The Batsuit Master Thread

[Fudgie]

Well, this thread hopes to see beyond them.

Your opening post said we can discuss all the bat suits from the past and present. We're just discussing the greatness of the present ones we love most.

 

[Lily Adler]

Both Keaton suits will always be bad ass to me.

 

[Godzilla2014]

The Year One suit is all kinds of awesome. As people know from the old threads, I'm not usually a fan of short ears but it does them right. I think the difference between the DKR/YO style short ears and the Jim Lee-style ones all over current comics is thickness. The DKR/YO ears are wider from the front if you understand me and I think that gives off more of the traditional bat-ear look.

The other issue with the Jim Lee-style cowl for me is Bruce's own ears showing through the sides. I think that is part of the problem for me. It ruins the illusion of the cowl ears being Batman's ears because you can see Bruce's ears. The cowl ears just look like Daredevil style horns as a result.

However, I am really liking Greg Capullo's rendering of the new 52 design in Batman # 1. It really reminds me of the Year One design - heavy fabric look to the bodysuit with realistic lack of muscle definition, nice thick chest symbol, understated ears and gauntlets while still looking like Batman.

Agreed!

Keaton always looked like such a true badass in the suit.

Agreed, except for when it became apparent that he was fighting against the suit to move.

 

[Elevator Man]

Keaton always looked like such a true badass in the suit.

That's b/c he is one.

 

[regwec]

Your opening post said we can discuss all the bat suits from the past and present. We're just discussing the greatness of the present ones we love most.

Of course. I fully accept that a lot of people will stick to that viewpoint, at least until the moment the reboot gets green-lit, but I hope that we can all be a little bit imaginative and discuss the different approaches that might be taken.

 

[GothamAlleys]

Hes a great badass

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

Ive said this before many times but Keaton didnt have to do anything but look at you in that suit with those eyes to convince you hes The Dark Knight.

 

[EliteF50]

Ive said this before many times but Keaton didnt have to do anything but look at you in that suit with those eyes to convince you hes The Dark Knight.

Could't be any truer. He's got the eyes of a psychopath and the stare of a bad-ass.

Clint Eastwood would be proud.

 

[Lencho01]

And here's the official pic of Nightwing...

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/10/11/nightwing-batman-arkham-city/

 

[regwec]

It looks too much like a dry suit to me.

 

[Macphisto]

Hes a great badass

I just shat myself.

Not a fan of the Nightwing suit. Looks like he's going diving.

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

I like the Nightwing suit it reminds me alot of the Tron suits which is the basis of the look I would like to see applied to the next live adaption batsuit.

 

[Elevator Man]

 

[bunk]

[YT]rsuB-6-n-MM&feature=feedu[/YT]

This entire video is worth watching. However, if you skip to minute six, there is a bit about a new technology for night vision that immediately made me think of Batman.

 

[DKDetective]

I will never for the life of me understand why so many critics of the BB/TDK suits blindly adore the Keaton suits, especially the Returns one. I mean the BB and TDK suits are respectively criticized for having a ridiculously huge neck and bobble head effect and then the Keaton suit is held out as the best ever. In my opinion, the Keaton suit has both of those issues. The head and neck of the cowl form one huge cylinder. At least the Begins suit tries to articulate distinct shapes for Batman's head and neck. Likewise, because of Keaton's small statute, the Returns suit has an even worse bobble head effect. The huge size of the cowl's head and neck combined with Keaton's skinny little body makes Batman look like a child in a Halloween costume. No matter how good Keaton's performance, I can't watch the Burton films and take Batman seriously because of the fact that his proportions look like those of a child playing dress-up.

As regwec said, we need to move forward. Yes, there are some things the Burton suits have done better than their successors. For instance, I think they have a great cape attachment and I think they demonstrate that a simpler detailing based upon the human form is the best way to go about the bodysuit. With the exception of it's abdominal area, I believe the Begins suit also shares this strength. However, I also think that the Burton utility belts are greatly outdated/look fake and the Nolan belt is far superior. It looks far more realistic and believable. Probably because it isn't made from rubber. We need to think more outside the box.

 

[regwec]

Utility belts are an interesting subject. Well, to me.

I think that, so far, the live action Batsuits have been too minimalist and too techy. Adam West and Michael Keaton's belts obviously can't carry anything other than a torch, a pen knife and a condom. Bale's belt look like a wrist watch, and I loathe the unnecessary magnetic attachments. I mean, just think for a moment about all the things that could go wrong with it.

