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Not to be confused with bat-man or vampire.
Man-Bat
The Man-Bat from Who's Who in the DC Universe #12,
art by Michael Golden
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceDetective Comics #400
(June 1970)
Created byFrank Robbins (writer)
Neal Adams (artist)
Julius Schwartz (concept)
In-story information
Alter egoDr. Robert Kirkland "Kirk" Langstrom
SpeciesMetahuman
Team affiliations
Notable aliasesDr. Kirk Langstrom
Abilities(As Langstrom):
  • Genius-level intellect
  • Proficient biochemist and zoologist

(As the Man-Bat):

Man-Bat (Dr. Robert Kirkland "Kirk" Langstrom) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Introduced in Detective Comics #400 (June 1970) as an enemy of the superhero Batman,[1] the character belongs to the collective of adversaries that make up his rogues gallery. Originally portrayed as a supervillain, later incarnations show the Man-Bat as a sympathetic villain or antihero.

In the original version of the story, Kirk Langstrom was a zoologist who tried to give humans a bat's acute sonar sense. He managed to develop an extract that could supposedly do this. Upon testing it on himself, he transformed into an anthropomorphic feral half-bat hybrid, lacking sapience and acting purely on instinct. Batman managed to reverse the effects, but Langstrom would return as the Man-Bat time and time again, albeit not necessarily as a villain, as Langstrom would sometimes retain enough sanity to use his powers for good. Several other characters have since appeared as similar Man-Bat creatures, including Langstrom's wife Francine, his father Abraham Langstrom, and some League of Assassins operatives that make up the Man-Bat Commandos.

Since his debut at the end of the Silver Age of Comic Books, the Man-Bat has been featured in various media adaptations, including television series and video games. In 2017, the Man-Bat was ranked as IGN's 16th-best Batman villain.[2]

Publication history

[edit]

The character made his first appearance in Detective Comics #400 (June 1970) and was created by Frank Robbins and Neal Adams in collaboration with editor Julius Schwartz.[3] The Man-Bat was the star of his own eponymous series in 1975–1976,[4] which proved to be unpopular and was cancelled after only two issues.

Fictional character biography

[edit]
Batman fighting the Man-Bat in the textless cover of Man-Bat (vol. 3) #3 (August 2006), art by Mike Huddleston

Dr. Kirk Langstrom, a zoologist who specializes in chiropterology, develops an extract intended to give humans a bat's acute sonar sense and tests the formula on himself.[5] The extract works, but it has a horrible side effect: it transforms him into a monstrous human/bat hybrid creature.[6] This side effect makes him so distraught that it temporarily affects his sanity. He goes on a mad rampage until Batman finds a way to reverse the effects.[7] Later, Langstrom takes the concoction again and the Man-Bat returns. He also coaxes his wife, Francine Langstrom, into drinking the serum and she goes through the same transformation, becoming the She-Bat. Together, they terrorize Gotham City until Batman once again restores them to normal.[8]

On some occasions, Langstrom takes the serum and retains enough sanity to work for the forces of good. During one of these periods, he works with the detective Jason Bard. On another occasion, in Action Comics #600, Jimmy Olsen inadvertently puts Superman into a cave occupied by the Man-Bat to protect him from kryptonite radiation. The Man-Bat calms the maddened Superman and then summons Hawkman, who helps Superman overcome the radiation. Kirk and Francine have a daughter, Rebecca ("Becky"), and a son, Aaron. Because of the effects the serum has on Aaron's DNA, he is born with a deadly illness. Francine turns him into a young Man-Bat to save his life. This occurs in issue #3 of the Man-Bat (vol. 2) miniseries by Chuck Dixon.

Infinite Crisis and beyond

[edit]
Francine Langstrom as she appears in Batman and the Outsiders (vol. 2) #9 (September 2008), art by Julian López

The Man-Bat is sighted in Alexander Luthor Jr.'s Secret Society of Super Villains during the events of the 2005–2006 storyline Infinite Crisis.[9]

In the aftermath of that storyline, both Kirk and Francine are shown to be alive in the 2006 "One Year Later" storyline. Talia al Ghul binds and gags Francine, and then threatens to poison her if Kirk does not give her the Man-Bat Serum. After Langstrom gives her the formula, she releases Francine as promised. Talia utilizes the Man-Bat to turn some generic members of the League of Assassins into Man-Bat Commandos.[10]

In Gotham Underground, the Man-Bat is apprehended by the Suicide Squad.[11] He is one of the villains seen in Salvation Run.[12] Francine appears in Batman and the Outsiders, serving as the team's technical advisor, and her assistant Salah Miandad operates the "blank" OMAC drone known as ReMAC. In issue #10 of that series, Kirk appears, seemingly healthy and also aiding Francine.

In the 2008 miniseries Final Crisis, the Man-Bat is turned into a Justifier and is shown attacking Switzerland's Checkmate Headquarters.[13] During the 2009 "Battle for the Cowl" storyline, following Batman's apparent death, Kirk is haunted by nightmares of becoming the Man-Bat and killing his wife. When Francine disappears, he takes the serum and tries to follow her. After an altercation with the Outsiders, he returns to his human form and is captured by Doctor Phosphorus, who reveals that the serum is not necessary to trigger the change. Kirk discovers that Phosphorus has also captured Francine and becomes the Man-Bat to save her.[14]

During the 2009–2010 Blackest Night storyline, Francine tracks down Kirk (as the Man-Bat), having created a cure, and revealed that Kirk's next transformation would be permanent if he did not drink it.[15] Kirk attempts to take the cure, but his Man-Bat persona will not let him. Just as Kirk is about to drink it, Francine is wounded in the crossfire of the battle between Black Lantern Solomon Grundy and Bizarro (the latter of whom is already at the scene, trying to prevent Kirk from taking the cure). Distraught at Francine's injuries, Kirk transforms into the Man-Bat, seemingly permanently.[16] In Batgirl (vol. 3) #10-11, the Man-Bat is seen under the control of the Calculator as a techno-zombie.[17] In the "Collision" storyline of Red Robin, following Red Robin's actions against Ra's al Ghul and the League of Assassins, the latter attempts to murder people related to the Bat-Family. The Man-Bat, following Red Robin's orders, protects Julie Madison, a former lover of Bruce Wayne, against Ra's al Ghul's assassins.[18]

The New 52

[edit]
The Man-Bat in Batman: The Dark Knight (vol. 2) #28 (April 2014), art by Ethan Van Sciver

In The New 52 (a 2011 reboot of the DC Comics universe), the majority of Kirk Langstrom's history is rebooted. The Man-Bat serum first appears in Detective Comics (vol. 2) #18 (May 2013). Ignatius Ogilvy also comes into possession of the Man-Bat serum, which he uses as an airborne virus to spread throughout Gotham City's "900 Block".[19]

