Batman (Earth-Two)
The Batman of Earth-Two is an alternate version of the superhero Batman, who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was introduced after DC Comics created Earth-Two, a parallel world that was retroactively established as the home of characters whose adventures had been published in the Golden Age of comic books. This provided justification within the fictional world of Batman stories for DC Comics publishing Batman comic books that disregarded the character's Golden Age stories, as Batman had been presented as a single ongoing incarnation of the character since his earliest stories were published.
Batman
Justice League of America #82 (August 1970)[a]
Dennis O'Neil and Dick Dillin
based on Batman, created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger
Bruce Wayne
Genius-level intelligence, master detective, peak human physical condition, martial arts master, escapologist, expert ventriloquist, access to advanced equipment of its time.
Publication history[edit]
Batman of Earth-Two first appeared in Justice League of America #82 (August 1970) and was created by Dennis O'Neil and Dick Dillin.
The character history of the Earth-Two Batman accordingly adopts all of the earliest stories featuring the character from the 1930s and 1940s, while the adventures of the then-mainstream Silver Age Batman (who lived on "Earth-One") begin later in time and with certain elements of his origin retold. Each was depicted as separate, though parallel, individuals living in their respective universes, with the "older" Earth-Two character eventually reaching his retirement and death.
A parallel to this character is introduced in Justice Society of America (vol. 2) Annual #1 (2008) entitled "Earth-2" where the post-Crisis Earth-2 is fully introduced. The most notable difference between pre-Crisis Earth-Two Wayne and his newer post-Crisis Earth-2 incarnation is that the post-Crisis Earth-2 Joker learned the real identities of Robin and the Huntress after turning Gotham DA Harvey Simms into the new Two-Face (Harvey knowing Helena's identity already).
A new parallel to this character was introduced in the 2012 Earth-2 series who died in the first issue, protecting that world from Darkseid's forces, alongside that world's Superman and Wonder Woman. His father, Thomas Wayne, later took up the mantle to atone for earlier sins, including deceiving his son about his own death. Dick Grayson would also take up the mantle during Earth 2: Earth's End and Earth 2: Society. Helena would later don the mantle after Dick retired at the end of the Society series.
Other versions[edit]
The New 52[edit]
In September 2011, DC Comics carried out a line-wide revision to its superhero comic book series and the fictional histories of their characters, branded as "The New 52". While Bruce Wayne was the first Batman, the second Earth-2 Batman is Thomas Wayne. Wayne is a corrupt doctor who works for the Mafia in Gotham City until he fakes his own death, deceiving his son about whether he has survived. The original Batman (Bruce Wayne) discovers his father's actions and disassociates himself with Thomas. Following Bruce Wayne's death where he sacrificed his life to fight off the invading forces from Apokolips, Thomas Wayne becomes the second Batman. As Batman, Thomas Wayne uses Hourman's Miraclo pills.[38]
After Thomas Wayne sacrifices his life to prevent villains from a parallel world from entering his own, Dick Grayson becomes the third Batman.[39]
Powers and abilities[edit]
The powers and abilities of the Earth-Two Batman are similar to his Earth-One counterpart. Like his Robin, Batman had his aging rate reduced after the JSA's fight with Ian Karkull.
Unlike his Earth-One counterpart, the Earth-Two Batman was shown to carry a gun after meeting Robin. He used a gun during his early adventures.