Thu Nov 6, 2008 11:27AM23 comments ›
Thu Nov 6, 2008 — by Robert Greenberger
Batman to Sue Warner Bros.
Turkish Province Wasn't Asked Permission
Batman, the small subdistrict of Ankara, Turkey announced on Wednesday their attention to sue Warner Bros. for its Batman movie franchise. According to the story at India’s Top News, Batman mayor Huseyin Kalkan feels permission should have been obtained prior to filming. The very first filmed Batman was the 1943 serial with the first full-length feature being the 1966 movie with the television cast. More recently, The Dark Knight amassed $992,764,009 in global box office receipts according to Box Office Mojo.
Batman became a distinct subdistrict in 1937, two years before the character’s debut in Detective Comics #27. The name comes from the Batman River and as it prospered it first became a town of Siirt in 1957, and in 1990 was made its own province.
"There is only one Batman in this world," said Kalkan. "Without telling us, the US makers of the films have taken the name of our region."
The mayor confirmed for the press that he would file suit in the United States if it came to that.
Jump to comments (23) 
More News from ComicMix
- The Point Radio: 'Twilight New Moon' Exclusives17 hours ago, 0 comments
- Review: 'Saga of the Swamp Thing Book Two'18 hours ago, 0 comments
- Why continuity matters, dammit22 hours ago, 4 comments
- Capcom Announces 'Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition'1 day ago, 0 comments
- 'Angel: After The Fall' fan film1 day ago, 0 comments
- ComicMix Six: Best Geek-Themed Games for the Holidays1 day ago, 1 comment
- Review: 'Logan's Run' on Blu-ray3 days ago, 0 comments
- ComicMix and IDW on the iPhone and iTouch3 days ago, 0 comments
- 'Global Frequency' back to TV?3 days ago, 3 comments
- Review: 'Kevin Smith 3-Movie Collection' on Blu-ray4 days ago, 1 comment
Comments (23)
Brian Denham (10:52 AM on Thu Nov 6, 2008)
The Turkish province should go ahead and sue Webster's Dictionary while they are at it, seems BATMAN is a term for a military aide...
Batman
–noun, plural -men. (in the British army)
a soldier assigned to an officer as a servant.
Origin:
1745–55; short for bat-horse man, equiv. to bat
Russ Rogers (11:00 AM on Thu Nov 6, 2008)
This begs the question: Does anybody know what Maria McKee thinks about the upcoming ComicMix Comic, "Lone Justice"?
VinnyC (5:43 PM on Thu Nov 6, 2008)
Another question begging to be asked : How is it possible that someone else remembers Lone Justice besides me?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DDt4_oCNQU&feature=related
And can I sue?
Russ Rogers (5:34 PM on Sat Nov 8, 2008)
I heard that there might be a "Lone Justice" video in the works, similar to the EZ Street video. I went looking for it on YouTube and stumbled on "Shelter," which I hadn't heard in years.
VinnyC (6:55 PM on Sat Nov 8, 2008)
"Shelter" is my second favorite from them. The EZ Street video is very cool. I'll keep my eye's open for the "Lone Justice" entry.
Delmo Walters Jr. (12:40 PM on Thu Nov 6, 2008)
I thought useless lawsuits happened only in the US?
Rick Taylor (6:53 AM on Fri Nov 7, 2008)
Seems like we've taught the world how to be stupid that way.
Alan Coil (2:42 PM on Thu Nov 6, 2008)
I sure miss Weekly World News.
LadyAnn (6:22 AM on Tue Nov 11, 2008)
Wow this has to be the stupidest thing I have heard in a long while.
Russ Rogers (10:14 AM on Tue Nov 11, 2008)
Batman, Turkey will never see a DIME out of this lawsuit, it's a black hole where they will waste legal fees over nothing. I think they should come at this from the opposite angle. They should claim that Batman, Turkey is the "Gotham City" of Europe. They should create the World Batman Museum, and house Batman Collectibles and Memorabilia. Even though the connection with the comic is coincidental, a "Batman Museum" would be a tourist draw. Especially if Batman, Turkey organized a bi-annual or quadrennial "Batman Convention." Give Adam West the Key to Batman! Have the President of Turkey declare a "National Batman Day." The city would get a better return on their investment than this farce of a lawsuit.
JadedOtakuBastard (6:22 PM on Wed Nov 12, 2008)
That would be hilarious if the people of Batman do sue Warner Brothers, end up winning, and then use the money to pave the way in making their providence into a booming and flourishing city. I say once that happens, however long it takes, the city should change its name to Gotham. It is only right.
scarletbunny (3:45 PM on Fri Nov 14, 2008)
they aren't going to win their suit, that would be like someone named john Constantine sewing DC for use of his name.
absolutely ridiculous , this lawsuit is fueled by nothing but greed and stupidity.
Anonymous (10:50 AM on Fri Nov 14, 2008)
great suggestion russ rogers, i agree! however, i should clarify that batman is, first of all not even close to Ankara and currently a city in the south east region of Turkey. But yes Batman Museum would be way more profitable!
Anonymous (3:24 PM on Wed Nov 12, 2008)
All i hear is qq.
Anonymous (4:09 PM on Sun Nov 9, 2008)
I'd take this one to DC Comics...sue them, but make sure to consider inflation. Then go after Warner Brothers. And by the way, I'm not serious. What a waste of a court's time! I can't see this one taken seriously.
Anonymous (10:10 AM on Fri Nov 7, 2008)
umm DC Comics has had the "Batman" Franchise much longer than the movies...*goes to check*
yup. roughly 40 years or so of Batman comic books courtesy of good ol DC.
really stupid
Anonymous (11:38 PM on Thu Nov 6, 2008)
Are you frakking kidding me? You know, I'm the last person to advocate the US's current policy of bombing the heck out of any and all detractors, past or present (this is coming from an American, mind you) but I think we can make an exception for "Batman." It runs on pure greed and stupidity, anyway. A part of me almost hopes that "Batman" does get some money out of it, because it's obvious that they're really hurting for education in that area. No, you know what, it would be a lot simpler and in the best interests of the future of humanity to just bomb them. Let's do that.
Chosh (4:17 PM on Thu Nov 6, 2008)
Why wasn't this region making noise before? Did they not know about the 5 other WB Batman flicks before TDK came out, or are they choosing to act now because TDK has become the movie of the decade and they want a slice of the pie?
Anonymous (2:08 PM on Thu Nov 6, 2008)
Man, I'm relieved. I was so worried that America was the only place in the world where you could pull complaints out of your ass for cash.
I Am The Bat (12:57 PM on Thu Nov 6, 2008)
In the early years of the Republic, Batman was attached to the province of Siirt and known as "Iluh". It first became a district in 1957, changing its name to Batman, and then a province centre in 1990. Once a part of the province of Siirt, the district was especially eminent during the time of Abbasid Caliphate.
Anonymous (12:49 PM on Thu Nov 6, 2008)
This is like Russia trying to sue Universal Studios for using a globe with Russia on it as their logo.
I mean, come on. Seriously? SERIOUSLY? Are people really this stupid?
Thrillhouse (10:56 AM on Thu Nov 6, 2008)
In related news, the US Department of Transportation is filling suit against the DC character Green Arrow due to trademark infringement of the much beloved traffic signal.
Anonymous (7:39 PM on Fri Oct 23, 2009)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Batman