Batman, first appeared in Detective Comics #27 (Published on March 30, 1939, with a cover date of May 1939), is a fictional DC Comics superhero who is the alter ego of Bruce Wayne, a wealthy industrialist and philanthropist. He has no superpowers, instead relying on his genius-level intellect, peak physical conditioning, martial arts mastery, and an array of high-tech gadgets and vehicles to fight crime as a vigilante in Gotham City. 

Key Aspects of Batman

• Origin Story When Bruce Wayne was a child, he witnessed a mugger murder his parents, Dr. Thomas and Martha Wayne, in an alley (often called "Crime Alley"). This traumatic event became the driving force behind his lifelong oath to "war on all criminals" to prevent others from suffering the same fate.
• Identity and Persona By day, Bruce maintains a public facade as an irresponsible, shallow playboy billionaire to avert suspicion from his nocturnal activities. His true identity is the Dark Knight, a symbol designed to strike fear into the hearts of criminals.
• Skills and Abilities Batman is an expert polymath, considered one of the world's greatest detectives and tacticians. He has mastered 127 forms of martial arts, multiple languages, and fields of science and engineering. His vast wealth provides access to advanced technology, which he houses in his secret headquarters, the Batcave, located beneath Wayne Manor.
• Supporting Characters Key allies include his loyal butler and father figure, Alfred Pennyworth; Police Commissioner Jim Gordon; his various sidekicks who have taken on the mantle of Robin (Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, and Damian Wayne); and other members of the "Bat-Family".
• Rogues' Gallery Batman faces a wide array of iconic villains, many of whom are patients at Arkham Asylum. His archnemesis is the Joker, a homicidal maniac who is the antithesis of Batman's serious and resolute demeanor. Other notable foes include Catwoman (a frequent romantic interest and anti-heroine), the Penguin, the Riddler, Two-Face, and Scarecrow.
• Moral Code A defining characteristic is Batman's strict moral code: he refuses to use guns or take a life, a principle stemming from his parents' murder. 

Cultural Impact

Created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939. The character quickly became a global pop culture icon and has been adapted into numerous media, including acclaimed television series (like the campy 1960s show and the animated series), major film franchises (such as Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy and Matt Reeves' The Batman), and video games.