HOUDINI & BATMAN, CONTINUED

Bruce Wayne escapes Dr. Strange

Batman (aka Bruce Wayne) owes his life to Houdini (aka Erich Weiss), as we see in the above panel from "Detective No. 27."

If both were flesh and blood, they could have been separated at birth. Both are consummate Shadow Warriors.


Their skill sets are practically identical:  Houdini proves that Batman is possible.  Bob Kane, creator of Batman, was a big Houdini fan.  We know this because he happily confessed it to Houdiniphile Pat Culliton at a comic convention in California.

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Erich Weiss, before and after he became Houdini, practiced the illusion principles of Japanese Bunraku, the "black art" that enables magicians, assistants and props to disappear in full light.

outsiderjapan.pbworks.com

Bruce Wayne, before and after he became Batman, practiced ninjutsu, the Japanese martial art that, like Bunraku, stresses black-on-black invisibility. Ninjas handle their notorious "throwing stars" (aka "batarangs") in a manner identical to the magician's misdirecting "show and load."


How about toughness? Batman trained in ninjutsu and other martial arts to become the toughest Earthling in the world of graphic fiction. Most people don't realize that Houdini was an avid martial artist for real. Tougher than Batman? We'd have to say yes -- Harry bested two world boxing champions. He beat the world bantamweight champ in an unsanctioned bout on a barge in the East River. And below is the story of how he outclassed Jess Willard, heavyweight champion of the world.

NY Tribune, Dec. 8, 1915 (click to enlarge)

Finally, they're both techno-geeks.  Batman developed the bat suit and the utility belt.  Houdini patented a quick-release diving suit for the U.S. Navy in World War One.  He was famous for his ingenious use of lock picks and burglar tools.  He rarely stored them in a belt, though -- crass, Batman!  Instead, he concealed them, using thumb tips and his own body.  He himself tells how a Japanese acrobat taught him to swallow and regurgitate small objects by training with a small potato on a string.

Their "origin stories" are eerily similar.  Their "superhuman" efforts followed tragedies that befell their parents.  More on Houdini's coming soon.  For Batman's, see Houdini & Batman, part one, here.