In the 21st century, superhero stories are often judged on how realistic they are — how “gritty,” how dark, how “adult.” It’s never been more visible than with Batman. But over half a century ago, superhero media took a much different, but just as realistic, tack. The point wasn’t to make Bruce Wayne feel like a real person, but what he actually was: a comic book character. 20th Century Fox/Kobal/ShutterstockIn the 60 years since Batman premiered, superhero media took a hard turn to the dark, but the tide may be turning yet again. The Marvel Cinematic Universe may have changed the superhero landscape forever, but it was Batman that truly created the phenomenon.