Anywho, my preference is towards a bulky leather or matte plastic belt with sizeable pouches and a durable fastening. It needs to holster a grapple and cable, a gas mask, smoke bombs, batarangs, splints and dressings, night vision goggles, binoculars, etc etc. That all needs a lot of space, but it doesn't need a high tech solution.

The Batman Incorporated suit demonstrates a relatively compact belt that could still conceivably stow a lot of kit.

The costume in general would look pretty good in live action, in my opinion.

 

[Mister Meddle]

I will never for the life of me understand why so many critics of the BB/TDK suits blindly adore the Keaton suits, especially the Returns one.

Because, other than the color black, it looks just like the Batsuit from the graphic novels. Especially Neal Adams' Batman. TDK suit? Not so much.

I mean the BB and TDK suits are respectively criticized for having a ridiculously huge neck and bobble head effect and then the Keaton suit is held out as the best ever. In my opinion, the Keaton suit has both of those issues. The head and neck of the cowl form one huge cylinder.

Seriously? The BB/TDK cowl looks bigger because it's supposed to be like a helmet. Sure, the cowl from Batman 1989 did look pretty big on Keaton however this issue was fixed in Batman Returns. The cowl was thinner, tighter against Keaton's face. As for the neck. I thought the neck on the Batman 1989 Batsuit looked too bulky but there were a number of issues with the suit. Let's face it, it was the first of it's kind. The Returns suit fixed most of the issues. The neck looked perfectly fine on the 2nd Keaton cowl. It was no where near as fat as Bale's Batman Begins neck piece, not that I have anything against it.

At least the Begins suit tries to articulate distinct shapes for Batman's head and neck. Likewise, because of Keaton's small statute, the Returns suit has an even worse bobble head effect.

Either a terrible, terrible exaggeration or you're clearly watching the wrong movie.

The huge size of the cowl's head and neck combined with Keaton's skinny little body makes Batman look like a child in a Halloween costume. No matter how good Keaton's performance, I can't watch the Burton films and take Batman seriously because of the fact that his proportions look like those of a child playing dress-up.

So Keaton looked like a child in a Halloween costume in the images above? Yeah, okay. In his prime, Keaton was between 5'9 - 5'10 which is the average height for men in the United States. That happens to be the same height as Tom Hardy, the man that's playing a 6'8, 400 pound villain. Sorry but there's no way I'm buying your "Keaton's size" rant. Never once did I think Keaton looked short in either of the Batman films.

As regwec said, we need to move forward. Yes, there are some things the Burton suits have done better than their successors. For instance, I think they have a great cape attachment and I think they demonstrate that a simpler detailing based upon the human form is the best way to go about the bodysuit.

At first you were complaining about people liking the Keaton suits more than the new rubber costumes yet you're pretty much describing why we think they're superior.

With the exception of it's abdominal area, I believe the Begins suit also shares this strength. However, I also think that the Burton utility belts are greatly outdated/look fake and the Nolan belt is far superior. It looks far more realistic and believable. Probably because it isn't made from rubber.

I do agree with you on that. The utility belt always looked awkward to me, even when I was a kid. I will also quote regwec, Nolan's Batman utility belt looks like a 20 pound wrist watch. It's better but it's not that great.

We need to think more outside the box.

I'm starting to think that it is you who should think outside the box.

 

[GothamAlleys]

I will never for the life of me understand why so many critics of the BB/TDK suits blindly adore the Keaton suits,

Blindly? I didnt know that, I guess I cant just like something you dont because then Im liking it blindly. And btw I love TDK suit, I just dislike BB suit

The head and neck of the cowl form one huge cylinder.

Which, as someone already pointed out, looks exactly like the comic version

And since the 80s Batman's image was what initially drew me into the mythology and is still my favorite, I naturally like the suit that resembles the one I read about for years most

Likewise, because of Keaton's small statute,

This is one of those ridiculous myths that Keaton was small and skinny. I reallly dont know where does this come from. Hes just 2 inches shorter than Bale and he was always well built, playing professional athletes and cops.

Im writing an article about Batman's physique over the history and comparison with actors who played him to have a reference link for those still believing in that silly myth. I also dont get how someone can be bothered by someones physique if all you see is mouth encased in an armored body suit

However, I also think that the Burton utility belts are greatly outdated/look fake and the Nolan belt is far superior. It looks far more realistic and believable.

