Batcomputer
Encyclopedia
The Batcomputer is the fictional computer system used by comic book superhero Batman
. It is located in the Batcave
. The Batcomputer was first introduced in fiction in 1964.
The Batcomputer is networked; a series of satellite link-ups
allows Batman access from anywhere on the globe.
The Batcomputer is protected by computer security
.
Despite the power of Batman's computers, the Justice League Watchtower
is known to have more powerful computers. While the Batcomputer is generally portrayed as a plausible, if powerful, computer, the Watchtower computers incorporate science fiction
elements such as Krypton
ian, Thanagar
ian and Martian technology. Batman has been shown using these computers as well.
or tool for exposition
.
In the Death in the Family
storyline, Jason Todd
uses the computer to deduce the identity of his mother.
Adam West
TV series featured the Batcave extensively, and portrayed it as a large but well-lit cavern filled with all sorts of computers and devices.
In keeping with the show's camp
style, a number of whimsical devices were portrayed as part of the cave's computing suite. These included:
The Batcomputer that was used in the 1989
film Batman
was realistic in its design. The Batcomputer first appears when Bruce Wayne is in the Batcave seeing in the security videos of the manor when Commissioner Gordon is alerted of Jack Napier and Lt. Max Eckardt's arrival at Axis Chemicals
. Later in the film, it is seen when Batman brings Vicki Vale
to the Batcave show the lethal combination of The Joker
's health and beauty products. Finally, Bruce uses the computer to observe The Joker's challenge to him while recalling that he killed his parents years ago.
The Batcomputer is first seen when Bruce read the files of the Red Triangle Circus of The Penguin
. This comes while Bruce managed to damage Penguin's campaign for mayor of Gotham City via frequency interference by playing a recording in which Penguin was insulting the citizens of Gotham. Towards the end of the film, Alfred does the same thing against the army of penguins in the service of the villain.
The Batcomputer briefly appears behind the large Batemblem in the Batcave
when Bruce is discussing with Dick Grayson
after Dick saved Batman from Two-Face
in the subway that's under construction. It also appears in a deleted scene when watching the news which frightens Batman and Two-Face. The Batcomputer is ultimately destroyed by The Riddler.
The Batcomputer used in the 1997
film Batman & Robin was realistic in its design.
In the film, Alfred programs his brain algorithms into the Batcomputer and creates a virtual simulation of himself. The simulation's appearance may be an homage
to Max Headroom
.
The Batcomputer as presented in The Dark Knight
is a super-computer with advanced capabilities.
Batman also used a different powerful computer to track down his nemesis, Joker
, via a form of sonar
.
is capable of natural-language processing
. The computer was voiced by Lou Scheimer
.
Notable uses of the computer include:
In "The Laughing Fish" episode, it's revealed that Harvey Bullock
knows the existence of the Batcomputer, but how Bullock learned of it is not revealed. It's possible though he just might have been referring to a computer used by Batman as a "Batcomputer" akin to the 1960s TV series
habit of everything having a bat- prefix
.
In the episode "His Silicon Soul," HARDAC
created a duplicate of Batman that survived the computer's destruction, but lost its memory function and believed itself to be the Dark Knight (it had been implanted with information about both Batman and Bruce Wayne.) Using the duplicate, HARDAC planned to reform over the Internet, connected through the Batcomputer. However, the duplicate rebelled, and destroyed the mainframe before HARDAC succeeded and itself.
, the elder Bruce Wayne uses the Batcomputer to monitor his successor as Batman, Terry McGinnis, and his Batsuit.
, the animated series that debuted in 2004
, features a much more high-tech Batcave, with large computer displays and flashing blue lights. Among these displays are the "Bat-Wave" warning signals, an alternate way of calling upon the Caped Crusader before the Bat-Signal
went into service.
The Batcomputer was again used for such plot-advancing tasks as decoding complicated riddles, analyzing digital viruses, and creating virtual personalities.
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
. It is located in the Batcave
Batcave
The Batcave is the secret headquarters of fictional DC Comics superhero Batman, the alternate identity of playboy Bruce Wayne, consisting of a series of subterranean caves beneath his residence, Wayne Manor.-Publication history:...
. The Batcomputer was first introduced in fiction in 1964.
Portrayal in fiction
The Batcomputer is usually portrayed as a powerful supercomputer on par with the cutting edge of the field. As real-world technology has progressed, the fictional portrayal of the Batcomputer has evolved. The machine began as a punch-card computer and is currently portrayed as a quantum super-computer.The Batcomputer is networked; a series of satellite link-ups
Satellite Internet access
Satellite Internet access is Internet access provided through satellites. The service can be provided to users world-wide through low Earth orbit satellites. Geostationary satellites can offer higher data speeds, but their signals can not reach some polar regions of the world...
allows Batman access from anywhere on the globe.
