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Thomas Wayne

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For the pop singer, see Thomas Wayne (singer). For his alternate resurrected self, see Batman (Thomas Wayne).
Thomas Wayne
Thomas Wayne, as he appeared on a variant cover of Detective Comics #1050 (January 2022).
Art by Jorge Molina.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceDetective Comics #33 (November 1939)
Created by
Bill Finger (writer)
Gardner Fox (writer)
Bob Kane (artist)
Jerry Robinson (artist)[1]
In-story information
Full nameDr. Thomas Wayne
Team affiliationsWayne Enterprises
Justice League Incarnate
Supporting character ofBatman
Flash
Notable aliasesBatman (Flashpoint & DC Rebirth)
Dr. Wayne

Dr. Thomas Wayne, M.D. is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is the father of Bruce Wayne (Batman), and husband of Martha Wayne as well as the paternal grandfather of Damian Wayne. Wayne was introduced in Detective Comics #33 (November 1939), the first exposition of Batman's origin story. A gifted surgeon and philanthropist to Gotham City, Wayne inherited the Wayne family fortune after Patrick Wayne. When Wayne and his wife are murdered in a street mugging, Bruce is inspired to fight crime in Gotham as the vigilante Batman.[2]

Wayne was revived in Geoff Johns' alternate timeline comic Flashpoint (2011), in which he plays a major role as a hardened, more violent version of Batman, whose son was killed instead of his wife and himself, leading both of them to become the altered reality's counterparts of Batman and the Joker respectively, and dies again by the end of the storyline. Dr. Wayne returned to the main DC Universe in DC Rebirth, as a revived amalgamation of his original self killed by Joe Chill and his Flashpoint Batman self killed in "The Button", teaming up with the supervillain Bane to attempt to force his son to retire as Batman.

As a key figure in the origin of Batman, Thomas Wayne has appeared in multiple forms of media. Notable portrayals of the character in live-action films include Linus Roache in Batman Begins (2005), Jeffrey Dean Morgan in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Brett Cullen in Joker (2019), and Luke Roberts in The Batman (2022). Ben Aldridge also portrays him in the television series Pennyworth (2019).

Background

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Thomas Wayne, M.D. is seldom shown outside of Bruce Wayne's and Alfred Pennyworth's memories of him, and Bruce's dreams and nightmares. He is frequently depicted as looking very much like his son, but with a mustache.

A notable occurrence in Thomas’ biography was when Bruce falls through a fissure on the Wayne property, into what would one day become the Batcave (sometimes the fissure is replaced with an abandoned well). Thomas eventually rescues his terrified son from the cave.

Bruce Wayne with a portrait of his deceased parents in Batman vol. 3, #9 (December 2016). Art by Mikel Janín.

Dr. Wayne's role in his son's future vigilante career is expanded upon in "The First Batman", a Silver Age tale from Detective Comics #235, which reveals that Dr. Wayne attacks and defeats hoodlums while dressed like a "Bat-Man" for a masquerade ball. According to the story, Dr. Wayne's actions result in crime boss Lew Moxon being imprisoned; ten years later, Moxon orders Joe Chill to murder Dr. Wayne. Realizing Moxon ordered his parents killed, Batman confronts Moxon, now suffering from amnesia and thus has no memory of Dr. Wayne. When his costume is torn, Batman wears his father's in order to frighten Moxon. Sure enough, the costume restores Moxon's memory; the former crime boss panics, believing that Thomas’ ghost is attacking, and flees into the streets and is struck and killed by a truck.[3] These events were retold in the 1980 miniseries The Untold Legend of the Batman. Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, Thomas as the "First Batman" was retconned - he instead attends the masquerade ball as Zorro. This was retconned once more in the pages of Superman/Batman, where Superman, hoping to reverse some universe-altering change in the time streams, lands in a version of Gotham City in which Thomas never died, finding him giving out Halloween candy in the original Batman costume.

In many of the modern interpretations of the character, such as those by Frank Miller and Jeph Loeb, Thomas Wayne is portrayed as having been a somewhat distant, stern father, bestowing more kindness and generosity on his patients than his own son.

Dr. Wayne was once suspected to be the father of Bane. However, DNA testing proved this to be false, and Bane's real father was recently revealed to be King Snake.

In Batman: The Long Halloween, a flashback reveals that Thomas Wayne saved the life of gangster Carmine Falcone. Falcone's father Vincent Falcone came to Wayne Manor and begged Thomas to save his dying son, who had been shot by rival gangster Luigi Maroni. Thomas wanted to take the younger Falcone to the hospital, but Vincent insisted that nobody know about the shooting; the surgery was thus performed in the dining room with Alfred assisting. After saving Carmine's life, he was offered a reward or favor, but refused to accept any form of payment. Unbeknownst to Thomas, young Bruce watched this all in silence from afar. Years later, Bruce contemplates whether Gotham would have been better off had his father let Falcone die; Alfred replies that Thomas would have helped anyone in need.

