DesertBat86
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- Aug 27, 2007
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-080722-how-to-batman,0,3792080.photogallery
Batsuit
You want DuPont. They develop Kevlar materials. You could buy a believable (and wearable) replica from Chicago Costume for $650. But it won't stop bullets. For that, you need to: Build a research, development and molding facility for the costume and cowl. Kevlar's helmet development facility cost roughly $1 million. Figure another $1 million for the suit facility. The folks at DuPont (who hashed out a hypothetical Batsuit for us) say a state-of-the-art, military-grade Kevlar XP suit (boots, chest armor, arm protection) would cost roughly $5,000. And a Kevlar helmet, sculpted to traditional Batman specs, would go for $1,000. Questions? Call DuPont at 800-931-3456.
You're not done: You need a neoprene bodysuit to wear beneath that armor to prevent chafing ($164.95, Body Glove Triad Triathlon Wetsuit). PVS-7 military-issue night goggles ($7,490). A grappling hook gun--unfortunately, Digital Force Technologies, which actually makes something like this for the military, does not sell it to the public. So go with the CMI Grappling Hook ($129.99). The cape is easy ($40, Fantasy Costumes on Milwaukee Avenue.) And don't forget a case of Armor All ($39.48 at Pep Boys).
Total cost: $2.1 million
Batmobile
Being Batman means you're picky when it comes to cars. Forget four-wheel drive. What about missile launchers? Armor plating? A retractable canopy? For a car like the Batmobile (in "The Dark Knight," it's called "The Tumbler"), we turned to Bob Causey, who, with his friend Bob Dullam, builds life-size Batmobiles at his Michigan-based custom modeling company (www.dullam-causey.com). Causey says a fully operational, drivable Tumbler would cost $1.7 million. You'll need another $250,000 for armor plating, which you can get from San Antonio-based Texas Armoring Corporation.
Total price: $1.9 million
Bat skills
Plan on waging war against criminals without guns or knives? Christian Bale's Batman uses the obscure Keysi Fighting Method. Instead, try Krav Maga, a similar hand-to-hand style popularized by the Israeli military and taught at POW! Martial Arts Gym (950 W. Washington St.; 312-829-7699. www.powkickboxing.com). $129 a month for unlimited classes (12-month minimum membership), plus $139 required registration fee. Improve your strength with CrossFit, a program that uses natural movements and basic equipment, at Chicago Iron Works (1962 N. Clybourn Ave.; 773-281-0411, www.chicagoironsports.com). $175 a month for unlimited classes. Learn to fly at Hang Glide Chicago (3009 E. 138th Pl., Burnham; 219-746-1480). Owner Joe Yobbka offers a 16-hour course for $1,600 that will turn any nervous novice into a flier.
Total:$5,387
Bat signal
Technically, the Gotham City police department owns the Bat Signal, but let's assume Batman is the altruistic sort and gave them one. According to Don Parsons, Chicago special effects coordinator for "The Dark Knight," expect to spend around $2,500 to get a searchlight-size stainless steel bat logo cut and outfitted on your searchlight. Then, according to Big Sky Balloons and Searchlights of Plainfield, which supplies searchlights for local movie premieres, plan on spending an additional $15,000 on a 150-million candlepower Xenon Lamp and $10,000 for a generator.
Wait, you're not finished: the light bulb is going to cost around $1,000.
Total cost: $28,500
English butler
"A butler like Alfred would cost about $100,000 a year including room and board and benefits," said David Crimmins, manager of the New York office of The Lindquist Group, which does professional estate staffing. "Driving the Batmobile would be a little extra." Hire your butler through The Lindquist Group, 212-644-0990 or www.thelindquistgroup.com.
Total: $100,000
Bats
At the conclusion of " Batman Begins," stately Wayne Manor burned to the ground. Bruce Wayne now lives in a highrise--which presumably does not allow pets. However, we're going to assume he wants 24-hour access to his fluttery fixation, so we asked Lincoln Park Zoo what it would cost to underwrite a permanent exhibit on bats--to build and maintain a bat house. Oh, and since Master Bruce can not purchase bats in Illinois--domestic bat ownership is illegal here--the zoo would have to raise them or acquire them, mostly likely from another zoo. (In other words, those 500 bats are probably going to be free.)
Total cost: $3 million (plus roughly $32,500 annually to feed them).
Bat lair
So, you've been up all night fighting crime and you need a place to crash. Problem is construction crews are rebuilding your "stately manor." May we suggest the Executive Suite at Hotel 71 (71 E. Wacker Drive; 312-346-7100). At 1,100 square feet, this palatial 38th-floor suite for about $800 a night offers gorgeous views of the Chicago River and downtown. Access to Lower Wacker Drive, where Batman loves to chase criminals, is a fast elevator ride to the basement level.
