The Batsuit Master Thread

[Young Superman]

I want this suit in the next film, without the trunks of course.

 

[TX85]

The 70's blue&grey suit is one of my top favorites But I don't know about it on film!

 

[Young Superman]

The 70's blue&grey suit is one of my top favorites But I don't know about it on film!

I think it could work if they use a darker shade of blue and grey.

 

[Young Superman]

Which Nolanverse Batsuit dp you guys and girls like the best?

 

[JAK®]

So a porn parody manages to blow Nolan's effort out of the water.

 

[TX85]

I think it could work if they use a darker shade of blue and grey.

Maybe metallic or midnight blue!

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

I love the classic blue and gray too but ill never want to see it on screen unless its animated , I like my Batman all black or black and gray for films.

 

[Young Superman]

If WB/DC go the all black route again, I would not mind if they used the Troika suit?

P.S Before you flame me I think they could pull it off without makking it look exactly like the Burton version of the suit. Like by giving the suit seperate boots and gloves, as well as the utility belt pouches.

 

[Bruce Malone]

,,,,

 

[Lead Cenobite]

If WB/DC go the all black route again, I would not mind if they used the Troika suit?

P.S Before you flame me I think they could pull it off without makking it look exactly like the Burton version of the suit. Like by giving the suit seperate boots and gloves, as well as the utility belt pouches.

The Burton versions had separate boots and gloves though.

 

[TheWatcher]

I loved the Troika suit. So simple but it worked.

 

[OP84CC82]

In my opinion, I don't think any other suit (movie, video game, comic, or otherwise) could replace the BB/TDK suits on screen. By that, I don't mean that there can be no other costume design for Batman, but that I can't take another suit, take off the one Bale was wearing, and think it would look as good in that film.

 

[OP84CC82]

Doesn't Fox tell him the suit is too 90s in TDK?

He said, "Three buttons is a little 90's Mr. Wayne.", meaning that he was referring to his business suit not the Batsuit.

 

[OP84CC82]

And a buddy of mine over at DeviantArt, Nick (A.K.A. Black-Dragon85), designed a Batman costume recently, making it similar to the TDK suit in the sense that it's segmented but in a different way. He did this in the mindset that criminals are supposed to see Batman as a creature, and as such, made the plates look like muscles instead of squares and rectangles. I think he did a good job.

 

[storyteller]

I just want the next suit to have a clear as day symbol. It's like Superman Returns tiny right now.

 

[Young Superman]

In my opinion, the suit worn by Clark Bartram in Batman: Dead End looks a hundred times better then the suits in either Batman Forever or Batman & Robin.

 

[Lencho01]

What do you guys think of the suit here?

http://www.superherohype.com/news/a...bros-announces-new-dc-character-fighting-game

http://www.injustice.com/

Spoiler

 

[regwec]

I don't like it. It's far too armoured and metallic for my taste.

 

[bunk]

They're all like that. Yeesh.

 

[darklord1967]

From a conversation over in another thread:

I don't mind the armor so much - let's face it, he'd be a dead man without it no matter how good a crimefighter he is; this is Gotham we're talking about - I just wish they wouldn't make it so detailed and overemphasized in the design (like the TDK suit). The "Returns" suit was IMO a nice example of a minimalistic approach to the body-armor look.

As for switching back to blue/grey, something about the black suits seems to look better for the movies IMO...maybe darken the blue and gray to the point of looking almost black without actually being black? I dunno.

Respectfully, Jochimus, I must disagree. Please indulge my rant.

The Batman would NOT be a "dead man" without that silly movie armor. Far from it. He is far too skilled a warrior to be reduced to a mere Robocop in a Bat-cape.

I realize that I am VERY much an old school Batman traditionalist when I say this... and I realize that I am increasingly alone in this opinion... but to me the armor suggests a CONTRADICTION to all of the training that Bruce Wayne underwent in the Far East prior to his becoming The Batman.

The whole purpose of that training was for Bruce Wayne to learn all of the ancient techniques of ninja stealth, psychology of fear, shadow concealment, martial arts, hand weapons training, etc... the very things that would give him an ADVANTAGE over cowardly thugs and their hand guns. The Batman would rely on his knowledge of these ancient skills for his self-preservation... not armor.