The Batcomputer is protected by computer security
Computer security
Computer security is a branch of computer technology known as information security as applied to computers and networks. The objective of computer security includes protection of information and property from theft, corruption, or natural disaster, while allowing the information and property to...
.
Despite the power of Batman's computers, the Justice League Watchtower
Justice League Watchtower
The Watchtower is the name of various bases used by the Justice League of America in DC Comics and various other media. It has been portrayed in DC comics as a building on Earth's moon, and as a space-station in orbit in the Justice League Unlimited cartoon.The Watchtower debuted in JLA #4 during...
is known to have more powerful computers. While the Batcomputer is generally portrayed as a plausible, if powerful, computer, the Watchtower computers incorporate science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
elements such as Krypton
Krypton (comics)
Krypton is a fictional planet in the DC Comics universe, and the native world of the super-heroes Superman and, in some tellings, Supergirl and Krypto the Superdog. Krypton has been portrayed consistently as having been destroyed just after Superman's flight from the planet, with exact details of...
ian, Thanagar
Thanagar
Thanagar is a fictional planet in the . Thanagar is the original home of the humanoid Thanagarian race, noted for the discovery of gravity-defying Nth metal...
ian and Martian technology. Batman has been shown using these computers as well.
Comics
The Batcomputer often acts as a plot devicePlot device
A plot device is an object or character in a story whose sole purpose is to advance the plot of the story, or alternatively to overcome some difficulty in the plot....
or tool for exposition
Exposition (literary technique)
At the beginning of a narrative, the exposition is the author's providing of some background information to the audience about the plot, characters' histories, setting, and theme. Exposition is considered one of four rhetorical modes of discourse, along with argumentation, description, and narration...
.
In the Death in the Family
Batman: A Death in the Family
"A Death in the Family" is a Batman comic book story arc first published in the late 1980s which gave fans the ability to influence the story through voting with a 900 number. "A Death in the Family" ran in Batman #426-429, published in 1988-1989...
storyline, Jason Todd
Jason Todd
Jason Peter Todd is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Jason first appeared in Batman #357 and became the second Robin, sidekick to the superhero Batman, when the previous Robin went on to star in The New Teen Titans under the moniker of Nightwing.Though...
uses the computer to deduce the identity of his mother.
Batman (TV series)
The 19661966 in television
The year 1966 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1966.For the American TV schedule, see: 1966-67 American network television schedule.-Events:...
Adam West
Adam West
William West Anderson , better known by the stage name Adam West, is an American actor best known for his lead role in the Batman TV series and the film of the same name...
TV series featured the Batcave extensively, and portrayed it as a large but well-lit cavern filled with all sorts of computers and devices.
In keeping with the show's camp
Camp (style)
Camp is an aesthetic sensibility that regards something as appealing because of its taste and ironic value. The concept is closely related to kitsch, and things with camp appeal may also be described as being "cheesy"...
style, a number of whimsical devices were portrayed as part of the cave's computing suite. These included:
- Bat-diamond (power source for the Batcomputer, must be far more pure than a natural diamond, it's well over 10000 carats (2 kg))
- Accelerated Concentration Switch (increases computing power of Batcomputer when it's strained)
- Dual Identity Bat-sensor
- Bat-analyzing Gears
- Batcomputer Ingestor Switch
- Batcomputer Bat-resistance Signal (light comes on when the Batcomputer does not understand the question)
- Special Escaped Archcriminal Bat-locator
- Bat-correction Signal (alerts Batman or RobinRobin (comics)Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
when they say something incorrect) - Anti-crime Voice Analyzer
- Special seismological attachment
- Batcomputer Input Slot (enter some information source, such as a phone book, so a search can be performed)
- Illustrated Bat-slides (AlfredAlfred PennyworthAlfred Pennyworth is a fictional character that appears throughout the DC Comics franchise. The character first appears in Batman #16 , and was created by writer Bob Kane and artist Jerry Robinson. Alfred serves as Batman’s tireless butler, assistant, confidant, and surrogate father figure...
created these to be more informative than the usual cue cards)
Batman (1989)
The Batcomputer that was used in the 1989
1989 in film
-Events:* Batman is released on June 23, and goes on to gross over $410 million worldwide.* Actress Kim Basinger and her brother Mick purchase Braselton, Georgia, for $20 million...
