February 14, 2022

Michael E. Uslan will discuss his journey from a blue collar Jersey kid to owner and producer of the Batman franchise—one of the greatest global film franchises in history.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J., Feb. 14, 2022—How did a blue collar kid from Jersey come to buy the rights to Batman and go on to create one of the greatest film franchises in history? New Jersey resident Michael E. Uslan will discuss his journey as part of the Gates Ferry Distinguished Visiting Lecture series at Centenary University during a virtual presentation called “The Boy Who Loved Batman” on Thursday, Feb. 24, at 7 pm.

As a kid growing up in Central Jersey, Uslan was an avid comic book collector who was dismayed by the campy portrayal of Batman in the 1960s television series. While attending Indiana University—Bloomington, he attempted to break into the film industry, earning national fame for his creation of a popular course at the University initially called The Comic Book in Society. Publicity surrounding the course—which was the first accredited college course on comic books—eventually led to a job offer from DC Comics, owner of the Batman franchise.

Uslan eventually purchased the rights to Batman from DC Comics. Originator and Executive Producer of all the modern Batman movies, beginning in 1989 and continuing to Joker and the imminent release of The Batman, Uslan also was involved in the production of such films as The Lego Movie, Constantine, and National Treasure. He won a Daytime Emmy for Best Animated Series for the children’s television program, Where on Earth is Carmen Sandiego? 

He is currently overseeing The Stan Lee Universe and legacy of characters for Genius Brands. Uslan is also an author, including comic books, graphic novels, and two memoirs, Batman’s Batmanbeing published on March 1st and The Boy Who Loved Batman, which is being adapted by the Nederlander Organization into a Broadway play called Darknights and Daydreams.

To register for this free lecture, which is open to the public, click here.

ABOUT THE GATES-FERRY DISTINGUISHED VISITING LECTURE

The Gates-Ferry Distinguished Visiting Lecture at Centenary University recognizes the dedication to the University of Joseph R. Ferry, trustee from 1948 to 1976 and treasurer of the Board of Trustees for 20 years. It was established to set high standards and goals for students and faculty, and to enrich the quality of life on the Centenary campus.

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1867 by the Newark Conference of the United Methodist Church, Centenary University’s academic program integrates a solid liberal arts foundation with a strong career orientation. This mix provides an educational experience that prepares students to succeed in the increasingly global and interdependent world. The University’s main campus is located in Hackettstown, N.J., with its equestrian facility in Washington Township.