Batman Begins, directed by Christopher Nolan, focuses on the origin of Gotham's Dark Knight. Nolan has said he wanted to ignore the previous four films, which ended with the cartoonish Batman & Robin. Critics say Nolan's film is relentlessly dark, while the Joker is nowhere to be seen. It's not the first time Batman has been given a makeover. Here, we present a timeline:

1939 – The first Batman comics

Batman is created by illustrator Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. He first appears in Detective Comics #27, in a story called "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate." Batman is given his signature cape and bat insignia, but the ears are made short. (Bob Kane said it took him a year to get the look right).

The story of Batman's origin is first told in Detective Comics #33. A young Bruce Wayne witnesses the murder of his parents, and swears to avenge their deaths. Using his vast wealth, he trains himself to become a vigilante. The bat costume is created to frighten criminals.

In these first outings, Batman is an extremely gritty character who kills criminals and even uses a gun. He has no superpowers like Captain Marvel or Superman, but must instead rely on his detective skills. Of course, he also has his trusty utility belt and batmobile.

The Sixties – Batman on TV

January 12, 1966: The first episode of Batman airs on ABC. Staring Adam West as Batman, the series gives new meaning to the term "camp." It features a pun-loving narrator, word balloons that read "Pop" and "Biff" during fights, and bizarre cliff-hanger endings.

While some are upset that Batman has lost his gritty tone, the show becomes an instant hit. It also mirrors the lighter character Batman has become in the comics, who battles foes like Bat-Mite – an interdimensional troublemaker who acts more like a naughty child than a super-villain.

The Eighties: Batman comes full circle

As comics in general become darker in tone, fans of Batman grow increasingly frustrated with Robin, The Boy Wonder. The idea of a goofy teenaged sidekick is no longer appealing, and writer Jim Starlin decides to take action. In a clever marketing ploy, readers are allowed to phone a 1-900 number and vote if they want Robin killed off.

The final verdict is revealed in a multi-issue story arc called A Death in the Family. In the gruesome climax, Robin is captured by Batman's arch-nemesis the Joker, who beats Robin savagely before murdering him.

1989 – Batman hits the big screen

After Tim Burton's movie Pee-wee's Big Adventure becomes a box-office hit, Warner Bro. asks Burton to direct Batman. Burton ignores a script written by Tom Mankiewicz, who assisted on the Superman screenplay, and writes his own treatment. It takes years for the film to finally get off the ground, only after Burton has another hit with Beetlejuice. He chooses the star of that film, Michael Keaton, for the lead role.

Burton's Batman film is dark in tone, but never takes itself too seriously. Keaton plays Batman as a tragic hero, while the film is carried away by Jack Nicholson as the Joker.

The third film, Batman Forever, is directed by Joel Schumacher. He introduces Robin, and the film almost exceeds the camp quality of the '60s television series. The Batman costume is given nipples and a codpiece, and a smiling Val Kilmer replaces Michael Keaton. Jim Carrey makes a memorable turn as the Riddler.

Schumacher returns for Batman & Robin, by far the worst Batman film. Despite many high-profile stars, such as George Clooney as Batman, Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy and Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze, the film does not perform well at the box office. Audiences are clearly unhappy with the direction Batman has taken.