Bat Boy is a fictional creature who made numerous appearances in the American

supermarket tabloid Tabloid journalism is a popular style of largely sensationalist journalism (usually dramatized and sometimes unverifiable or even blatantly false), which takes its name from the tabloid newspaper format: a small-sized newspaper also known as ...

Weekly World News The ''Weekly World News'' was a tabloid which published mostly fictional "news" stories in the United States from 1979 to 2007, renowned for its outlandish cover stories often based on supernatural or paranormal themes and an approach to news t ...

,'' beginning with a front page story in 1992. The character became a pop-culture icon. In 1997, the story of Bat Boy was turned into an

Off-Broadway An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer tha ...

musical, '' Bat Boy: The Musical''.

History

'' is a tabloid newspaper that publishes patently fabricated stories which were purported to be factual. Within the pages of the paper, Bat Boy is described as a creature who is "half

human Humans (''Homo sapiens'') are the most abundant and widespread species of primate, characterized by bipedalism and exceptional cognitive skills due to a large and complex brain. This has enabled the development of advanced tools, culture, ...

and half

bat Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera.''cheir'', "hand" and πτερόν''pteron'', "wing". With their forelimbs adapted as wings, they are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight. Bats are more agile in flight than most bi ...

". His pursuers, according to ''Weekly World News'', are scientists and

United States government The federal government of the United States (U.S. federal government or U.S. government) is the national government of the United States, a federal republic located primarily in North America, composed of 50 states, a city within a fede ...

officials; he is frequently captured, then later makes a daring escape. The original scientist who found him was named Dr. Ron Dillon. Another character, Matthew Daemon, S.O.S. (Seeker of Obscure Supernaturals), crossed paths with him in several stories. Bat Boy was created by former ''Weekly World News'' editor Dick Kulpa. Writer

Bob Lind Robert Neale Lind (born November 25, 1942) is an American folk-music singer-lyricist, who helped define the 1960s folk rock movement in the U.S. and UK. Lind is well known for his transatlantic hit record, "Elusive Butterfly", which reached num ...

was assigned the story six weeks later. He debuted as a cover story on June 23, 1992. The original front-page photo of Bat Boy, showing his grotesque screaming face, was the second-best selling issue in the tabloid's history, and he has since evolved into a pop-culture icon. He became the tabloid's ''de facto''

mascot A mascot is any human, animal, or object thought to bring luck, or anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name. Mascots are also used as fi ...

of sorts.

In popular culture

''Adventures of Batboy'' cartoon

Cartoonist A cartoonist is a visual artist who specializes in both drawing and writing cartoons (individual images) or comics (sequential images). Cartoonists differ from comics writers or comic book illustrators in that they produce both the literary and ...

Peter Bagge Peter Bagge (pronounced , as in ''bag''; born December 11, 1957) is an American cartoonist whose best-known work includes the comics ''Hate'' and ''Neat Stuff''. His stories often use black humor and exaggerated cartooning to dramatize the reduced ...

originally penned the "Adventures of Batboy" for the ''Weekly World News''. According to the cartoon, Bat Boy is currently hitchhiking with a typical American family after resigning from being the

President of the United States The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United Stat ...

(and King), has placed ''Weekly World News'' columnist

Ed Anger Ed Anger is a pseudonymous opinion columnist in the ''Weekly World News'', a former U.S. tabloid, now a web site. In addition to weekly columns, a collected book of his writings, ''Let's Pave the Stupid Rainforests & Give School Teachers Stun Guns ...

under arrest and saying goodbyes to

Beyoncé Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Beyoncé's boundary-pushing artistry and vocals have made her the most influential female musician of the 21st century, according to ...

, a half

sasquatch Bigfoot, also commonly referred to as Sasquatch, is a purported ape-like creature said to inhabit the forest of North America. Many dubious articles have been offered in attempts to prove the existence of Bigfoot, including Anecdotal evidence, ...

(with whom he was romantically involved), and Dr. Ron. In the strip, Bat Boy joins a death metal/thrash metal band as their lead singer. Cartoonist Danielle Corsetto, creator of webcomic '' Girls with Slingshots'', took over from Bagge in 2005 and drew the strip until the ''WWN'' ceased publication in 2007.

''Bat Boy: The Musical''

A musical based on the Bat Boy character premiered at

Tim Robbins Timothy Francis Robbins (born October 16, 1958) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for portraying Andy Dufresne in the film ''The Shawshank Redemption ''(1994), and has won an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards for his role ...

' Actors Gang Theatre on

Halloween Halloween or Hallowe'en (less commonly known as Allhalloween, All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve) is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Saints' Day. It begins the observanc ...

, 1997 and has since been produced

Off Broadway An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer tha ...