I dont care what looks believable. As I said million times, sacrificing great design for pure practicality is not for me since Im a scifi, fantasy and comic book fan. Star Wars, Alien Blade Runner, Terminator - to name a few, had stunning designs which wouldnt be practical. As Kubrick said :real is good, interesting is better"

Probably because it isn't made from rubber. We need to think more outside the box.

Thank you for telling me what I should like more, again, you made me realize I just always loved those suits cause I "didnt move on" and I "dont think outside of the box"

 

[DKDetective]

You folks are right that the Returns cowl is not as big and bulky as the Batman 89 version. I was thinking of this image:

Just look at how tiny Keaton's shoulder and arms appear compared to his huge bobblehead! I think my criticism is still valid regarding the Returns suit.

Compare this shot:

TO:

AND:

You can't tell me that Keaton is not lacking in traditional heroic proportions. His head is much larger in comparison to his body than that of Adams' Batman or Bale and the appearance of Burton's Batman suffers for it.

In regards to height:
[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWFerfgiCTs&feature=related[/YT]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWFerfgiCTs&feature=related

I'm sorry but Keaton does not tower over the Penguin or Catwoman in the way that Batman should. He just looks stocky.

While I understand your attachment to the Burton suits because of their similarities to the 70s/80s Batman, especially the Neal Adams design and its derivatives, I have to disagree. I also love the Adams design. It is my favourite version of Batman in the comics. I only wish I could find it with a darker colour scheme (black/grey).

Nevertheless, I think that the Burton suits do a poor job of bringing those designs to life. In my opinion, the face of the cowl constantly looks flat and blocky. It fails to achieve the sharp, angular features of Batman's face in Adams' art.

Compare:

TO:

TO:

The Returns cowl looks flat in some many of those shots and, once again, the child-like bobble head effect is back in that shot with Catwoman. Despite differences in the shape of the ears, cheekbones, and shape of the mouthhole, I honestly think the Begins cowl does a better job of capturing the overall proportions and shape of Batman's face and head as drawn by Adams. There is a clear jawline, the sculpt of the brow and eye area has more depth, and the nose always has a clear pointed look to it. It just looks right.

Like I said, I still agree that the Burton suits do some things better (cape to cowl attachment, simplicity) than their successors and I can understand why you praise them for those reasons. However, they do many of the same things wrong as well as others. They have huge necks, there is a bobblehead effect (maybe not so much in regards to the head-neck attachment, but in regards to the size of the head compared to body). I just find it odd that people who criticize Nolan's suits for those reasons don't lodge similar complaints against the Burton designs. Childhood nostalgia?

By the way, GothamAlleys, in regards to Keaton's stature, those pictures you posted just prove my point. He may be in good shape there, but he is not a big man AT ALL. He has a large head and does not carry muscle well. He has narrow shoulders and a shallow ribcage. Those issues affect how he looks in the suit. In my opinion, it makes him look short and stocky as Batman and contributes to the bobble head issue. Head size is actually important for drawing superheroes. Traditionally, a human being is drawn with their head being one sixth of his or her overall height. In order to make them look superhumanly tall and broad, superheroes are typically drawn using a 1:7 ratio. Keaton's odd proportions and structure work in the opposite way.

 

[Mister Meddle]

Just look at how tiny Keaton's shoulder and arms appear compared to his huge bobblehead! I think my criticism is still valid regarding the Returns suit.

Compare this shot:

Wow, this is just laughable. You REALLY think Keaton has a bobble head in that image?

You can't tell me that Keaton is not lacking in traditional heroic proportions.

Why can't I? This is a terrible example. As much as I love the BB suit, do you not realize that Batman isn't necessarily as big as he looks in the illustrations? He's listed as about 215 pounds but in the illustrations he's clearly a 300 pound freak of nature. I guess Keaton is "teh awful" for not looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

His head is much larger in comparison to his body than that of Adams' Batman or Bale and the appearance of Burton's Batman suffers for it.

And, in the graphic novels, not only do they make the characters look 5x more muscular than they actually are but they also make them look taller. Like I said, Keaton was about 5'10, the same height as Tom Hardy, a man that's going to play a 6'8, 400 pound villain. I guess that's going to be an issue for you, right? Like Gotham Alley said, Keaton is only two inches shorter than Christian Bale (his legit height is 6'0). Last I checked, 2 inches isn't a very big difference.