In Detective Comics (vol. 2) #19 (June 2013), Kirk Langstrom first appears where he and his wife Francine are escorted by Batwoman to Batman's location. Langstrom reveals that he is the creator of the serum, intending to help deaf people. Taking responsibility as the creator of the serum, he uses a sample of the serum Batman had obtained to inject himself. This creates an anti-virus which also spreads through the air. Langstrom is turned into a Man-Bat (the last remaining Man-Bat) as his anti-virus cures the remaining citizens of Gotham. It was later revealed that Emperor Penguin was the one who released the virus.[20] Emperor Penguin later made use of Langstrom's Man-Bat serum when he combined it with the Venom drug and one of Poison Ivy's plant concoctions to empower himself.[21]

Langstrom re-appears in Batman Inc. (vol. 2) #10 (June 2013) apparently giving Batman the serum. He claims to be working on an aerosol antidote to the serum as well.[22] The back-up feature of Detective Comics (vol. 2) #21 (August 2013), focuses on Langstrom and his wife. He changes from the Man-Bat form into his human form and becomes addicted to the Man-Bat serum, taking it every night. He apparently does not remember his actions from the previous night, yet worries that a string of reported killings are his fault.[23]

During the "Forever Evil" storyline, the Man-Bat is among the villains recruited by the Crime Syndicate of America to join the Secret Society of Super-Villains.[24] The Scarecrow and the Man-Bat attempt to steal the frozen Talons (assassins that are associated with the Court of Owls) from Blackgate while the Penguin is having a meeting with Bane. Bane arrives at Blackgate as the Man-Bat and his fellow Man-Bats are attempting to transport the Talons to Mr. Freeze and is able to keep one from leaving.[25] The final issues of the series Batman: The Dark Knight would establish that Kirk is the son of a corrupt wealthy pharmaceutical businessman named Abraham Langstrom, who considers his son as a failure when compared to Bruce Wayne, the son of his business rival Thomas Wayne. Abraham would steal his son's serum, make some of his own improvements and use it to target the homeless (because no one would miss them) before being stopped by Batman, though he is able to plead temporary insanity to avoid going to prison.[26]

DC Rebirth

[edit]

In Doomsday Clock, the Man-Bat is featured on the news as an example of the "Superman Theory", stating that some metahumans were given their powers by the government.[27] He later accompanies Black Adam in his attack on the White House.[28]

In Harley Quinn Rebirth, Langstrom's wife goes on a rampage against Harley and her friends, turning Harley and her friend Tony into Man-Bats as part of the Penguin's plan to break Harley's spirit. Their other friends get Langstrom released and he helps them find the antidote before predictably escaping himself.

The Man-Bat later becomes a founding member of the second incarnation of Justice League Dark.

Powers and abilities

[edit]

As Kirk Langstrom, he is a highly intelligent scientist in the fields of biochemistry and zoology (particularly chiropterology).

By taking his bat gland extract that became known as the Man-Bat Serum, Kirk Langstrom transforms himself into a bat-like creature. When taking an antidote or if the serum wears off, he reverts to human form. As the Man-Bat, his strength, resilience, speed, and agility are all augmented to inhuman levels. He possesses an extra set of digits in his leathery wings that allows Kirk to fly. With his sonar radar, Kirk can emit high-pitch sound waves and hear those echoes when they bounce off of nearby objects, thus enabling him to navigate perfectly in the darkness. If in the Man-Bat form for long periods of time, he loses control over his bestial side that works purely on instinct, plus making him prone to harm friend or foe alike.[29]

Other characters named Man-Bat

[edit]

Francine Langstrom

[edit]
Main article: Francine Langstrom

Man-Bat Commandos

[edit]

As mentioned above, Talia al Ghul captured Kirk Langstrom and threatened to poison Francine if he did not give her the Man-Bat Serum. Kirk gives in to Talia's demands and she uses the Man-Bat Serum on some members of the League of Assassins to turn them into Man-Bats.[10]

During the "Batman R.I.P." storyline, Talia sends the Man-Bat Commandos to destroy Jezebel Jet's airplane.[30]

In 2011, The New 52 rebooted the DC Universe. Various Man-Bats have appeared under the control of Talia al Ghul in her plot to destroy Batman.[31] It is later explained that Talia had an agent steal the Man-Bat Serum from Langstrom's laboratory to use on her soldiers to create the Man-Bat Commandos.[20]

During the "Forever Evil" storyline, some Man-Bat Commandos were used to help the Crime Syndicate hunt down the Rogues. Mirror Master managed to trap some of them in the Mirror World. When a Man-Bat snatches up the Weather Wizard, the other Rogues members chase after it until it crashes into an ice wall upon arriving in Mr. Freeze's territory.[32]

Abraham Langstrom

[edit]

Back when Thomas and Martha Wayne were still alive, Kirk Langstrom had a father named Abraham whose company Patriarch Biopharmaceuticals competed with Wayne Enterprises. Years after the death of Thomas and Martha, Abraham continued his shady deals, which involved exploiting his son's Man-Bat Serum which he planned to profit from. He soon became addicted to the upgraded serum. When he became a Man-Bat, Abraham targeted the homeless people of Gotham City, draining them of their blood. This caused Batman to team up with Kirk Langstrom to fight Abraham.[33] Because the skin of Abraham's Man-Bat form was tough, Batman injected himself with the cure and tricked Abraham into drinking his blood enough to transform back to normal. Batman then handed Abraham over to the police. After evading incarceration by claiming that he had no knowledge on what his Man-Bat form did, Abraham returned to his company. Though he was wary of the fact that Batman may catch him if he ever makes a mistake.[34]

Alan March

[edit]

Alan March is the father of Francine Langstrom who assisted his estranged daughter in curing Kirk Langstrom of the Man-Bat Serum which involved him kidnapping the victims of Joker as seen during the "Infinite Frontier". He was rendered insane upon coming in contact with the Man-Bat Serum and the Joker Venom transforming him into a deranged larger version of Man-Bat. March's Man-Bat form fought Batman and the Outsiders until Metamorpho perfected the Man-Bat Serum cure and sprayed it through the structure enough to cure March. He was arrested afterwards and the kidnapped people were rescued.[35]

Other versions

[edit]

Gotham by Gaslight

[edit]

An alternate universe variant of Man-Bat from Earth-19 appears in Countdown to Final Crisis: The Search for Ray Palmer.

