Michael Uslan

  • Originator & Executive Producer of all Batman Movies

In an inspiring program, Uslan takes audiences along on the journey of creating his career to bringing Batman successfully to the big screen. He shares the principles that allowed him to persevere despite repeated rejection and encourages audiences everywhere to reach for their dreams and believe in themselves.

In a different program specifically aimed at corporations, guilds, and business conferences, Uslan uses Batman to discuss the need for the spirit of entrepreneurship and the critical importance of branding and re-branding in business today, and how we all personally need to adapt that concept to our own lives by periodically reinventing ourselves.

In a third program, Uslan addresses the founders of the comic book industry and how, not coincidentally, the majority of them are Jewish immigrants or first generation American Jews. Personally familiar with these legends, Uslan shares their anecdotes and also reveals the connection between the super-heroes created by these men and women and Jewish lore and tradition—i.e. how The Golem spawned The Hulk and just how similar Superman and Moses really are.

Proven to deliver what USA Today hailed as one of the top 10 commencement addresses of all time at Indiana University, Michael Uslan is sure to capture your audience with his devotion and intellect, and inspire them with the wonder and promise of comics universe.

 

Michael Uslan headshot
Michael Uslan photo 3
Michael Uslan photo 2
Past Hosts Include:
  • National Association of Broadcasters International Conference
  • KOCCA South Korea Cultural Association, Seoul
  • Miami University of Ohio
  • Association of Film Commissioners International
  • China/U.S. Summit
  • West Point
  • Metropolitan Museum of Art
  • United Nations
  • TenCent Company, Shenzhen, China
  • The Economist Magazine Human Potential Conference
Rave Reviews About Michael Uslan
Michael Uslan was well-received at each event. He drew a sizable audience and stayed until after 11 pm signing books and meeting crowd members.

The Boy Who Loved Batman | TEDxOgden [21:07] - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Michael Uslan

From Fan to Filmmaker: The Journey to Bring Batman to the Silver Screen

Pow! Zap! Oy! How Jewish Immigrants Created Super-Heroes

The Legends Behind the Comic Books

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Books by Michael Uslan
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Press & Media
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Biography

Originator & Executive Producer of The BATMAN movie franchise, including BATMAN (winner Best Picture, People’s Choice Award); THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY, including two top grossing movies in history, THE DARK KNIGHT & THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, 8 Oscar nominations, winner Best Supporting Actor, 5 Peoples’ Choice Awards, winner Best Picture; BATMAN BEGINS; BATMAN RETURNS; THE LEGO MOVIE;THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE; THE LEGO MOVIE 2; THE JOKER; TEEN TITANS GO TO THE MOVIES; BIRDS OF PREY; JUSTICE LEAGUE; BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE; SUPER-HEROES UNITED; BATMAN FOREVER; BATMAN: HUSH; BATMAN & HARLEY QUINN; BATMAN: GOTHAM  BY GASLIGHT; RETURN OF THE CAPED CRUSADERS; BATMAN V TWO-FACE; BATMAN: NINJA; BATMAN & ROBIN; BATMAN: ASSAULT ON ARKHAM; SON OF BATMAN; BATMAN v ROBIN; BATMAN UNLIMITED: MONSTER MAYHEM; BATMAN UNLIMITED: ANIMAL INSTINCTS; THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, PART 1 & 2; BATMAN: YEAR ONE; BATMAN: UNDER THE RED HOOD; SUPERMAN/BATMAN: APOCALYSE; SUPERMAN/BATMAN: PUBLIC ENEMIES; GOTHAM  KNIGHT; BATMAN BEYOND: RETURN OF THE JOKER , winner, Annie Award- outstanding achievement in animation; JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK; JUSTICE LEAGUE: GODS & MONSTERS; JUSTICE LEAGUE: COSMIC CLASH; LEGO JUSTICE LEAGUE: ATTACK OF THE LEGION OF DOOM;BATMAN: BAD BLOOD;  JUSTICE LEAGUE v TEEN TITANS; TEEN TITANS: THE JUDAS CONTRACT; JUSTICE LEAGUE: FLASHPOINT PARADOX; BATMAN: THE KILLING JOKE; BATMAN: MYSTERY OF THE BATWOMAN; CATWOMAN; BATMAN VS. DRACULA; BATMAN & MR. FREEZE: SUB-ZERO; SCOOBY DOO & BATMAN: THE BRAVE & THE BOLD; JUSTICE LEAGUE V. FATAL FIVE. Upcoming: THE BATMAN; DARK JUSTICE; BATGIRL; SHAZAM.
 
