Podcast Summary

Unblinded with Sean Callagy – Michael Uslan: The True Story of Batman

Date: February 10, 2026
Host: Sean Callagy
Guest: Michael Uslan (Producer/“Godfather” of Batman Films and lifelong comics fan)

Overview

In this richly engaging episode, Sean Callagy welcomes Michael Uslan, the man responsible for bringing the "real" Batman to the big screen, elucidating how his unyielding passion, Jersey perseverance, and mastery of influence made possible the transformation of Batman from a campy pop-culture joke to the global icon of grit and darkness we know today. The conversation journeys through Uslan’s childhood connection to comics, his early career innovations, the years-long battle to revive Batman’s cinematic legacy, and the deeper themes of belief, identity, and the power of story.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Early Love for Batman and the Pain of the “Campy” Era

• [00:00–06:41]:
  • Uslan describes the trauma of seeing the 1960s Batman TV series as a teenager, realizing the world saw Batman as a joke:

    “The whole world was laughing at my Batman. And that killed me.” (00:00, Michael Uslan)

  • Vows to show the world the “true Batman” as created in 1939:

    “I made a vow like young Bruce Wayne once made a vow...I will show the world the true Batman as he was created in 1939.” (05:40, Michael Uslan)

2. The Power of Passion, Perseverance, and Parental Influence

• [06:41–08:03, 12:24–14:59]:
  • Uslan recounts being a “blue collar kid from New Jersey,” learning commitment and grit from his stonemason father and supportive mother:

    “My dad was a stonemason...he would get up every morning before dawn...smile on his face, couldn’t wait to get to work...How can you not want to wake up on a rainy Monday morning and say, boy, I can’t wait to get to work?” (13:09, Michael Uslan)

  • His massive comic collection began as escape, with his parents nurturing his interests, leading to a record 30,000 comics by high school graduation.

3. Batman: The Human Superhero

• [15:37–16:10]:
  • Uslan explains Batman’s allure:

    “He was one of the only superheroes with no superpowers. His greatest superpower is his humanity. And I could identify with it. Everybody can identify with that.” (15:46, Michael Uslan)

4. Stan Lee as Idol and Mentor

• [16:10–16:58, 29:36–31:15]:
  • Uslan delivers insights from comics legend Stan Lee:

    “Stan said to me, ‘It’s the supervillains who are just as important as the superheroes, because ultimately they define the superheroes.’” (16:15, Michael Uslan)

  • Lee connects with Uslan after seeing his college comics class go viral, helping to mentor his budding career.

5. Teaching the First Accredited Comic Book Course

• [19:19–25:01]:
  • Uslan pitches and fights for the first college-accredited course on comic books, convincing a skeptical dean by paralleling Superman and the story of Moses:

    “He stares at me and says...‘Your course is accredited.’” (23:11, Michael Uslan)

6. Marketing through Guerrilla Tactics

• [26:15–27:20]:
  • On marketing his course by prank-calling UPI to create controversy and nationwide news:

    “I started screaming at him...‘this must be a communist plot to subvert the youth of America.’ And I slammed down the phone.” (26:15, Michael Uslan)

7. Breaking into Comics: The “Shadow” Script

• [35:12–40:39]:
  • Uslan seizes opportunities at DC, gets his first professional break writing “The Shadow” (by pitching a story on the fly).
  • Follows up by writing his first Batman story: Detective Comics #460.

8. The Herculean Task of Bringing Batman to the Movies

• [44:16–66:13]:
  • Sends 372 typewritten resumes to Hollywood execs in the pre-internet era (“on a typewriter”), gets two job offers with $95/week pay.
  • Goes to law school as fallback, works on Rocky, Raging Bull, Apocalypse Now at United Artists.
  • Assembles finances via private investors, finally buys the Batman film rights in 1979.
  • Faces “10 years of rejection” by every Hollywood studio, often mocked outright for wanting a “dark, serious” superhero movie.

9. The Role of Support Systems

• [66:14–68:34]:
  • Uslan credits his wife Nancy, who “does the important work in the family,” for her emotional, practical, and worldwide humanitarian support, as well as to his and Nancy’s families.

10. Breakthrough with Tim Burton and the 1989 Film

• [69:30–77:46]:
  • Tim Burton’s “big idea” was to make the movie about “Bruce Wayne, not Batman,” and to make Gotham real as a character.
  • Uslan gets the final critical funding/lifeline thanks to his father-in-law during a low point.
  • The film’s release changes Uslan’s life and launches the modern superhero film era.

11. Creative Influence and Legacy

• [77:46–87:40]:
  • Stories of teachers Mrs. Stiller and Mrs. Friedman; the importance of mastery and craft.
  • Uslan as “Batman’s Batman” – he refused to allow Batman to be made campy in film, even at the cost of losing deals.

    “You defend Batman. You are protecting Batman. You are Batman’s Batman.” (84:27, Michael Uslan’s mentor Ben Melnicker)

  • Transition from Burton to Schumacher to Nolan films traced to changing eras of Batman comics.