Flashpoint

[edit]

An alternate universe variant of Man-Bat appears in Flashpoint. This version is an ally of Sam Lane before being killed by Miranda Shrieve, the granddaughter of Matthew Shrieve whose family Lane had killed.[36]

JLA: The Nail

[edit]

An alternate universe variant of Man-Bat makes a cameo appearance in JLA: The Nail as a prisoner of Cadmus Labs.[37]

In other media

[edit]

Television

[edit]
The Man-Bat as depicted in Batman: The Animated Series
The Man-Bat as depicted in The Batman
  • Kirk Langstrom / the Man-Bat appears in series set in the DC Animated Universe (DCAU), voiced by Marc Singer while Man-Bat's vocal effects were provided by special sound effects.[38]
    • First appearing in Batman: The Animated Series, this version is a zoologist at the Gotham City Zoo who developed a formula that would allow humans to "evolve" by granting them bat-like traits, which originated from his father-in-law, Dr. Robert March, who helps keep his identity hidden from the authorities. In the episode "On Leather Wings", the Man-Bat commits a series of chemical thefts until he is defeated and cured by Batman. In later episodes, Langstrom helps Batman investigate Dr. Emile Dorian and help cure his wife Francine after she becomes "She-Bat" after she was accidentally exposed to a different Man-Bat serum created by Dr. March.
    • Kirk Langstrom makes a cameo appearance in The New Batman Adventures episode "Chemistry", attending Bruce Wayne's wedding.
    • In the Batman Beyond episode "Splicers", a new trend dubbed "splicing" involves fusing bestial and human DNA. The new Batman ends up captured by the Splicers' leader Abel Cuvier and injected with vampire bat DNA, transforming him into a Man-Bat before Bruce Wayne cures him.
  • Kirk Langstrom / the Man-Bat appears in The Batman, voiced by Peter MacNicol while the Man-Bat's vocal effects are provided by special sound effects.[38] This version is an employee at Wayne Enterprises who conducted research on bats and appears to have albinism. Additionally, he can produce sticky slime from his mouth while in his Man-Bat form. In the episode "The Man Who Would Be Bat", Langstrom creates a serum in an attempt to gain a fearsome reputation akin to Batman's despite Bruce Wayne cutting off his funding. Following several fights with Batman, Langstrom is defeated and taken to Arkham Asylum. In the episode "Pets", Langstrom turns back into the Man-Bat due to remnants of the serum in his body and reluctantly serves the Penguin until he is cured by Batman and returned to Arkham. As of the episode "Attack of the Terrible Trio", Langstrom has renounced his Man-Bat identity and helps Batman develop an antidote for a mutagen that the Terrible Trio developed using his research.
  • Kirk Langstrom / the Man-Bat appears in Beware the Batman, voiced by Robin Atkin Downes.[38] This version was forcibly mutated and mind controlled by Professor Pyg and Mister Toad, but is later freed by Batman and Katana and becomes a founding member of the Outsiders.
  • The Man-Bat makes a cameo appearance in the Gotham episode "No Man's Land", portrayed by an uncredited actor. He was originally going to make further appearances in the fifth season, but this never came to pass due to the season being shortened and the series being cancelled.[39]
  • The Man-Bat appears in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? episode "What a Night for a Dark Knight!". After the Man-Bat kidnaps Alfred Pennyworth, Batman and Mystery Inc. join forces to save him. At first, the former suspects Kirk Langstrom, but rules him out upon realizing he is incarcerated at Arkham Asylum. After rescuing Pennyworth, the heroes discover the Joker had dressed up as the Man-Bat as part of a plot to get the password to Bruce Wayne's bank accounts.
  • The Man-Bat makes cameo appearances in Harley Quinn as a member of the Legion of Doom.
  • The Man-Bat will appear in Bat-Fam, voiced by Bobby Moynihan.[40] This version lives in Wayne Manor's belfry.

Film

[edit]

Video games

[edit]

Lego DC series

[edit]
Main article: Lego Batman

Other games

[edit]
  • The Man-Bat appears in the SNES version of The Adventures of Batman & Robin.
  • Kirk Langstrom / the Man-Bat appears in Batman: Arkham Knight, voiced by Loren Lester.[46] Following an encounter on Gotham City's Miagani Island during the story mode, a side mission sees Batman investigating the Man-Bat. After catching up to him, Batman collects a blood sample and eventually learns of Langstrom. While investigating the scientist's lab, Batman learns of Langstrom's experiments in using vampire bat DNA to cure deafness and how his first attempt resulted in him transforming into the Man-Bat and accidentally killing his wife Francine. Batman synthesizes an antidote and administers it to Langstrom before taking him to the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD)'s headquarters, where he is left crying over Francine's fate. If the player returns to Langstrom's lab after this, they will find Francine's body gone and a broken television screen with the words "forever my love" written on it in a red substance. If the console or computer's date is changed to October 31 after capturing Langstrom, Batman will re-encounter the Man-Bat but will not have the option to pursue him. If Batman returns to the GCPD headquarters after this, he will find two police officers looking into Langstrom's destroyed cell, commenting that he transformed into the Man-Bat again and escaped.
  • Kirk Langstrom and the Man-Bat Commandos appear in Gotham Knights.[citation needed] The former was a member of the Court of Owls who secretly conducted work with their enemies, the League of Shadows. After the Court discovered Langstrom's treachery and killed him for it, the League steals his research and combine it with Lazarus Pit chemicals to create an army of mutant Man-Bats, which are defeated by the Gotham Knights.

Miscellaneous

[edit]
  • The Man-Bat appears in Super Friends #28.[47]
  • The DCAU incarnation of Kirk Langstrom / Man-Bat appears in The Batman Adventures #21.[48] He is forcibly transformed into the Man-Bat and recruited by Emile Dorian, who attempts to work with him to form a "House of Dorian". Additionally, in a later issue, Dr. Stefen Perry steals the Man-Bat serum from Langstrom and transforms into his own Man-Bat before he is defeated by Batman and arrested by the Gotham City Police Department.
  • The DCAU incarnations of Kirk and Francine Langstrom appear in the Batman Beyond tie-in comic. In flashbacks, the Langstroms lived peacefully, studying sonics and going on to have two children. However, Francine developed an aggressive form of Parkinson's disease and was given a short life expectancy. In response, Kirk attempted to perfect the Man-Bat serum to save her, but she died before he could do so. Following this, his children left him, angered that he did not spend time with her during her final days. Devastated, Kirk turned to his perfected serum, became the Man-Bat once more, and lived in secret. During this period of time, he rescued a girl named Tey from the Jokerz, injected her with the serum, and fell in love with her. In the present, Kirk builds a cult of Man-Bats with the intention of using Kanium to help him and his cult control themselves more effectively. Bruce Wayne tries to reason with him, but Kirk views them both as monsters and attempts to use a bomb to kill themselves. After the new Batman rescues them, Kirk tells Wayne to use his second chance wisely before killing himself with his bomb.
  • The Man-Bat appears in Smallville Season 11 as an inmate of Arkham Asylum. After acquiring a yellow ring of Parallax and becoming a Yellow Lantern, Man-Bat and other empowered inmates battle Batman and Nightwing until Superman intervenes long enough for Emil Hamilton to reboot the rings and depower the inmates. Following Parallax's defeat, the inmates are returned to Arkham.
  • The Man-Bat appears in All-New Batman: The Brave and the Bold #12.
  • A new incarnation of the Man-Bat appears in issue #4 of the Beware the Batman tie-in comic book.[49] Tim Quan, an acquaintance of Barbara Gordon, sneaks into Kirk Langstrom's laboratory and ends up mutating into a Man-Bat. Having become more unstable than Langstrom, Quan goes on a rampage and kidnaps Barbara. Batman teams up with Langstrom to find and cure Quan, at the expense of Langstrom's own cure.
  • Kirk Langstrom / Batman appears in the Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles episode "Twisted", voiced again by Michael C. Hall.[43]
  • The Man-Bat appears in the Injustice: Gods Among Us prequel comic.
  • The Man-Bat appears in the Injustice 2 prequel comic as a member of Ra's al Ghul's Suicide Squad until he is killed amidst Gorilla Grodd's betrayal.[50]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Man-Bat

