Ever since the world gathered to celebrate the Dark Knight’s day of reckoning, the Caped Crusader’s 75-year anniversary as a pop-culture icon, fans look forward to the annual event in great anticipation — this year BATMAN DAY is getting a makeover!
Four years ago DC Comics saw fit to properly raise a glass and honor its most recognizable figure, the one character within its massive pantheon of heroes that has stood the test of time and merited international idolization — BATMAN DAY became a day to celebrate all-things Dark Knight! Whether it’s the popularity of the character in print, created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger who first appeared in print in Detective Comics #27 and has since appeared in all media forums be it primetime, animation or on film, Batman is a phenomenon all onto himself.
On Saturday, Sept. 23rd comic book retailers across the nation will be receiving and distributing collectable items to the gleeful illation of fans. Uniquely crafted giveaways include reprinted “first appearances” of the character throughout every iteration of his career, along with rare “one-offs” that you can’t get anywhere else. Cooperative merchandizers including LEGO®, Pottery Barn and Amazon are also getting in on the act, just as DC Comics is racking up major deals on some of the most popular Batman titles, including coveted collected volumes!
This season though the Caped Crusader will be facing some colorful competition as one of the hero’s most controversial adversaries moves in and steals the spotlight from under the bat the only way that Harley Quinn can! That’s right — the Clown Queen of Crime is also celebrating an anniversary! The character which was first introduced into cannon in 1992 as part of the Emmy Winning Batman: The Animated Series. The gun moll made her mark as a sidekick to the Batman’s arch-enemy The Joker immediately gaining momentum and affection among fans.
Cut-to 25 years later and HARLEY QUINN DAY is fast-moving into the front seat and (perhaps) eclipsing the detective on his special day! The cosplay convention darling will be celebrated this Saturday as well with special deals on featured books and exclusive! Among the uniquely crafted collectible items are recreated covers from all across the Batman’s 75-year publication history that have been remade with Harley inserted into the mix! There’s a classic reinterpretation of Detective Comics #38 (the first legacy appearance of Robin) with Harley as “The Girl Wonder”!
So this weekend, on Saturday, Sept. 23rd depending on which side you choose, celebrate and honor one of Gotham City’s most courageous or one of its most notorious! With events marking the celebration it’ll be a BATMAN DAY or HARLEY QUINN DAY for the record books! And don’t forget to pick up the latest animated adventure from the DCU: Batman and Harley Quinn which teams up the pair as they first appeared in The Animated Series.
