Bat Signal: Difference between revisions
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{{trope}}
[[File:bat-signal.jpg|link=Batman (
{{quote|''The Bat-Signal is not a beeper.''|'''[[Batman]]''', ''[[
▲{{quote|''The Bat-Signal is not a beeper.''|'''[[Batman]]''', ''[[Batman Forever (Film)|Batman Forever]]''}}
A method of summoning a [[Superhero]] by shining their insignia into the sky. Usually, this involves using a searchlight to project the image against the clouds (it's normally not explained what they do on cloudless nights).
The best-known example is the [[Trope Namer]], [[
The [[Bat Signal]] is a specific form of [[Regular Caller]]
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{{examples}}
== Anime ==
* The card "Hero Signal" from ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh!]]'' is based on this idea.
** As is the card "Destiny Signal". The "Neo Signal" has the same effect as the other two signals, but since it summons a team of animal heroes, the card depicts a smoke signal rather than a spotlight.
* Cyborg Guy from ''[[
== Comic Books ==
* [[
** Unfortunately, this article [http://lawandthemultiverse.com/2010/11/30/is-batman-a-state-actor/ this] article (specifically in the extensive comments section) explains why that arrangement ''still'' doesn't work.
** In ''[[The Dark Knight Returns]]'' the
* Sadly, the trope was averted in the case of Bat-Family character Stephanie Brown: there is no "Spoiler Alert." However, after she became [[Batgirl]] she would respond to the titular signal on numerous occasions, reasoning that it is the ''Bat''-signal, not Bat''man''-signal. In one situation, however, the signal was actually the bait for a trap the Gotham Police were laying, as [[Mistaken for Murderer|she was suspected of murder at the time]].
* The [[Fantastic Four (Comic Book)|Fantastic Four]] have a signal to summon ''each other''. The Fantasti-Flare lights up the sky, then forms the giant '''4''' in the sky to let them know they're needed.
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** Which also got used in an issue of ''[[The Batman Adventures]]'' where a Robin-wannabe who believed a tabloid claim that the original Robin had been fired used a flare gun to signal Batman. The flare hit an illuminated street sign. Batman smacked the kid and told a passing police officer to book him for reckless endangerment.
* In ''[[Hitman]]'', the title character creates the "Cat-Signal" to summon [[Batman|Catwoman]], by throwing a dead cat on a searchlight.
* Inverted in the early days of [[
** Spidey still uses it from time to time, especially that it serves also as a lantern. In [[J
{{quote|
'''Detective:''' Really? It would be great, thanks. We would put it on the roof every time we would want you to show up. And then kick your butt.
'''Spider-Man:''' Yeah, right, you and some [[The Mighty Thor|god of thunder]]. }}
* Every leader of the Section Omega in [[The Mighty]] have a special signal device infused directly into their hands that enables them to signal Alpha One or for Alpha One to signal them. Also, Alpha One could track them down whenever he wants to.
== Fanfiction ==
* In the "Liquid Courage" storyline of the ''Xanadu'' [[Mega Crossover]], a small group of people who have mostly been [[Involuntary Shapeshifting|turned into various superheroes]] after a [[Mass Empowering Event]] at a Florida science fiction convention move to a compound outside Denver. When the Denver Police Department suddenly have need of their help in one story, someone manages to kitbash a "[[Bat Signal]]" that projects a rotating cycle of several of the heroes' [[chest Insignia]] or other unique symbols to get their attention.
* In the early works of [[Jared Ornstead]], anyone in any universe can request the help of interdimensional superspy/adventurer [[Marty Stu|Skysaber]] by simply picking up a telephone and telling the dial tone, "An emergency situation has arisen. As of now, xxxx hours, we need the Skysaber." A voice will reply "Acknowledged", and Skysaber will arrive shortly afterward.
== Film ==
* In ''[[Batman:
{{quote|
'''Gordon:''' He often doesn't. But I like reminding everybody that he's out there. }}
* In ''[[Batman (
* ''[[Batman Begins]]'' has Batman telling Gordon to "watch for [his] sign" in their first meeting; this sign turns out to be Falcone strung up to a spotlight, his cut coat resembling a bat. Gordon then turns this into the Bat-Signal, which by the time of ''[[The Dark Knight]]'' has petty criminals basically passing on activity whenever it's shining.
* Bumblebee in ''[[Transformers Film Series|Transformers]]'' sneaks away to a junkyard and shines what looks like a spotlight into the sky. The following evening, Autobot reinforcements arrive. As it is expected to be seen from space, it is either made of very strong light or uses other components as well.