George Lucas (in his STAR WARS Saga) explored the idea of warriors from a bygone era (Jedi Knights and their lightsabers) who had to be EXTREMELY SKILLED in the use of (defensive) hand weapons and therefore were disciplined, spiritual individuals of HONOR VERSUS the cynical, mechanized, armored modern adversaries (battle droids, Clone Troopers, and Stormtroopers) with no skills, no discipline, no honor, and no soul... armed with dumb hand guns.

The skilled honorable Jedi knight would win every time (in one on one combat). Same thing here with The Batman... even with multiple adversaries.

I realize that The Dark Knight has changed... even in the comics. But I myself prefer The Batman as a hero that is a throwback to another time. I preferred him when he was dark, and GOTHIC in his approach... supremely well-trained and elegant. He did NOT use the trappings of modern technology as a method of self defense (that's what his extensive training was for). Instead, he used technology only as a means to more efficiently gather clues and further his detective investigations.

He did NOT drive a Sherman Tank that even though it was armed with the latest in state-of-the-art technology nevertheless seemed incapable of going two blocks without destroying everything in it path... all to catch a mere clown psycho. That is a RIDICULOUS amount of low-brow Neanderthal overkill, bordering on the offensive.

I do not see The Batman as an armor-clad blunt instrument. Any IDIOT wearing armor can march into the path of bullet and come out un-scathed. It doesn't make him particularly an extraordinary man. But we ALL know that Bruce Wayne IS an extraordinary man... so his method of self defense should not be so darn COMMON, like if he were a mere street cop wearing a Kevlar vest.

The opening scene from 1989's "Batman" Starring Michael Keaton beautifully illustrates my point. The Batman marches into the path of a punk's gun, and he goes down like a house of cards. It was one of the most shamefully clumsy and comical moments in The Batman's big screen career. He looked like an ordinary man wearing a silly get-up who allowed a loser hopped up on drugs to get the drop on him. He looked NOTHING like the urban legend boogeyman that he should have looked like.

This problem was only compounded and made worse with the release of the Nolan films.

The Batman that I know and love would confront hoods in a dark alley, and he would use, inhuman speed, shadow concealment and psychological fear to confuse and isolate them. He would make the frightened punks waste all their bullets shooting at shadows and strange sounds before taking them out quickly and efficiently.

The CORNERSTONE of the Batman's operating philosophy is that "Criminals are a superstitious, cowardly lot". THAT is his greatest weapon against them... the fact that they would be AFRAID of him... imagining him as a demon that stalks them from the shadows. Their guns would be completely ineffective against such a demon.. especially if every time they try to take aim at where they last saw him standing, he has vanished.

Conversely, if The Batman clumsily marches directly toward them, and the impact from their gunfire knocks him right over (as it most certainly will), then in their minds he just becomes A GUY WEARING ARMOR... nothing special or supernatural about that. (Re: "Looks like some kinda armor" "He IS human after all" "Check his wallet") D'oh!!!! Groan.

Some defend The Batman's movie armor as more "realistic"?

Really?

We're talking about a man (even in the movies) who dresses as a Bat and leaps off of 40-story tall buildings as he swoops down on villains and fights crime.

I think we can suspend disbelief (at least a little bit) and forget about what is "realistic" when we buy a ticket to go see a Batman film. It IS, after all a comic book FANTASY... even if it is set in a "realistic" urban setting.

James Bond, Indiana Jones, Detective John McClain (from the "Die Hard movies"), The Transporter, (the list of heroes goes on)... ALL of these guys function in a movie setting that is arguably more "realistic" than the one seen in The Batman universe. Yet NONE of these guys has ever needed armor.

The Batman is considerably more skilled as a fighter than any of these characters. Why does he need armor?

My issues with armor (other than how aesthetically displeasing I have found them in appearance) stem from the breakdown in logic they seen to represent in the films.

Here is a man who relays on speed, stealth, flexibility, and dexterity when he functions as The Batman. Does it really make sense that he is going to wear something that seriously restricts his speed and the flexibility of his movements (making him an even easier target for gun fire)? I'm sick and tired of live action movie Batmen looking overly stiff, restricted, and cocooned in a suit that should look and function like his second skin instead. I'm sick and tired of an overly sculpted rubber monkey suit dominating the traditional functions of the character.

The Armor-clad movie Batmen cannot turn their head, and their uniforms provide no protection against stabbing knives, or even biting dogs.

