The Batphone is a secret hotline shared between Batman and Commissioner Gordon. It is used as an alternative to the Batsignal when the pair don't want their meetings on display.
History[]
The phone initially appeared as an unnamed object in Detective Comics #328 being used by Commissioner Gordon to contact the Dynamic Duo. This is part of the "New Look" changes mandated by Julius Schwartz shortly after he was appointed as editor. Much like the creation of Barbara Gordon, it seems like these changes were put in place as preparation for the needs of William Dozier developing the tv series, which did not debut until a few years later.
Batman kept a mobile version of the red phone in his Utility Belt, a separate device from his Justice League/Bat-Family communicator.[1]
Outside Media Adaptations[]
Live-action tv show and movie[]
The Batphone used by Commissioner Gordon in the tv series.
The Batphone was frequently used in the series. Whenever there is a sinister arch-criminal that the Police Department cannot handle, Commissioner Gordon uses it to contact Batman and Robin, asking for their help.
Because the phone number is unlisted, a black button is in the center of the dial area which, when pushed, connects Commissioner Gordon to Batman or visa versa. It gives a beeping sound and it flashes when it is in use.
Three of the original phones are seen in Commissioner Gordon's office, Bruce Wayne's study and the Batcave. There are also different versions that are wired to hook ups in Batman's vehicles, utility belt and weapons.
Batman using the Batphone in the Batcave.
Alfred is usually the first to answer the phone that is heard in Bruce Wayne's study and immediately tells Bruce and Dick that the Commissioner has called whilst also trying not to make Dick's Aunt Harriet suspicious, although once she did comment to Alfred that she found the noise coming from the study annoying.
After being told by Alfred, Bruce and Dick head for the study to answer it where Commissioner Gordon tells them how they can help, though it is sometimes used by Batgirl to help them or by some criminal to mock them.
In the Batcave, the same purpose for the phone is used, with Batman usually giving the Commissioner and Chief O'Hara instructions on what to do next or the Commissioner giving the Dynamic Duo more information.
If any call from the Batphone is being traced, an automatic alarm is sounded and Batman can block the signal and divert it with the diversionary Batline equipment.
The Adventures of Batman/The New Adventures of Batman[]
In the two animated shows, the Batphone retained it's original colour with a few changes: it was only seen in the Batcave and had the Batlogo. One was seen on the Batcomputer that had no dialling buttons, but on a table, it had dialling buttons.
Trivia[]
- In the The Dark Knight Rises, a red phone can be spotted in Wayne manor next to a bronze/gold bust, referencing the Bat-Phone and Shakespeare bust from the TV show.
- In Batman: DarKnight, the unproduced screenplay by Lee Shapiro and Stephen Wise, Commissioner Gordon finds a red cell phone with a Bat-insignia on it placed on his desk at the end of the film.
References[]
- ↑ Detective #579 in 1987