In Superman/Batman #50, it is revealed that, while on a drive with a pregnant Martha Wayne, Thomas witnesses a strange object fall to Earth. As he inspects it, Thomas' consciousness is transported to Krypton, and presented in a holographic form. There, he encounters Jor-El, wishing to know what kind of a world Earth is, as it is one of many possible candidates for him to send his son Kal-El to. Thomas tells Jor-El that the people of Earth aren't perfect, but are essentially a good and kind race, who would raise the child right, convincing Jor-El to send Kal-El there. Upon returning to his body, Thomas uses the technology in the Kryptonian probe to revitalize a failing Wayne Enterprises. Years later, the alien technology would be the basis of much of Batman's crimefighting technology. Thomas recorded his encounter in a diary, which was discovered by Bruce in the present day.[4]

Murder

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Main article: Origin of Batman
Bruce Wayne's family encounters Joe Chill in Detective Comics #33 (November 1939). Art by Bob Kane.

When exiting a movie theater (opera in some versions), Thomas and Martha Wayne are murdered by a mugger in front of their son, Bruce Wayne. This tragedy shocks Gotham and leads to Park Row (the street where it occurred) being labeled Crime Alley. Most importantly, it serves as the motivation for Bruce to become Batman.[5]

Alleged double life

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During Batman R.I.P., it is alleged that Thomas Wayne and Martha Wayne were leading a double life, secretly partaking in criminal endeavors, drug abuse and orgies while presenting a façade of respectability to the outside world. The alleged evidence is revealed to be doctored in the aftermath of the storyline, however.

Doctor Simon Hurt, head of the Black Glove and the mastermind behind Batman R.I.P., actually claims to be Thomas Wayne to both Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth. Although both of them rebuke him without hesitation, Hurt never explicitly drops the claim.

In the ongoing follow-up series, Batman & Robin, it is suggested that some, if not all, of these allegations have begun to circulate around Gotham; Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne attend a high society function where a few party guests vaguely mention the existence of rumors surrounding the family, and Dick tries to tie Bruce's absence from the public eye with being occupied with clearing his family's reputation.[6] Matters come to a head when Hurt returns to the city, claiming to be Thomas Wayne in order to take control of Wayne Manor and establish himself as the new Batman, but Grayson and Damian outsmart him.

It is hinted at during the course of the Batman and Robin series that Simon Hurt's actual identity is Thomas Wayne, albeit one from the 17th century who was a 'black sheep' of the Wayne family and prolongs his life through occult rituals. The Return of Bruce Wayne miniseries and its fallout Bruce Wayne: The Road Home cements Hurt's status as the elder Thomas Wayne from the Puritan Ages, driven insane by his meeting with Barbatos, the Hyper-Adapter sent through time along with Bruce Wayne to ensure the effectiveness of Darkseid's "Omega Sanction".

Flashpoint and resurrection as Batman

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Main article: Batman (Thomas Wayne)

Other versions

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Batman: Castle of the Bat

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An alternate universe variant of Thomas Wayne appears in Batman: Castle of the Bat. This version was resurrected as a Frankenstein-like creature after Bruce Wayne discovered his disembodied, preserved brain.[7]

Batman: Dark Knight Dynasty

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An alternate universe variant of Thomas Wayne appears in Batman: Dark Knight Dynasty. This version was killed by Vandal Savage.

Batman: Holy Terror

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An alternate universe variant of Thomas Wayne appears in Batman: Holy Terror. This version is the chief physician of the Privy Council who opposes Oliver Cromwell's worldwide theocratic government

Batman: Earth One

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Thomas Wayne in Batman: Earth One. Art by Gary Frank and Jon Sibal.

An alternate universe variant of Thomas Wayne appears in Batman: Earth One.

JLA: Earth 2

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An alternate universe variant of Thomas Wayne appears in JLA: Earth 2. This version became the commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department after the deaths of Martha and Bruce.[8]

Superman: Red Son

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An alternate universe variant of Thomas Wayne appears in Superman: Red Son. This version is an anti-communist activist who is later killed by the NKVD under Commissar Pyotr Roslov.[9]

The New 52

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Earth 2

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An alternate universe variant of Thomas Wayne from Earth-Two who succeeded Bruce as Batman using the Miraclo pill appears in The New 52.[10] During the Convergence event, he is killed while fighting the Club of Villains and succeeded by Dick Grayson.[11][12][13][14]

Earth 3

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An alternate universe variant of Thomas Wayne from Earth-Three appears in The New 52. This version is a sociopathic doctor who is later killed by Alfred Pennyworth.[15][16]

DC Comics Bombshells

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An alternate universe variant of Thomas Wayne appears in DC Comics Bombshells. This version was saved by Batwoman, leading Bruce Wayne to become Batman in the latter's honor.