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Man-Bat is a fictional supervillain and occasional anti-hero in the DC Comics universe, primarily known as the monstrous alter ego of Dr. Kirk Langstrom, a dedicated scientist specializing in bats who created an experimental serum derived from bat glands to restore his own deteriorating hearing, only for the formula to unexpectedly transform him into a savage, half-human, half-bat hybrid creature. The character debuted in Detective Comics #400 in June 1970 as part of Batman's early 1970s comic run, quickly establishing Man-Bat as a key member of the Dark Knight's rogues' gallery in Gotham City. Langstrom's dual existence has been portrayed as a tragic struggle, with the scientist repeatedly losing control over his feral impulses during transformations, leading to rampages that pit him against Batman, the Gotham City Police Department, and groups like the Suicide Squad. Throughout DC Comics publications, Man-Bat has evolved from a one-off horror-inspired foe into a complex figure manipulated by villains such as or driven to desperation by his condition, as seen in self-titled where hits rock bottom and unleashes chaos on Gotham before seeking redemption or facing capture. Notable arcs include his involvement in the Batman: storyline, where his beastly form clashes with the Caped Crusader in intense pursuits across Gotham's shadows, and appearances in team-ups or crossovers that highlight his vulnerability to external control or his rare alliances against greater threats. While primarily an antagonist, Langstrom's quest for a cure and his underlying humanity have occasionally positioned Man-Bat as an uneasy ally, underscoring themes of scientific hubris and personal torment in Batman's world.

Creation and publication

Creation and debut

Man-Bat was created by writer Frank Robbins and penciler Neal Adams, with inks by Dick Giordano, debuting in Detective Comics #400 in June 1970 under the story title "Challenge of the Man-Bat!" This issue marked a pivotal shift in Batman storytelling, introducing more mature horror and science fiction themes amid the transition from the Silver Age to the Bronze Age of comics. The character's human alter ego, Dr. Kirk Langstrom, is portrayed as a zoologist specializing in , who develops an experimental serum aimed at duplicating bats' acute capabilities to assist the hearing impaired. This scientific premise draws directly from real-world research on bat echolocation, the biological system that enables bats to navigate and hunt using waves, a studied extensively since the early . In the debut plot, Langstrom, eager to accelerate his research, self-administers the untested serum at the , triggering a painful transformation into the , winged Man-Bat hybrid. The creature subsequently terrorizes in a mindless rampage, leading to a confrontation with Batman, who ultimately devises an antidote to reverse the mutation and restore Langstrom to human form. Neal Adams' artwork significantly elevated the visual impact of the debut, employing his signature realistic rendering of to depict Man-Bat's , bat-like features with anatomical precision, blending horror aesthetics with the pulp tropes popular in media. Adams' dynamic paneling and shadowy compositions amplified the story's eerie tone, drawing parallels to classic mad-scientist narratives while grounding the fantastical elements in a more credible, visceral style that influenced subsequent Batman visuals.

Early publications (1970s–1990s)

Man-Bat's early appearances in the 1970s were marked by horror-infused standalone stories within Batman titles, beginning with his debut in Detective Comics #400 (June 1970), where scientist Kirk Langstrom transforms into the creature via a serum intended to enhance human hearing like a bat's. The storyline continued in Detective Comics #402 (October 1970), portraying Langstrom's struggle against his monstrous alter ego as Batman intervenes to prevent further chaos in Gotham. By Batman #254 (January–February 1974), Man-Bat reemerged as a tragic antagonist, highlighting the serum's addictive pull on Langstrom amid a 100-page giant issue that reprinted earlier tales. The character's first dedicated miniseries, Man-Bat #1–2 (December 1975–March 1976), shifted focus to Langstrom's desperate quest for a cure, involving supernatural threats like Baron Tyme who manipulates his wife Francine and exacerbates his transformations. Written by Gerry Conway with art by Steve Ditko, the series emphasized Langstrom's internal torment and family stakes, departing from pure villainy to explore redemption themes. These 1970s publications established Man-Bat as a horror-tinged foil to Batman, often resolving in temporary cures that underscored the peril of scientific hubris. In the 1980s, Man-Bat's role evolved through sporadic but character-driven appearances in titles, increasingly delving into his dual identity and moral dilemmas rather than isolated rampages. Detective Comics #481 (December 1978–January 1979) featured a Man-Bat backup story, "The Whittles Snatch," where Langstrom aids detective in a case while battling serum side effects. By Batman #361 (July 1983), the narrative incorporated family dynamics, with Man-Bat abducting in a misguided attempt to create a "bat-boy" companion, driven by grief over his daughter's loss and resentment toward Batman. These annual outings portrayed Langstrom as a reluctant , grappling with control over his transformations and the strain on his to Francine, who often sought ways to support his humanity. The 1990s saw Man-Bat integrated into larger Batman events, serving as a minor antagonist while deepening explorations of his psychological conflicts. During the "Knightfall" saga in 1993, Man-Bat was among the escaped inmates terrorizing Gotham, briefly clashing with Batman as part of the chaos leading to Bane's rise. The miniseries Batman: Man-Bat #1–3 (1995), written by Jamie Delano with painted art by , reimagined Langstrom's origin in a dystopian world, where he unleashes a bat plague on humanity, culminating in a confrontation with a feral Batman. Overall, Man-Bat's publications from the 1970s to 1990s transitioned from visceral, one-off horror encounters to nuanced tales of and ethical quandaries, cementing his status as a sympathetic monster in the Batman mythos.

Modern publications (2000s–present)

In the , Man-Bat returned as a manipulated in the twelve-issue Batman storyline Batman: Hush (2002–2003), where he was controlled by amid a larger conspiracy targeting Batman. Later, Man-Bat joined a cadre of DC villains exiled to an alien world in the seven-issue limited series Salvation Run #1–7 (2008), highlighting his survival instincts in a high-stakes ensemble narrative. The 2010s saw Man-Bat integrated into ongoing Batman titles, including a hallucination appearance in Batman: The Dark Knight #5 (2012), part of David Finch's run emphasizing cycles of violence among Gotham's rogues. His presence tied into alternate timeline events originating from the 2011 Flashpoint crossover. A dedicated five-issue miniseries, Man-Bat #1–5 (2021), written by Dave Wielgosz with art by , centered on Kirk Langstrom's struggles, presenting him as an anti-hero navigating isolation and moral ambiguity. In Batman #148 (2024), Man-Bat features prominently as Batman confronts Langstrom's condition during a city-wide crisis, leading to a potential cure and new developments in his personality. Entering the 2020s, Man-Bat's depictions have shifted toward redemption narratives for Langstrom's scientific persona, reducing his portrayal as a primary threat while embedding him in ensemble events and ties to eras like and Rebirth for contextual depth. Solicitations for 2026 indicate potential crossovers in the Absolute Batman line, hinting at reimagined integrations within Scott Snyder's alternate universe framework.

