Bruce Wayne (Earth-5171)

"We must all live in the real world... and reality is pretty grim. But it's hope that makes the real world worth living. In the early 1940's, I made a promise in my parents' graves, that I would never stop fighting to defend those who needed it the most, those who could not defend themselves. This is why I became the Batman, why since I was eight years old I evolved into nothing more than a soldier, ready to fight in the never ending horrors of war. As long as people still need me, as long as this world isn't at peace and people are safe, I cannot abandon my promise, I cannot deny them hope."

- - Batman

Bruce Wayne is a World War II veteran and the world's first superhero. Born to Thomas and Martha Wayne, top ranking members of the Strategic Scientific Reserve. Bruce lived a normal life in the start of the 20th Century until his parents were killed by Nazi agents. Becoming a orphan, Bruce was then sent to numerous reformatories until he met Jason Todd, and both became best friends, defending one another. Enlisting in the American army to take part in World War II to avenge his parents' deaths, Bruce took part into a secret program which turned the young vengeful man into the heroic Batman, his exceptional World War II exploits against the Axis, and mostly important, HYDRA, made him a living legend. Together with the Howling Commandos and Jason, now know as Robin, Batman defeated all those who crossed in the Allies' way, until that during a ultimate battle against the Joker, which seemingly costed the life of Robin, Batman crashed into the Artic, being cryogenically incased in the land's ice and presumed dead to the rest of the world for the next 70 years. Awakening in the modern day by the Avengers during a mission, Bruce learned on how much he missed and proceeded to learn about this new world, eventually becoming the leader of the Avengers at Iron Man's request.

Trivia

 * Batman's birthday of December 15th is a homage to fellow Comic Crossroads user and friend RoninTheMasterless, a big fan of the Batman and his mythos.