In regards to height:
[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWFerfgiCTs&feature=related[/YT]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWFerfgiCTs&feature=related

I'm sorry but Keaton does not tower over the Penguin or Catwoman in the way that Batman should. He just looks stocky.

This is not even a valid criticism. All what you're doing is exaggerating everything to the point that your point simply doesn't exist.

Batman doesn't tower over the Penguin? REALLY? In case you didn't know, the Penguin is wearing a pretty high hat. That's not his actual height, in case you decide to say something like "Batman is only 1 inch taller than Oswald in that picture".

As for the bat and the cat. Let's just say Catwoman isn't short.

The Returns cowl looks flat in some many of those shots and, once again, the child-like bobble head effect is back in that shot with Catwoman. Despite differences in the shape of the ears, cheekbones, and shape of the mouthhole, I honestly think the Begins cowl does a better job of capturing the overall proportions and shape of Batman's face and head as drawn by Adams. There is a clear jawline, the sculpt of the brow and eye area has more depth, and the nose always has a clear pointed look to it. It just looks right.

Wow, this is just silly. That entire paragraph is about the cowl in a single still. This was NOT an issue in the film.

Like I said, I still agree that the Burton suits do some things better (cape to cowl attachment, simplicity) than their successors and I can understand why you praise them for those reasons. However, they do many of the same things wrong as well as others. They have huge necks, there is a bobblehead effect (maybe not so much in regards to the head-neck attachment, but in regards to the size of the head compared to body). I just find it odd that people who criticize Nolan's suits for those reasons don't lodge similar complaints against the Burton designs. Childhood nostalgia?

Oh stop it with the bobblehead argument already. Your argument is based on exaggerations and nitpicking.Funny how you're complaining about the neck on the Burton cowls. Maybe you should re-watch Batman Begins. All what you're doing is desperately trying to find some type of way to use the TDK & BB Batsuit criticisms against the Burton suits.

By the way, GothamAlleys, in regards to Keaton's stature, those pictures you posted just prove my point. He may be in good shape there, but he is not a big man AT ALL. He has a large head and does not carry muscle well. He has narrow shoulders and a shallow ribcage. Those issues affect how he looks in the suit. In my opinion, it makes him look short and stocky as Batman and contributes to the bobble head issue. Head size is actually important for drawing superheroes. Traditionally, a human being is drawn with their head being one sixth of his or her overall height. In order to make them look superhumanly tall and broad, superheroes are typically drawn using a 1:7 ratio. Keaton's odd proportions and structure work in the opposite way.

Wow. I'm 5'10 but I guess I'm considered as a short person with a large head. Brb going to find a corner to cry in.


Can't wait to see you complain about Tom Hardy being too short and having such a large head.

 

[GothamAlleys]

What a ridiculous argument. That Bal looks more like Adams' Batman than Keaton? Bale's BB suit wasnt even based on that era and look at all, it was a riff off the Year One suit. The Keaton suit was basically the Adams suit just in black and with different material. The long ears, the cylinder shaped cowl and the cape is seemingly one piece, yet the mask or the cape can be taken off separately. The cape is overlapping the shoulders and covering the entire body when in still position

And btw, for 90% of its run, Batman was of slim stature and wasnt built exceptionally. The picture posted is completely inadequate to make a comparison. THIS is the Batman as he was throughout most of his modern history (70, 80s, early 90s)

 

[El Payaso]

edit

 

[DKDetective]

Wow, this is just laughable. You REALLY think Keaton has a bobble head in that image?

Why can't I? This is a terrible example. As much as I love the BB suit, do you not realize that Batman isn't necessarily as big as he looks in the illustrations? He's listed as about 215 pounds but in the illustrations he's clearly a 300 pound freak of nature. I guess Keaton is "teh awful" for not looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger.

And, in the graphic novels, not only do they make the characters look 5x more muscular than they actually are but they also make them look taller. Like I said, Keaton was about 5'10, the same height as Tom Hardy, a man that's going to play a 6'8, 400 pound villain. I guess that's going to be an issue for you, right? Like Gotham Alley said, Keaton is only two inches shorter than Christian Bale (his legit height is 6'0). Last I checked, 2 inches isn't a very big difference.

This is not even a valid criticism. All what you're doing is exaggerating everything to the point that your point simply doesn't exist.

