Batman. Combined images courtesy of Bob Kane, DC Entertainment and DC Comics
On Thursday, September 26, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce will award the 2,790th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to honor Batman.
This historic moment will have esteemed guests such as Jim Lee, DC’s President, Artist, Publisher, and Chief Creative Officer, and Anne DePies, DC’s Senior Vice President and General Manager, witnessing the prestigious accolade being awarded to a comic book superhero. The ceremony will start at 11:30 a.m. PT.
What a momentous occasion as Batman, fictional he may be, made a real impact on everyone. This ultra-rare recognition is truly deserved by Batman considering the many A-list actors whose careers have thrived or been recognized by portraying Batman across various television shows and movies over the decades.
This is a fascinating development first and foremost in comic books as Bob Kane, the creator and original artist of Batman, already has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. To have his creation have its star is something I view as a wonderful bonus tribute to the late and esteemed Bob Kane, the man responsible for Batman’s existence. In many respects, Bob Kane was akin to the real-life Bruce Wayne, the alter ego of Batman. This gesture is a fitting honor to commemorate his legacy and the iconic comic book character he brought to life.
I am so happy that this will happen because Batman has proven to be one of the greatest comic book creations outside of Marvel to be made into a multimedia juggernaut machine. It has been over 70 years since Batman first graced a DC comic book cover, and since then, the world of comics and entertainment has never been the same because of his presence in them.
Being awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame signifies that you have influenced people positively, leading them to celebrate your achievements. It is one of the highest forms of recognition, immortalizing your contributions in stone. This honor stands as a timeless symbol of celebration, remembrance, and commemoration, placing you among those celebrated in a prestigious manner such as this.
Image courtesy of Bob Kane, DC Entertainment and DC Comics
Speaking from my extensive experience as a dedicated comic book enthusiast and collector, it is remarkable how few comic book creations have endured as robustly as Batman. Unlike many comic book characters that become dated or associated solely with a particular era, Batman has defied this. Throughout the decades, Batman has maintained his relevance, significance, and popularity. Batman transcends time and trends and remains a timeless and legendary figure in comic books and beyond, ensuring his legacy will endure indefinitely, and Batman’s soon-to-be-placed star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame is proof of that.
Whether it be through reading a Batman comic book, playing with a Batman action figure, or watching a Batman movie, the reach of this legendary DC comic book superhero is immense. The global influence of Batman is profound, resonating, and deeply embedded in the collective consciousness of people of all ages, races, and religions. Indeed, the DC comic book superhero Batman is so universally recognized that virtually everyone is familiar with who he is and what he stands for.
When you come from my generation, these are the means that we got introduced to the world of Batman: it was through reading DC’s Detective Comics starring Batman, watching the Tim Burton-directed Batman movies, and staying tuned to every new awesome episode of Batman: The Animated Series. I have attached some images of them which will surely stir up some memories.
Long live Batman!