I am Batman

Book title: I am Batman
Author: Brad Meltzer
Illustrated by: Christopher Eliopoulos
Part of the Ordinary People Change the World stories.
About 40 pages
Dial books for young readers. An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC
Inspirational book about fictional character Batman
Publication date: 2022
Reviewed by Allen Klingelhoets

Key idea. Batman was first published in 1939. Detective Comics # 27 by artist Bob Kane and written by Bill Finger. The books tell how in the late 1930’s, Bob Kane showed an initial drawing to Bill Finger. Originally, the character had reddish tights and big bat wings.

Bill Finger added the famous pointy-eared mask with white eyes as well as gloves, replaced the wings with a scalloped cape and made the costume gray. Bill Finger also added the name Bruce Wayne, Gotham City, and wrote the first issue as well as the origin of Batman.

Near the start of World War II, these two young Jewish men built a hero who was grounded in reality, with a level of depth and emotion that hadn’t been seen before.

There idea changed comic books- and showed the world the power of an ordinary person.

Also: story told through eyes of Bruce Wayne.

This is a very basic introduction to the character Batman from Detective Comics. The book goes way to origin. How as child Bruce fell into cave. A board broke on board around old water well on family property. Bruce fell into cave. He was afraid of the dark. His father helped child out of well. Bruce hurt his ankle. Bruce told his father: “I’m sorry I fell, Dad.”

His father said back to Bruce: “It’s okay. We all fall. But why do we fall, Bruce?

Bruce replied still in darkness of cave: “So we can learn to pick ourselves up.”

His father than used rope to get Bruce out of cave and said to the child of about five:” That’s my boy. So we can learn to pick ourselves up.”

The book talked about pivotal time in Bruce Wayne’s life when he was six. His parents took him to the “Mark of Zorro” movie at theater. After movie a criminal tried to rob his family. His parents His life changed when his parents died. He was taken in by Alfred, the Wayne family butler.

It was at this instant in youth he decided in anger that never wanted tragedy to happen to anyone else again. He learned how to never stay down when learned combat techniques. He learned many forms of combat from some of the world’s best teachers. This was when teenager. He even learned deception and illusions. He learned karate, tae kwon do, and boxing. He even learned meditation. Bruce had plenty of money and time to lean specialties. It was also shown how he learned how to master gadgets, detective skills. The art of disguise. I also saw origin of Bat Mobile. I also saw how Bruce decided to become Batman. The inspiration caused by bat crashing through window at night at Wayne Manor. The book showed first time Bruce appeared in public in Gotham City as Batman. I saw how he always was there for Gotham when city needed him. They used Bat Signal as beacon shined into night sky. I saw Batman’s Bat Belt. He had all sorts of tools like Batarang, Finger print kit, laser torch, lock pick tools, grappling gun, smoke capsules and rebreather. I also saw some interesting gadgets. One of my favorites was hidden in boot heel: ultrasonic beacon to call real bats.

One of my favorite scenes though was view of Bat Cave. I saw Bat Computer, Batmobiles, three different versions, Batwing jet, Batman and Robin costumes, Bat cycle. I even saw shark repellant. I recalled shark repellant from old 1960’s Batman live action movie.

The book wove in how Batman had help in fighting crime by Robin known as the boy wonder. Batgirl also helped with her fighting and strategist abilities. Commissioner Gordon always turned-on Bat Signal when needed Batman’s expertise.

Just like Superman Batman also had lots of enemies. A few examples: Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, The Riddler, Scarecrow, and the Penguin. The most difficult in my mind was The Joker.

Always remember that Batman did not have super powers like The Flash or Superman. He is human.

The book concludes: In my life, I lost the people I loved most. I didn’t think I could recover. Yet here I am.

And I’ll be here tomorrow, and the day after that,

Someone tries to knock me to the ground every day.

“Stay down,” they tell me.

And I tell them” NO. I will not.”

Everyone is scared sometimes.

We all feel pain- and we all have moments

When we get knocked down.

But why do we fall?

So, we can learn to pick ourselves back up.

There are times that will feel impossible, but no matter how bad it gets, just remember….

You don’t have to fight alone.

The book than has two-page spread showing many of characters that have fought with Batman in his career. The book also mentions there are Batman comic books which can also be read.

Allen final note: This is a book that gives insights into Batman. I think geared to young adult readers. I got book I am Batman from library. The book is told with deep respect for character. I really appreciated effort put into I am Batman. It was obvious Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos cared tremendously about I am Superman and I am Batman stories.

The front inside cover says about I am Batman.

The Dark Knight

The Caped Crusader

The World’s greatest Detective

Yet before Batman became the protector of Gotham City, he was Bruce Wayne- a young boy full of fears after losing his parents. And even before that, he was simply an idea in the minds of artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, who wanted to show people the power of an ordinary person.


Allen Klingelhoets