Producer:  BATMAN: MASK OF THE PHANTASM (1993); CONSTANTINE (2005); SPIRIT (2008); Assoc. Producer, NATIONAL TREASURE (2004).
 
Winner of Emmy Award for “Best Animated Series,” WHERE ON EARTH IS CARMEN SANDIEGO? (1994-97).  
 
Writer of my memoir, THE BOY WHO LOVED BATMAN(Chronicle Books, also published internationally in Spanish). Contributing Writer, Huffington Post. Co-Host on-air, Turner Classic Movies: “Super-Heroes in the Movies.” Star of LG Electronics commercial for LG Oled Perfect Black TV’s; Commercial for Indiana University. Trail-blazing the producing of global content with partners in China.
 
Executive Producer: THREE SOVEREIGNS FOR SARAH, acclaimed PBS/American Playhouse Salem Witch Trials mini-series starring Vanessa Redgrave; TUROK, SON OF STONE; ROBIN COOK’S HARMFUL INTENT, CBS-TV movie based on the best-seller; LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE’S VERY ANIMATED CHRISTMAS (also writer) for Fremantle; prime-time animated series FISH POLICE (CBS); and Creator/Writer/Executive Producer of  DINOSAUCERS, 65 episodes animated. Producer: SWAMP THING; RETURN OF SWAMP THING. Executive Producer: SWAMP THING animated series, Fox; SWAMP THING live-action series, USA Network, SyFy Channel. Producer: THE MARVEL SUPER-HEROES GUIDE TO NEW YORK CITY, Discovery Channel; LEGENDS BEHIND THE COMIC BOOKS; Executive Producer: historical segments, NBC Summer Olympics in Seoul.
 
Instructor of both the first accredited college course and correspondence course on comic books (Indiana University 1971); Creator/Instructor with Stan Lee and David Uslan of the Smithsonian Institution’s first on-line course on The Rise of Superheroes and Their Impact on Pop Culture; author of: the first text-book on comics, The Comic Book In America; America At War- A History Of War Comics; Mysteries In Space- A History Of Science Fiction Comics; Best Of Archie; The Comic Book Revolution; The Pow! Zap! Wham! Comic Book Trivia Quiz Book; Introductions for: Superman In Action Comics Archive V 3; Batman In The 50’s ; Shazam Archive V 3 ; Thunder Agents Archive V 1, V 2; Just Imagine Stan Lee Creating The DC Universe V 1, V 2, V 3, Omnibus;  Mighty Crusaders Archive V 1; Superman In World’s Finest Comics Archive V 1; Superman: Greatest Stories Ever Told; Comic Cavalcade  Archive V 1; Catwoman: 9 Lives Of A Feline Fatale; Brave & Bold Team-Up Archive V 1, V 2; Spirit Archive V16; Enemy Ace Archive V 2; Adam Strange Archive V 2; Batman: Dynamic Duo Archive V 2; Green Lantern Archive V 6; The Spirit: Femmes Fatales; Marvel Masterworks Golden Age Captain America V 3, V 4, V 5; Marvel Masterworks, Young Allies V 1; Batman Annuals V 1, V 2; The Pureheart Archive; Archie, Will You Marry Me?; Archie: The Married Life; Batman Archive V 8; Archie Archive, V 8; The Shadow V 13; Silver Age Teen Titans Archive V2; Batman ’66-The TV Stories; Thunder Agents: The Best of Wally Wood; Batman’s 75th Anniversary for San Diego Comic Con 2014 Official Book; Thunder Agents 50th Anniversary for San Diego Comic Con 2015 Official Book; Undersea Agent; Way More Than Luck: Commencement Speeches of Bravery and Empathy.
 
