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Beneath the cape and cowl: Batman and the revitalization of comic book films

Lucas, Justin
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1244074493

Abstract Details

2009, Bachelor of Science of Media Arts and Studies (BSC), Ohio University, Media Arts and Studies.
Comic book superheroes have been a part of the media landscape for decades now, from Depression-era comics to brightly colored television shows of the 1960s to the brooding graphic novels of the 1980s. Walking a fine line between escapist fun and serious social commentary, superheroes have captured the minds of readers young and old, none more so than the Dark Knight of Gotham City - the Batman. Batman has been at the backbone of the genre from its outset and continues to be as superhero movies become more important to Hollywood, in terms of content, characterization and capital gain. This paper traces the history of Batman's crossover from page to screen to see how his character has changed over time, what themes have remained central to his story and how each filmmaker has told the same story time and again while still making it fresh and "original." First, this research studies the different research methods that have been used to analyze superheroes and comic books in the past. Next, this study compares and contrasts some of the most important Batman comics and films to find what elements make the character so appealing to a mass audience. This research includes analysis and comparisons of the films Batman, Batman Begins , and The Dark Knight, as well as several well-known graphic novels like The Long Halloween, The Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One. Finally, this paper shows how Batman has affected other works in the comic book movie genre, particularly the adaptation of the seminal graphic novel Watchmen.
Dr. Jenny Nelson (Advisor)
Dr. Arthur Cromwell (Other)
94 p.
American Literature; Communication; Fine Arts; Mass Media; Motion Pictures; Personality
Batman; comic books; film; superheroes; comic book movies; graphic novels; comic book themes; comic book continuity

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Lucas, J. (2009). Beneath the cape and cowl: Batman and the revitalization of comic book films [Undergraduate thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1244074493

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Lucas, Justin. Beneath the cape and cowl: Batman and the revitalization of comic book films. 2009. Ohio University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1244074493.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Lucas, Justin. "Beneath the cape and cowl: Batman and the revitalization of comic book films." Undergraduate thesis, Ohio University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1244074493

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ouhonors1244074493
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© 2009, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University Honors Tutorial College and OhioLINK.