DC unveiled its plans for a global celebration of the 80th anniversary of Batman. Kicking off this March at SXSW, the multifaceted campaign will feature exclusive celebrations, special theatrical engagements, the milestone release of Detective Comics #1000, live events, and first-ever Batman brand partnerships. As fans join together under the campaign’s tagline of #LongLiveTheBat, DC’s Caped Crusader will be honored through Batman Day in September when the Bat-Signal lights up in major cities worldwide.
To commemorate the milestone, custom artwork was created that pays homage to Batman’s legacy in all forms of media. The Batman profile pencil design is by well-known DC artist José Luis García-López, and the digital paint design is by Admira Wijaya. This graphic will be featured throughout the celebration.
March 30 marks Batman’s 80th anniversary and Batman Day will take place September 21.
Batman Anniversary Publishing Plans
DC will present two commemorative books, including the collector’s issue of Detective Comics #1000, on sale at comics shops March 27, and a special hardcover release,Detective Comics: 80 Years of Batman The Deluxe Edition, available March 19.
Live Batman 2019 Events
SXSW in Austin, Texas, will kick off the global celebration with multiple fan experiences, photo opportunities, limited-edition merchandise and an Instagram-worthy mural by a local artist. SXSW will also set the stage on March 15 for the annual bat season in Austin, when roughly 1.5 million bats emerge nightly from Congress Bridge and fly off into the night skies.
DC will celebrate Batman’s 80th anniversary with panels at major conventions, including a dedicated “Happy Birthday, Batman!” panel at WonderCon in Anaheim on the actual anniversary, March 30.
On Batman Day, September 21, the Bat-Signal will light up in major cities worldwide, alongside a wide array of fan celebrations, including interactive photo opportunities, live music, food, games, and more. Plus, fans will race across the finish line in their favorite Caped Crusader attire in a series of 5K and 10K runs in select cities.
Families can celebrate #LongLiveTheBat at multiple Six Flags locations across North America in August with extended hours, exclusive Batman-themed experiences, and special merchandise. Warner Bros. theme parks across the globe, including Warner Bros. Movie World Australia, Parque Warner Madrid and Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, will host anniversary events.
Madame Tussauds locations in Orlando and Sydney will unveil interactive fan-friendly experiences, photo opportunities, and special merchandise in September.
In May, collectible art boutique MONDO will host a curated anniversary exhibit at its Austin gallery celebrating iconic Batman cover art throughout the years.
The global touring exhibition The Art of the Brick: Dc Super Heroes will celebrate the Dark Knight with a special Batman edition, beginning this September in São Paulo, Brazil.
Romics—the comic book, animation and gaming convention in Rome, Italy—will host an immersive Batman 80th anniversary exhibit in April.
Designed for fans of all ages, visitors to Shanghai this summer will be treated to a first-of-its-kind special exhibit celebrating Batman.
Digital Activations and Viewings
Otter Media brands Rooster Teeth, Crunchyroll, VRV, and Fullscreen will celebrate Batman’s 80th anniversary through a variety of programming and social campaigns designed to amplify DC’s global campaign.
AT&T will activate across retail, digital and DIRECTV, which will celebrate the anniversary with a Batman-branded channel. Plus, AT&T customers will get insider access through AT&T THANKS to Batman content, comics, merchandise, exclusive fan experiences and more.
Television broadcast partners worldwide will host Batman programming marathons in March and September.
Cartoon Network in the U.S. and key territories will host exclusive Batman themed programming and stunts for kids in March and September.
DC Universe—DC’s digital subscription service—will celebrate with the promotion of Batman content in March and September.
New Partnerships Commemorate Batman
Boys & Girls Clubs of America will join Batman in a first-ever partnership to celebrate kids, teens and youth development professionals who stand up for positive change in their communities. The campaign kicks off in April during National Boys & Girls Clubs Week.
In honor of military appreciation month this May, DC will partner with the USO, the iconic military support nonprofit, on a special Batman-themed USO2GO kit featuring comics, movies, TV shows, games, and more. The kit will offer a fun diversion for service members stationed in remote locations around the globe, connecting them to home and all things Dark Knight.
Fans in the UK can join in raising awareness of Genetic Disorders UK by wearing an exclusively designed Batman T-shirt on Jeans for Genes Day in September.
WB and DC are also joining forces with an extensive list of retail partners, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, iTunes, Walmart, GameStop and Google Play, among others.
Global partners such as LEGO, Mattel and Funko will release exclusive Batman 80th anniversary products throughout the year.