‘Batman’ anniversary brings crowd to Distance Education Center

Two+of+Batmans+worst+enemies+sit+side+by+side+during+Comic+Book+Day.+Krista+Williams%2C+20%2C+film+major%2C+and+Fernando+Meza%2C+25%2C+CIS+major%2C+attended+the+events+in+the+Distance+Education+Center+Tuesday.+Photo+credit%3A+Armando+Zelaya

Two of Batman’s worst enemies sit side by side during Comic Book Day. Krista Williams, 20, film major, and Fernando Meza, 25, CIS major, attended the events in the Distance Education Center Tuesday. Photo credit: Armando Zelaya

Gotham City’s finest came out to the Distance Education Center Tuesday to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Batman.

Maria Brown, history professor, hosted her annual Comic Book Day where she celebrated the anniversary of Batman with events that included raffles, costume contest, and lectures by the animators of “Batman: The Animated Series” and Mike Wellman, owner of the store “Comic Bug” in Culver City.

“Pop culture is a very intricate part of our lives,” Brown said. “It affects every aspect of our lives so it’s important to understand that and what that impact is.”

At Comic Book Day, students came together and learned about the production side of making comic books and television shows.

This year while honoring Batman, students were able to have a question and answer session with Rafael Navarro and Kevin Alteri; two animators from the 1990s cartoon “Batman: The Animated Series.” They answered questions, signed autographs and showed story boards from the series signifying Batman’s presence in the past as well as the future.

“(Batman) is not just a superhero in a sense that he has powers but he is a hero that is able to push human boundaries,” Brian Manza, 23, liberal arts major, said. “The longevity of it shows how much this fictional character is still part of our culture.”

At the end of the event Brown thanked all who attended including the guest speakers, Dean of Behavioral and Social Sciences Gloria Miranda, as well as other staff members who supported her throughout the years with certificates of appreciation.

“(Comic Book Day) provides a learning experience for students,” Brown said. “People not only learn about comic book characters, but they learn about the society they live in.”