Who were they, and how did they die?
PHOTO Courtesy | Los Angeles Times
In this article, we will explore the history and legacy of Batman’s parents, Thomas and Martha Wayne.
Profile Summary Table
| Name | Occupation | Birth Date | Death Date | Cause of Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Wayne | Doctor, businessman | February 19, 1952 | June 26, 1981 | Shot by Joe Chill |
| Martha Wayne | Socialite, philanthropist | March 31, 1952 | June 26, 1981 | Shot by Joe Chill |
Names
Thomas and Martha Wayne were the parents of Bruce Wayne, the future Batman.
PHOTO Courtesy | Entertainment Weekly
They were both born in 1952, and married in 1974.
The parents had Bruce in 1975, when they were 23 years old.
They named him after Thomas’s great-grandfather, Bruce Wayne Sr., who was a prominent industrialist and founder of Wayne Enterprises.
Age
Thomas and Martha Wayne were both 29 years old when they died.
They were young and successful, and had a bright future ahead of them.
The parents loved their son dearly.
They wanted to give him the best life possible, and instilled in him the values of justice, compassion, and courage.
Death
On June 26, 1981, a tragic event that forever altered Bruce’s life unfolded as Thomas and Martha Wayne met their demise.
While returning home from a movie theater with Bruce, they encountered a mugger named Joe Chill.
Joe Chill ruthlessly demanded their money and jewelry before callously shooting them.
Bruce, who witnessed the entire incident, experienced profound trauma at the loss of his parents.
In response, he made a solemn vow to avenge them and committed his life to combating crime as Batman.
FAQs
Who killed Batman’s parents? Batman’s parents were killed by Joe Chill, a petty criminal who was hired by crime boss Lew Moxon. Moxon wanted to get rid of Thomas Wayne, who had refused to operate on him after he was shot by a rival gangster. Moxon also had a personal grudge against Thomas, who had saved the life of his enemy, Judge Faden.
What movie did Batman’s parents see before they died? Batman’s parents saw different movies in different versions of the story. In the original comics, they saw The Mark of Zorro, a 1940 film starring Tyrone Power. For the 1989 film Batman, they saw The Mask of Zorro, a 1920 film starring Douglas Fairbanks. In the 2005 film Batman Begins, they saw The Mark of Zorro, a 1920 film starring Douglas Fairbanks. In the 2016 film Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, they saw The Mark of Zorro, a 1940 film starring Tyrone Power.
Where are Batman’s parents buried? Batman’s parents are buried in the Wayne family plot, located in the grounds of Wayne Manor. Their graves are marked by two large angel statues, holding a plaque that reads “Thomas and Martha Wayne, beloved parents”. Bruce often visits their graves, and pays his respects to them. He also keeps a portrait of them in his study, and a bust of his father in the Batcave.
