10 Superheroes You Totally Forgot Were Rip-Offs

He's existed for over eighty years and has done nothing but evolve and improve in that time, but yes. Batman was once a rip-off. The original version of his character was made by Bob Kane and Bill Finger in 1939. He was an affluent playboy who came from a wealthy family. He'd experienced personal tragedy early in life and fought injustice as a vigilante because of it. He donned dark clothing meant to intimidate his foes and blend into the night.

He was also known for a signature and instantly iconic symbol, adopted several animal sidekicks that he incorporated into his self-proclaimed crusade on crime, and operated out of a hidden cave. He works with law enforcement, though they have a rocky relationship at best. These are not just the identifying hallmarks of Batman, they are also key elements of the classic pulp anti-heroes Zorro and the Shadow.

Kane spoke openly about the influences he took from Zorro to help create Batman. He even incorporated it into Batman's origin. Bruce Wayne's parents are killed while they walk out of a showing of The Mask of Zorro, giving him the trauma needed for him to become Batman, meaning he was the Dark Knight's predecessor on both a thematic and meta level. Kane and finger also admitted his detective skills are stolen directly from the Shadow, the original masked private eye known for his brooding soliloquies on the nature of crime and seemingly supernatural deductions skills, traits which synonymous with the Dark Knight.