The Dark Knight Batsuit Discussion Thread

[BatScot]

Look up "subtle" in the dictionary, Sherriff. As it happens, it was bald-assed apparent in a few still shots. In the film it was, in fact, subtle.

Touchy, touchy... of course, that it was "apparent in a few still shots" and "in the film... subtle" is precisely what I said, and when I used the term 'subtle' (note the ' ' in my original post) I was referencing your use of the term

 

[Keyser Sushi]

Touchy, touchy... of course, that it was "apparent in a few still shots" and "in the film... subtle" is precisely what I said, and when I used the term 'subtle' (note the ' ' in my original post) I was referencing your use of the term

You said the subtle contrast was not readily apparent in the film... I was suggesting that this is because it was subtle. That's what subtle means.

I wasn't being touchy, either, just calling the play the way I saw it. Plus, I called you Sherriff. I don't know why.

 

[BatScot]

Actually the suit WAS grey.

That is true, in a certain sense, though one would be pressed to describe the un-altered suit as being monotone in appearance. But when I referred to the suit as ‘clear silicone’ (as it is referenced in the script and official publications) I was referring to the suit’s apparent sheen as much as it’s color in order to differentiate the ‘grayness’ of the un-altered suit—which is not consistent with an outfit that is effective in urban conditions—from the ‘monotone gray’ evaluated by the FAS.

Bruce painted it because he wanted to disguise the armor as much as possible. I would assume, given the cowl with ears and facial sclupting, and the cape that doubles as bat wings, that Bruce was trying to appear as though he were a monster, not a man in a costume.

So he just painted over the suit to make it all one color, a dark color that would make it difficult for human eyes to read much detail.

If the NSSAI had been a matted monotone gray to begin with, or even if it were painted such at a later time for whatever reason, none of the things you list above would have been adversely affected, because for all practical purposes a man who operates in shadows dressed in stealthy gray would appear just as dark and ominous as one dressed in black.

 

[BatScot]

I don't think I've seen these shots you people speak of. Are they shots of the film? Or photo shoots?

 

[Mr. Socko]

Woah, that looks awsome!

Btw, what do you call the things on Batman's arm that Ra's gave him?

 

[BatScot]

Woah, that looks awsome!

Btw, what do you call the things on Batman's arm that Ra's gave him?

Guantlets.

 

[BatScot]

You said the subtle contrast was not readily apparent in the film... I was suggesting that this is because it was subtle. That's what subtle means.

The contrast is 'subtle' in the stills—being apparent in only the most favorable lighting conditions—but virtually indistinguishable in the film.

 

[Keyser Sushi]

That is true, in a certain sense, though one would be pressed to describe the un-altered suit as being monotone in appearance. But when I referred to the suit as ‘clear silicone’ (as it is referenced in the script and official publications) I was referring to the suit’s apparent sheen as much as it’s color in order to differentiate the ‘grayness’ of the un-altered suit—which is not consistent with an outfit that is effective in urban conditions—from the ‘monotone gray’ evaluated by the FAS.

You're being needlessly technical. Have you ever seen Urban Camo? It's black, white, and several shades of grey. The truth is, an urban environment is full of colors, and nearly any dark color blends into the shadows. Matte grey is certainly effective in shadow - as would be black, red, navy blue, dark brown, or dark green. The nomex suit, having a matte finish (meaning it wasn't shiny) and being dark colors, would have blended in fine.

If the NSSAI had been a matted monotone gray to begin with, or even if it were painted such at a later time for whatever reason, none of the things you list above would have been adversely affected, because for all practical purposes a man who operates in shadows dressed in stealthy gray would appear just as dark and ominous as one dressed in black.

I'm not disputing that fact. What I'm saying is, there's no particular reason why Bruce would choose to wear a grey suit. Bats are generally black with brown fur. Most people think of them as being completely black. Batman wants to look like a giant bat-creature. It makes sense that Bruce would choose black over grey. People don't associate the color grey with bats.

 

[Keyser Sushi]

The contrast is 'subtle' in the stills—being apparent in only the most favorable lighting conditions—but virtually indistinguishable in the film.

That's because it takes a lot of direct light to make it look grey, and Batman doesn't generally hang around in a lot of bright light. Even if it was charcoal grey, it would appear all black in most shots anyway, if they were lit for style and mood, as they ought to be.

