10 Factors That Give Batman The Best Extended Comics Universe

7. Batman's Universe Evolves And Adapts With Every Generation

There are very few characters in literature who are as malleable as Batman. Throughout his 75 year lifespan, Batman has gone from creature of the night to happy-go-lucky celebrity protector of Gotham; from campy TV star and back to his roots as a dark, tortured vigilante, with a few pit-stops along the way as a hairy chested lothario in the 1970's and a superlative detective in the modern day. In fact, sometimes Batman can be several of these things at once, depending on which comic titles, cartoons and movies are in production at the time. For instance, when Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight was released in 2008, Batman was also appearing in the kid-friendly animated show Batman: The Brave And The Bold, as well as being depicted as a swashbuckling adventurer in Grant Morrison's run on the Batman comic. Batman always seems to be able to reinvent himself in line with the demands of the time period, with DC's writers and artists seeming to have an uncanny ability to keep the character relevant to the cultural zeitgeist. This applies to Batman's extended universe as well. For example, whenever DC saw that Dick Grayson was outgrowing his role as Robin, they had him graduate to assuming the mantle of Nightwing, a hero all his own. The depiction of Gotham City has changed much over the years and so have the design, personality quirks and motivations of the Rogue's Gallery. Batman is in a constant state of evolution, a phenomena that is almost exclusive to comic books, considering that no characters in other mediums are in constant publication all year round, year after year. This adaptability is a vital element in terms of Batman and his universe's continuing popularity.