Fictional character biography

Origin and early transformations

Dr. Kirk Langstrom, a renowned chiropterologist at the Gotham , dedicated his career to the study of , driven by a personal quest to combat his own progressive . Believing that bats' sophisticated echolocation could be harnessed to restore hearing, Langstrom developed an experimental serum derived from bat glandular extracts, intended to amplify human sensory perception to mimic this natural radar system. His work represented a groundbreaking attempt to apply bat biology to medical solutions for auditory impairments. Eager to accelerate his research, Langstrom prematurely administered the serum to himself in Detective Comics #400, triggering an unforeseen and irreversible physical mutation. The formula warped his body into a grotesque hybrid of man and bat—dubbed Man-Bat—endowing him with enhanced strength, flight via leathery wings, and acute senses, but stripping away his rationality and unleashing primal aggression. In this state, Man-Bat rampaged through Gotham, preying on citizens until Batman intervened in a high-stakes aerial confrontation. Recognizing the scientific mishap, Batman synthesized and injected an antidote, reverting Langstrom to human form and averting further chaos. Langstrom's ordeal did not end with the initial reversal; the serum's lingering effects induced recurring transformations in subsequent issues such as Detective Comics #402 and #407, where he battled to suppress the beast within while evading capture. His fiancée, Francine Lee—a talented —emerged as a pivotal ally, collaborating on refinements to the in hopes of achieving a stable cure. Their partnership underscored the personal stakes of Langstrom's experiments, blending scientific ambition with emotional support. These early cycles culminated in the 1975–1976 Man-Bat miniseries (#1–2), which delved deeper into Langstrom's instability as he grappled with involuntary shifts and ethical dilemmas surrounding the serum's potential. Amid efforts to perfect the extract, Langstrom explored its applications beyond , including proposals to weaponize it for military enhancement of soldiers' sensory and physical capabilities, though such pursuits only exacerbated his and drew further clashes with Batman.

Post-Crisis developments

In the Post-Crisis era, Kirk Langstrom's origin as Man-Bat maintained recurring but reversible transformations, intensifying his ongoing battle with his monstrous form as a core aspect of his character. This emphasized the serum's integration into his , making his transformations a constant threat to his human identity and relationships. Family dynamics became a central theme in Langstrom's Post-Crisis arcs, incorporating pre-Crisis elements into the rebooted continuity. The birth of his daughter, Rebecca Langstrom, was retrofitted into the narrative in Batman #361 (1983), where Man-Bat, in a fit of delusion, kidnaps believing Batman responsible for Rebecca's supposed death, leading to a confrontation that underscores Langstrom's fractured paternal instincts. Francine Langstrom's transformation into She-Bat was first depicted in #402, where she ingests the serum and assumes the bat-like form, often under duress or to aid her husband, adding layers of shared tragedy and mutual dependency to the couple's struggles. These family elements portrayed the Langstroms as a unit plagued by the serum's curse, with Rebecca's existence serving as a anchor for Kirk's humanity amid his monstrous episodes. Key conflicts in this period showcased Man-Bat's vulnerability to manipulation and his descent into villainy. In Batman #254 (1973), canonized within Post-Crisis continuity, exploits Langstrom's condition by using her pheromones to control him, turning him against Batman in a scheme involving hallucinogenic vines and urban chaos that blurs the line between victim and perpetrator. These encounters positioned Man-Bat as a tragic figure whose intellect and power were weaponized by external forces, reinforcing his anti-hero trajectory. Redemption arcs during the 1990s focused on Langstrom's internal conflict between his scientific mind and bestial instincts. This storyline highlighted his efforts to balance his roles as husband, father, and scientist, portraying redemption as an ongoing, precarious struggle rather than a definitive resolution.

Infinite Crisis and beyond

During the Infinite Crisis event of 2005–2006, Man-Bat was recruited into Alexander Luthor Jr.'s Secret Society of Super-Villains, participating as part of the villain army that invaded the planet Rann and clashed with members of the Green Lantern Corps in brutal aerial combat. In the immediate aftermath, Man-Bat joined other villains in the Battle for Blüdhaven miniseries of 2006, contributing to the chaotic struggle over the irradiated ruins of the city as opportunistic forces vied for control amid the post-Infinite Crisis fallout. Man-Bat's trajectory took a darker turn in the 2008 Salvation Run miniseries, where he was among the supervillains teleported to the hostile alien world of Cygnus 4019 for exile; there, the brutal survival conditions deepened his isolation and accelerated his descent into unchecked villainy. This loss, building on his post-Crisis family dynamics, left Langstrom increasingly reliant on his transformations for solace. By 2009, amid the power vacuum in Gotham following Batman's presumed death in Final Crisis, Man-Bat emerged in Batman: Battle for the Cowl - Man-Bat as an exploiter of the ensuing anarchy, preying on the disorder to indulge his primal urges while grappling with fragmented visions of his lost family. Later that year into 2010, during the Blackest Night crossover, an orange power ring of avarice chose Man-Bat as its bearer, temporarily amplifying his greed and ferocity as an agent under the Orange Lantern , forcing him into conflicts against reanimated Black Lanterns and Earth's heroes. The pre-Flashpoint era concluded for Man-Bat in Batman: The Dark Knight #1–5 (2011), a storyline that delved into Langstrom's deepening addiction to the Man-Bat serum, portraying his involuntary transformations as a debilitating dependency that eroded his humanity and set the stage for his reboot in the impending DC relaunch.

