| Bat-Signal | |
|---|---|
 Commissioner Gordon with the Bat-Signal Art by Alex Ross | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Detective Comics #60 (February 1942) |
| In story information | |
| Type | Signal |
| Element of stories featuring | Batman |
The Bat-Signal is a distress signal device appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, as a means to summon the superhero, Batman. It is a specially modified searchlight with a stylized emblem of a bat affixed to the light, allowing it to project a large bat symbol onto cloudy night skies over Gotham City.[1]
The signal is used by the Gotham City Police Department as a method of contacting and summoning Batman in the event his help is needed, but also as a weapon of psychological intimidation to the numerous criminals of Gotham City.[2]
It doubles as the primary logo for the Batman series of comic books, TV shows, and films.
To celebrate Batman's 80th anniversary, DC Comics and Warner Bros. lit the Bat-Signal in thirteen cities on September 21, 2019, starting in Melbourne and ending in Los Angeles.[3][4][5]
- ^ Fleisher, Michael L. (1976). The Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes, Volume 1: Batman. Macmillan Publishing Co. pp. 73–75. ISBN 0-02-538700-6. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
- ^ Greenberger, Robert (2008). The Essential Batman Encyclopedia. Del Rey. pp. 45–47. ISBN 9780345501066. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
- ^ Rodriguez, Jeremiah (September 21, 2019). "Bat-Signal cut short in Montreal due to police operation". CTV News.
- ^ Elassar, Alaa (September 22, 2019). "Cities across the world flash the Bat Signal on Batman Day". CNN.
- ^ Whalen, Andrew (September 16, 2019). "The Bat-Signal will be lit in cities around the world to celebrate Batman Day". Newsweek.