Batman signal lamp series#

(Not to mention redundant in the early 21st century, what with cell-phones being so cheap.) Considering that the setting of this comic is a city populated only by super-heroes, this is a reasonable legal restriction considering how many people might be flying overhead. Parodied in the comic Top 10, where a minor super-hero was arrested for using a flare-gun-type device to contact his partner, which is illegal (a 'signal-device violation').or could just order the above-mentioned individuals to use theirs. Presumably, individuals such as the New York State Governor, the President of the United States, and Nick Fury did not need to use such flamboyant methods. Certain prominent individuals, such as the Mayor of New York and the Chief of Police, also had their own transmitters.Human Torch doesn't need a Fantasti-Flare, as he can 'draw' the giant 4 in the sky with his flames (usually using his own body/flight movements/fire trail as a pen/brush).The Fantasti-Flare lights up the sky, then forms the giant 4 in the sky to let them know they're needed. The Fantastic Four have a signal to summon each other.

Catwoman: Guardian of Gotham: Of course, Catwoman's superhero signal features a snarling cat.True to the Affectionate Parody nature of the comic, she points out that it will be useless in broad daylight or on cloudless nights, and Bruce sheepishly calls it a work in progress. Bruce Wayne: Not Super: At the end of the first book, Bruce gives Selina a bat-shaped rock to shine into the sky with a flashlight if she ever needs help.In one situation, however, the signal was actually the bait for a trap the Gotham Police were laying, as she was suspected of murder at the time.

Batgirl (2009): After Stephanie Brown became Batgirl she would respond to the titular signal on numerous occasions, reasoning that it is the Bat-signal, not Bat man-signal.

Tim Drake insists they keep it as the bat-signal as it is a powerful symbol and he figures Nightwing will pick up Batman's mantle any day now.

When Batman is claimed to be dead the GCPD considered altering the signal into a Robin signal since he's the only one showing up when it's used.

In Batman: The Dark Knight Returns the Bat Signal is projected onto the side of a skyscraper, solving the problem of cloudless nights.

Unfortunately, this article (specifically in the extensive comments section) explains why that arrangement still doesn't work.

The signal itself is eventually dismantled following the events of the 'War Games' crossover (A Bat Family Crossover from the mid-2000's) when the GCPD feels that Batman has broken the bonds of good faith between them. As such, only Stacy, the secretary of the Major Crimes Unit who is technically a temp and not a city employee at all, is allowed to turn on the signal. Legally, no employee of City Hall or the police can operate the signal, since that would qualify as an official endorsement of Batman and make the city government responsible for whatever actions Batman takes.

Batman signal lamp series#

The series Gotham Central delves into the legality and operation of the signal, and what it implies for the relationship between Batman and the police. Gordon gives a similar explanation in the comic Batman: The Dark Knight Returns in response to the question of why use the Bat-Signal instead of something else. In addition to its signaling function, it is sometimes used by Batman himself as part of the whole 'strike terror in the hearts of criminals' program. Batman has used many different forms of this over the years.