The Batsuit Master Thread

[Boy Scout]

Hmm... sorry. My mistake. Egg all over my face

No problem, man. No harm done.

But I will say that I think the lower half of Robin's traditional outfit looks completely ridiculous.

 

[Young Superman]

I would not mind if they used this Batsuit in the reboot?

 

[theman]

not a fan at all of the small mouse ears. hes batman. hes got to have LONG pointy ears! the original batsuits in the 90's had the long ears and had the proper batman look. the newer ones have that egghead ugly cowl with the short stubby ears. just not into that at all, doesnt look intimidateing or cool.

 

[darklord1967]

No problem, man. No harm done.

But I will say that I think the lower half of Robin's traditional outfit looks completely ridiculous.

I gotta say, I agree with you... AND I disagree with you.

In live action, we've had three young men wear variations on that suit:


Douglas Croft wore it first in 1943 in the Columbia Pictures Serial "Batman". He was 17 years old at the time (but looked / sounded about 22).

Then two years later, Columbia Pictures was at it again with a new serial titled "Batman and Robin". This time, Johnny Duncan put on the pixie shoes and played the Boy Wonder at the ripe old age of 26.

Lastly, of course, Burt Ward traded quips with Adam West in 1966 as Robin to his Batman during the TV series which ran 3 years. When Ward was first cast as the Boy Wonder, he was already 21 years old.

The ugly pattern that emerged here was pretty clear to me: Robin had traditionally been cast by actors who were far too old to be playing him. Much to my dismay, this tradition continued one again on the Big screen with Chris O'Donnell in Joel Schumacher's 2 Batman films (albiet in a newly designed Robin costume).

Truth is, I love Robin's original, classic, traditional outfit... pixie boots, yellow cape, scaley shorts and all.

But if anyone over the age of 12 or 13 wears that outfit it is certainly weird looking.


Somewhere along the way, it was forgotten that Robin was always intended as a little BOY Wonder. And that costume was designed along the tradition of a swash-bucking boy sidekick. The pixie shoes were meant to recall a Peter Pan-like pre-pubescent youthful feel.

This (late) Teen Wonder, and Twenty-Something Year old Wonder, never worked for me... certainly not in that outfit.

Even as a little kid growing up in the 1970's watching re-reuns of the TV series, I remember seeing Robin in the comics drawn like a little boy. And I thought, "That looks better than Robin on TV"... even if i didn't fully understand at the time why I thought so.

 

[Mr.?]

The boy wonder Robin suit would look completely ridiculous on screen, I hope they never use it.

 

[Majik1387]

The boy wonder Robin suit would look completely ridiculous on screen, I hope they never use it.

Co-sign. Not even in flashbacks.

 

[Boy Scout]

The boy wonder Robin suit would look completely ridiculous on screen, I hope they never use it.

Agreed.

 

[Saint]

We're going in circles here so I'm going to cut down to the important stuff.

How long did Wayne say he had been funding Batman?

I think it was pretty early; I'd have to consult to issue to be sure.

Or you could put the idea out of their heads entirely.

You can't put an idea out of someone's head; that's not how ideas work. You can only give them new ideas. Maybe I wasn't clear, but this cover story isn't really effective for people who have no idea Batman and Bruce Wayne are connected and would never see that out--it's for the sort of people who have or will discover that (as people do at an alarming rate in the bat-mythology).

And like I said, it doesn't make sense to approach this as something Bruce concocted to protect his identity--Incorporated was about making Batman public. The cover story was just a necessary step. My only argument is that it's effective misdirection, not that it's better misdirection than the standard "Bruce Wayne is a buffoon" story--which of course still applies regardless. It's not an either-or proposition.

 

[Lead Cenobite]

The boy wonder Robin suit would look completely ridiculous on screen, I hope they never use it.

In the context of a gritty, crime thriller type movie, it would, but not necessarily if it's more stylized. The Nolan series is ending and we don't know exactly what the reboot series will be like.

 

[darklord1967]

The boy wonder Robin suit would look completely ridiculous on screen, I hope they never use it.

The concept of Batman and Robin at all is pretty "ridiculous", I think.

In the context of a gritty, crime thriller type movie, it would, but not necessarily if it's more stylized. The Nolan series is ending and we don't know exactly what the reboot series will be like.

I completely agree. I think there is room for just about anything if it has a colorful, stylized, comic book approach... removed from "ultra- realism".... even a classic take on The Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder's costumes.

But I, for one do NOT believe that a stylized approach to The Batman is mutually exclusive to a dark, gothic one. The two can co-exist... especially if there is a fun "retro" element to the whole thing set in a different era... like the 1930's or 1940's

I know it's unlikely, but I think what would ultimately MOST excite me is to see a big screen approach to The Batman similar to what Peter Jackson did with his re-make of King Kong: Beautifully stylized, romantic visuals... un-apologetic in their vibrancy and color... but with OLD New York still coming off as gritty, menacing, and dark... before all the ultra-modern glass skyscrapers.

