In May 1939 ‘Detective Comics’ created a character that would go on to become a household name not just in America but all over the world. That character was Batman (aka ‘The Dark Knight’ and ‘The Caped Crusader’). Over the last seventy years he has starred in numerous comics, graphic novels, books, movies and video games. During this time the Batman persona has, in most ways, remained much the same since his conception. The Batman costumes that have been worn, however, have steadily and sometimes dramatically evolved.

The evolution of Batman costumes began within his first year of life. The first things to change were the ears on the costume- they became longer. In July 1939 the utility belt was introduced to his outfit. Despite some minor changes the Batman costumes remained pretty much the same then until 1964. They were just basic, Grey figure-clinging suits with a cape and mask. At one point, D.C. were actually starting to give serious consideration to dropping Batman completely due to sales of the comic slumping so dramatically. Something had to be done and some changes were made to several things in the comic including the Batman costumes. The bat symbol on the costumes’ chest was given a yellow background the shape of the cape was changed.

1966 brought the TV series of ‘Batman’ to our screens. The batman costumes during this period stayed pretty much the same. With the show finally being axed in 1968, after 120 episodes, D.C. tried to re-establish the darker side of Batman. This was only evident in comic form until 1989 when Tim Burton released his ‘Batman’ movie. It was at this point that batman costumes began to become far more ‘body-armour’ orientated. The other big difference was the loss of the yellow and black symbol on the chest.

So, if the character of Batman were real then how would he fit into today’s society? He would most definitely be a loner and most probably an outcast. Mixing and interacting with other people would prove to be difficult for him. Opening up to others about his inner turmoil surely wouldn’t be easy for him. In my opinion he would more than likely be a diagnosed depressive.

Therefore we have a depressed, Prozac-popping social outcast with an introverted personality. And what of his crime fighting side? With his personal problems would it not be easy to imagine him having vigilante and anti-social tendencies? He could even, ironically, become a criminal.

And so, after thinking it through we have a very different Batman from the one who is so widely known and loved. We are left with a disturbed and depressed individual who is drug dependent and unable to communicate with anyone. He could quite possibly be a dangerous repeat offender with his own ideas of right and wrong (maybe even having sociopathic tendencies). And, to top it all, because of his antisocial thoughts and behaviour he may have been awarded with an ASBO.

Thank goodness that Batman is only a fictional character. Whilst he is fighting evil in comics and on the big screen the world is a safer place. However, if he was a real person then the world would be even more of a dangerous place than it already is.