A comic about the real origin of inspiration for Bruce Wayne
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The inside of the front cover Real Life Comics # 29 contains blurb that helps explain why I like this issue of the biography Real life comics series: “Crazy Anthony wayne is known for his capture of the important British redoubt on the Hudson River, but his career has been one of dramatic sacrifice and service for his country throughout the American Revolution. “
But of course, Anthony Wayne is remembered by many for another reason today: his name is the inspiration for the name of Batman’s alter ego, Bruce Wayne. The story behind this inspiration is a fascinating tale that combines pop culture and American history. There is a Real Life Comics # 29 (Nedor Publications, 1946) CGC VF-7.5 blank pages available this week 2021 June 13-14 Sunday and Monday Comics, animation and art auctions heritage auction.
The ghost of Anthony Wayne
Isaac Wayne took something under his arm.
“I found your school books across the road near your Uncle Gilbert’s house; I didn’t know if you let them down.
“I left them there,” the boy said bluntly. “I was going to come back and get them, sir.
“Too heavy to carry around the house, Anthony?”
“No father, but old Jess threw a bunny by the side of the road and we chased him to the edge of the clearing. I dropped the books there.”
Mr. Wayne opened a notebook, very shredded and dog-eared. “Will you tell me, my son, what is the meaning of all this?”
He pointed to a page covered with strange lines and marks.
“Just a plan, sir.
“A plan of what?
“Of battle, father.”
– The hero of Stony Point; School days in Chester, by James barnes, 1916
The above passage is the one I decided to include in this post about the deep inspirations of part of the Batman mythology after reluctantly dismissing three more perfectly astonishing choices from what I will call the story of Anthony Wayne origin.
Reading each one easily recalls a corresponding moment in the Batman myth: his determination to study science as well as to train his body, Gilbert wayneAlfred’s beards were meant to push young master Wayne to his potential. I hadn’t intended to dwell much on “Mad” Anthony Wayne in my research, as I initially made the mistake of thinking that this historical figure was probably little more than a simple name which evoked certain qualities which Bill Finger wanted the character to embody – but it’s possible Wayne was a little more than that to him.
Wayne is more than just a name, both in the context of American history and to members of the Finger family who have observed this history firsthand. But the Mad Anthony Wayne anecdote that links this figure in American history to the myth of Batman does not come directly from Finger. In the book Batman and me from 1989, Bob kane quotes Finger as saying, “I looked for a name that would suggest colonialism. I tried Adams, Hancock… then I thought of Mad Anthony Wayne.
This immediately suggests that there is probably more to it. This aspect of Batman’s story is beyond the scope of this play, but it has been well recounted. Long story short: Finger’s work on Batman was not credited by DC Comics from 1939 to 2015. Finger was largely unknown to the comic book fandom as a whole, until 1964 when the truth about his role was revealed began to emerge via the publisher of DC Comics. Julius Schwartz and fanzine editor Jerry Bails. Anthony Wayne’s name doesn’t easily come to mind today for the most part in the company of historical figures like Adams and Hancock, but there may be a prime reason for Bill Finger. It would appear that the first member of the Finger family to come to America lived in New York (as a tenant of a very majestic mansion indeed, ultimately) not so far from Stony Point, back when Anthony Wayne was earning the nickname “Mad Anthony”.
More information on this remarkable little story another time. There is a Real Life Comics # 29 (Nedor Publications, 1946) CGC VF-7.5 blank pages which brings together the Batman story with the American story available in the 2021 June 13-14 Sunday and Monday Comics, animation and art auctions heritage auction.
Real Life Comics # 29 (Nedor Publications, 1946) CGC VF-7.5 White pages. History of atomic bomb. Overstreet 2020 VF 8.0 value = $ 120. CGC 21/6 Census: 1 in 7.5, 2 above.