The New 52

In the New 52 continuity, Kirk Langstrom's origin was reimagined as a brilliant geneticist developing a serum to grant humans bat-like echolocation abilities as a cure for deafness, but the formula instead triggered violent transformations into humanoid bat creatures known as Man-Bats. The serum debuted in Detective Comics #18 (March 2013), where it was exploited by the Penguin's henchmen, causing an epidemic of feral Man-Bats terrorizing Gotham City. Langstrom himself was introduced in the following issue, Detective Comics #19 (April 2013), as the serum's remorseful creator who allies with Batman and Batwoman to develop an antidote and halt the outbreak, marking his entry into the rebooted DC Universe without prior family ties like a wife or daughter from earlier continuities. Langstrom's own transformation into Man-Bat occurred in Detective Comics #23.4 (September 2013), his solo "Villains Month" issue, where he injects the serum to combat a personal threat but struggles with the beastly instincts it unleashes. Talia al Ghul later co-opts the formula for her Leviathan organization, mass-producing Man-Bat commandos as elite ninja soldiers in Batman Incorporated #8–10 (April–June 2013), forcing Langstrom into conflict with Batman's global network. During this period, Man-Bat joined Justice League Dark as a reluctant, science-oriented member in issues #8–12 (December 2012–April 2013), contributing his expertise to battles against otherworldly entities like the Endless and Deadman, despite his initial doubts about the supernatural. A brief crossover appearance in Nightwing #19–24 (April–September 2013) saw him aiding Dick Grayson against the Court of Owls' machinations in Chicago, highlighting his evolving role as an anti-hero bridging Bat-family operations and occult threats. The New 52 retconned Langstrom's personal life by reintroducing Francine Lee not as a preexisting spouse but as a corporate spy posing as his colleague under E.D. Caldwell's employ, infiltrating his lab to steal the serum in Detective Comics #23.4 (September 2013). She later transforms into She-Bat after exposure to the formula in Detective Comics #25–26 (November–December 2013), complicating Langstrom's efforts to stabilize the serum's effects during the "Crown of Fear" arc. By Batman Eternal #26 (February 2015), Francine reemerges as a legitimate scientific collaborator aiding Batman against Professor Pyg, further distancing her from pre-reboot familial baggage while emphasizing her professional ties to Langstrom. The era culminated in Batman and Robin Eternal #20 (February 2016), where Langstrom demonstrates enhanced control over his transformations through experimental technology linked to the Court of Owls' bio-engineering, allowing him to serve as a more reliable ally in the series' climactic confrontations.

DC Rebirth

In the DC Rebirth era, Man-Bat's narrative resumed with hints at the origins of Kirk Langstrom's transformative serum in Batman: Rebirth #1, where subtle references to his scientific experiments underscore the ongoing struggle between his human intellect and monstrous . This setup culminated in a fuller exploration in Detective Comics #1000, depicting Langstrom aiding Batman in a confrontation that highlights Man-Bat's potential as an anti-heroic ally in Gotham's defense. A significant development involved the revival of Langstrom's family dynamics, as his wife integrates into Rebirth continuity through controlled transformations via an evolved version of the serum, fostering themes of redemption and partnership without referencing their previously deceased daughter. This restoration integrated lingering technological elements into their shared scientific pursuits, emphasizing familial bonds as a stabilizing force against Langstrom's instability. Man-Bat also took on prominent team roles during this period, joining the Suicide Squad from issues #1 to #50 as a controllable asset under Amanda Waller's oversight, where his abilities were harnessed for high-risk missions while grappling with enforced loyalty. Additionally, a crossover in #12 delved into his connections to the Gotham Zoo, exploring how his origins tied into broader ecological and monstrous threats in the city. The psychological depth of Langstrom's character received further attention in #1, portraying his as a battle between heroic aspirations and primal monstrosity, exacerbated by the event's global espionage chaos, which forced him to confront the serum's corrupting influence amid alliances with Batman and other detectives.

Infinite Frontier and Dawn of DC

The Infinite Frontier era marked a significant resurgence for Man-Bat, beginning with the five-issue miniseries Man-Bat (2021), written by Dave Wielgosz and illustrated by Sumit Kumar. In this story, set prior to the events of Dark Nights: Death Metal and Justice League Dark (Volume 2), Dr. Kirk Langstrom reaches a personal nadir after a brutal confrontation with Batman and resolves to eradicate the last remnants of the Man-Bat serum that has plagued his life. However, his quest draws him into a conspiracy orchestrated by Scarecrow, who seeks to exploit Langstrom's expertise to amplify his fear toxin for mass deployment across Gotham. Langstrom's efforts to destroy the serum lead to involuntary transformations and escalating conflicts, including a deadly ambush by the Suicide Squad, dispatched to capture him for government experimentation on his abilities. He also undergoes a psychologically intense therapy session with , who probes his fractured psyche amid the chaos, revealing deeper traumas tied to his initial transformation. The narrative culminates in Langstrom embracing a more powerful "King Man-Bat" form to protect his family—wife Francine and daughter Rebecca—from Scarecrow's plot and Batman's intervention, ultimately forcing a reckoning with his dual nature and the serum's irreversible hold. This highlighted Man-Bat's tragic anti-heroic potential, blending horror elements with dynamics in the post-Death Metal landscape. Man-Bat's ties to the broader expanded during this period, with an alternate version appearing in Batman '89 #2–4 (2021–2022), a continuation of Tim Burton's universe written by and illustrated by Joe Quinones. Here, Langstrom's counterpart operates as a shadowy scientific experimenter in a Gotham blending aesthetics with lore, clashing with Batman over unethical research into echolocation enhancements. Additionally, Man-Bat made a brief cameo in Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 (2022), joining a rally of heroes and anti-heroes amid the climactic battle against Deathstroke's Dark Army in the ruins of the Hall of Justice, underscoring his ambiguous alignment in multiversal threats. Under the initiative (2023–2025), Man-Bat integrated more deeply into ongoing narratives, emphasizing his serum's lingering impact. In Nightwing #105–108 (2023), written by and illustrated by Bruno Redondo, Langstrom allies with Dick Grayson against the Heartless (revealed as Blüdhaven's ), using his and enhanced senses to track the villain's fear-based manipulations in a storyline exploring Nightwing's post-Titans. His serum also factored into experimental plots in Batman #137 (2023), by and Jorge Jiménez, where Batman incorporates traces of the Man-Bat extract into modified Lazarus Pit rituals to counter Failsafe's adaptive AI threats, highlighting ethical dilemmas in bio-enhancement. Further team-ups occurred in Nightwing #130–131 (2024–2025), by Dan Watters and Dexter Soy, where Langstrom collaborates with Grayson to dismantle a Blüdhaven gang trafficking diluted Man-Bat serum combined with Bane's , transforming users into feral hybrids; their partnership leverages Man-Bat's immunity to the drug for infiltration, reinforcing themes of redemption and mentorship. In : Arkham War (2024), Man-Bat teams with the to combat villains escaped from , showcasing his anti-hero role. As of November 2025, Man-Bat recurs in titles, with Langstrom's name appearing on a list of scientists in Absolute Batman #1 (2024), by and Nick Dragotta, hinting at potential involvement in the Absolute Universe's radical themes amid a dystopian Gotham overhaul. These appearances affirm Man-Bat's enduring role as a bridge between horror, , and heroism in the evolving .

