We all know Batman as the dark, brooding detective, stalking the shadows of Gotham. The newest movies paint him as a serious noir hero. But hold on! Before the grit and gloom, Batman comics, and sometimes still, serve up a healthy dose of the wonderfully weird and downright silly. It’s time to shine a light on those moments!
Let’s dive into 10 of the strangest, funniest, and most unbelievable things Batman has ever done or used in his long comic book history. Prepare for a chuckle!
10 Shark Repellent Saves the Day
Many fans remember the classic 1966 Batman movie. Adam West, as Batman, famously used shark repellent against a shark sent by the Penguin. Robin hands it to him, and the day is saved! This gadget even got a nod in 2017’s The Lego Batman Movie, where Robin couldn’t get enough of it.
A popular belief is that Batman always carries shark repellent in his utility belt. However, in the 1966 film, it’s stored in the Bat Helicopter. Similarly, in The Lego Batman Movie, it’s just an item in the Batcave. But here’s a twist: the idea isn’t totally off! The very first time Batman used shark repellent was way back in Batman #117 (1958). He and Robin were on an alien planet, fending off ‘shark-like’ creatures with his handy Shark Repellent Bat Spray. So, it did exist in his arsenal after all!
9 That Time He Lifted a 700-Pound Gorilla… With a Bomb
Batman is famous for not having superpowers. To make up for it, he’s incredibly smart and keeps his body in top physical shape. You might think this requires some extreme training. Well, how about testing your strength by lifting a 700-pound gorilla with a live bomb attached to its chest?
Yes, you read that right. In Detective Comics #337 from 1965, Batman faced a super-intelligent gorilla planning to bomb Gotham. The bizarre solution? Batman had to lift the gorilla because the bomb wouldn’t detonate if the ape wasn’t touching the ground. It sounds wild, and frankly, quite dangerous, but it’s a real moment from Batman’s past!
8 Surprise! Bruce Wayne Was the First Robin?
Robin, the Boy Wonder, is Batman’s loyal sidekick. Without him, Batman just wouldn’t be the same. Most fans know that Dick Grayson was the original Robin. But, if we travel back to Detective Comics #226, published in 1955, we find a surprising twist: Bruce Wayne himself was the *first* Robin!
The comic reveals that a young Bruce Wayne learned detective skills from a man named Harvey Harris. Harvey gave Bruce a Robin-like suit and trained him. Fun fact from that issue: the name “Robin” supposedly came from Harvey telling Bruce he was “as brilliant as a robin redbreast.” What that means is anyone’s guess, but it’s a fascinating piece of Bat-history!
7 Meet Bat-Mite: Batman’s Biggest (and Weirdest) Fan
Batman has millions of fans, but one stands out as truly unique: Bat-Mite! This character is a tiny imp from the fifth dimension who first appeared proclaiming himself Batman’s number one fan. What makes Bat-Mite tricky is that his nature is often debated. Is he real, or just a figment of Batman’s imagination?
Bat-Mite possesses reality-warping powers, which he often uses to make Batman’s adventures “more interesting” – usually meaning more chaotic. Interestingly, one of Bat-Mite’s more recent appearances was in a Scooby-Doo and Batman team-up comic. It’s even funnier that he seems to pop up regularly in these Scooby-Doo crossovers!
6 Batman: A Top 10 Gun Marksman?
“No guns.” This has been Batman’s steadfast rule since Batman #15, back in 1943. Ironically, the cover of that very issue shows him wielding a trench gun, clearly loaded. Despite this early image, Batman consistently states that guns are weapons for the weak and cowardly.
This stance makes things a bit awkward with his former partner and adopted son, Jason Todd (Red Hood), who definitely uses them. But here’s a real head-scratcher: according to The Batman Who Laughs #3, published in 2019, Batman himself is ranked among the top 10 marksmen in the world. How he maintains this skill without regular practice is a mystery for the ages!
5 Anyone for Bat-Milk and Cookies?
This one isn’t strictly from the comics, but it’s too funny to skip. In 1972, the cartoon The New Scooby-Doo Mysteries aired an episode called “The Dynamic Scooby Affair,” featuring a team-up with Batman and Robin. As Batman is about to take the gang to the Batcave, he blindfolds them to keep its location secret.
During this, Shaggy asks if they can have a snack once they arrive. Batman casually replies not to worry, he’ll have “Bat-milk and cookies” for everyone. Was this just Batman’s habit of putting “Bat-” in front of everything, or was he offering actual milk from bats? The world may never know, and perhaps it’s best that way!
4 Batman, the Internet Troll
Internet forums are famous hotspots for conspiracy theories, ranging from silly to completely wild. As comics adapt to modern times, it was only natural for them to tackle the internet and its quirks. And Batman did just that in Batman Incorporated #6 (2011).
In this issue, Batman is shown actively manipulating internet forums. He posts misleading theories about his own identity, such as claiming Batman is Bruce Wayne, that Batman is actually multiple people, or that Bruce Wayne was replaced by a body double. It sounds crazy, but it’s a clever tactic. By flooding the internet with misinformation, he ensures that if his identity were ever truly revealed, the truth would be lost among all the bizarre fake theories.
3 The Not-So-Mighty Whirly-Bat
Batman needs to move fast to fight crime across Gotham. He has countless Batmobiles, Bat-planes, Bat-helicopters, Bat-cycles—basically, if it’s a vehicle, he probably has a “Bat-” version of it. With so many options, some are bound to be a bit ridiculous.
Enter the Whirly-Bat! This peculiar contraption first appeared in Detective Comics #257 in 1958. The Whirly-Bat is a tiny, one-man helicopter designed for aerial surveillance and combat. Unfortunately, these gadgets weren’t very effective; they were destroyed during their very first mission. Though Batman later rebuilt them, their initial failure says a lot about their efficiency.
2 Batman’s Secret: He Only *Pretends* to Drink Alcohol
As we’ve noted, Batman keeps his body in peak physical condition. This means a strict regimen of exercise and a healthy diet. That includes no fast food, no junk food, no processed sugar, and definitely no alcohol.
While Batman has occasionally been shown drinking real alcohol, usually during very low points in his life, he normally just pretends. In Batman: Tenses #1 (2013), Bruce Wayne orders a gin and tonic, only to dump it out later. And in Batman #36 (2017), Superman casually asks, “Do you ever get tired of ginger ale?” To which Batman replies, “Every damn day.” It’s a small detail that shows his dedication, even in his civilian disguise.
1 Batarang X: The Most Outrageous Batarang Ever
No item in Batman’s arsenal is as iconic as the batarang. These versatile tools have been helping Batman since his early days in Detective Comics #31 (1939). He even uses them as grappling hooks by attaching ropes. Batman has countless versions: magnetic, explosive, remote-controlled, and electrified batarangs.
Some of these sound quite dangerous, but none compare to the most extreme batarang of all – Batarang X. This behemoth is so over-the-top that it’s kept hidden under a tarp in the Batcave. Batarang X is a giant, red batarang that can be launched from the Batmobile and used as a mode of transportation for Batman. It made its grand debut in Detective Comics #244, way back in 1957, capping off our list of wonderfully weird Bat-gadgets!
So, while Batman is often the epitome of cool and collected, his comic book history is filled with moments that are just plain fun and bizarre. These instances remind us that even the Dark Knight can have a lighter, sillier side.
What are some other weird Batman moments you remember? Leave your comment below and let us know!