Batman doesn't tower over the Penguin? REALLY? In case you didn't know, the Penguin is wearing a pretty high hat. That's not his actual height, in case you decide to say something like "Batman is only 1 inch taller than Oswald in that picture".

As for the bat and the cat. Let's just say Catwoman isn't short.

Wow, this is just silly. That entire paragraph is about the cowl in a single still. This was NOT an issue in the film.

Oh stop it with the bobblehead argument already. Your argument is based on exaggerations and nitpicking.Funny how you're complaining about the neck on the Burton cowls. Maybe you should re-watch Batman Begins. All what you're doing is desperately trying to find some type of way to use the TDK & BB Batsuit criticisms against the Burton suits.



Wow. I'm 5'10 but I guess I'm considered as a short person with a large head. Brb going to find a corner to cry in.


Can't wait to see you complain about Tom Hardy being too short and having such a large head.

I'm not some Burton/Keaton hater trolling you folks. I loved Batman 89 as a kid. I first noticed these issues when I went back and tried watching the Burton films on television while waiting for The Dark Knight. It was the first time I had watched them since I was a kid and I was struck by how short Keaton looked, how un-intimidating he looked, and how the head of the cowl looked disproportionally big. I'm not talking about stills, I'm talking how it looked when I watched the movies, moreso Batman 89 to be honest. I hate Returns as a Batman film so I haven't watched it as much.

Yes, I've watched Begins recently and the issues with its cowl do not bother me as much. Maybe this comes down to different sensibilities about what is important when it comes to Batman's appearance. I'm well aware with the fact that Batman is increasingly drawn like a 7ft 300lb monster. I'm not the biggest fan of that. I prefer a more realistic build. Nevertheless, I still think that height and width are important for Batman and I, honestly find Keaton and the Burton suits, lacking in this area. It's fine if you don't agree with me about the importance of those attributes, but it can't be said that Keaton looked tall and broad.

No, MisterMeddle, you won't see me complain about Hardy nor his height. You know why? Because you are reducing my argument to an absurd simplicity. My issue with Keaton is not just his height. It's the combination of unique structural issues (like his big head and narrow shoulders) and his height that ruin the illusion of Batman being tall and broad. Hardy looks fine as Bane because he had broad shoulders, a normal sized head, and an impressive physique. Look at his back in those shirtless shots! You can have people who are 5'10" with barrel chests and broad shoulders, just like you can have slim, narrow 6'3" guys like Brandon Routh.

GothamAlleys, I'm aware that Begins isn't even based off the Adams design. I just meant it does a better job of getting Batman's facial proportions and shape correct. The nose always looks pointy, Batman's chin appears to jut out from the mask, his jaw line is visible through the cowl.

However, GothamAlleys, thanks for bringing up another reason why I find the Burton suits lacking. In the 70s-early 90s Batman was portrayed as tall and slim. I think you're being a little ridiculous if you think his physique was not exceptional. He was still drawn like a professional bodybuilder of the times (just not a Schwarzenegger/Ferigno type mass monster).

Look Familiar?

Like you said Batman was slim (by modern comicbook/bodybuilding standards)... but just as important he was portrayed as tall. In my honest opinion, I find Keaton and the Burton suits lacking in that illusion. Also, look carefully at Batman's head and face in those Neil Adams shots we both keep posting. Batman has a long, narrow face. In comparison, Keaton's face in the cowl looks wide and short. I don't like how Keaton's face seems to melt flatly into the cowl.

If we are at all honest, the Schumacher suits (regardless of what you think of them overall), actually do a better job of bringing the Adams cowl to life.

And now, you folks are going to say I'm insane because I actually said something positive about the nipple-suits and write my opinions off as worthless for that reason.

 

[GothamAlleys]

I think the impression youre getting comes simply from the fact that Bale's suit and body is wider and most importantly the difference in portrayal. Keaton acted like a ghost and quiet figure like the earliest version, Bale was loud, talkative and angery like the Modern version. As I once said, a lone child standing stiff and quiet at night staring at your window is intimidating, same goes for a guy that looks like Mike Tyson screaming that hes gonna break all your bones. There are different kinds of intimidating, and both of those work

As for Batman not having any exceptional physique, I already have multiple examples but I need to finish the article first. Only the recent years portray him as a muscled guy, unlike all other times in history with occasional exceptions. But more about all that later

 

[Mister Meddle]

I'm not some Burton/Keaton hater trolling you folks. I loved Batman 89 as a kid. I first noticed these issues when I went back and tried watching the Burton films on television while waiting for The Dark Knight. It was the first time I had watched them since I was a kid and I was struck by how short Keaton looked, how un-intimidating he looked, and how the head of the cowl looked disproportionally big. I'm not talking about stills, I'm talking how it looked when I watched the movies, moreso Batman 89 to be honest. I hate Returns as a Batman film so I haven't watched it as much.