Author of: CHATTERBOX: THE BIRD WHO WORE GLASSES, a Best Children’s Books Award Finalist; BATMAN: DETECTIVE #27 hardback graphic novel. Co-Creator, the manga graphic novel, THE MYSTERIANS. Writer, syndicated comic strip, TERRY & THE PIRATES; Initiator/writer, JUST IMAGINE with Stan Lee; scripter, BATMAN, THE SHADOW, THE QUESTION comic books; Will Eisner’s THE SPIRIT; THE SPIRIT BLACK & WHITE; ARCHIE GETS MARRIED; LIFE WITH ARCHIE, Eisner Award nominee; THE AVENGER MEETS THE GREEN HORNET; UNDERSEA AGENT; BATMAN: BLACK & WHITE; THE SHADOW/GREEN HORNET: DARK NIGHTS, named Best Mini-Series by SciFiPulse and CultureMass. JUSTICE, INC.; DINOSAUCERS: REPTILON; FAREWELL BETTY & VERONICA; SHADOW 100; LONE RANGER/GREEN HORNET: CHAMPIONS OF JUSTICE.
 
Author of numerous books including DICK CLARK’S THE FIRST 25 YEARS OF ROCK AND ROLL (Dell), a Literary Guild Selection; THE ROCK ‘N ROLL TRIVIA QUIZ BOOK (Simon & Schuster); THE TV TRIVIA QUIZ BOOK  V 1 and V 2 (Crown); TV COMMERCIALS TRIVIA QUIZ BOOK (Arbor House); ARCHIE MARRIES (Harry Abrams).
 
Recipient of: World’s first Doctorate of Comic Books, Monmouth University 2012; CINE Motion Picture Industry Trailblazer Award 2012; NOVA Legend Award 2018; Inkpot Award, highest honor from Comic Con for lifetime achievement 2012; Inaugural Member of the Ocean Township High School Hall of Fame; Honorary Doctor of Arts Degree 2012; Peace Film Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award  2011; West Point’s Cadet’s Choice Award 2009; Montclair Art Museum Award for extraordinary artistic and creative contributions to American comic books 2007; The President’s Medal for Excellence, IU 2006; Academy of Law Fellows 2006; Iconosphere Award for Film 2006; Independent Spirit Award 2005; President’s Circle Award, IU 2002; Distinguished Hoosier Award 2001; Hoagy Carmichael Creative Achievement Award 1989; Who’s Who in Entertainment; Who's Who in the World.
 
Creator of museum exhibits on the history/art of comic books for The Museum of Comic & Cartoon Art (NY 2011-12); Montclair Art Museum (New Jersey, 2007-08); The Lilly Library (Indiana University, 2005); Advising/Loaning, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Costume Institute, Salutes Power of Superheroes Imagery in Fashion (2008). Planning: Smithsonian Institution Traveling Comic Book Super-Hero Exhibition.
 
Motion picture production attorney for United Artists in charge of legal affairs of films including APOCALYPSE NOW, ROCKY II, RAGING BULL, and THE BLACK STALLION.
 
Commencement Speaker Indiana University (Named one of the Top Ten Commencement Addresses of All Time by USA Today/graduationwisdom.com; named by PBS as one of the 300 Greatest Commencement Speeches in the U.S. Since 1775; named by Baidu of China as one of the Top Three Commencement Addresses Ever in American Universities); Speaker: West Point; United Nations; Smithsonian Institution; Metropolitan Museum of Art; Keynote Speaker: TED Talk;The Economist Magazine Human Potential Conference; National Association of Broadcasters International Conference in Shanghai; Big Ten Conference; Association of Film Commissioners International; China/U.S. Summit; KOCCA South Korea Cultural Association in Seoul; Commencement Speaker: Indiana University School of Law; Hong Kong Film Mart; TenCent, Shenzhen, China; San Diego Comic Con; New York Comic Con; Bangkok Comics Con; Chicago Comic Con; 200 Universities. Presenter: Turner Classic Movies Film Festival 2016-18 at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Featured: Hulu doc, BATMAN & BILL; NatGeo doc, 1989; BATMAN ANIMATED SERIES BLU-Ray Collection.
 
Judge, 2017 Asian Film Awards, Hong Kong (Asia’s Oscars); Participant, Vice President Biden’s entertainment industry meeting on gun violence; Advisory Board, Discovery Channel Global Education Partnership; Advisory Board, Association of Film Commissioners International; Board of Directors, Wild Brain Animation Studio. Board of Trustees, Center for Excellence in Education. Youth Grants Panel, National Endowment for the Humanities. Chairman, New Jersey Film Commission. Board of Trustees, Thomas Edison/Black Maria Film Festival; Board of Advisors, Asbury Park Music & Film Festival; Professor of Practice, Indiana University Media School. Recipient, world’s first Doctorate in Comic Books, Monmouth University.