In the 1980s, Batman again stayed within the realms of comic pages but things were starting to change with the character. The stories began to become far more gritty and realistic. The Batman costumes were starting to evolve as well. They were getting to be far more battle-orientated and the campness of the 1960s was gone.

1989 saw the release of Tim Burtons ‘Batman’. It was a huge success and it went on to redefine the lead character for a new generation of fans. The film was dark and sombre. Even the Jokers’ gags had a cruelness about them that had previously not existed. This time it was Michael Keaton who played the lead role with support from Jack Nicholson and Kim Basinger.

Since this, the character has retained much the same image for all of the subsequent movies. That brooding, Gothic feel is evident right up to the latest addition in the film franchise. Actors to have dressed in Batman costumes since 1989 include; George Clooney, Val Kilmer and Christian Bale. There have also been some very good villains who have been portrayed by the likes of Tommy Lee Jones, Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

It is safe to say that Batman is going be staying around for a good few years to come. Whoever next plays the main character is uncertain, but it is sure to be interesting.