Where/when did Batman learn to fly?

[Judo Grip Batman]

Hi everyone,

I'm a long-time lurker, first-time poster. I've always enjoyed reading the back-and-forth of the Batman forums at Comic Book Resources. I find the discussions here really more polite and stimulating compared to really just about any other comic book boards about the big ol' Bat I've seen on the web.

Anyway, I've noticed several of you seem to have a nearly encyclopedic knowledge of Batman's comic book adventures, so I was wondering if you could enlighten me on the following: have there ever been any comics that show him learning how to fly a plane in his years of training?

I know a lot of his adventures show him going to various parts of Asia to learn martial arts, etc. I recall Year One referencing his "growl" that he learned in Africa, and, if Blind Justice is still canon, he learned detective skills from Ducard.

But have his considerable flying skills ever been touched upon?

Thanks for your input!

[mofo]

Errrr... what?

[Doug Side]

I don't think his learning to pilot aircrafts has been touched on in the comics. I guess its just presumed that he took private lessons and taught himself from there. Much like the majority of his crazy unexplained skills.

[earl]

Batman is shown flying as early as Detective 31 with the Bat Gyro way back in 1939.

http://www.quickstopentertainment.com/comics101/images/2003/dec3/batgyro.jpg


I don't think they have ever shown him learning to fly, but it has definitely been a part of the lore since the start.

[Judo Grip Batman]

Wow, thanks a lot for the quick replies, all three of you!

Earl, I love that panel. A Bat-Gyro, in which to follow Julie? As in, Bruce Wayne's girlfriend Julie Madison? Creeepy...gotta love the Golden Age.

[Lew Moxon]

Wow, thanks a lot for the quick replies, all three of you!

Earl, I love that panel. A Bat-Gyro, in which to follow Julie? As in, Bruce Wayne's girlfriend Julie Madison? Creeepy...gotta love the Golden Age.

It makes more sense in context.

I love 1939 Bruce Wayne, he's the man. He took a shot to the chest, survived, went to the Doctor and claimed it was a self inflicted accident. This is Bruce without any partners, at all. Totally alone. There's something to respect in that.

[SpideyZERO]

I recall Year One referencing his "growl" that he learned in Africa

Batman needs to learn "growl" in Africa!?:eek:

[carabas]

I reckon it is not just a "Grrr." growl but a deeply intense, animalistic sound that is designed to strike fear in supersticeous minds, that works ona a frequency that taps into the reptile brain, a secret passed down from father to son over thousands of bushmen chieftains.

And if it is not canon that a surviving Blackhawk tought him to fly, then it should be.

[Joker2503]

Yeah, the "growl" is kind of like Obi-Wan doing the dragon scream in Star Wars. It isn't just a "grrr, I'm angry. Be afraid" kind of thing. It's one specific sound perfected over generations to strike fear in the hearts of... everything.

[Sn4tcH]

I believe Batman's growl sounds like a TIE-fighter, and every time he swoops in, that's the sound he makes.

[The Chief5425]

Y'know, this wouldn't be a bad story. Pilots are a tight club, there's a considerable "culture" there...it would be interesting to see how Bruce learned. Anybody at DC interested in doing the research and writing it?

[Mat001]

There hasn't been a specific flashback tale showing how Bruce learned to fly a plane or a helicopter. There were stories detailing other elements, but that hasn't been touched upon.

[earl]

That story with Julie Madison and the vampires was used as a base influence on Matt Wagner's recent Batman and the Mad Monk.

Some of those really early tales, while definitely of a different time, still have some charm. I'd love to see someone tell the early Batman Detective Dr. Death two part story as a modern tale.

[Sn4tcH]

Where/when did Batman learn to fly?

With a wonderful thought, and a bit of pixie dust.

[nepenthes]

it wouldn't be weird if a young Bruce Wayne just charmed (paid) his way into a jet fighter training course. it's the kind of thing playboys do