Yet there are times - notably in the cave when Batman lifts Rachel out of the car and lays her on the table - when the light reflects off the bat on his chest and only barely highlights the contours of the suit, and the effect is very cool.

 

[Super_Ludacris]

true

 

[Whack Arnolds]

Keyser with real talk. as usual...

 

[El Payaso]

Love is in the air.

 

[Mr. Vice]

Love is everywhere...

 

[Super_Ludacris]

Gentlemen lets broaden our horizons....

*plays Partyman by Prince*

 

[Two-Face]

long as Batman doesn't wear blue tights in the movies I would be happy.

 

[BatScot]

That's because it takes a lot of direct light to make it look grey, and Batman doesn't generally hang around in a lot of bright light. Even if it was charcoal grey, it would appear all black in most shots anyway...

You have quite the knack of paraphrasing what I say and then completely misstating the meaning.

Yet there are times - notably in the cave when Batman lifts Rachel out of the car and lays her on the table - when the light reflects off the bat on his chest and only barely highlights the contours of the suit, and the effect is very cool.

LOL… the chest logo in that scene actually appears lighter compared to the suit, cape, etc., which is the exact opposite of any contrast style that I, or anyone else for that matter, has suggested.

A better example would have been the Arkham scene in which Batman is shown running through a cell ward as he looks for a way out of the asylum after having rescued Rachel, and where the lighting affects a somewhat darker tone to the chest logo. But even that effect is, as you say, “barely’ noticeable, which, I suppose, is akin to your notion of a ‘subtle’ effect… or course, that is just another way of saying that the logo looks “cool” when it appears darker than the suit, which is precisely my point. The problem is that the effect seen in this Arkham scene is far too subtle—occurring in only a few frames—which renders the effect virtually non-existent to the extent that the ‘effect’ cannot be considered a basic characteristic in general terms.

 

[BatScot]

You're being needlessly technical.

I’m just following Nolan and Goyer’s lead; surely you wouldn’t fault me for that.

Bats are generally black with brown fur. Most people think of them as being completely black. Batman wants to look like a giant bat-creature. It makes sense that Bruce would choose black over grey. People don't associate the color grey with bats.

This statement is rank with misinfomation.

Red or brown are the predominant colors in the most common bat species, but practically all bat species show some ‘grayish’ tones (e.g., the Mexican Long-tongued Bat, and the Western Pipistrelle), while ‘blackish’ tones are uncommon. There are also several bat species that are primarily gray (e.g., the California Leaf-nosed Bat), but only a few that are primarily black (e.g., the Silver-Haired Bat)… and even the Silver-Haired Bat is black and gray, hence it’s name. And as for black being the intimidating choice, well very few predators are black, and for a very good reason—black masks the size of the predator thereby diminishing it's intimidation factor.

And those are the actual facts... but I'm probably just being needlessly technical.

 

[Morgoth]

This would be way better than what they had in the first. Those Clooney clasps have got to go!

 

[DorkyFresh]

oh God......we're back to arguing about gray?

it's NOT NEEDED! going from an all black suit to a black/gray suit would be backwards progress. maybe a black/gray suit would work for a less realistic/gritty Batman but all black works for Nolan's Batman.

 

[Wams]

This would be way better than what they had in the first. Those Clooney clasps have got to go!

I believe the reason for the grey in the illo is just for clarity sake.
It is a drawing.
If it was made it would be black on black....BUT...There
are different types of blacks that can create the illusion
that you are seeing grey and black.
Matte charcole Black on the suit slick black for cape,cowl,gloves and boots.

It would look great.
The cape should look two toned.
Slick on the outside and matte on the inside.

Wams

 

[Showtime]

long as Batman doesn't wear blue tights in the movies I would be happy.

Nothing wrong with blue tights.

 

[ROBOCOP CPU001]

Love the drawing dude..

but the colour black was used for a reason..in other words he needed to be stelth vanish into the blak shadows..i don't think wearing a grey costume would allow him to do that.

 

[ROBOCOP CPU001]

Nothing wrong with blue tights.

Isn't that the truth.

 

[Two-Face]

Nothing wrong with blue tights.

It is if you are

 

[ROBOCOP CPU001]

It is if you are

so are grey..if you think about it.