Character profile

Powers and abilities

Man-Bat's transformation is induced by a serum derived from bat glands, which merges and to create a hybrid state, allowing Dr. Kirk Langstrom to shift into a large, anthropomorphic bat creature. This process is controllable to varying degrees by Langstrom, though it can occur involuntarily under stress; the hybrid form can retain human-level intellect and the ability to speak in some instances, though transformations often lead to feral behavior and loss of control. In this form, Man-Bat possesses physical attributes, including enhanced strength, allowing him to overpower multiple humans and lift heavy objects, exceptional for acrobatic maneuvers, and the ability to fly at high speeds using a large formed by leathery membranes stretching from his arms to his legs. He is equipped with razor-sharp claws and fangs capable of rending flesh, enhancing his combat prowess. Man-Bat's sensory enhancements mimic those of bats, featuring hypersonic echolocation, allowing navigation and detection in complete darkness similar to a bat's sonar, and acute hearing capable of detecting faint sounds from a significant distance. Man-Bat can emit powerful sonic waves capable of stunning foes or shattering glass, and possesses an affinity for bats, allowing him to summon and communicate with them. These abilities, inspired by Langstrom's original serum designed to cure deafness, provide unparalleled awareness in nocturnal settings.

Weaknesses and equipment

Man-Bat's primary vulnerabilities stem from his enhanced sensory capabilities, which can be exploited to disrupt his functionality. His reliance on echolocation makes him highly sensitive to bright lights, which overload his visual and navigational systems, causing disorientation and temporary blindness in well-lit environments. Similarly, his acute hearing renders him susceptible to high-frequency sonic waves or extremely loud noises, resulting in intense pain and incapacitation that can leave him vulnerable during combat. These traits, derived from his bat-like physiology, contrast with his physical strengths but provide clear countermeasures for opponents like . The Man-Bat Serum itself introduces significant dependencies and risks, including and potential side effects from repeated use or reversal. Kirk Langstrom's transformations often lead to a loss of inhibitions, inducing uncontrollable rage and reduced rational decision-making, which has historically resulted in destructive rampages. Prolonged exposure fosters serum , compelling Langstrom to seek repeated doses despite the psychological toll, as seen in instances where he struggles with the compulsion to transform even when intending to serve heroic purposes. Antidotes, such as the one initially developed by Batman, temporarily reverse the serum's effects, restoring form but carrying risks of incomplete reversion or exacerbation of underlying conditions like Langstrom's original hearing impairment. Later refinements allow voluntary control over transformations, yet they heighten the danger of permanent mutation if overused. In terms of equipment, Langstrom primarily depends on the Man-Bat Serum as his core tool, a glandular extract derived from s that enables his metamorphosis and is administered via injection. In his human form, as a chiropterologist, he utilizes standard laboratory apparatus for bat , including audio recording devices and environmental simulators to study echolocation, though these do not directly aid his transformed state. As Man-Bat, he generally relies on innate abilities rather than gadgets, but the serum's proliferation has led to its exploitation by villains; for instance, and of Assassins have manipulated modified versions to create controllable Man-Bat minions, amplifying Langstrom's psychological vulnerabilities to external influence. This dependency underscores how the serum, while empowering, often serves as a double-edged tool prone to abuse.

Other individuals as Man-Bat

Francine Langstrom, the wife of Kirk Langstrom, first transformed into She-Bat upon injecting herself with a modified version of her husband's bat-gland serum during their , intending to embrace his mutated existence and gain enhanced abilities to match his own. This transformation granted her similar powers, including flight, echolocation, and superhuman strength, but she exhibited greater mental control over the feral impulses than Kirk initially did. Batman intervened at the ceremony, using an antidote to revert both to human form and halt the wedding. In later stories, such as the 2006 arc in Batman #655, Francine reprises her She-Bat form with protective motivations toward her family, aiding Kirk against threats while struggling with the serum's addictive side effects. Abraham Langstrom, Kirk's estranged father and a corrupt Gotham businessman, stole samples of the Man-Bat serum to exploit it for profit in underground dealings. In Batman: The Dark Knight #28 (2013), he tested it on himself, transforming into a Man-Bat driven by vengeance and greed, targeting vulnerable individuals like the homeless for blood-draining attacks. Unlike Kirk's scientific curiosity or Francine's loyalty, Abraham's variant stemmed from ruthless ambition, leading to a brutal confrontation where Kirk defeated him to protect Gotham. Other characters have briefly assumed Man-Bat traits through illicit experiments with the serum. These one-off instances highlight the serum's volatility, often amplifying without the control seen in the Langstrom family. Each variant's motivations diverge sharply: Francine's stem from familial devotion and a desire for unity with , contrasting Abraham's vengeful exploitation and the experimental subjects' forced, survival-driven alterations.

Man-Bat variants and teams

The Man-Bat Commandos are an army of bat-human hybrids created by the League of Assassins, led by , using a version of Dr. Kirk Langstrom's serum to transform assassins into enhanced operatives. These commandos possessed enhanced echolocation, flight capabilities, and nocturnal vision, but the serum's instability led to feral behaviors. Langstrom was coerced into refining the formula, though the project was ultimately thwarted by in Batman and Robin #15-16 (2010). In more recent developments, Kirk Langstrom served as a member of the Suicide Squad during the era (2016-2019), utilizing his Man-Bat transformation for high-risk operations while under the team's standard control mechanisms.

Alternate versions

Multiverse iterations

In the primary DC continuity, Man-Bat is embodied by Dr. Kirk Langstrom, a zoologist specializing in chiropterology who develops a serum intended to grant humans enhanced echolocation abilities similar to those of bats, but its unintended side effects transform him into a , winged humanoid creature driven by primal instincts. This version establishes Langstrom as a tragic , oscillating between scientific brilliance and monstrous rage, often clashing with Batman while grappling with his dual nature.

Elseworlds and non-canon stories

The zombie apocalypse series DCeased: Unkillables #3 (2020) features a zombie variant as part of the infected hordes besieging Gotham's survivors. This iteration of Langstrom, driven by the Anti-Life Equation's plague, embodies feral rage with amplified bat traits, attacking Vandal Savage's villain team during their escape attempt and underscoring the serum's role in amplifying the viral horror. In the Flashpoint alternate timeline, Man-Bat serves as an ally to General Sam Lane in the war-torn reality, utilizing his abilities in military operations before being killed by Miranda Shrieve (Cheetah). This version portrays a more controlled, weaponized take on Langstrom's transformation amid the fractured history of Flashpoint.