film Batman
Batman (1989 film)
Batman is a 1989 superhero film based on the DC Comics character of the same name, directed by Tim Burton. The film stars Michael Keaton in the title role, as well as Jack Nicholson, Kim Basinger, Robert Wuhl and Jack Palance...
was realistic in its design. The Batcomputer first appears when Bruce Wayne is in the Batcave seeing in the security videos of the manor when Commissioner Gordon is alerted of Jack Napier and Lt. Max Eckardt's arrival at Axis Chemicals
Axis Chemicals
Axis Chemicals is a fictional chemical plant in the 1989 Batman film and in DC Comics. It is famous for being the plant where the Red Hood, the man who would become the Joker fell into a vat of toxic waste, dyeing his hair green, his skin chalk-white, and his mouth stretched into a hideously...
. Later in the film, it is seen when Batman brings Vicki Vale
Vicki Vale
Victoria Vale is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appears in Batman #49 , and was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger.-1940s-1960s:...
to the Batcave show the lethal combination of The Joker
Joker (comics)
The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin...
's health and beauty products. Finally, Bruce uses the computer to observe The Joker's challenge to him while recalling that he killed his parents years ago.
Batman Returns
The Batcomputer is first seen when Bruce read the files of the Red Triangle Circus of The Penguin
Penguin (comics)
Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot III is a DC Comics supervillain and one of Batman's oldest, most persistent enemies. The Penguin was introduced by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, making his debut in Detective Comics #58 .The Penguin is a short, rotund man known for his love of birds and his...
. This comes while Bruce managed to damage Penguin's campaign for mayor of Gotham City via frequency interference by playing a recording in which Penguin was insulting the citizens of Gotham. Towards the end of the film, Alfred does the same thing against the army of penguins in the service of the villain.
Batman Forever
The Batcomputer briefly appears behind the large Batemblem in the Batcave
Batcave
The Batcave is the secret headquarters of fictional DC Comics superhero Batman, the alternate identity of playboy Bruce Wayne, consisting of a series of subterranean caves beneath his residence, Wayne Manor.-Publication history:...
when Bruce is discussing with Dick Grayson
Dick Grayson
Dick Grayson is a fictional superhero that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and illustrator Jerry Robinson, he first appeared in Detective Comics #38 in April 1940....
after Dick saved Batman from Two-Face
Two-Face
Two-Face is a fictional comic book supervillain who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. and is an enemy of Batman. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #66 , and was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger....
in the subway that's under construction. It also appears in a deleted scene when watching the news which frightens Batman and Two-Face. The Batcomputer is ultimately destroyed by The Riddler.
Batman & Robin
The Batcomputer used in the 1997
1997 in film
-Events:* The original Star Wars trilogy's Special Editions are released.* Production begins on Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.* Titanic becomes the first film to gross US$1,000,000,000 at the box office making it the highest grossing film in history until Avatar broke the record in 2010.*...
film Batman & Robin was realistic in its design.
In the film, Alfred programs his brain algorithms into the Batcomputer and creates a virtual simulation of himself. The simulation's appearance may be an homage
Homage
Homage is a show or demonstration of respect or dedication to someone or something, sometimes by simple declaration but often by some more oblique reference, artistic or poetic....
to Max Headroom
Max Headroom (character)
Max Headroom is a fictional British artificial intelligence, known for his wit and stuttering, distorted, electronically sampled voice. The character was created by George Stone, Annabel Jankel, and Rocky Morton in the mid nineteen eighties, and portrayed by Matt Frewer as "The World's first...
.
The Dark Knight
The Batcomputer as presented in The Dark Knight
The Dark Knight (film)
The Dark Knight is a 2008 superhero film directed, produced and co-written by Christopher Nolan. Based on the DC Comics character Batman, the film is part of Nolan's Batman film series and a sequel to 2005's Batman Begins...
is a super-computer with advanced capabilities.
Batman also used a different powerful computer to track down his nemesis, Joker
Joker (comics)
The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin...
, via a form of sonar
Sonar
Sonar is a technique that uses sound propagation to navigate, communicate with or detect other vessels...
.
The New Adventures of Batman
The Batcomputer as presented in the animated series The New Adventures of BatmanThe New Adventures of Batman
The New Adventures of Batman is an animated series produced by Filmation in 1977 featuring the DC Comics superheroes Batman and Robin, and Batgirl. The current distributor is Warner Bros. Television due to parent company Warner Bros's ownership of DC Comics, which publishes the Batman titles...
is capable of natural-language processing
Natural language processing
Natural language processing is a field of computer science and linguistics concerned with the interactions between computers and human languages; it began as a branch of artificial intelligence....
