The Original Dark Knight
Did you know there was a real-life Batman? No, he wasn’t an eccentric billionaire who donned a mask and served vigilante justice. The Batman wasn’t even "man" to begin with…
Did you know there's been a real-life Batman? Image Credit: Reddit
Long before Bruce Wayne donned the cape, the ancient Maya worshipped a terrifying bat god known as Camazotz, meaning "death bat." This fearsome deity ruled over night, sacrifice, and the underworld. Often depicted with a humanoid body and a bat’s snarling face, Camazotz was said to dwell in Xibalba, the Mayan land of the dead — a place where few escaped alive.
Though separated by centuries and cultures, Camazotz and Batman share striking similarities: both are creatures of the night, both inspire fear in the hearts of their enemies, and both blur the line between man and myth. In fact, some fans even call Camazotz "the original Batman."
Turns out the Dark Knight might owe more to ancient legends than just a tragic origin story. Know any spooky fun facts like this one? Share it below or in another thread here.
