Martha Wayne

Martha Wayne is a fictional character of the Batman series of comic books, published by DC Comics. She was Dr. Thomas Wayne's wife and mother of Bruce Wayne. When she and her husband were murdered during a holdup, young Bruce swore to avenge their deaths by fighting crime. As an adult, he fulfilled his vow by becoming Batman. Martha Wayne first appeared in Detective Comics #33 (November 1939) in a story by Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson which detailed the origin of the Batman. Initially little more than a cipher whose death inspired her heroic son, later comics would expand upon her history. Born Martha Kane (a maiden name given in homage to Batman co-creator Bob Kane), Martha was the heir to the Kane Chemical fortune and a member of one of Gotham City's wealthiest families. It has not been revealed whether she has any connection to the other prominent Kanes of Gotham, Kathy (Batwoman) or Bette (Flamebird). In her youth, Martha had a reputation as a notorious party girl, socialite, and... full article at wikipedia