Like I said before, there were a number of issues with the Batman 1989 suit. Especially the cowl. They accidentally made it in a size XL. But like I said, the suit was the first of it's kind. Back then this approach was absolutely brilliant. Why do you think Schumacher and Nolan decided to take Tim Burton's concept? All of the issues with the 1989 Batsuit were fixed for Batman Returns. In no way did Batman have a "bobblehead", especially in Batman Returns.

Yes, I've watched Begins recently and the issues with its cowl do not bother me as much. Maybe this comes down to different sensibilities about what is important when it comes to Batman's appearance. I'm well aware with the fact that Batman is increasingly drawn like a 7ft 300lb monster. I'm not the biggest fan of that. I prefer a more realistic build.

Nevertheless, I still think that height and width are important for Batman and I, honestly find Keaton and the Burton suits, lacking in this area. It's fine if you don't agree with me about the importance of those attributes, but it can't be said that Keaton looked tall and broad.

Bale never looked "tall" to me. Nor did Keaton. They both looked about the average height for an American male. Bale did look a hair taller but the last I checked, a hair isn't that much.

No, MisterMeddle, you won't see me complain about Hardy nor his height. You know why? Because you are reducing my argument to an absurd simplicity. My issue with Keaton is not just his height. It's the combination of unique structural issues (like his big head and narrow shoulders) and his height that ruin the illusion of Batman being tall and broad. Hardy looks fine as Bane because he had broad shoulders, a normal sized head, and an impressive physique. Look at his back in those shirtless shots! You can have people who are 5'10" with barrel chests and broad shoulders, just like you can have slim, narrow 6'3" guys like Brandon Routh.

You make no sense what so ever. After all of that ranting on Keaton's height, now all of a sudden you're acting like it's not an issue and the only concern is the size of the shoulders. As for the head.... if anything the mask gives his head a big circular look (not that I have anything against it). In the actual teaser trailer he did not have "broad shoulders". He has moderate muscles but nowhere near the size of Bane. Not trying to trash Tom Hardy nor am I judging his character. It's just funny how some people trashes Keaton's size yet they're unwilling to apply the same criticism/s against an actor that's going to have a role in a film saga that they believe is flawless.

Like you said Batman was slim (by modern comicbook/bodybuilding standards)... but just as important he was portrayed as tall. In my honest opinion, I find Keaton and the Burton suits lacking in that illusion. Also, look carefully at Batman's head and face in those Neil Adams shots we both keep posting. Batman has a long, narrow face. In comparison, Keaton's face in the cowl looks wide and short. I don't like how Keaton's face seems to melt flatly into the cowl.

Yawn. Same stuff, new post.

If we are at all honest, the Schumacher suits (regardless of what you think of them overall), actually do a better job of bringing the Adams cowl to life.

And now, you folks are going to say I'm insane because I actually said something positive about the nipple-suits and write my opinions off as worthless for that reason.

One thing I will admit is George Clooney was the only Batman to have the perfect chin/jawline. Everything else about his suit looked lousy. Can't tell if it's Batman or a statue of Batman. Same goes with Kilmer. Even when I was a kid I thought he looked exactly the same as Keaton with the Batsuit on.

This argument is absolutely silly. Sometimes I see people criticizing the Burton suits as well as Michael Keaton's physical appearance because they don't replicate the illustrations from the comics. Some could say Jack Nicholson was too fat. Some could complain that Selina Kyle "isn't a blond". People could criticize TDK's Joker because he looked like a grown man dressed up as the Joker for Halloween, and because he didn't have the right face. Or what about this... Bane is almost 1 foot too short, his torso is too small and his mask gives his head a circular look. Or Michael Caine is too fat.

Face it, NONE of the characters in the Burton or the Nolan films looked perfect. If I really want to I could tear apart just about anyone from any of the Batfilms over their costumes or physical appearance. I'm not going to because it's ridiculous to expect everything to be spot on for a live action film. And sometimes the performance matters more. In this case Michael Keaton did play a convincing Bruce Wayne and Batman.