Batman was created in 1939 by Bob Kane, who was inspired by pulp comics and action movies from his childhood, as well as Leonardo da Vinci's drawings of flying machines that resembled bats. Bruce Wayne witnessed his parents' murder as a child and became Batman to fight criminals like The Joker, Batman's most famous villain created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger, and Jerry Robinson. Both Batman and his characters have endured for over 75 years and remain popular in stories that will continue for many more years due to their lasting legacy embedded in culture.