. The computer was voiced by Lou Scheimer
Lou Scheimer
Louis Scheimer is an Emmy and Grammy Award–winning American producer, one of the original founders of Filmation, an animation company, and also an executive producer of many of its cartoons .-Career:Early in Filmation's history, Scheimer also contributed...
.
Batman: The Animated Series
In this series, Batman utilizes the Batcomputer archetypically: as an information database and research tool.Notable uses of the computer include:
- Synthesizing new chemical compounds (An anti-venom to Poison Ivy's poison)
- Researching old news articles (For the origin of Killer CrocKiller CrocKiller Croc is a comic book supervillain in the DC Universe, an enemy of Batman. Created by writer Gerry Conway and artist Gene Colan, while there was a shadowy cameo in Detective Comics #523 , his actual first appearance is credited to Batman #357 , which is also the first appearance of Jason...
)
In "The Laughing Fish" episode, it's revealed that Harvey Bullock
Harvey Bullock (comics)
Harvey Bullock is a fictional character from DC Comics' Batman titles.-Fictional character biography:Prior to the 1984-85 DC maxi-series Crisis on Infinite Earths, Bullock is a crooked police detective under instructions from Gotham City's Mayor Hamilton Hill to sabotage Commissioner Gordon's career...
knows the existence of the Batcomputer, but how Bullock learned of it is not revealed. It's possible though he just might have been referring to a computer used by Batman as a "Batcomputer" akin to the 1960s TV series
Batman (TV series)
Batman is an American television series, based on the DC comic book character of the same name. It stars Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin — two crime-fighting heroes who defend Gotham City. It aired on the American Broadcasting Company network for three seasons from January 12, 1966 to...
habit of everything having a bat- prefix
Prefix
A prefix is an affix which is placed before the root of a word. Particularly in the study of languages,a prefix is also called a preformative, because it alters the form of the words to which it is affixed.Examples of prefixes:...
.
In the episode "His Silicon Soul," HARDAC
HARDAC
HARDAC is a fictional character that appeared in Batman: The Animated Series....
created a duplicate of Batman that survived the computer's destruction, but lost its memory function and believed itself to be the Dark Knight (it had been implanted with information about both Batman and Bruce Wayne.) Using the duplicate, HARDAC planned to reform over the Internet, connected through the Batcomputer. However, the duplicate rebelled, and destroyed the mainframe before HARDAC succeeded and itself.
Batman Beyond
In Batman BeyondBatman Beyond
Batman Beyond is an American animated television series created by Warner Bros. Animation in collaboration with DC Comics as a continuation of the Batman legacy...
, the elder Bruce Wayne uses the Batcomputer to monitor his successor as Batman, Terry McGinnis, and his Batsuit.
The Batman
The BatmanThe Batman (TV series)
The Batman is an American animated television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation based on the DC Comics superhero Batman. It ran from 2004 to 2008, on the Saturday morning television block Kids' WB...
, the animated series that debuted in 2004
2004 in television
The year 2004 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 2004.For the American TV schedule, see: 2004–05 United States network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:-1940s:...
, features a much more high-tech Batcave, with large computer displays and flashing blue lights. Among these displays are the "Bat-Wave" warning signals, an alternate way of calling upon the Caped Crusader before the Bat-Signal
Bat-Signal
The Bat-Signal is a distress signal device appearing in the various interpretations of the Batman mythos. It is a specially modified Klieg searchlight with a stylized symbol of a bat attached to the light so that it projects a large Bat emblem on the sky or buildings of Gotham City...
went into service.
The Batcomputer was again used for such plot-advancing tasks as decoding complicated riddles, analyzing digital viruses, and creating virtual personalities.
Video games
- Batman & RobinBatman & Robin (video game)Batman & Robin is the name of two console video games based on DC Comics' Batman, one for the PlayStation, the other for the Game.com. The PlayStation game was developed by Probe Entertainment and published by Acclaim Entertainment in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC...
, based on the movie of the same name, features several Batcomputers hidden throughout Gotham CityGotham CityGotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
. These serve as both a gameplay tool and an in-game save menu.
- In Batman: Arkham AsylumBatman: Arkham AsylumBatman: Arkham Asylum is a 2009 action-adventure stealth video game based on DC Comics' Batman developed for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. It was developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Eidos Interactive in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment...
, Batman uses a computer system similar to the Batcomputer, although it is not the computer located in the Batcave. The computer system is later partially destroyed.