What are the references to Batman comic books?
Batman, who made his first appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #27, and has been popular in comic books ever since, is a reference in himself. Batman Begins referenced the comic book stories Year One, Long Halloween and Man Who Falls. The Dark Knight will continue the Long Halloween’s idea of an alliance between Batman, Harvey Dent and Jim Gordon and make reference to such Joker stories as The Joker’s Five-Way Revenge (from BATMAN #251), The Killing Joke and The Man Who Laughs. Look for many references to The Killing Joke and The Man Who Laughs. Christopher Nolan handed a copy of each to Heath Ledger prior to filming in order to prepare for the role. The title of this film is taken from a nickname that was first bestowed upon Batman in the comic book BATMAN, issue #1 (Spring 1940). Frank Miller, whose work inspired Nolan in Batman Begins, also used the term for his 1986 comic book mini-series, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.