In the last Batman film (The Dark Knight), a bare-chested Bruce Wayne is shown with a myriad of scars across his back and chest... presumably from his few years of exploits as Gotham's Caped Crusader. The trouble is he was depicted as WEARING ARMOR from the very beginning of his career in the Nolan films.

So why all the scars? And please DON'T try to defend the armor by telling me that there are "seams" in the armor allowing for injury and accounting for Bruce's scars. The injuries were shown to be located in areas presumably protected by Bruce's Batman armor.

And you know, the lack of armor "logic" goes back even further in Batman films: in 1992's "Batman Returns" The Batman and Catwoman have a rooftop battle and she stabs (right through his armor) with her cat-claws. She did NOT stab through a "seam" in his armor either: As evidenced by the following scene where Bruce recovers in the cave, we can see that her claw managed to tear right through the rubber armor... not a seam.

So let's get this straight: The Batman's movie armor is designed to protect him from general harm and gun-fire, and yet it evidently offers no protection from knives, fido's bite, or even Catwoman's friggin' press-on fingernails. When he clumsily takes a bullet to the chest while wearing this armor, he goes down instantly thereby cluing criminals in on the fact that he is just an ordinary man wearing protective garb... and robbing himself of the mystique (and tactical advantage) of being thought of as a supernatural monster.

Nice.

Between the kind of "protection" the movie armor seems to afford, the way it restricts his movements, and the spooky reputation it robs him of, I'd say The movie Batman might as well fight crime nude!


As for the (comic book-based) colors of The Batman's suit, it's like I've said before: I would do a very dark version of these colors. The Cape, Cowl, Gloves, Trunks, and Boots would all be a blueish black leather. The body suit would be a dark charcoal grey, and the chest emblem oval and utility belt would be yellow.

To me, an all-black Batman has no contrast or visual interest. I see no point to a black bat chest emblem that cannot be seen because it is placed in relief against black armor.

 

[darklord1967]

What do I think the Batsuit should look like?

Well... I am DEFINITELY a traditionalist.

Here are a pair of Dynamic Duo suits that I made for a High School stage play that I'm producing. Nice and clean. Nice and basic. NO DAMNED ARMOR.

That would have looked amazing next to Chris Reeve's Superman. But times have moved on, so has costume design and manufacturing techniques.

This, to me, is one of the finest compliments I have EVER been paid regarding these costumes. I still believe that the definitive look and portrayal of Superman is the Chris Reeve version. So thank you. And while i agree with you that
costume design and manufacturing techniques have "moved on" along with the changing times, in my humble opinion those designs have not IMPROVED upon The Batman's basic tried and true comic book costume.

I know that some of you disagree, but the producers of the fan film BATMAN: Dead End proved that this tights type of Batman outfit would work just fine on film... especially if it were lit right and placed within the proper dramatic context.


Nuff said.

Just to clarify any confusion from earlier in this thread: Both of these figures are MANNEQUINS . I think it is quite amusing, and a testament to how realistic they look that some of you were not sure of this fact... or that some of you even thought that Robin looked "creepy". LOL!

Actually a little "creepy" is exactly how I see the "definitive" Robin being portrayed: As I see it, the purpose of Robin The Boy Wonder is to function as something of a startling distraction for hoods right before The Batman can efficiently take them out. There is something very unsettling and unnerving about a brightly costumed and masked little boy standing (all by himself) in a dark night time alley or rooftop DARING you to pull your gun on him… while he giggles at you. To me, it kind of functions like the creepy little ghost girl seen standing in the hallways of the Overlook Hotel in “The Shining”.

I think this sidekick concept was used to GREAT effectiveness in the film "Kick Ass". There was something deliciously creepy about cute little "Hit-Girl" fighting like a lightning fast blur, and taking out armed hoods cherfully and with a giggle (just like Bob Kane's original concept for Robin The Boy Wonder).

With all of this in mind, I decided NOT to mute the tones of Robin’s uniform, and to allow them to function in all of their garish, primary-colored glory.

 

[Majik1387]

I'm pretty certain you had nothing to do with the making of those costumes.

 

[darklord1967]

Really, Majik1387?

Just HOW would you know that I had nothing to do with the making of these costumes?

