On this day in 1809, Edgar Allan Poe was born. In recognition of that day, Dakster shares comparisons to a character who was influenced by Poe’s work, Batman….
While taking English Composition II in college, I was given one of my most interesting homework assignments. My Professor asked us each to pick a story written by Edgar Allen Poe and find a movie that has all the same Gothic elements to compare it to.
I did things kind of backwards and chose my movie first, and then I found a story that had many of the same elements. For my movie, I choose Michael Keaton’s 1989 “Batman“. Despite the popularity of the newer Nolan Bat, I still prefer the good old classics. After reading what felt like dozens of Poe stories, I settled on “The Tell-Tale Heart“. I immediately saw some similarities. In my research of the Batman, I learned that the similarities I was finding in the two were not a coincidence. As it turns out, Batman and Poe have some real history in common.
To start the creators of Batman, Bob Kane and Bill Finger were sitting in Edgar Allen Poe Park when they came up with the idea for Batman. An ironic twist is that eventually some of Poe’s short stories would be the inspiration for themes that would recur in Batman’s adventures.
Edgar Allen Poe also created a detective by the name of C. Auguste Dupin. The character was known for his creative thinking and intellect. When the Batcomputer was first introduced in the comic book series “Batman: Confidential“, the original nickname for it was “Dupin” after Batman’s hero. Eventually Edgar Allen Poe and Batman would team up to solve murders in a five part limited series called “Batman: Nevermore“.
Here’s a chart showing some of the Gothic elements I found in common between the Batman movie and Edgar Allen Poe’s story “The Tell-Tale Heart”
What is “original” about the 1989 version?! He said, playfully.
Since I was born in 1985, I consider it to be the original for my generation. I did hear about a movie that was made in the 60’s and as I understand it was more of a joke than anything else.
This is a very interesting comparison between the eras. And you are right, the original movie was much like the old Superman TV series. More satire compared to the movies of today.
Great job.
“I suppose you’re only familiar with the new Batman movies. Michelle Pfeiffer? Ha! The only true Catwoman is Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether, or Eartha Kitt. And I didn’t need molded plastic to improve my physique. Pure. West. And why doesn’t Batman dance anymore? Remember the Batusi?” – Adam West in The Simpsons