 

[regwec]

I think Robin's trunks and bare legs are simply too dated to be used now. They come from an age where there was a much starker boundary between "kids" and "adults", and the two's dress tended to be notably different. Back in the 40s, boys tended to wear shorts in all weathers, for instance. Robin's trunks have lost some of that context now, and it would just seem strange for a boy to change out of his jeans and hoodie and into pixie boots and a pair of green panties to go on adventures.

I can and will mount a vigorous defense of almost everything from Batman's Bronze Age, put it seems much less troublesome just to give Robin a pair of green tights.

 

[Two-Face]

I thought Batman animated series did a great job on Robin -very traditional to early 40s and made it modern for today; Green gloves, black boots and mask so on. The one suit TIm wore in TNBA was much better. Its the same as Dick's just added different colours red and black. I could see this in live-action movies.

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

I dont think anyone wants to see Robin done in modern age with a pair of green underwear on, like said above TAS gave him the perfect update with still keeping the traditional look.

 

[Mr.?]

Robin from Arkham City would be perfect for me for a live action movie.

As someone said the green trunk 40's look is outdated, same reason I'm glad they got rid of Superman's trunks for the film.

 

[Majik1387]

His Arkham City look is too civilian looking, and the character model looks too old.

 

[OP84CC82]

I think Robin's trunks and bare legs are simply too dated to be used now. They come from an age where there was a much starker boundary between "kids" and "adults", and the two's dress tended to be notably different. Back in the 40s, boys tended to wear shorts in all weathers, for instance. Robin's trunks have lost some of that context now, and it would just seem strange for a boy to change out of his jeans and hoodie and into pixie boots and a pair of green panties to go on adventures.

I can and will mount a vigorous defense of almost everything from Batman's Bronze Age, put it seems much less troublesome just to give Robin a pair of green tights.

I actually started a thread on Robin's old costume and posted a design that I saw online that sort of merges Tim Drake's Robin costume with the old Dick Grayson costume:

Spoiler

 

[darklord1967]

I think Robin's trunks and bare legs are simply too dated to be used now. They come from an age where there was a much starker boundary between "kids" and "adults", and the two's dress tended to be notably different. Back in the 40s, boys tended to wear shorts in all weathers, for instance. Robin's trunks have lost some of that context now, and it would just seem strange for a boy to change out of his jeans and hoodie and into pixie boots and a pair of green panties to go on adventures.

I can and will mount a vigorous defense of almost everything from Batman's Bronze Age, put it seems much less troublesome just to give Robin a pair of green tights.

Clearly, what many of you consider to be "dated" in terms of Robin's traditional costume look, I consider more... charming and quaint. It is, by far, my favorite design for Robin's costume of all the ones that have come over the years.

In addition, I find it interesting that despite the vintage traditional outfit's official "retirement" back in 1989 (with the introduction of Tim Drake's new outfit), it is, nevertheless an outfit that keeps popping up even in the most recent Batman lore.

In the context of my ideal "retro" approach to The Batman, I would not have Dick Grayson's civilian garb be anything as contemporary (nor topical) as a hoodie. Therefore the "era" contrast between Dick's "civies" and Robin's costume would not be as drastic as you describe.

I thought Batman animated series did a great job on Robin -very traditional to early 40s and made it modern for today;

Actually, it wasn't very traditional to the original 40's costume at all. It was patterned a lot more after Tim Drake's comic book costume at the time (late 1980's early 1990's), although Dick Grayson in the comics never wore that outfit.

The one suit Tim wore in TNBA was much better. Its the same as Dick's just added different colours red and black. I could see this in live-action movies.

While i certainly agree with you that Tim Drake's costume was more appealing in TNBA when compared to Grayson's costume from the earlier BTAS, it was certainly not an outfit that I would describe as "same as Dick's". They were in fact, quite different. I will say that it was, at least, refreshing to finally see Robin portrayed as a young boy... the way he was originally created.

I dont think anyone wants to see Robin done in modern age with a pair of green underwear on

"Modern Age" ala Nolan and the gang? No. But for me, I'd have no problem with a "retro"-styled approach to a Batman film with Robin wearing his traditional garb. I really think it could work... with some minor adjustments.

like said above TAS gave him the perfect update with still keeping the traditional look.

Funny thing about that: In 1992 when Batman: The Animated Series began, (college-aged Dick Grayson) Robin was depicted wearing a variation of the Outfit worn by Tim Drake in the comics. I guess the powers that be at DC /Warners wanted no contradictions at the time between Robin on television and Robin in the comics. As a result there was no trace of (Grayson) Robin's traditional outfit anywhere on that show or its various spin-offs.

But now here we are in 2012, and it seems as though things have changed quite a bit with that production team (Bruce Timm / Andrea Romano/ Paul Dini) in regards to Robin's traditional original garb.

