Batman's cowl - realistic?

[GregComicFan]

Just something I thought about today...

Back when Nolan was devising his initial take on Batman with "Batman Begins", he obviously didn't want to stray too far from the comic-book look of Batman.

However...

Since Nolan's Batman is a "realistic" interpretation (or at least as realistic as possible), isn't it weird Bruce Wayne would construct a mask that allows his mouth to be seen? Why not a fully enclosed mask ala Batman Beyond's design?

Why reveal your ethnicity? Batman is obviously a white guy. Why show your teeth? A criminal might encounter Batman and then notice Bruce Wayne has a similar smile or chin structure. Likewise, if Bruce ever chipped a tooth or sustained a scar to his mouth area, then Batman would have it too and the link between hero and secret identity would be obvious.

Is this nit-picking? Sure! But what do you think Nolan's Batman's reasons would be for letting his mouth/chin be seen to the world?

[Thundercrack85]

I don't really see the issue. I mean, most Americans are white... that doesn't help anyone too much.

You can't get too realistic though. For one thing, his eyes are showing, an iris scan would easily give away his identity. If not that, his voice.

Really, any competent investigator could figure out who Batman is. A very rich, fit white guy who is absent when Batman is present. Probably not too many people in Gotham fit that description.

I liked what the Justice League cartoon did. The government (i.e. Amanda Waller) knew exactly who he was. And so did most important people.

[El Payaso]

My question is, if he was able of building that mask the way he wanted, why such an uncomfortably tiny mouth-open?

[ALP]

Originally Posted by GregComicFan

Just something I thought about today...

Back when Nolan was devising his initial take on Batman with "Batman Begins", he obviously didn't want to stray too far from the comic-book look of Batman.

However...

Since Nolan's Batman is a "realistic" interpretation (or at least as realistic as possible), isn't it weird Bruce Wayne would construct a mask that allows his mouth to be seen? Why not a fully enclosed mask ala Batman Beyond's design?

Why reveal your ethnicity? Batman is obviously a white guy. Why show your teeth? A criminal might encounter Batman and then notice Bruce Wayne has a similar smile or chin structure. Likewise, if Bruce ever chipped a tooth or sustained a scar to his mouth area, then Batman would have it too and the link between hero and secret identity would be obvious.

Is this nit-picking? Sure! But what do you think Nolan's Batman's reasons would be for letting his mouth/chin be seen to the world?

LOL, why in the world would a criminal be so keen to randomly notice Bruce Wayne's smile or chin? If I showed you only Donald Trump's chin in a lineup would you be able to identify it?

Originally Posted by Thundercrack85

I don't really see the issue. I mean, most Americans are white... that doesn't help anyone too much.

You can't get too realistic though. For one thing, his eyes are showing, an iris scan would easily give away his identity. If not that, his voice.

Really, any competent investigator could figure out who Batman is. A very rich, fit white guy who is absent when Batman is present. Probably not too many people in Gotham fit that description.

I liked what the Justice League cartoon did. The government (i.e. Amanda Waller) knew exactly who he was. And so did most important people.

What in the world would make someone think Batman is rich?

Rich people are lazy, none of them would be out there crime fighting. If anything, the single most logical thing to think is that Batman simply has a benefactor who is providing him with gadgets- not that he himself is a multi-billionaire.

[Boom]

The BB cowl fails the realism test simply because he can barely move his head in it.

No fighter in their right mind would wear something like that.

[Thundercrack85]

Originally Posted by ALP

LOL, why in the world would a criminal be so keen to randomly notice Bruce Wayne's smile or chin? If I showed you only Donald Trump's chin in a lineup would you be able to identify it?



What in the world would make someone think Batman is rich?

Rich people are lazy, none of them would be out there crime fighting. If anything, the single most logical thing to think is that Batman simply has a benefactor who is providing him with gadgets- not that he himself is a multi-billionaire.

Do you realize how expensive it would be to be Batman? I recall some article did estimates. It ranged in the millions. The cars, the equipment necessary, maintenance, etc. He should be more worried about the IRS finding out than the Joker.

[ALP]

The average person doesn't have a clue how much Batman's equipment cost. Hell, they don't even know what his equipment is. There's not even been any decent shots of Batman in the newspaper.

Another thing that would immediately pop in my mind is that he has inside access to government technology.

Take Phoenix Jones for example. Imagine if he was going around Chicago in a massive tank. The first thing to enter my mind would not be that he is really P Diddy fighting crime at night. I'd think he knows some insiders in the military.

[CConn]

I know we all talk about Batman obviously being a very rich guy...but when you think about it, it really doesn't make any sense.

What kind of super rich person would train for years just to risk their life fighting criminals?

Realistically speaking, I think we all would assume that Batman is a highly trained, probably ex-CIA or Navy SEAL operative who is merely bankrolled by a wealthy corporation.

[TruerToTheCore]

Let's just wear Bruce wayne wear a squid mask.

[Bruce Malone]

Originally Posted by CConn

I know we all talk about Batman obviously being a very rich guy...but when you think about it, it really doesn't make any sense.

What kind of super rich person would train for years just to risk their life fighting criminals?

Realistically speaking, I think we all would assume that Batman is a highly trained, probably ex-CIA or Navy SEAL operative who is merely bankrolled by a wealthy corporation.