Total: $292,000 annually
Batsuit
You want DuPont. They develop Kevlar materials. You could buy a believable (and wearable) replica from Chicago Costume for $650. But it won't stop bullets. For that, you need to: Build a research, development and molding facility for the costume and cowl. Kevlar's helmet development facility cost roughly $1 million. Figure another $1 million for the suit facility. The folks at DuPont (who hashed out a hypothetical Batsuit for us) say a state-of-the-art, military-grade Kevlar XP suit (boots, chest armor, arm protection) would cost roughly $5,000. And a Kevlar helmet, sculpted to traditional Batman specs, would go for $1,000. Questions? Call DuPont at 800-931-3456.
You're not done: You need a neoprene bodysuit to wear beneath that armor to prevent chafing ($164.95, Body Glove Triad Triathlon Wetsuit). PVS-7 military-issue night goggles ($7,490). A grappling hook gun--unfortunately, Digital Force Technologies, which actually makes something like this for the military, does not sell it to the public. So go with the CMI Grappling Hook ($129.99). The cape is easy ($40, Fantasy Costumes on Milwaukee Avenue.) And don't forget a case of Armor All ($39.48 at Pep Boys).
Total cost: $2.1 million
Batmobile
Being Batman means you're picky when it comes to cars. Forget four-wheel drive. What about missile launchers? Armor plating? A retractable canopy? For a car like the Batmobile (in "The Dark Knight," it's called "The Tumbler"), we turned to Bob Causey, who, with his friend Bob Dullam, builds life-size Batmobiles at his Michigan-based custom modeling company (www.dullam-causey.com). Causey says a fully operational, drivable Tumbler would cost $1.7 million. You'll need another $250,000 for armor plating, which you can get from San Antonio-based Texas Armoring Corporation.
Total price: $1.9 million
Bat skills
Plan on waging war against criminals without guns or knives? Christian Bale's Batman uses the obscure Keysi Fighting Method. Instead, try Krav Maga, a similar hand-to-hand style popularized by the Israeli military and taught at POW! Martial Arts Gym (950 W. Washington St.; 312-829-7699. www.powkickboxing.com). $129 a month for unlimited classes (12-month minimum membership), plus $139 required registration fee. Improve your strength with CrossFit, a program that uses natural movements and basic equipment, at Chicago Iron Works (1962 N. Clybourn Ave.; 773-281-0411, www.chicagoironsports.com). $175 a month for unlimited classes. Learn to fly at Hang Glide Chicago (3009 E. 138th Pl., Burnham; 219-746-1480). Owner Joe Yobbka offers a 16-hour course for $1,600 that will turn any nervous novice into a flier.
Total:$5,387
Bat signal
Technically, the Gotham City police department owns the Bat Signal, but let's assume Batman is the altruistic sort and gave them one. According to Don Parsons, Chicago special effects coordinator for "The Dark Knight," expect to spend around $2,500 to get a searchlight-size stainless steel bat logo cut and outfitted on your searchlight. Then, according to Big Sky Balloons and Searchlights of Plainfield, which supplies searchlights for local movie premieres, plan on spending an additional $15,000 on a 150-million candlepower Xenon Lamp and $10,000 for a generator.
Wait, you're not finished: the light bulb is going to cost around $1,000.
Total cost: $28,500
English butler
"A butler like Alfred would cost about $100,000 a year including room and board and benefits," said David Crimmins, manager of the New York office of The Lindquist Group, which does professional estate staffing. "Driving the Batmobile would be a little extra." Hire your butler through The Lindquist Group, 212-644-0990 or www.thelindquistgroup.com.
Total: $100,000
Bats
At the conclusion of " Batman Begins," stately Wayne Manor burned to the ground. Bruce Wayne now lives in a highrise--which presumably does not allow pets. However, we're going to assume he wants 24-hour access to his fluttery fixation, so we asked Lincoln Park Zoo what it would cost to underwrite a permanent exhibit on bats--to build and maintain a bat house. Oh, and since Master Bruce can not purchase bats in Illinois--domestic bat ownership is illegal here--the zoo would have to raise them or acquire them, mostly likely from another zoo. (In other words, those 500 bats are probably going to be free.)
Total cost: $3 million (plus roughly $32,500 annually to feed them).
Bat lair
So, you've been up all night fighting crime and you need a place to crash. Problem is construction crews are rebuilding your "stately manor." May we suggest the Executive Suite at Hotel 71 (71 E. Wacker Drive; 312-346-7100). At 1,100 square feet, this palatial 38th-floor suite for about $800 a night offers gorgeous views of the Chicago River and downtown. Access to Lower Wacker Drive, where Batman loves to chase criminals, is a fast elevator ride to the basement level.
Total: $292,000 annually