The truth is, you couldn't be more WRONG if you tried! Let me school you about a few facts, sir:



With the exception of The Batman's cowl (which is a Shawn Reevz cowl), I PERSONALLY designed, assembled, crafted, and built virtually EVERY SINGLE DETAIL of the making of these costumes.

I have been putting these costumes together for several months now for a High School stage play production that I am putting together about cartoonist Bob Kane (titled FATHERS OF THE DARK KNIGHT). Here is the thread that features photos of me putting these suits together.

Naturally there were one or two "Found Items" used in the making of these costumes, but in virtually every instance, these items required alterations or customizations that were handled either by me personally or directed by me.

The found items for The Batman's costume include: Eastbay Grey Compression Tights (dyed with black dye to make them 2 shades darker), AND Funtasma Pleaser "Gotham 100" boots (With tops professionally re-shaped to have a more accurate Batman point). That it.

The found items for Robin's costume include: a Hanes cotton boy's t-shirt (Kelly Green) , Capezio Ultra Soft Dance Tights, AND a pair of black canvas Kung Fu slippers (customized by me with extra green t-shirt material into pixie shoes). That's it.

ALL OTHER ITEMS on these costumes were realized under my direction, by my hand, or a combination of both.

I went to LaCrasia Gloves (A custom glove-maker here in NYC) and provided them with a pattern (that I created) and the leather materials necessary to make the gloves for Robin (AND for Batgirl!)

The patterns for The Batman and Robin's CAPES are my own design (based on the measurements of my two drama students). I commissioned the construction of these capes with a local seamstress and she worked under my direction using fabric that i provided to her.

Some items were carefully hand-made using ABS or styrene plastic. The design and construction of The Batman's CHEST EMBLEM SHIELD and the Dynamic Duo's Utility Belts ... custom made by me personally after weeks worth of of trial and error designing, cutting, sanding, shaping, and painting

The pattern / construction for Robin's RED VEST , right down to the punching of the small holes for (and the installations of) the metal eyelets for the laces)...

The design, pattern, and hand-made creation of the boy's FACE MASK...

ALL OF IT MY WORK

I ordered "Superhero shorts" from Graphica Design Spandexwear for both characters. For The Batman, I provided the same material that I used for making his cape so that they would match.
And for Robin's shorts, I ordered 1000 die-cut circles (cut from the same green leather that i used for his gloves), and I personally glued over 600 of them directly to the shorts to give them the "scaley" chain-mail look.

I personally shopped for and purchased ALL materials, fabrics, leathers, plastics, and paints, that were used to make these costumes.

So you see, Majik1387, the next time you post something with such certainty, you might first want to get your facts straight.

Please be respectful and do NOT troll. You have absolutely no basis for making the rude statement that you did.

 

[regwec]

Hey, it's you from the action figure forums! Great to have you around here, and with such articulate and perceptive posts, too.

I'm pretty certain you had nothing to do with the making of those costumes.

That's the most ignorant post of all time. On what is your certainty based? I can vouch that he certainly did make those costumes, and you owe him an apology. I sense it may not be forthcoming, however.

 

[regwec]

James Bond, Indiana Jones, Detective John McClain (from the "Die Hard movies"), The Transporter, (the list of heroes goes on)... ALL of these guys function in a movie setting that is arguably more "realistic" than the one seen in The Batman universe. Yet NONE of these guys has ever needed armor

Forgot to mention this: while I agree with the substance of your argument, it will rightly be pointed out that the difference with these other heroes is that they shoot back. Movie conventions dictate that James Bond can be magically impervious to bullets as long as he is returning fire. The Transporter primarily uses his bare hands, but it is usually contrived that his opponents are unarmed, too. Those are genre martial arts movies, really. Batman and his imitators have the specific quality that they defeat gun-toting terrorists, criminals and psychopaths with their bare hands. It seems logical somebody setting out to make a career of such action would take some anti-ballistic precautions.

In general, though, I do agree with you. It should be enough that Batman doesn't get shot because he is Batman and he has devoted every fiber of his being to achieving the pinnacle of unarmed fighting ability. Nevertheless, I'm not a pedant, and I don't mind some inconsistency, such as armour appearing mysteriously from under a seemingly skin-tight costume. That seems the best solution to me. Sure, it would be sensible for Batman to wear some protection; but that doesn't need to ruin his costume.