The Central Computer Console is the data processor on the main floor of the Batcave. It is part of the Dupin network invented by Bruce Wayne. Dupin is the most highly advanced computer system in the entire world, accessed by members of the Bat-Family in their outposts like the Gotham Clock Tower, the Belfry and various satellite Batcaves throughout the world. The main Dupin servers are stored in bowels of the Batcave beneath Wayne Manor, where outside connections can be severed at any time.
History[]
Predecessors[]
Prior to its conception in the Batman TV series, Batman would often use various resources to gather information. These included using newspapers, television sets and going out onto the streets in disguise. Batman's vehicles were also modified with automated features, including remote controls and autopilots. During the 1950s, Batman also constructed an "electronic brain", which could store known criminals and cross-reference details to identify them.
Pre-Crisis (Silver & Bronze Ages)[]
The Batcomputer first appeared in comics in Batman #189. The first version of the system was nicknamed "Dupin", in honor of the French detective C. Auguste Dupin. Using the Dupin has a direct link to the Brother Eye satellite, and was once co-opted in order to take remote command of the various OMAC agents.
Modern Age[]
New 52 & Rebirth[]
In the NEW 52 the bat-computer was the same as it ever was.
Functionality[]
At time has gone on and technology has improved, the Dupin has become more advanced. In its original appearances, the "Batcomputer" was used to gather information and perform analyses of evidence. The mainframe is also connected directly to various law enforcement agencies' networks, such as the CIA, FBI and Gotham City Police Department, and hack into private systems. These connections allow Batman to access databases to cross-reference cases and identify suspects, or access information required to advance investigations. The Batcomputer is also linked to special satellites, including Brother EYE, to monitor Gotham and watch over allies.
The Batcave computer has become more directly connected to the Batsuit, allowing Batman to access its functions from the field. These range from communicators in the cowl's ears, allowing Batman to communicate with Alfred, to accessing functions via devices in the gauntlets. Batman has also constructed contact lenses to interact with the computer. His vehicles, such as the Batmobile and Batplane, can also be remotely controlled through the Batcomputer.
The Batcomputer can also run analysis protocols of various objects to determine functions, uncover further evidence or detect boobytraps. It can also detect chemicals and substances, allowing them for further investigation. The computer is also used to create antidotes to the various chemical compounds used by Batman's enemies, such as Scarecrow's Fear Toxin and the Man-Bat Formula. Batman has also connected devices to the computer which allows it to help in crime-scene investigation. These range from detecting evidence, simulating events and identifying bodies through features, such as fingerprints and medical histories.
Other Media Visual Portal[]
Live-action adaptations[]
Animated adaptations[]
Other Media Text Explanations[]
Batman television series[]
The live-action series created the "Batcomputer." Bruce Wayne never used a computer prior to the live-action series. Portrayed as a large but well-lit cavern filled with all sorts of computers and devices. In keeping with the show's comedic style, a number of whimsical devices were portrayed as part of the cave's computing suite. These included:
- Bat-diamond (power source for the Batcomputer, must be far more pure than a natural diamond, it is well over 10,000 carats (2.0 kg))
- Accelerated Concentration Switch (increases computing power of Batcomputer when it is strained)
- Dual Identity Bat-sensor
- Bat-analyzing Gears
- Batcomputer Ingestor Switch
- Batcomputer Bat-resistance Signal (light comes on when the Batcomputer does not understand the question)
- Special Escaped Archcriminal Bat-locator
- Bat-correction Signal (alerts Batman or Robin when they say something incorrect)
- Anti-crime Voice Analyzer
- Special seismological attachment
- Batcomputer Input Slot (enter some information source, such as a phone book, so a search can be performed)
- Illustrated Bat-slides (Alfred created these to be more informative than the usual cue cards)
The "Batcomputer" was actually surplus equipment from Burroughs Corporation and was one of many pieces of such equipment not only used in the Batcave in the 1966-68 Batman TV series, but also in other 20th Century Fox TV productions of the period, such as Lost In Space and The Time Tunnel (ironically, the former aired in the same time period as Batman during 1966 and part of 1967).
Warner Brothers Movies[]
Batman[]
The Central Computer Console first appears when Bruce Wayne is in the Batcave seeing in the security videos of the manor when Commissioner Gordon is alerted of Jack Napier and Lt. Eckardt's arrival at Axis Chemicals. Later in the film, it is seen when Batman brings Vicki Vale to the Batcave show the lethal combination of the Joker's health and beauty products. Finally, Bruce uses the computer to observe Joker's challenge to him while recalling that he killed his parents years ago.
Batman Returns[]
Another computer console is first used to open Gotham Globe microfilm archives with OCR files, describing the Red Triangle Circus and the troubling history of Oswald Cobbplepot. Later Bruce managed to damage Cobblepot's campaign for mayor of Gotham City via frequency interference by playing a recording in which Penguin was insulting the citizens, insisting he had played them for fools. Towards the end of the film, Alfred does the same thing to redirect the army of penguins controlled by villain.
Batman Forever[]
The Central Computer Monitor is hidden behind the large Batemblem in the Batcave. It only briefly seen while Bruce is debating with Dick Grayson after being rescued by him. It appeared more prominently in an extended version of the scene where GNN anchor Kenneth Frequency pleads for Batman to retire. The large monitor is ultimately destroyed by the Riddler.
