While The Simpsons doesn’t use pop culture references as a crutch like Family Guy, the average Simpsons episode is still jam-packed with references to pop culture. Countless iconic celebrities have guest-starred as themselves and the animators have recreated scenes from the classic movies of such directors as Kubrick and Hitchcock.
One pop culture icon that the Simpsons writers have poked a lot of fun at is Batman. As a billionaire who dresses up as a bat to fight crime, the Caped Crusader is ripe for parody.
Homer Doesn’t Think Bruce Wayne Has Time To Be Batman
In the DC Comics universe, Batman somehow manages to keep his identity as Bruce Wayne a secret from the world. But even in the real world, where there are countless comic books and movies and video games confirming Batman’s secret identity, Homer refuses to believe that Bruce Wayne is Batman.
In the episode “Take My Life, Please,” Homer reasons that Bruce doesn’t have time to be Batman, since he’s too busy running his company.
“Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Leader!”
In the cult-centric episode “The Joy of Sect,” Homer is targeted by the Movementarians, who find him harder to break than their other recruits. He ignores the propaganda films, he eats so much of their gruel that it fails to de-energize him, and he doesn’t catch on to their chant about their aptly named leader, “The Leader.”
So, they change the chant to one that Homer will recognize: the theme song from the 1960s Batman series. “Na, na, na, na, na, na, na, na, Leader!” Homer accidentally sings “Batman” before correcting himself to “Leader.”
Bart’s Ballet Teacher Uses Batman To Convince Him Tights Are Cool
“Homer vs. Patty and Selma” has one of the most memorable B-plots in Simpsons history. The A-plot revolves around Homer trying to cover up the fact that he borrowed money from Marge’s sisters, while the B-plot sees Bart signing up for the only P.E. class with spots left: ballet.
When Bart’s ballet teacher is trying to convince him to put on a pair of tights and dance, she tells him, “But so many of your heroes wear tights: Batman, for example, and… Magellan.”
Stan Lee Tries To Cram A Thing Action Figure Into A Toy Batmobile
Stan Lee gives a hilarious guest performance as himself in “I Am Furious (Yellow).” At first, Comic Book Guy is exhilarated that the creator of Marvel’s most beloved superheroes is hanging around his store – but then he refuses to leave.
When Database buys a Batman action figure for his Batmobile, Lee tells him to get a Thing action figure instead and tries to cram the Thing into his Batmobile.
Krusty The Clown Guest-Starred As A Villain In The ‘60s Batman Series (But Not The Joker)
In an early scene in “Large Marge,” when Milhouse tries to confide in Bart about his emotions, a terrified Bart distracts his friend by turning on the TV.
They stumble upon a rerun of an episode from the ‘60s Batman series in which Krusty guest-starred as a villain – but not the Joker; a quote-unquote “original” creation called Clown Face.
The Joker Wants A Piece Of Grampa’s Inheritance
In one of the earliest Grampa-centric episodes, “Old Money,” Abe Simpson inherits a boatload of cash from his lover and fellow retirement home resident, Beatrice Simmons.
Springfieldians line up around the block to enquire about having some of his money, and the Joker is among them. Based on the events of The Dark Knight, his proposal might have just been to burn the cash.
Bart’s Revenge Story Is A Parody Of Batman ‘89 And Batman Begins
One of The Simpsons’ classic three-part anthology episodes, “Revenge is a Dish Best Served Three Times,” tells three stories of revenge. The third story, titled “Bartman Begins,” is a spoof of the Batman myth. The title is a nod to Batman Begins, but the plot is more like Tim Burton’s Batman.
Bart fills the role of Bruce Wayne (a.k.a. Bartman), Grampa fills the role of Alfred, and Homer and Marge fill the roles of the slain Waynes. Ned Flanders is the Diddler (a parody of the Riddler), Lenny is Poison Lenny (a parody of Poison Ivy), and Otto is the Toker (a weed-themed parody of the Joker).
Adam West Cameos As Himself In “Mr. Plow”
When Homer takes the kids to a TV convention in an early scene in “Mr. Plow,” Bart and Lisa meet the original Batman actor, Adam West. But the Batman that they’re familiar with is Michael Keaton’s version, so they don’t even know who Robin is.
West tries and fails to win over Bart and Lisa by claiming to be a superior Batman to Keaton’s: “I didn’t need molded plastic to improve my physique. Pure West.”
A Banker Tells Bart That Setting Up A Savings Account Is “More Exciting Than A Weekend With Batman”
Bart ends up exposing his hero Krusty the Clown as one of the biggest tax cheats in history when he tries to get him to sign a check in “Bart the Fink.” The setup for this storyline sees Bart setting up his first savings account and acquiring a checkbook.
The banker tells Bart that “saving for your future is far more thrilling than any rollercoaster.” He gives Bart some forms to fill out and tells him, “I’m sure you’ll find them more exciting than a weekend with Batman.”
“Batman’s A Scientist.” “It’s Not Batman!”
Widely considered to be one of the greatest Simpsons episodes, “Marge vs. the Monorail” sees Springfield installing a shoddy monorail system that speeds out of control on its maiden voyage. Homer is the captain of the runaway monorail and Marge tells him, “Homer, there’s a man here who thinks he can help you.”
Homer assumes it’s Batman, but Marge says, “No, he’s a scientist.” Homer counters, “Batman’s a scientist,” and Marge snaps, “It’s not Batman!”