* In ''[[Kick
{{quote|
'''Hit Girl''': You just contact the mayor's office, he has a special signal he shines in the sky. It's in the shape of a giant cock. }}
* Parodied in ''[[Monty Python and
== Literature ==
* The humorous guidebook ''How to Be a Superhero'' has a section on this, including a joke about making sure you have symbol suited to this and commenting on how the Women's League for Decency got the Purple Helmet's signal banned (although he still sometimes mistakenly answers summons for Doc Hemisphere).
* The "Dark Mark" in the ''[[Harry Potter (
== Videogames ==
* In [[Batman: Arkham Asylum]], Batman uses these to defeat the Scarecrow.
* It also shows up in [[DC Universe Online]], in the Gotham portion of the world of course. You even get an feat/achievement for finding the spotlight on one of the rooftops.
* When there is a new quest avalible to you in ''[[The Kingdom Of Loathing]]'', the Council of Loathing lights the Adventurer Signal. Said signal is projected onto a sheet held up by some birds.
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== Webcomics ==
*
* What happens when dirt gets on the
* [[Acrobat]]'s mentor used to answer to one.
* ''[[Bug
* ''[[Evil Inc.]]'' has Captain Heroic and his father Commander Heroic apparently using one [http://evil-inc.com/comic/grampa-babysits/ signal] to call each other.
* ''Sunday at Ten'' [https://web.archive.org/web/20110701172952/http://www.sundayat10.com/?num=707 demonstrates] possibilities of messing with Bat Signal.
== Web Original ==
* [[
* [[Loading Ready Run]] did a video featuring four different superheroes showing up to the same ("M"-shaped) signal. One who was actually called, and three thinking the caller just got the orientation wrong (for E, W, and 3) and it was for them.
* In the ''College Humor'' animation [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FywMOuMqNuI "The Dark Knight Meets Superman"], Superman gets one of his own, but because of his much more super powers, there is a slight difference in the way it functions in practice.
{{quote|
'''Commissioner Gordon''': "Oh, this thing is great. I just turn it on, and he shows up with the bad guys!" }}
== Western Animation ==
* In ''[[
* Played with in the ''[[Batman:
** In ''Joker's Favor'', the man who had been blackmailed into being Joker's patsy created a bat-shaped object and moved it back and forth in front of a large window in the hopes of getting Batman to save him. Fortunately, Bruce Wayne was driving by the building at the time.
** More from DCAU: In one episode of ''[[Static Shock]]'', Batman and Robin team up with Static. Batman gives Static a bat-shaped communicator, but Static loses it. Then, when he needs to contact Batman, he uses his electromagnetic powers to project a (custom-designed)
* Used several times in ''[[Batman:
* ''[[The Powerpuff Girls]]'' had their own hotline, but one episode had the Mayor sending a flashing heart signal into the sky. There was even a catchy song about it, "Signal in the Sky" by Apples in Stereo.
** It's [[The Artifact]]: They had it in the original short, before the hotline was invented.
* The Huntsman, a character in ''[[Freakazoid!]]'', is signaled by "The Horn of Urgency", a giant horn on the police station's roof. Unfortunately, it was a false alarm every time.
* [[Inverted Trope|Inverted]] in ''[[The Spectacular Spider
* Parodied in the cartoon version of ''[[The Tick (animation)]]'': The Mayor has several superhero signals, and doesn't think much of their effectiveness (especially when he has the Tick's phone number).
{{quote|
* Played with in ''[[Family Guy]]'', when Bill Gates shines a Windows logo into the sky to summon a helicopter to pick him up. Yeah.
** At another point, they're watching clouds go by and a dog symbol appears. Brian leaps up and runs to go take care of it, presumably.
* Parodied in ''[[The Simpsons]]'', when Homer stands in front of a lighthouse.
{{quote|
'''Lisa:''' [[Lopsided Dichotomy|Either that or Batman's really let himself go.]] }}
* [[
* [[Veggie Tales
* In ''[[
** In the ''[[
* One episode of ''[[Word Girl]]'' was about Becky "[[Word Girl]]" Botsford's younger adoptive brother TJ thinking that he is a baseball-themed superhero and starts to gain more popularity than his sister. At one point he wants people to use a "Bat Signal" to summon him (in his case, it's a baseball bat), and Becky/WordGirl responds by making a reference to Batman.
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[[Category:Superhero Tropes]]
[[Category:Bat Signal]]
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