fought Darkseid hand-to-hand to protect his son, Damian. He used a powerful suit of armor called the Hellbat, which boosted his strength but drained his energy the longer he fought. Despite the risk, Batman managed to use the armor effectively enough to briefly knock Darkseid down and escape. Ultimately, any win against Darkseid counts as a success.

2) Batman Actually Has a Favorite Food

We usually see Batman as a mysterious crime fighter, but he has everyday preferences just like anyone else—like a fondness for Mulligatawny soup. In Batman #701, after a night of battling criminals, Alfred tells him his favorite soup is ready, and Batman visibly relaxes at the thought.

Mulligatawny soup is a flavorful curry soup with roots in South Indian Tamil cuisine. It became popular in Victorian England, where it was adapted to Western tastes. Alfred, Batman’s butler, makes a unique version with chicken, bacon, garlic, tomatoes, and a special curry powder – and it sounds amazing!

1) Bob Kane’s Batman Isn’t the Batman We Know and Love

Most people credit Bob Kane with creating Batman, and that’s not entirely inaccurate. However, Kane’s initial idea for the character was quite different from the Batman we know today. His original design included a red suit, a domino mask, and actual bat wings – it wasn’t very intimidating! Everything changed when Kane started working with Bill Finger, who completely revamped Batman’s appearance. Finger created the character’s signature cape and cowl, and he switched the color scheme to the darker shades we recognize today.

Bob Finger’s impact on Batman goes far beyond just assisting with the character. He actually developed many of the most recognizable parts of the Batman mythos, including naming the city Gotham, giving Bruce Wayne his name, and designing iconic elements associated with the character. It wasn’t until 2015 that Finger finally received the recognition he deserved as a true co-creator of Batman, after decades of being overlooked.

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2025-10-25 00:11