12. Nolan’s Trilogy and the Deepest Batman Themes

• [96:25–107:19]:
  • Christopher Nolan’s “realistic” approach, use of Chicago as Gotham, Bruce Wayne’s trauma and journey, the Joker as terrorist, Morgan Freeman’s credibility.
  • The power of cinematic storytelling for moral and ethical self-examination:

    “It’s about, what do you do when you have to make a moral choice and your choices are bad and worse?” (107:19, Michael Uslan)

13. The Power of Identity, Influence, and Teaching Others

• [110:12–114:09]:
  • Uslan’s speech at West Point, drawing a direct parallel between Batman’s vow and the sense of mission, honor, and identity for young soldiers:

    “Cadets of West Point, you are Batman.” (112:44, Michael Uslan)

  • The ripple effect: high-fiving, chest-bumping soldiers with their new calling card: “I am Batman. You are Batman.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Uslan’s Lifelong Vow (00:00–05:40)

“I made a vow like young Bruce Wayne once made a vow...I will show the world the true Batman as he was created in 1939.”
– Michael Uslan (05:40)

On Batman’s Humanity (15:46)

“He was one of the only superheroes with no superpowers. His greatest superpower is his humanity.”
– Michael Uslan (15:46)

The Genesis of Uslan’s Comics Course (23:11)

“He stares at me for what I swear to you is an eternity and says...‘Your course is accredited.’”
– Michael Uslan (23:11)

Mastery of Influence in Action (26:15)

“I just heard there’s a course on comic books being taught at Indiana University...This must be a communist plot to subvert the youth of America.”
– Michael Uslan (26:15, recounting his guerrilla PR tactics)

The Moment the Dream Becomes a Career (41:39, 66:13)

“Detective Comics number 460.”
– Michael Uslan (41:39, on his first Batman comic)

“From the day I bought the rights to Batman till I could finally get our first movie made, took me 10 years.”
– Michael Uslan (66:13)

On Identity, Integrity, and Refusing to Compromise Batman

“You are protecting Batman. You are Batman’s Batman.”
– Ben Melnicker, as recounted by Michael Uslan (84:27)

The Power of Story and Teacher’s Influence (77:46–81:08)

“For those of you who don’t believe there are superheroes in real life, you’ve never met a great teacher.”
– Michael Uslan (80:30)

Nolan’s Moral Quandary Scene & Its Power (107:19)

“It’s about, what do you do when you have to make a moral choice and your choices are bad and worse?”
– Michael Uslan (107:19)

Batman as National Symbol and Identity (112:44)

“Cadets of West Point, you are Batman.”
– Michael Uslan (112:44)

On Support Systems (66:52)

“Because I had a great support system in my wife, Nancy, in my parents, in her parents. And you can’t do it alone.”
– Michael Uslan (66:52)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–06:41: Uslan’s childhood and vow to change Batman’s legacy
• 12:24–16:10: Early comic passions; Batman’s unique humanity
• 19:19–25:01: Creating and defending the first college comics course
• 26:15–27:20: PR masterstroke—turning a crank call into national news
• 35:12–41:39: Breaking into DC, first Batman story
• 44:16–46:46: Hollywood hustle—sending out 372 resumes by hand
• 66:13–68:34: Ten years of Hollywood rejection, story of support from Nancy & family
• 69:30–77:46: Tim Burton, dealmaking, and the 1989 Batman film
• 81:08–82:04: Honoring formative teachers at the Batman premiere
• 84:27–85:20: Being “Batman’s Batman”—protecting the integrity of the character
• 96:25–107:19: Elevated themes in Nolan’s trilogy; Bane, the Joker, moral dilemmas
• 110:12–114:09: The West Point story—Batman as a symbol for service and calling

Flow and Tone

The episode is intimate, high-energy, and inspirational—rich with anecdotes, vulnerable moments, and laughter. Sean’s style is enthusiastic and deeply reverent, while Michael’s storytelling is warm, humorous, and full of Jersey grit. They continually loop lessons of self-mastery, influence, risk, and the lasting power of iconic stories—inviting listeners to see themselves through the Batman lens: ordinary humans with the potential for extraordinary impact when identity, integrity, and perseverance align.

Key Takeaways

• Influence is a superpower, and when used with integrity, reshapes culture and possibility.
• Persistence overcomes ridicule: Uslan’s 10-year campaign to revive Batman required withstanding repeated, even public, “no's.”
• Identity matters: Batman endures because he is “the most human” of superheroes—his superpower is mastery over self, not superhuman ability.
• Never do it alone: Behind every “Dark Knight” is an Alfred, a Lucius Fox, a Nancy—a support system that makes heroism possible.
• Great teachers are superheroes: Story, mentorship, and high standards transform young potential into lasting legacy.
• We are all Batman: Our story, emotions, setbacks, and resurrection are what make us extraordinary.

Suggested Next Steps for Listeners

• Reflect on what vow ignites your passion.
• Consider who in your life is your “support system”—and how you show up for others.
• Examine how you wield your “influence superpower”—with mastery, not manipulation.
• Honor the teachers who shaped your journey.
• Remember: Batman had no superpowers—just purpose, integrity, mastery, and community.

For More

• Michael Uslan’s memoir: The Boy Who Loved Batman (in print and audio)
• Broadway adaptation of his memoir soon to come
• Continue listening to Unblinded for further deep dives into influence mastery

Summary prepared in the energy and spirit of Uslan's own “Zeus energy,” inviting all to claim their Batman within.