, in London's West End, and in scores of productions throughout the world. Music and lyrics are by Laurence O'Keefe, with a book by

Brian Flemming Brian Flemming is an American film director, playwright and activist. His films include '' Hang Your Dog in the Wind'', '' Nothing So Strange'', and '' The God Who Wasn't There''. His musicals include '' Bat Boy: The Musical'', which won the LA ...

and Keythe Farley.

Other usage

Bat Boy served as the inspiration for the album cover of '' Escape Plan/

Mafia "Mafia" is an informal term that is used to describe criminal organizations that bear a strong similarity to the original “Mafia”, the Sicilian Mafia and Italian Mafia. The central activity of such an organization would be the arbitration of d ...

'' by American rapper Travis Scott.

References

Sources

Bibliography

* "Bat Boy Found in West Virginia Cave!" by Bill Creighton, Weekly World News
June 23, 1992
pp 46–47. Reprinte
July 6, 1999
pp. 46–47. Reprinte
June 20, 2005
pp. 58–59. * "Bat Boy Escapes!" by Dack Kennedy
October 6, 1992
p. 5. * "U.S. Govt. to Blame for Letting Bat Boy Escape!" by

October 6, 1992
p. 17. * "New Wave of Bat Boy Sightings" anonymous
December 8, 1992
pp. 4–5. * "Bat Boy Attacks Girl, 10!" by Joe Berger
March 9, 1993
pp. 4–5. * "Bat Boy on the Loose!" Weekly World News Special 76-Page Collector's Edition
May 1993
pp. 38–39. * "'I've Captured Bat Boy'" by Jack Alexander
July 27, 1993
p. 29. * "FBI Captures Bat Boy!" by Conrad Morse
August 31, 1993
pp. 24–25. * "Bat Boy Saga Heats Up" Anonymous
January 4–11, 1994
p. 51. * "Bat Boy Dead, Claims U.S. Govt." by Nick Mann
January 31, 1995
p. 46. * "Escaped Bat Boy Sighted in Texas!" by Global News Service
April 11, 1995
p. 3. * "New Jersey Lovebirds Getting Married – Thanks to Elvis and Bat Boy" by Tanya Broder
February 20, 1996
p. 39. * "Bat Boy Captured!" by Joe Berger
September 16, 1997
pp. 8–9. * "Bat Boy Is Learning How to Talk!" by Mike Foster
March 24, 1998
p. 13. * "Second Bat Child Captured in West Virginia, Confirms Researcher," by Alex Morgan
September 15, 1998
p. 25. * "Half-Human Half-Bat Locked Up in Secret Medical Lab!" by Kevin Creed
August 31, 1999
p. 13. * "Bat Boy on the Loose!" by Wolf Landrum
September 7, 1999
pp. 36–37. * "Bat Child Attacks Girl" by Ernst Craven
September 19, 2000
pp 40–41. * "'I Will Hunt Down Bat Boy and Kill Him!'" by Rex Wolfe
October 9, 2001
p. 20. * "Stay Tuned—Something BIG Is Brewing for Bat Boy" by Ernst Craven
October 30, 2001
p. 8. * "Pentagon Mum on Bat Boy Whereabouts" by Mary Kingston
November 6, 2001
p. 7. * "It's a Bird... It's a Plane... No – It's Bat Boy... Training with the U.S. Army!" by Andi Cretel
November 20, 2001
p. 45. * "Bat Boy Meets with

Bush Bush commonly refers to: * Shrub, a small or medium woody plant Bush, Bushes, or the bush may also refer to: People * Bush (surname), including any of several people with that name **Bush family, a prominent American family that includes: *** ...

Camp David Camp David is the country retreat for the president of the United States of America. It is located in the wooded hills of Catoctin Mountain Park, in Frederick County, Maryland, near the towns of Thurmont and Emmitsburg, about north-northwe ...

" by Tomaso Focata
November 27, 2001
p. 9. * "Bat Boy Bites

Santa Claus Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a Legend, legendary figure originating in Western Christianity, Western Christian culture who is said to Christmas gift-bringer, bring ...

!" by Brett Anniston
December 18, 2001
p. 10. * "Bat Boy Storms

Afghanistan Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,; prs, امارت اسلامی افغانستان is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. Referred to as the Heart of Asia, it is bordere ...

with U.S. Marines" by Alicia Bousch
December 25, 2001
pp. 18–19. * "'Bring Us the Head of Bat Boy!'" by Lois Castini
January 8, 2002
p. 8. * "Batty-Mitzvah" by Anonymous
January 15, 2002
p. 69. * Letters to the Editor by Hans Schrierst of

William Morris Agency The William Morris Agency (WMA) was a Hollywood-based talent agency. It represented some of the best known 20th-century entertainers in film, television, and music. During its 109-year tenure it came to be regarded as the "first great talent a ...

and Alfred E. Newman of

Mad Magazine Mad, mad, or MAD may refer to: Geography * Mad (village), a village in the Dunajská Streda District of Slovakia * Mád, a village in Hungary * Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, by IATA airport code * Mad River (disambiguation), several r ...

