Batman: the dark knight through the years - in pictures

Where it all began: the first Batman comic cover Photograph: DC comics

Johnny Duncan and Robert Lowery in the 1949 film Batman and Robin Photograph: Allstar

A poster for Batman and Robin, 1949 Photograph: Alamy

Adam West in Batman, 1966 Photograph: SNAP / Rex Features/SNAP / Rex Features

Adam West in Batman, 1966 Photograph: Allstar

Batman: The Movie, with Adam West and Burt Ward, 1966 Photograph: Rex Features

The batmobile from Batman, 1989, with Kim Basinger and Michael Keaton Photograph: Allstar

Michael Keaton in Batman, 1989 Photograph: Allstar

Val Kilmer in Batman Forever, 1995 Photograph: Allstar/Cinetext/Warner Bros

Val Kilmer and the batmobile in Batman Forever, 1995 Photograph: Allstar

George Clooney and Chris O'Donnell in Batman & Robin, 1997 Photograph: PR

Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr Freeze in Batman & Robin, 1997 Photograph: Allstar

The 1998 animated feature Batman & Mr Freeze: Subzero, 1998 Photograph: Allstar

Liam Neeson and Christian Bale in Batman Begins, 2005 Photograph: Allstar/WARNER BROS/Sportsphoto Ltd./Allstar

Christian Bale and Katie Holmes in Batman Begins, 2005 Photograph: Warner Bros.

The batcycle in The Dark Knight, 2008 Photograph: Stephen Vaughan/2007 Warner Bros.

Christian Bale soars above Gotham city in The Dark Knight, 2008 Photograph: Warner Bros/Rex Features

The Dark Knight Rises on a billboard in New York City Photograph: Alamy

Lego Batman: The Movie - DC Superheroes Unite, 2013 Photograph: Allstar

Ben Affleck, who has just been cast as the next Batman Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA