Ōgon Bat (Japanese: 黄金 バット, Hepburn: Ōgon Batto, literally Golden Bat), known as Phantaman or Fantomas in various countries outside Japan, is a Japanese superhero created by Suzuki Ichiro and Takeo Nagamatsu in autumn of 1930 who originally debuted in a kamishibai (paper theater).[1] Ōgon Bat is considered by some to be the world's first superhero,[2][3] and is a precursor to later superhero characters such as the Japanese kamishibai character Prince of Gamma (debut early 1930s), and the American comic book characters Superman (debut 1938) and Batman (debut 1939).[1]
Ōgon Bat later appeared in numerous Japanese pop culture media, including manga, anime, and Japanese films, as well as toys and postage stamps dating back to 1932.[4] It was adapted into a popular anime television series in 1967, which was released in various European and Latin American countries.
- ^ a b Bradner, Liesl (2009-11-29). "The superheroes of Japan who predated Superman and Batman". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2018-10-13. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
- ^ Bradner, Liesl (2009-11-27). "Origins of manga and anime". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2015-07-07.
- ^ Davisson, Zack (December 19, 2010). "The First Superhero – The Golden Bat?". Comics Bulletin. Archived from the original on November 9, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ^ Hagen, Dan (27 November 2019). Thomas, Roy (ed.). "The Golden Bat: Japan's "Dark Samurai" Returns!". Alter Ego. No. 162. TwoMorrows Publishing. pp. 35–28. Retrieved 16 May 2022.