Absolute Universe

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An alternate universe variant of Thomas Wayne appears in Absolute Batman. This version is a schoolteacher who was killed protecting his students from a shooter.[17]

In other media

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Television

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Live-action

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Animation

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DC Animated Universe
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Film

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Live-action

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Batman (1989 film series)
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Main article: Batman in film § Tim Burton/Joel Schumacher
  • Thomas Wayne appears in Batman (1989), portrayed by David Baxt. This version was killed by Jack Napier.
  • Thomas Wayne appears in Batman Forever, portrayed by Michael Scranton.
The Dark Knight Trilogy
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Main article: Batman in film § Christopher Nolan – The Dark Knight Trilogy
DC Extended Universe
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Main article: DC Extended Universe
Jeffrey Dean Morgan portrays Thomas Wayne in the 2016 film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Thomas Wayne appears in media set in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU):

Other films
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  • Thomas Wayne appears in Joker, portrayed by Brett Cullen.[23][24][25][26] This version is a businessman who is running to become Mayor of Gotham City, but he has little sympathy for the lower classes, dismissing the poor as "clowns" who have no one but themselves to blame for their misfortune.
  • Thomas Wayne appears in The Batman, portrayed by Luke Roberts.[27]

Animation

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Video games

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Batman Arkham

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Thomas Wayne appears in the Batman Arkham series, voiced again by Kevin Conroy.[21]

References

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  1. ^ Gardner Fox, Finger, Bill (w), Kane, Bob (p), Meldoff, Sheldon (i). "The Legend of the Batman – Who He is, and How he Came to Be" Detective Comics, no. 33, p. 1, 2/1 – 8 (November 1939). DC Comics.
  2. ^ Beatty, Scott (2008). "Batman". In Dougall, Alastair (ed.). The DC Comics Encyclopedia. London: Dorling Kindersley. pp. 40–44. ISBN 978-0-7566-4119-1.
  3. ^ Schelly, William (2013). American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1950s. TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 153. ISBN 9781605490540.
  4. ^ Superman/Batman #50. DC Comics.
  5. ^ Fleisher, Michael L. (1976). The Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes, Volume 1: Batman. Macmillan Publishing Co. pp. 379–380. ISBN 0-02-538700-6. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  6. ^ Batman & Robin #4 (November 2009). DC Comics.
  7. ^ Castle of the Bat (November 1994)
  8. ^ JLA: Earth 2 (2000)
  9. ^ Superman: Red Son #1-3 (June–August 2003). DC Comics.
  10. ^ Earth 2 Annual #2 (2014). DC Comics.
  11. ^ Convergence #1. DC Comics.
  12. ^ Convergence #2. DC Comics.
  13. ^ Convergence #3. DC Comics.
  14. ^ Earth 2: Society #1. DC Comics.
  15. ^ Justice League (vol. 2) #25. DC Comics.
  16. ^ Crime Syndicate #2. DC Comics.
  17. ^ Schedeen, Jesse (October 9, 2024). "8 Ways Absolute Batman Reinvents the Dark Knight's Mythology". IGN. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  18. ^ "A Double Murder In Gotham's Past And A Grundy In Arrow's Future (UPDATE)". Bleedingcool.com. 2013-12-02. Retrieved 2014-05-13.
  19. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 15, 2018). "'Pennyworth': Ben Aldridge To Play Thomas Wayne In Batman Prequel On Epix". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 15, 2018.
  20. ^ Kade, Leigh (July 19, 2019). "New "Pennyworth" Series Confirmed Same Universe as "Gotham"". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Thomas Wayne Voices (Batman)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 31, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  22. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (November 10, 2015). "Walking Dead Casts Major Comics Villain Negan". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  23. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 27, 2018). "Alec Baldwin Joins Todd Phillips' 'Joker'". Deadline.
  24. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 27, 2018). "'Joker' Movie: Alec Baldwin to Play Bruce Wayne's Father". The Hollywood Reporter.
  25. ^ Alexander, Bryan (August 29, 2018). "Alec Baldwin pulls out of Thomas Wayne role in 'Joker': 'I'm no longer doing that movie'". USA Today. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  26. ^ Chitwood, Adam (September 17, 2018). "Brett Cullen Replaces Alec Baldwin as Thomas Wayne in 'Joker'". Collider. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
  27. ^ WayneG [@WayneG1939] (January 18, 2022). "Thomas Wayne actor in #TheBatman has been identified! It's Luke Roberts, an english actor that appeared in GoT. Here he's reading Batman: Sins of the Father for research on Thomas" (Tweet). Retrieved January 18, 2022 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ "FLASHPOINT PARADOX Gets Release Date, Cast, Logline". Newsarama.com. Retrieved 2014-05-13.
  29. ^ Rich Sands (2013-04-16). "First Look: Grey's Anatomy Stars Get Animated for Justice League". Tvguide.com. Retrieved 2014-05-13.
  30. ^ Kit, Borys (January 14, 2015). "Animated 'Batman vs. Robin' Movie Finds Its Voice Cast (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  31. ^ "サイト名". DC-taka.com (in Japanese). Retrieved April 4, 2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  32. ^ "Batman: The Long Halloween Part Two - Exclusive Trailer Debut". IGN. May 18, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  33. ^ Abbate, Jake (December 6, 2022). "DC Confirms Voice Cast For Batman: The Doom That Came To Gotham". Yahoo Entertainment. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  34. ^ Mallory, Jordan (2013-04-27). "Lobo trounces Flashpoint Batman in first Injustice: Gods Among Us DLC footage [Update: Lobo on May 7". Joystiq. Retrieved 2014-05-13.
  35. ^ Eisen, Andrew (October 2, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
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