A comment in Meet the Phantom: the World’s First Superhero alerted us to the mysterious Golden Bat as a potential challenger to the claim of “The World’s First Superhero.” Our intrepid research department looked into the claim and reasserts its original conclusion that The Phantom is the appropriate holder of the title, even though he arrived on the scene a good five years after the Golden Bat.

Admittedly, no one in our Research Department will never be mistaken for professional CIA intelligence analysts. Come to think of it, since the entirely of the Research Department consists of an underpaid, malnourished, and generally unhygienic intern, it is more likely to be mistaken for an exhibit at Ned’s Discount Transmission Repair and Cryptid Petting Zoo. For that reason, we thought it best to present you with the facts and let the readers decide whether the Golden Bat has been unjustly denied the title “The World’s First Superhero.”

The Golden Bat: Origins and Influence

In the vast pantheon of superheroes that dominate today’s pop culture, from caped crusaders to mutants with extraordinary powers, one often overlooked pioneer stands tall. You guessed it: the Golden Bat. While not as widely recognized in the West as Superman or Batman, The Golden Bat holds a special place in history as a trailblazer of the superhero archetype.

The Golden Bat, or Ōgon Batto in Japanese, burst onto the scene in 1931 in Kamishibai, a form of Japanese street theater where storytellers narrated tales illustrated on large boards. Created by 16-year-old Takeo Nagamatsu and 25-year-old Suzuki Ichiro in 1931, this enigmatic figure predated many iconic superheroes by decades. Clad in a golden cape and mask, wielding supernatural powers, The Golden Bat captured the imagination of audiences in Japan and beyond.

The Legend of The Golden Bat

Every hero needs an origin story. Ours begins with Ōgon Batto, a legendary figure hailing from the ancient civilization of Atlantis. He finds himself catapulted 10,000 years into the future to confront malevolent forces that threaten our world today. He is distinguished by his golden skull-shaped visage and dons a striking green and white swashbuckler ensemble, complemented by a regal red cape. Armed with a rapier, he resides in a formidable fortress nestled amidst the serene Japanese mountains.

Ōgon Bat possesses an impressive array of superhuman abilities, including unparalleled strength, invulnerability, and the extraordinary power of flight. However, his saga is not without its shadows—enter Kurayami Bat, his sinister doppelgänger cloaked in darkness. This nemesis is a nefarious mastermind leading a criminal syndicate with aspirations of global dominion. Draped in a black costume adorned with bat-like ears, his visage is marked by a distinctive red and blue eye mask, setting the stage for epic clashes of good versus evil.

Cultural Impact

In Japan, The Golden Bat became a cultural icon, crossing media divides into books, merchandise, three live-action films: Ôgon Bat: Matenrô no Kaijin (1950), Ôgon Batto (1966), and the comedic biopic Ôgon Batto ga Yattekuru (1972). His presence also graced a 52-episode anime series that enthralled viewers on Nippon TV from 1967 to 1968.

Admittedly, the movies are a bit campy. On the printed page, Golden Bat could do pretty much anything he wanted. On the silver screen, however, his preferred weapon in the battle against good and evil seems to be a large stick. He uses that to whack the bad guys senseless while laughing maniacally. The inanimate rubber mask that the actor wears makes him more than a little creepy in these moments.

December 2022 saw the launch of a new manga adaptation revival in Champion Red magazine by Akita Shoten and illustrated by Kazutoshi Yamane. This reintroduction promises to reignite Ōgon Bat’s legacy for both longtime fans and new enthusiasts alike.

Characteristics of a Superhero

What defines a superhero? Unusual powers, snazzy costume, courage, extraordinary abilities, a sense of justice, and a commitment to protecting the innocent are just a few.

The Golden Bat embodied all these elements, standing as a paragon of virtue and valor. He faced off against diabolical villains and cosmic threats with unwavering resolve, setting a standard for heroes to come.

Influence on Future Superheroes

Long before Marvel and DC Comics dominated the superhero genre, The Golden Bat was blazing a trail. His adventures captivated audiences during a time when the concept of superheroes was still taking shape. While Superman and Batman later became household names in the West, The Golden Bat had already carved out his place in the annals of heroic fiction.

When the superhero boom arrived, it was the Golden Bat’s character design, supernatural abilities, and moral code that laid the groundwork for superheroes like the Phantom, Superman, Batman, and Captain Marvel (Shazam!). Elements of his story, such as a secret identity and a dedication to justice, became staples of superhero storytelling.

Despite being overshadowed by later superheroes, The Golden Bat remains a pivotal figure in the evolution of the genre. His legacy lives on in the DNA of every superhero that followed, from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the pages of contemporary comics. Scholars and fans alike recognize his contributions to shaping the superhero mythos.

The Debate: World’s First Superhero?

Now, the million-dollar question: Is The Golden Bat the world’s first superhero? The snarky answer from our Research Department was: “The Phantom was the first superhero. If you don’t believe me, then look at this proclamation by Guinness World Records: The Phantom: the Superhero Who Was Saving the World Before Superman. And maybe if you paid me a bit more, I might be motivated to dig a little deeper.”

Setting aside for the moment any desperate pleas for equitable wages, we took a look at the Guinness article. We typically give great deference to this organization and have cited it in many articles about interesting world records. Even so, upon closer examination, we have to ask ourselves whether Guinness missed the mark on this one.

For example, the above-referenced article says, “While Clark Kent’s masked alter ego was brought to life in 1938, making him the first superhero with superpowers, he was not the first crimefighter operating in the shadows to protect humankind.” Well, what about the Golden Bat? He has the ability to fly, is invulnerable, and has super strength. We think these check all the boxes needed to make him a superhero with superpowers.

Regarding the Phantom, Guinness says, “Premiering in 1936, he is officially the first comic-strip superhero ever created.”

This is a fair point. Admittedly, the Golden Bat wasn’t created for comic strips, but the street theater style seems close enough for our standards.

Perhaps the deciding factor is that the Golden Bat doesn’t seem to have an alter ego. He is perpetually a chap with a golden skull that shows up at just the right time. Having an alter ego seems to be splitting hairs, though. After all, the unanimous opinion of the Commonplace Fun Facts editorial staff is that if we had superpowers, why on earth would we ever want to act like ordinary mortals, holding down ordinary jobs, and pretending to be — well — ordinary?

All things considered, maybe the Golden Bat should get the credit for being the world’s first superhero. What do you think?

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