This week Batman got a belated 75th anniversary present: the release of Legends of the Knight, a crowdfunded documentary that celebrates not only the crime fighting alter ego of Bruce Wayne, but more importantly the real-world impact that the character has had on readers and fans since his debut in 1939’s Detective Comics #27.
“Batman is a unique blend of so many things,” says director Brett Culp. “He’s powerful, yet human. He’s mysterious, yet relatable. He’s heroic, yet broken. We love his action-packed adventures, but we have become fans because he is one of us.”
This is from Wired's Graeme McMillan, who also writes:
The result is a movie that’s surprisingly uplifting for a documentary about a superhero known for dressing up as a dark avenger of the night and punching bad guys. That heartwarming effect goes beyond merely the movie itself; since Culp finished working on it, it’s been shown in charity screenings across the country, raising money for organizations including Make-A-Wish, the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, underscoring the director’s intent that the film follow in Batman’s fictional footsteps to make the world a better place.
The documentary shows the many ways this hero has become intertwined with our culture and the many normal people who've “become Batman” to do extraordinary things. You can now buy the movie or stream it from WEareBATMAN.com. Check out the trailer below, although it may make you notice how dusty it's gotten in front of your screen. Very dusty.