Batman & Robin[]
The Central Computer Monitor used in the 1997 is similar in design to the previous movie but it actually plays a role in the plot. The Dynamic Duo use to research Dr. Victor Fries and analyze the functionality of his cry-suit. This computer was used in a deleted scene where Bruce broods over the console trying to research Poison Ivy. Near the finale, Alfred actually refers to it as the "Bat-Computer" and reveals that he has programed his brain algorithms into the mainframe and creates a virtual simulation of himself. The simulation's delayed stuttering is a blatant homage to Max Headroom.
The Dark Knight Trilogy[]
A multi-monitored setup is presented in The Dark Knight movie. It is in a bland Warehouse Bunker and only used for an odd ballistics experiment involving miniguns. Batman also used a different powerful computer to track down Joker, via a form of sonar. The latter ends up destroyed by Lucius Fox in the ending via a self-destruct protocol Bruce Wayne had installed earlier.
It isn't until the The Dark Knight Rises that the Central Computer Console is finally established in the actual Batcave beneath Wayne Manor. It used to research the criminal history of Selina Kyle. Later Alfred and Bruce use it to research Bane.
Animation[]
Super Friends Batcomputer
The New Adventures of Batman[]
The computer as presented in the animated series The New Adventures of Batman is capable of natural-language processing. The computer was voiced by Lou Scheimer.
Batman: The Animated Series[]
In this series, Batman utilizes the Central Computer Console archetypically: as an information database and research tool.
Notable uses of the computer include:
- Synthesizing new chemical compounds (An anti-venom to Poison Ivy's poison)
- Researching old news articles (For the origin of Killer Croc)
In "The Laughing Fish" episode, Harvey Bullock makes reference to a computer used by Batman as a "Batcomputer" a nod to the old Dozier TV series habit of everything having a bat- prefix, presumably as another way to mock Batman. In the episode "His Silicon Soul," HARDAC created a duplicate of Batman that survived the computer's destruction, but lost its memory function and believed itself to be the Dark Knight (it had been implanted with information about both Batman and Bruce Wayne.) Using the duplicate, HARDAC planned to reform over the Internet, connected through the Central Computer Console. However, the duplicate rebelled, and destroyed the mainframe before HARDAC succeeded and itself.
Batman Beyond[]
In Batman Beyond, the elder Bruce Wayne uses the Central Computer Console to monitor his successor as Batman, Terry McGinnis, and his Batsuit.
The Batman[]
The Batman, the animated series that debuted in 2004, features a much more high-tech Batcave, with large computer displays and flashing blue lights. Among these displays are the "Bat-Wave" warning signals, an alternate way of calling upon the Caped Crusader before the Bat-Signal went into service. This is apparently an illegal connection to the GCPD computer system designed to alert him to unusual crimes at the same time as the police know.
The Central Computer Console was again used for such plot-advancing tasks as decoding complicated riddles, analyzing digital viruses, and creating virtual personalities.
Young Justice[]
In Young Justice, Robin is able to hack the Justice League records because it shares the same mainframe as the Central Computer Console in the Batcave.
Beware the Batman[]
In "Hunted", the Central Computer Console is used to find a connection between Simon Stagg and Professor Pyg's next victim. Batman used the computer to analyze some footage and work out the name of Pyg's next victim, discovering it to be Michael Holt.
In "Secrets", Batman used the computer to find a link between Joe Braxton and Blackgate Penitentiary. This led him to Bethanie Ravencroft, Magpie's next target.
Video Games[]
- In the tie-in video game to Batman & Robin, the player can use several computer nodes hidden throughout Gotham City. These serve as both a gameplay tool to investigate clues to the villains' plans and to save their progress in-game.
LEGO Series[]
- In LEGO Batman: The Videogame, the Central Computer Console can be used to purchase characters, suit upgrades, facts files and gameplay modifiers. It can also be used to view cutscenes and input cheat codes. In addition to the Batcave, the player can access a computer node via the main chamber at Arkham Asylum.
- In LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, the Central Computer Console can be used to replay completed missions and warp to locations in Gotham City. Unlike the game's predecessor, it can only be accessed from the Batcave.
Batman: Arkham Series[]
The Central Computer Console as it appears in Arkham Origins.
- In Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman uses a computer system emergency Batcave on Arkham Island, similar to the Central Computer Console beneath Wayme Manor. The computer system is later partially destroyed by a Titan-empowered Poison Ivy.
- The prototype Central Computer Console later appears in Batman: Arkham Origins, with Batman using it to upload data from a destroyed drone from Blackgate to find its owner. It also seems to be the source of his Detective Mode. The computer is destroyed near the end of the campaign by Bane as he raids Wayne Manor and the Batcave. However, Batman is able to repair it to help search for Alfred thought the debris.
Telltale Series[]
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The Central Computer Console in Batman: The Telltale Series
- The Central Computer Console features heavily in Batman: The Telltale Series, being used by Batman throughout the game. The player can also use it to access the Codex and read its news feed at certain sections of the game. It is also connected to Batman's gadgets, possibly so they can be tracked down or deactivated if lost/stolen. During "Guardian of Gotham", Penguin hacks the computer and disables the technology connected to it. Depending on whether Batman stops him or deals with Harvey Dent, he is either able to stop the intrusion or forced to deactivate the system until he defeats Cobblepot.
- An upgraded Central Computer Console returns in Batman: The Enemy Within, retaining many of the same features as its predecessor. It can also be visited outside of episodes through the extras menu, as part of the explorable Batcave.