In other media

Television animations

Man-Bat first appeared in animated television in Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995), where he was voiced by Marc Singer as Dr. Kirk Langstrom, with vocal effects provided by Frank Welker. His debut episode, "On Leather Wings" (Season 1, Episode 1), introduced Langstrom as a scientist experimenting with a serum to cure deafness by enhancing echolocation, which instead transformed him into the bat-like creature terrorizing Gotham. Man-Bat returned in "Terror in the Sky" (Season 2, Episode 8), where Langstrom sought to reverse his condition but was manipulated by the Penguin into further criminal acts. These portrayals emphasized Man-Bat's tragic origin as a well-intentioned scientist driven mad by his failed experiment, serving as a foil to Batman's disciplined vigilantism. In The Batman (2004–2008), Man-Bat was reimagined with providing the voice for both Langstrom and his monstrous alter ego. The character's origin unfolded in "The Man Who Would Be Bat" (Season 1, Episode 4), depicting Langstrom as a researcher who injects himself with a bat-DNA serum to gain enhanced abilities, only to lose control and become a rampaging beast. Man-Bat made subsequent appearances in episodes such as "Pets!" (Season 2, Episode 9), where he allied with the Penguin, and "Rumors" (Season 4, Episode 7), showcasing his recurring threat as a feral antagonist often subdued but not permanently cured. This version highlighted Man-Bat's physical prowess, including flight and sonic attacks, while portraying Langstrom's internal struggle more prominently than in prior adaptations. Man-Bat received a darker, more antagonistic role in (2013–2014), voiced by . He debuted in the "Fall" story arc, beginning with "Fall" (Season 1, Episode 19), where Langstrom, a Gotham Zoo researcher, uses a serum derived from bat research to transform into Man-Bat, initially intending to combat crime but quickly succumbing to rage. Manipulated by the anarchist , Man-Bat became a recurring foe in episodes like "Alone" (Season 1, Episode 20) and "" (Season 1, Episode 21), where he was further experimented on, creating hybrid threats. This iteration portrayed Man-Bat as a hulking, vengeful brute with heightened aggression, manipulated by external forces, underscoring themes of lost humanity and ideological . In the Bat-Fam series on Prime Video, which premiered on November 10, 2025, DC confirmed Man-Bat's inclusion with a redesigned appearance featuring an anti-hero arc, positioning him as part of the extended Bat-Family dynamic alongside Batman and , voiced by .

Live-action and films

Man-Bat's appearances in live-action productions have been sparse and indirect. The character's first notable reference in a live-action film occurred in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), where a monstrous bat-like creature, widely interpreted as Man-Bat, assaults Batman during a hallucinatory nightmare sequence induced by Scarecrow's fear toxin. This brief, shadowy depiction served as an rather than a full character introduction, emphasizing the creature's feral and terrifying nature without explicit identification. In animated films, Man-Bat has received more direct and expanded roles. The 2014 direct-to-video feature Son of Batman introduces Kirk Langstrom as a coerced by into developing a Man-Bat serum, resulting in an army of Man-Bat commandos that Batman and his son battle during a conflict; Langstrom is voiced by , portraying him as a reluctant participant driven by desperation to cure his . This depiction highlights the serum's body-horror transformation and Langstrom's tragic humanity, with the commandos serving as disposable minions enhanced by the formula. Man-Bat appears as a minor antagonist in the 2017 theatrical animated film , joining a massive villain breakout from and participating in the climactic assault on Gotham; rendered in the film's playful brick-built style, the character retains his winged, sonar-emitting traits but is treated as comic relief amid the ensemble chaos. Additionally, a 2019 direct-to-video animated film, vs. the Fatal Five, features Man-Bat in a brief cameo as one of several imprisoned villains encountered by the during their battle against time-traveling foes, underscoring his status as a recurring Gotham threat without deeper involvement.

Video games

Man-Bat has appeared in various DC Comics-licensed video games, often as an antagonistic figure leveraging his bat-like flight and echolocation abilities for combat and puzzle-solving mechanics. These portrayals adapt his origins as Dr. Kirk Langstrom, a transformed by an experimental serum, into interactive boss encounters or playable roles focused on aerial maneuvers and sonic attacks. In (2015), Man-Bat serves as the primary antagonist in the "Creature of the Night" side mission, where players control Batman to track him across Gotham Island locations using detective vision to detect his echolocation cries. The mission culminates in a confrontation on Bleake Island, where Batman injects Langstrom with an to reverse his transformation, emphasizing ties to his . Additionally, Man-Bat features in a brief cameo as a during free roam on Miagani Island, circling buildings before diving toward the player. His gameplay involves aggressive flight patterns and sonar-based disorientation attacks, making him a challenging aerial foe. The character is playable in the Lego series, starting with Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (2012), where he is unlocked by activating the Batcomputer terminal near Gotham Cathedral and using flight to reach the belfry. As an unlockable villain, Man-Bat employs gliding flight and a sonic scream to break glass barriers, facilitating platforming and combat shortcuts in open-world exploration. This extends to (2018), where he appears as part of the DLC level pack, allowing players to control him in free-roam Gotham for missions involving echolocation puzzles that reveal hidden objects or shatter environmental elements. His mechanics highlight agile aerial traversal and sound-wave disruptions, integrating seamlessly with the game's humorous, block-building style. In Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013), Man-Bat does not appear as a playable fighter but is referenced in the comic series, where Langstrom's transformation plays a minor role in the regime's experiments on serums. No direct integration exists beyond potential modded skins in PC versions. Similarly, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League (2024) includes Man-Bat as an in the Hall of Justice's Batman exhibit, recreating the Arkham Knight with a display that activates his screech and dive animation upon approach, nodding to his legacy without playable or narrative involvement. Overall, Man-Bat's depictions emphasize his role as a tragic, beastly in boss fights or optional content, with core traits like echolocation translated into detection tools or crowd-control attacks that enhance immersive, Batman-centric .

Miscellaneous adaptations

Merchandise adaptations of Man-Bat include the 2025 DC Multiverse Gold Label 6-inch figure based on , featuring a deluxe design with a 15-inch , swappable wings and arms, bottles, and a accessory to evoke the character's tragic origins. Additionally, released vinyl Pop! figures of Man-Bat in 2016, including variants from the series lineup, capturing the character's bat-like form for collector display. Trading cards depicting Man-Bat appeared in the 2010 DC Infinite Heroes line, showcasing the character's abilities and in collectible card format tied to the action figure series. Short webcomics featuring Man-Bat were part of DC Nation's 2012 digital content, presented as brief animated-style vignettes exploring his dual nature in online shorts. In 2025, exclusives highlighted Man-Bat's updated design for the Prime Video animated series Bat-Fam, including limited-edition merchandise like key art posters and figure prototypes that tie into the show's reveal of the character as a key in the narrative.

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  77. https://dcanimatedmovieuniverse.fandom.com/wiki/Kirk_Langstrom
  78. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9d7IKLkL8s
  79. https://thelegobatmanmovie.fandom.com/wiki/Man-Bat
  80. https://www.ign.com/wikis/batman-arkham-knight/Creature_of_the_Night
  81. https://www.fanatical.com/en/blog/batman-arkham-knight-man-bat-jump-scare-how-to-find-it-steam-pc-console
  82. https://www.ign.com/wikis/lego-batman-2-dc-super-heroes/characters
  83. https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/lego-dc-super-villains-batman-the-animated-series-level-pack/BZWL90V43HQL
  84. https://screenrant.com/suicide-squad-justice-league-batman-arkham-easter-eggs/
  85. https://bleedingcool.com/collectibles/man-bat-flies-in-with-new-batman-the-animated-series-deluxe-figure/
  86. https://www.toyark.com/2010/02/14/dc-infinite-heroes-at-toy-fair-2010-2385
  87. https://www.cbr.com/cartoon-network-releases-all-three-bat-man-of-shanghai-shorts-online/
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