Everything about Wayne Manor totally explained
In
DC Comics,
Wayne Manor is a
fictional setting, the personal residence of Bruce Wayne, who is also
Batman.
The residence is typically depicted as a huge stately
mansion on grounds outside
Gotham City that a single rather elderly servant,
Alfred Pennyworth, somehow manages to keep in good condition. The manor has belonged to the Wayne family for several generations.
Access to the Batcave
The Manor grounds include an extensive subterranean cave system that Bruce Wayne discovered as a boy and later used as his base of operations, the
Batcave. The method used to access it has varied across the different storylines in the comics, movies, and shows. In the
comic books, it's typically accessible from a hidden door in Wayne Manor's study behind a non-functioning grandfather clock, which opens to a descending staircase when the hands on said clock are turned to 10:47 p.m., the time Thomas and Martha Wayne were killed.
The grounds also includes a large hill that was partially hollowed out for Batman's aerial vehicles, and there's also an underground river system that's large enough to accommodate docking space for the
Batboat and has a large opening for the boat.
Late 1960s to early 1980s
While these grounds are the regular home of Bruce Wayne, he temporarily vacated it in the stories from the late
1960s to the early
1980s, preferring to live in a
penthouse apartment on top of the
Wayne Foundation building in the city, which also included a secret sub-basement acting as a Batcave.
Following the events of Cataclysm
During the events of a massive earthquake struck Gotham City, the epicenter of which was less than a mile from Wayne Manor. The mansion was seriously damaged, as was the cave network beneath. The ground beneath the mansion shifted significantly, and actually revealed the Batcave below. The original Manor was damaged beyond repair, forcing Bruce Wayne to redesign the Manor along with the Batcave. The new Manor is a veritable fortress, a pastiche of
Gothic architecture combined with features of
castellated architecture. Solar panels are installed in the new Manor, providing environmentally-friendly electricity generation for the complex. It also includes a heliport for commercial helicopters.
Other media depiction
Batman (TV series)
In the
1960s live action series, the primary passage was located in Bruce Wayne's
study behind a bookshelf that retracted into the wall. The bookshelf was activated by a switch hidden in a bust of
William Shakespeare. The bookshelf would disappear to reveal two labeled
firepoles descending to the Batcave.
1989-1997 Batman film series
In
1989's
Batman,
Knebworth House, a
Gothic Tudor mansion 28 miles north of
London was used for the exterior. The interior however, is
Hatfield House,
Hertfordshire. The gaming room from the movie used the long gallery, and the marble hall was used for Wayne's 'arsenal' with the two-way mirror.
In
Batman Returns (
1992), the passage way to the Batcave is uncovered by turning on the lights of an ornament in a nearby aquarium.
In
Batman Forever (
1995),
Webb Institute in
Glen Cove, New York was used for the exterior shots of Wayne Manor.
Batman: The Animated Series
In an address is given for Wayne Manor in the episode "
The Demon's Quest" stating that it's located at 1007 Mountain Drive, Gotham.
Christopher Nolan film series
In the more recent
Batman Begins (
2005), the former
Rothschild estate,
Mentmore Towers in
Buckinghamshire, was used to portray Wayne Manor's exterior and interior. In
Batman Begins, the main part of the mansion is destroyed by fire caused by
Ra's al Ghul, however its foundation survives intact and rebuilding efforts are underway as the film ends, with Alfred suggesting to Bruce to make improvements on the mansion's southeast corner (where the Batcave is located). The
secret passage is an elevator shaft originally built as part of the
Underground Railroad, accessed by playing three notes on a nearby
piano. The three notes, when struck, sound reminiscent of the "Pow! Bang! Oof!" musical accompanyment of the 1966 series.
Production stills for
The Dark Knight (
2008) show Bruce Wayne's equipment in a different area which may indicate that Wayne Manor is still in the process of being rebuilt. Although in some recent photos, it shows Bruce sitting in a chair in what appears to be Wayne Manor.
The Batman
In
The Batman, Wayne Manor is depicted as a much taller building, with 7 floors. Bruce Wayne's bedroom is much more modern than in other series featuring Batman.
Kingdom Come
In
Kingdom Come, the Manor was destroyed by
Two-Face and
Bane after Batman's true identity was exposed; the Batcave, however, remained relatively untouched. By the end of the graphic novel, Manor has been rebuilt as a hospital/hospice for Gulag battle victims.
Other Wayne Manors
Contributing journalist for the
professional wrestling magazine
Power Slam (as well as for Carbon 14, Spinning Image and various others) bills himself as Stately Wayne Manor and has an archival website, featuring his sundry columns.
Wayne Manor is also a selective living group at
Duke University. The group is known for its strong community service, academic excellence, and campus wide parties. Originally located in Few Quad on Duke's West Campus, the group moved to Wannamaker Quad in 2001. Its famous alumni include
Canadian Idol host (and son of former
Prime Minister Brian Mulroney)
Ben Mulroney and actor
Ryan Carnes, who has appeared on 11 episodes of
ABC's
Desperate Housewives as Justin.
Also, a Banquet hall in
Wayne, NJ was called Wayne Manor. It was demolished in February 2007.
Parodies and references
- In the Batman graphic novel Run, Riddler, Run, the leader of a commando squad was a jazz enthusiast. The group would open the door to their ready room by using a switch hidden in a bust of Charlie Parker.
- The song "" on Black Star's 1998 self-titled album includes the line "Way out like Bruce Wayne's mansion," referring to Wayne Manor's location outside of Gotham City.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Wayne Manor'.
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