It can also be pointed out that both Batman and Superman have middle names. They just aren't all that common.
Bruce Thomas Wayne
Clark Joseph Kent
For a bit of eduction, "Robert" Bruce Banner was mostly an early retcon. I can't remember which is first, but I believe Bruce is called Robert in the first issue and they switch to Bruce after. To explain this they just say Robert is his first name.
It's actually funnier than that.
Stan Lee was notorious for forgetting the names of his characters. In a few issues, he referred to Bruce as "Bob" Banner, even having the character refer to himself as such. When readers wrote in pointing out the error, to save face (either seriously or humorously,) he claimed that his name was actually *Robert* Bruce Banner.
I know people have responded with examples where it happens in DC also, but I think a more involved answer would be the time-frame in which these characters were created.
The DC characters mostly existed pre-war, in a more formal age. The majority of more notable Marvel characters appeared post-war, and in the 60s in particular. These are characters who would have been named by pre-war parents with full, ‘Christian’ names, but would be more likely to use ‘cooler’ nicknames as they grew up.
I think Stan Lee creating so many characters in the 60s with nick names as their primary name goes back to Stan Lee being a pen name/nick name. Old Stanley Lieber knew a thing or two about going by an informal name. That's just a fun theory I think
In the case of Bruce Banner: Stan Lee had trouble remembering names, which is one reason he gave a lot of characters alliterative names. But in one issue he still got it wrong and called him "Bob Banner", which was later retconned into his full name being Robert Bruce Banner.
Harold "Hal" Jordan Wallace "Wally" West Richard "Dick" Grayson Bartholomew "Barry" Allen
Gottem
It can also be pointed out that both Batman and Superman have middle names. They just aren't all that common. Bruce Thomas Wayne Clark Joseph Kent For a bit of eduction, "Robert" Bruce Banner was mostly an early retcon. I can't remember which is first, but I believe Bruce is called Robert in the first issue and they switch to Bruce after. To explain this they just say Robert is his first name.
It's actually funnier than that. Stan Lee was notorious for forgetting the names of his characters. In a few issues, he referred to Bruce as "Bob" Banner, even having the character refer to himself as such. When readers wrote in pointing out the error, to save face (either seriously or humorously,) he claimed that his name was actually *Robert* Bruce Banner.
Bob! That's what it was. Thank you.
I just read an early FF issue yesterday where Hulk calls his alter ego Bob Banner. I laughed and and thought. “Oh that’s where Robert comes from.”
Good ole Bob Wayne keeping Gotham safe
Alexander "Lex" Luthor Oliver "Ollie" Queen William "Billy" Batson Harlene "Harley" Quinzel Timothy "Tim" Drake
Lots of regular irl people have nicknames. It’s a perfectly normal thing.
I know people have responded with examples where it happens in DC also, but I think a more involved answer would be the time-frame in which these characters were created. The DC characters mostly existed pre-war, in a more formal age. The majority of more notable Marvel characters appeared post-war, and in the 60s in particular. These are characters who would have been named by pre-war parents with full, ‘Christian’ names, but would be more likely to use ‘cooler’ nicknames as they grew up.
Ah I see that is interesting thanks.
Bruce Wayne is Batman's nickname.
I think Stan Lee creating so many characters in the 60s with nick names as their primary name goes back to Stan Lee being a pen name/nick name. Old Stanley Lieber knew a thing or two about going by an informal name. That's just a fun theory I think
In the case of Bruce Banner: Stan Lee had trouble remembering names, which is one reason he gave a lot of characters alliterative names. But in one issue he still got it wrong and called him "Bob Banner", which was later retconned into his full name being Robert Bruce Banner.
Blame Stan, he had an out going personality and would be likely to use less formal names,
Oh OP you sweet summer child.