But it was by losing the darker aspects and becoming a child’s hero that Batman became famous. Tame maybe, but this is the first classic era, it established the mythos, and Dick Sprang’s art is a joy.

Ta da! The second classic era! Adams transforms Batman into a nocturnal demon, while writer Denny O’Neill turns him into a DETECTIVE. This is when Batman really comes together as a viable superhero.

Next up, Miller shows us Batman’s first year on the job as if to say, “forget the last 50 years, Batman starts here afresh”. And he did – every writer since has used Year One as their reference point.

And to seal the change, Arkham Asylum was not a 10cent comic but a beautifully painted $20 adults only “graphic novel” depicting Batman himself as dangerously insane. Holy shifting demographic!

. . . like the death of Robin in the late 80’s, and the key early 90s epic, Knightfall, where Batman is defeated and retires, leaving a new ultra-violent Spawn-like Batman to take over . . .

. . . and finally then the New Gotham arc: the city is rebuilt, gangsters replace “freak” criminals, Gordon retires, and Bruce Wayne is framed for murder.

. . . notable stories, being Gothic (above) and Prey, where he tries to win Gordon’s trust, builds a Batmobile and meets his first costumed supervillain – Catwoman . . .

If that wasn’t confusing enough, DC launched a range of graphic novels/mini-series that sat OUTSIDE continuity - an excuse for writers/artists to “do their thang”, like Mignola's Victorian Batman . .

. . . Kia Asamiya’s stunning Manga take on Batman . . .

So there you go, three types of Batman book out there and those are the landmarks. What of Batman in the 21st century? First up is Hush, DAZZLING art and every ally, villain and fan boy scenario.

The key epic of the recent times. Since No-Mans-Land Batman is increasingly insular, mean and fascist – a high-tech general, his sidekicks his troops, the city HIS domain. Wargames marks his hubris.

A new era begins, back to basics: just Batman, Robin, a returned Gordon, and the key supervillains. Old school superheroics and a warmer, humbler Batman.