, January 9, 2002. * "Bat Boy Behind Bars!" by Miguel Figueroa
February 19, 2002
p. 42. * "Bat Boy Escapes Terrorists: Now He's on the Lam in South America!" by Joan Ryan
February 26, 2002
pp. 42–43. * "FBI Warns: Don't Be Fooled by This Bat Boy Impersonator!" by Vincenzo Sardi
March 5, 2002
pp. 2–3. * "Bat Boy Saves Washington from 'Dirty Bomb' Disaster... & You Won't Believe How!" by Miguel Figueroa
April 30, 2002
pp. 12–13. * "Yes, Jacob, There Is a Bat Boy," Sound Off
July 23, 2002
p. 4. * Sound Off! Letter to the Editor by Joseph B.
August 20, 2002
p. 4. * Sound Off! Letter to the Editor by "Draff" and "Unicorn,
August 27, 2002
p. 4. * "Half Bat—Half Amazing" by Anonymous
September 10, 2002
p. 42. * "Mutant Fruit" by Rick Kirk
October 8, 2002
p. 16. * "Bat Boy Is Missing!" by Miguel Figueroa
October 15, 2002
p. 9. * "Bat Boy Sightings!" Anonymous
November 19, 2002
p. 6-7. * Sound Off! Letter to the Editor by Blake S.
December 3, 2002
p. 4. * "Police Seek Hero Mystery Boy in Capture of Child Molestor" by Mike Foster
December 17, 2002
p. 5. * Sound Off! Letter to the Editor from Worried
December 24, 2002
p. 4. * "Bat Boy Steals Car—And Goes on Three State Joy Ride!" by Wayne Diaz
January 14, 2003
pp. 6–7. * "Bat Boy Still on the Lam!" by Brett Anniston
January 21, 2003
p. 37. * "Bat Boy Still on the Lam" by Mike Foster
January 28, 2003
p. 37. * "Bat Boy Abandons Stolen Car - & Vanishes" by Mike Foster
February 4, 2003
pp. 30–31. * Weirdo Letter of the Week by Amanda W.
February 18, 2003
p. 4. * "Is

J.Lo Jennifer Lynn Affleck (' Lopez; born July 24, 1969), also known as J.Lo, is an American singer, actress and dancer. In 1991, she began appearing as a Fly Girl dancer on the sketch comedy television series ''In Living Color'', where she rema ...

Seeing Bat Boy Behind

Ben Ben is frequently used as a shortened version of the given names Benjamin, Benedict, Bennett or Benson, and is also a given name in its own right. Ben (in he, בֶּן, ''son of'') forms part of Hebrew surnames, e.g. Abraham ben Abraham ( he, � ...

's Back?" by Martha S.
February 25, 2003
p. 4. * Sound Off! Letter to the Editor by Anonymous
March 4, 2003
p. 4. * Newsmakers letter from Anthony and Elizabeth M.
April 1, 2003
p. 2. * Sound Off! Letter to the Editor by Albert P.
April 15, 2003
p. 4. * "Bat Boy Goes International!" by Dick Kulpo
April 15, 2003
p. 4. * "Bat Boy Goes to War!" by Larry Mulder
April 22, 2003
pp. 24–25. * "Thank God We Sent Bat Boy Into Iraq" by Martin T.
May 6, 2003
p. 4. * Sound Off! Letter to the Editor by Sandra M.
June 3, 2003
p. 4. * Letter of the Week by Beth L.
July 15, 2003
p. 4. * Sound Off! Letter to the Editor by Dr. Natalie P.
July 29, 2003
p. 4. * "Bat Boy to Fly Space Shuttle" by Deuce Collins
September 23, 2003
pp. 30–31. * Sound Off! Letter to the Editor form Andy H.
September 30, 2003
p. 4. * Bat Boy Mask
October 28, 2003
p. 72. * "Bat Boy Xmas Card!
December 2, 2003
p. 12. * "Freaks, Geeks & Weirdos" by Kay Callahan
December 2, 2003
p. 26. * Sound Off! Letter to the Editor by Harvey P. of Cleveland, Ohio
December 23, 2003
p. 4. * "Bat Boy Led U.S. Troops to

Saddam Saddam Hussein ( ; ar, صدام حسين, Ṣaddām Ḥusayn; 28 April 1937 – 30 December 2006) was an Iraqi politician who served as the fifth president of Iraq from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003. A leading member of the revolution ...

