Icons Unearthed: Batman

Bob Kane and Bill Finger’s costumed hero leaped off the page and onto the screen in 1966, but it wasn’t the dark detective fans anticipated.

With an injured star, a troublesome vehicle, and an unyielding suit production is off to a rocky start. Can the producers and director work out their differences to land this dark superhero film? Or will disputes over the ending drop them all off a tower?

After the success of Batman 89, the studio was ready for round two, but their director was not. Given free reign, Burton and his handpicked team went wild. But would his dark vision scare away their target audience?

A new director brings his own colorful aesthetic, but who is really in charge? A fraught production drives away his star yet delivers the toy friendly Batman the studio wanted. But when the sequel goes over the top, the franchise hangs in the balance.

To revive a dying franchise, the studio gives the keys to the Batmobile to an indie director whose origin story and grounded aesthetic promised to resuscitate their hero.

On a mission to top his first outing, Nolan pushes his team harder than ever. But when tragedy strikes, no one is prepared.