Who is referred to as the flying rat? - briefly
The derogatory nickname “flying rat” refers to Batman, most often used by the Joker and other villains to mock his nocturnal, airborne crime‑fighting activities. It highlights the hero’s bat‑themed equipment in a contemptuous manner.
Who is referred to as the flying rat? - in detail
The nickname “flying rat” is applied to the caped vigilante of Gotham City. It originated in the early comic stories, where the Joker introduced the insult with the line “Here comes the flying rat!” in Batman #1 (Spring 1940). The epithet emphasizes the hero’s nocturnal, airborne silhouette and the perception of him as a pest by his criminal opponents.
The moniker persists across media:
- Comics – Joker repeatedly uses the phrase; Two‑Face and other foes occasionally echo it.
- Animated series – The Joker calls Batman “the flying rat” in Batman: The Animated Series (1992) and in The New Batman Adventures (1997).
- Video games – The Joker utters the insult in Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009) and Batman: Arkham City (2011).
- Merchandise and fan culture – T‑shirts, memes, and fan‑art often feature the term, reinforcing its association with the Dark Knight.
The label reflects several aspects of the character:
- Gliding capability – The cape enables silent aerial movement, resembling a rat’s quick, unpredictable scurrying.
- Urban setting – Gotham’s alleys and rooftops parallel the hidden pathways of rodents.
- Psychological impact – By calling the hero a “rat,” villains aim to diminish his stature and portray him as a nuisance rather than a protector.
Overall, the expression “flying rat” serves as a contemptuous identifier used by Gotham’s underworld to describe the bat‑themed guardian, highlighting his stealth, nocturnal activity, and the adversarial view held by his enemies.