Bruce Wayne’s “batty” alter ego is about to receive a serious upgrade, as the Joker (Jack Nicholson) would say, where all of “those wonderful toys” are concerned. Yes, there’s now a star in the Batman’s future, but it won’t need to be displayed in Wayne Manor. Rather, it will be added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame (per a press release). On Thursday, September 26, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Steve Nissen will serve as emcee and present the comic book character with star No. 2,790, and DC Comics’ President, CEO and publisher Jim Lee is among those scheduled to speak at the event.

Batman will become the first superhero ever to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and the fictional character is receiving the honor in the “Motion Pictures” category. Lee, whose comic book artistry includes iconic characters like the Bat and Marvel’s X-Men, will be joined by DC Comics’ Senior Vice President and General Manager Anne DePies next week. And as if the vaunted star wasn’t enough, the Bat is also going to be honored with the Guinness World Record for being the initial superhero to grace the Walk of Fame. That presentation will be handled by official GWR adjudicator, Michael Empric.

The character of Batman first appeared in the panels of Detective Comics No. 27 (1939), which celebrated its 85th anniversary earlier this year, and the Dark Knight was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. The vigilante’s genesis came on the heels of Superman’s first appearance in Action Comics No. 1 (1938) the summer before, but it would be another year before the original Robin the Boy Wonder, aka Dick Grayson, would join forces with Bruce Wayne’s Bat in the pages of Detective Comics No. 38 (1940).

Batman Will Neighbor Bob Kane & Adam West’s Stars on WOF

In a year that’s already seen the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Chris Hemsworth receive a star, it’s even more appropriate that the Batman’s induction on the Hollywood Walk of Fame follows on the heels of filmmaker Tim Burton being honored back on September 3. Burton, of course, directed the Caped Crusaders’ return to the Silver Screen in 1989’s Batman and in its sequel, Batman Returns (1992), which starred Michael Keaton as the Bat and Bruce Wayne.

Batman fans can watch the Dark Knight’s star ceremony courtesy of the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday, September 26 at 11 a.m. PDT as the event will be streamed live from outside of the Hollywood Guinness World Records Museum at 6764 Hollywood Boulevard. The producer of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Ana Martinez, explained that Batman will be keeping good company on the hallowed sidewalk (per WOF’s official website) as the new star will neighbor creator Bob Kane and TV star Adam West’s markers. Martinez said (below):

“The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce is proud to honor our first superhero on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! The one, the only, Batman! Fans from around the world will be thrilled to know that Batman will have his star dedicated next to the stars of television’s Batman, Adam West, and the co-creator of Batman, Bob Kane.”

In addition to the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s star ceremony for Batman, special interactive events will be held to create an immersive experience for those fans who show up to honor one of pop culture’s most well-known and beloved characters. A separate press release, courtesy of DC Comics, details the Funko collaboration (below):

In collaboration with Funko, an all-day fan event on September 26 will take place alongside the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony at Funko Hollywood (6201 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028). Jim Lee will participate in an exclusive one-hour meet and greet and signing for Batman fans at Funko Hollywood from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Attendees for this exclusive signing will be limited to fans who received a wristband.
Wristbands will be distributed to the first 100 fans who purchase a Batman product at Funko Hollywood on Tuesday, September 24, two days prior to the event. No outside product is permitted. One wristband per person. Wristbands are available on a first-come, first-served basis. On the day of the signing, fans can begin lining up at 9:00 a.m.
Warner Bros. Archives will also stage a curated pop-up museum of costumes and props from Batman’s history in film and TV at Funko Hollywood. Authentic props, iconic costumes — and some surprises — will allow audiences a rare chance to enjoy pieces of Batman cinematic history up close and in person. More details will be announced soon.

The DC Comics superhero’s well-deserved, milestone honor follows on the heels of Star Wars’ Ewan McGregor receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame back on September 12, which features the Force-choking Darth Vader himself, Hayden Christensen, speaking on his co-star’s behalf.

And don’t forget to celebrate Batman Day 2024 on
September 21.