Monmouth University Gives Doctorate to Batman Producer

Michael E. Uslan, former Ocean Township resident, has been the executive producer on every Batman movie made since 1989. On Wednesday, Monmouth University awarded him the world’s first doctorate in comic books.

The self-proclaimed “fanboy” purchased the film rights to the Batman franchise from DC Comics in 1979 after he felt that the 1960’s television series made a mockery of the comic book series he loved.

He dreamed of bringing back the sense of darkness and reality to the character, beginning with Tim Burton’s Batman in 1989, and continuing to this year with The Dark Knight Rises, the conclusion to Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.

On Wednesday Uslan received an honorary doctorate in Fine Arts with a special emphasis on the comic book genre from Monmouth University and gave the convocation address during the university’s annual Founders' Day ceremony.

“This is my homecoming,” said Uslan, who still lives in New Jersey.

As he watched the final scenes of The Dark Knight Rises for the first time, Uslan said he openly “wept like a baby.”

Uslan explained to his wife, “This is my legacy. This is my epitaph. This is everything I’ve hoped and dreamed since I was 14 years old.”

Uslan said he is not closing the door on any possibilities and would even like to be the “Baby Boomer” face of new media. But for now, he said he plans to take advantage of the perks that his new doctorate will provide.

“I can now say to anyone ailing out there: read two comics and call me in the morning,” he joked.

[via NJ.com]