As we all know, an animated adaptation of Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns is about to be released on home video by this production team. Carrie Kelly's Robin character feature's prominently (as she does in the book) wearing the traditional Robin costume.

This production team also saw fit to leave Carrie Kelly's Robin costume design un-changed when they made an adaptation of a scene from Miller's TDKR in an episode of BTNA entitled "Legends Of The Dark Knight"

And as recently as 2010 when this team produced the extraordinary Batman feature Batman: Under The Red Hood , they were brave and bold enough to depict Robin's traditional costume (this time worn by Jason Todd in a flashback scene).

They seemed to like this version of Robin so much, the film actually ended with a final image of Robin standing triumphantly atop the Batmobile in this garb.

I've never watched the recent Brave and The Bold animated show, but i understand that traditional green shorts-wearing Robin has appeared there too.

I think there quite a lot of life left in them little pixie boots.t:

 

[OP84CC82]

Clearly, what many of you consider to be "dated" in terms of Robin's traditional costume look, I consider more... charming and quaint. It is, by far, my favorite design for Robin's costume of all the ones that have come over the years.

In addition, I find it interesting that despite the vintage traditional outfit's official "retirement" back in 1989 (with the introduction of Tim Drake's new outfit), it is, nevertheless an outfit that keeps popping up even in the most recent Batman lore.

In the context of my ideal "retro" approach to The Batman, I would not have Dick Grayson's civilian garb be anything as contemporary (nor topical) as a hoodie. Therefore the "era" contrast between Dick's "civies" and Robin's costume would not be as drastic as you describe.





Actually, it wasn't very traditional to the original 40's costume at all. It was patterned a lot more after Tim Drake's comic book costume at the time (late 1980's early 1990's), although Dick Grayson in the comics never wore that outfit.



While i certainly agree with you that Tim Drake's costume was more appealing in TNBA when compared to Grayson's costume from the earlier BTAS, it was certainly not an outfit that I would describe as "same as Dick's". They were in fact, quite different. I will say that it was, at least, refreshing to finally see Robin portrayed as a young boy... the way he was originally created.




"Modern Age" ala Nolan and the gang? No. But for me, I'd have no problem with a "retro"-styled approach to a Batman film with Robin wearing his traditional garb. I really think it could work... with some minor adjustments.





Funny thing about that: In 1992 when Batman: The Animated Series began, (college-aged Dick Grayson) Robin was depicted wearing a variation of the Outfit worn by Tim Drake in the comics. I guess the powers that be at DC /Warners wanted no contradictions at the time between Robin on television and Robin in the comics. As a result there was no trace of (Grayson) Robin's traditional outfit anywhere on that show or its various spin-offs.

But now here we are in 2012, and it seems as though things have changed quite a bit with that production team (Bruce Timm / Andrea Romano/ Paul Dini) in regards to Robin's traditional original garb.

As we all know, an animated adaptation of Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns is about to be released on home video by this production team. Carrie Kelly's Robin character feature's prominently (as she does in the book) wearing the traditional Robin costume.

This production team also saw fit to leave Carrie Kelly's Robin costume design un-changed when they made an adaptation of a scene from Miller's TDKR in an episode of BTNA entitled "Legends Of The Dark Knight"

And as recently as 2010 when this team produced the extraordinary Batman feature Batman: Under The Red Hood , they were brave and bold enough to depict Robin's traditional costume (this time worn by Jason Todd in a flashback scene).

They seemed to like this version of Robin so much, the film actually ended with a final image of Robin standing triumphantly atop the Batmobile in this garb.

I've never watched the recent Brave and The Bold animated show, but i understand that traditional green shorts-wearing Robin has appeared there too.

I think there quite a lot of life left in them little pixie boots.t:

I don't understand why a pre-teen or teenager would be running around in green underwear though. You'd see a bulge and the kid'd be embarrassed.

 

[Marx]

I'd just like to see the Arkham Asylum game turned into a live action movie. I love all of the designs.

 

[Majik1387]

Less buckles for everyone though.

 

[Marx]

...true.

 

[DaveMoral]

I can't believe anyone is actually entertaining the very idea that the original Robin suit would make a come back in a film of all things. Even in the serials of the 40's Robin was actually wearing leggings, he was not bare legged. Good lord, the delusions of some people.

A more comic book design aesthetic can be done... but not even if they went for a BTAS/Sky Captain kind of world would you see pixie boots Robin. That would do more harm to Batman on screen than B&R. And you can take that to the bank.

 

[bunk]

I like robin with the hood over his head. You can imagine some head protection concealed underneath.

 

[Majik1387]

Yeah, I'd like Robin with a hood as well.

 

[ThePhantasm]

I don't mind the traditional Robin design. In the right kind of Batman film it would work just fine. I don't like the idea of Robin having a hood.