Born to Thomas and Martha, two very wealthy and charitable socialites, he lived a very privileged life. That changed when he was 8. On the way home from the theatre with his parents, they were attacked by a small-time criminal. During the attack his parents are killed. After the attacker flees, he swears an oath to rid the city of the evil that took his parents. He engages in intense intellectual and physical training; however, he realizes that these skills alone would not be enough. "Criminals are superstitious and cowardly lot," he remarks, "so my disguise must be able to strike terror into their hearts. I must be a creature of the night, black, terrible..." As if responding to his desires, a bat suddenly flies through the window, inspiring him to take on the persona of Bat... Oh damn! Wrong origin story.