What's that lucious quote in tdk?

"Do you expect ppl to believe one of the richest men in the world spends his nights fighting criminals with his bare hands?'"

[El Payaso]

Originally Posted by Bruce Malone

What's that lucious quote in tdk?

"Do you expect ppl to believe one of the richest men in the world spends his nights fighting criminals with his bare hands?'"

"Let me get this straight: You think that your client, one of the wealthiest, most powerful men in the world, is secretly a vigilante who spends his nights beating criminals to a pulp with his bare hands. And your plan is to blackmail this person? Good luck."

Luicius is not actually doubting a rich man being Batman is not possible.

He is asking if someone would be dumb enough to blackmail someone like that.

[CConn]

I think he was kind of inferring both.

[nogap87]

I don't think Bruce has much to worry about. If Gotham's finest can't find the Bat-Tank because he turns off its lights, there's little chance of some random thug figuring out that Bruce is Batman.

[ALP]

Originally Posted by CConn

I know we all talk about Batman obviously being a very rich guy...but when you think about it, it really doesn't make any sense.

What kind of super rich person would train for years just to risk their life fighting criminals?

Realistically speaking, I think we all would assume that Batman is a highly trained, probably ex-CIA or Navy SEAL operative who is merely bankrolled by a wealthy corporation.

Exactly!

Originally Posted by CConn

I think he was kind of inferring both.

Agreed x2

We're speaking realistically here. No one would have believed Reese even if he did go public with the information.

Seriously, let's say there was a crime fighter in California in the 80s who rode in a tank. Who's to say that it wasn't George Lucas? I mean Lucas is filthy rich, he was in his prime in the 70s and 80s and he was basically retired during that time. He could have went to the mountains and trained with munks. And he had all the resources, no? But really, how many people here think George Lucas or Donald Trump use to be crime fighters who prowled roof tops at night? Don't worry, I'll give everyone plenty of time to answer that and I have a straight jacket ready for anyone who answers yes.

[Lord]

You really thing Lucas would fight crime with that fat neck of his?

[Lead Cenobite]

Originally Posted by Boom

The BB cowl fails the realism test simply because he can barely move his head in it.

No fighter in their right mind would wear something like that.

That doesn't apply to anything in the movie, just like the suit being made of rubber has no bearing on the in-universe suit. It's not rubber, it's body armor, and the cowl is flexible, even if the real life prop isn't.

[Boom]

Didn't look flexible to me.

[Godzilla2014]

Originally Posted by ALP

The average person doesn't have a clue how much Batman's equipment cost. Hell, they don't even know what his equipment is. There's not even been any decent shots of Batman in the newspaper.

Another thing that would immediately pop in my mind is that he has inside access to government technology.

Take Phoenix Jones for example. Imagine if he was going around Chicago in a massive tank. The first thing to enter my mind would not be that he is really P Diddy fighting crime at night. I'd think he knows some insiders in the military.

Originally Posted by CConn

I know we all talk about Batman obviously being a very rich guy...but when you think about it, it really doesn't make any sense.

What kind of super rich person would train for years just to risk their life fighting criminals?

Realistically speaking, I think we all would assume that Batman is a highly trained, probably ex-CIA or Navy SEAL operative who is merely bankrolled by a wealthy corporation.

This.

[Lead Cenobite]

Originally Posted by Boom

Didn't look flexible to me.

It's just something you're supposed to try and overlook, like a zipper on a Godzilla costume.

[DaveMoral]

Originally Posted by Boom

Didn't look flexible to me.

I have my doubts that the rubber was molded so stiffly that it was like wearing a neckbrace. It's unlikely that he couldn't turn his head at all... the problem of course is that the thing would fold in awkward ways, tug on the mouth opening and generally look like hell and probably wasn't too comfortable to boot. But I doubt his neck mobility was exactly zilch.

[Lead Cenobite]

He could turn his head and did so at times, and I think they even made a point of saying "this time, Batman can turn his head" during the production of Begins. But when you're talking about anything rubber going over the actor's neck, there will always be mobility problems. About the only way for their to be full mobility is to make the whole cowl or only the neck portion out of cloth or some other thin, flexible material.

[El Payaso]

Originally Posted by Lead Cenobite

He could turn his head and did so at times, and I think they even made a point of saying "this time, Batman can turn his head" during the production of Begins. But when you're talking about anything rubber going over the actor's neck, there will always be mobility problems. About the only way for their to be full mobility is to make the whole cowl or only the neck portion out of cloth or some other thin, flexible material.

I have seen the movie many times and I'm still trying to find one time when Batman does turn his head.

[Troy_Parker]

I don't recall seeing Batman turning his head. I only saw the Batman Turn. (Y'know, moving the whole body to turn around)

[lordofthenerds]

It would sure make backing out the driveway easier.

[Fudgie]

Originally Posted by Lead Cenobite

He could turn his head and did so at times, and I think they even made a point of saying "this time, Batman can turn his head" during the production of Begins. But when you're talking about anything rubber going over the actor's neck, there will always be mobility problems. About the only way for their to be full mobility is to make the whole cowl or only the neck portion out of cloth or some other thin, flexible material.

He never turned his head. Just his whole body when turning around to look at something or someone.