... Gotcha!" by Mike Foster
January 13, 2004
pp. 24–25. * "The Bat Got the Rat" by Steven H.
February 3, 2004
p. 4. * Sound Off! Letter to the Editor by Clark D.
February 17, 2004
p. 4. * "New Adventures of Bat Boy!" by

March 2, 2004
p. 9. (introduction to weekly Bat Boy comic strip) * "Bat Boy: He's 50% Bat—100% Amazing" by Kate McClare
March 8, 2004
p. 9. * "U.S. Plans to Clone Army of Bat Boys to Fight Terrorism!" by Ian Merkins
March 15, 2004
p. 9. * Sound Off! Letters to the Editor by Gary G. and Bernie Q.
March 22, 2004
p. 4. * Sound Off! Letter to the Editor from Anthony L.
March 29, 2004
p. 4. * "Bat Boy to Be Knighted" by Michael Chiron
April 5, 2004
p. 8. * Sound Off! Letter to the Editor by Ray L. Winder
May 3, 2004
p. 4. * "Dynamic Duo! Bat Boy Lobbying Hard for

Kerry Kerry or Kerri may refer to: * Kerry (name), a given name and surname of Gaelic origin (including a list of people with the name) Places * Kerry, Queensland, Australia * County Kerry, Ireland ** Kerry Airport, an international airport in County ...

's No. 2 Spot." by Nick Mann
May 31, 2004
pp. 2–3. * "Bat Boy to Try Out for ''

American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It aired on Fox from June 11, 2002, to Ap ...

''" by Paul Chiron
June 21, 2004
p. 8. * Sound Off! Letter to the Editor by Staci M.
June 28, 2004
p. 4. * " Britney Is My Bride!" by Will Shivers
July 12, 2004
p. 9. * "Fat Britney Fan Goes on Hunger Strike Over Reports She Married Bat Boy" by Brett Anniston
August 2, 2004
p. 37. * "'I Can Cure Bat Boy!'" by Michael Forsyth
September 20, 2004
pp. 8–9. * "Terrorists Kidnap Bat Boy!" by Nikki Long
October 11, 2004
p. 9. * "Bat Boy Musical Knocks 'Em Dead in London" by Norv Keener
November 8, 2004
p. 9. * "My Neighbor's Kid Looks Like Bat Boy—Can You Help Him?" by Mary Guevara
December 6, 2004
p. 4.; reprinte
December 27, 2004
p. 4. * "Dating Service for Freaks" by Darren Davenport
January 3, 2005
pp. 26–27. * "Are

James Carville Chester James Carville Jr. (born October 25, 1944) is an American political consultant, author, and occasional actor who has strategized for candidates for public office in the United States and in at least 23 nations abroad. A Democrat, he is an ...

& Bat Boy Kin?" by Mike Foster
January 17, 2005
pp. 8–9. * "Kid Saving Up for Plastic Surgery—to Look Like Bat Boy!" Anonymous
April 25, 2005
p. 15. * "Happy Birthday, America!
July 4, 2005
pp. 30–31. * "Bat Boy to Join the Cast of '' Deadwood''!" by Mark Miller
July 18, 2005
pp. 4–5. * "Miss Adventure's Male Bag" by Drew Sullivan (letter attributed to Jeremy Lovett)
December 5, 2005
p. 18. * "Daemon Rushes to Save Boy-Bat Trapped in Cave" by Dick Siegel
December 12, 2005
p. 40-41. * "Are Boy-Bat and Bat Boy Fraternal Twins Separated at Birth?" by Sammy Robin
January 2, 2006
p. 4. * "Bat Boy in the Belfry" by

Robert Greenberger Robert "Bob" Greenberger (born July 24, 1958) is an American writer and editor known for his work on ''Comics Scene'', ''Starlog'', ''Weekly World News'', and '' Hellboy II'', and for the executive positions he held at both Marvel Comics and DC ...

April 10, 2006
pp 12–13. * "Protect Bat Boy at All Costs" by Robert Greenberger
April 17, 2006
pp. 12–13. * Sound Off! Letters to the Editor by Richard Graysonne and Charlie Kane
May 1, 2006
p. 47.; reprinte
June 19, 2006
p. 47. * Sound Off! Letters to the Editor from K. Bates and Matt Tell
May 8, 2006
p. 47. * "Candidate Visits Bat Boy's Home! Romney Promises to Protect Spelunkers from Monsters" by D. Patrick
March 26, 2007
p. 7. * "Police Arrest 'Bat Boy': Elusive Creature Sighted in Upstate New York," by Dick Siegel
June 11, 2007
p. 4. * "Kids' Letters to Bat Boy" by Dick Siegel
August 6, 2007
p. 12. {{DEFAULTSORT:Bat Boy (Character) Fictional characters introduced in 1992 Fictional characters from West Virginia Fictional bats