He’s not the first fictional character to get a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame—Bugs Bunny, Kermit the Frog, and Mickey Mouse are just a few who got there first. But Batman is the first superhero to get the honor, with placement that means he’ll be enshrined next to Batman TV star Adam West and Batman co-creator Bob Kane. (The star was first announced back in 2019 for a 2020 debut, but is finally becoming a reality now.)
Batman’s star will be added to the famed boulevard Thursday, September 26; it’s the 2,790th star, so it’s about time a superhero made the cut. (You can imagine Superman’s publicists are probably working overtime to get him next on the list.)
According to a DC press release, DC president, publisher, and chief creative officer Jim Lee, as well as DC’s senior vice president and general manager, Anne DePies, will be on hand for the event—as will “Batman” himself (no word on which costume will be represented, but a classic look feels like the right choice). In addition, “Batman will be awarded the Guinness World Records title for the first superhero with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” the latest Guinness World Record to be bestowed upon the character, along with being “the most adapted comic book character” in live-action movies, among others.
Superfans take note: “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.”
While the September 26 event will no doubt be jam-packed, the press release also notes “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.”
It’s just a symbolic honor, but it is still a pretty cool one. As io9 said back in 2019 when Batman’s Walk of Fame debut was first teased, “Congrats, Batman. Hopefully no one defaces it with Crime Alley-themed graffiti the minute it gets installed… that’d be unfortunate.”
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
