The Dark Knight’s goal is to not only seek vengeance for his parents’ death but to strike fear into the hearts of all criminals. In many Batman stories such as Dennis O'Neil’s “The Man Who Falls”, Bruce Wayne exhibits chiroptophobia (fear of bats) and conquers that fear by placing the same terror into wrong doers. Batman uses this fear into one of his gadgets that’s more rare than many realize: the Sonic Bat Call. Created by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli, this Batman devise debuted in the 4 issue arc “Batman: Year One” in Part Three, originally published in Batman (Vol 1) 406 in 1987. In order to create a chaotic diversion and escape the attacks from the Gotham’s SWAT team, on the heel of his boot Batman presses the ultrasonic signal button which calls live bats from his Batcave to fly to his exact location (panels 1-3). The young Caped Crusader uses this opportunity to ride away from the GCPD and onlookers such as Selina Kyle (panel 4). Miller’s ‘Year One’ was a clear and heavy influence for Christopher Nolan’s 2005 film “Batman Begins”. Just as in Mazzucchelli’s intense panels, in the film this bat calling device is located in the Caped Crusader’s boot heel, as a form of protection and cover for Batman during a getaway (panel 5). In the animated film adaptation of Batman: Year One, this comic plot is brought to life as well. Although not rarely used within the Batman mythos, the Sonic Bat-Call reinforces the shadowy image of the bat and the Batman himself. We will discuss more of Batman’s arsenal in our session tomorrow so stay tuned and thanks for following History of the Batman! ✌🏼💙🦇📚🎬