The Dark Knight Rises The TDKR Batsuit Discussion Thread IX

[Thread Manager]

This is a continuation thread, the old thread is [split]361407[/split]

 

[Thread Manager]

This is a continuation thread, the old thread is [split]359103[/split]

 

[cryptic name]

I love the oval.

 

[TheBatman072]

The Black Bat symbol has become overrated as hell

So has the oval symbol.

 

[-Arya-]

Black Bat > Oval

 

[Pfeiffer-Pfan]

The oval is Batman's Superman sheild in terms of marketing...

Its more visually striking, but yeah, not always neccesary in the comics.

But I grew up with it on Burton Bats, TAS and comics at the time so I love it.

 

[thedarks0ldier]

The Black Bat symbol has become overrated as hell, especially by fans who nitpick the idea of a superhero wearing an oval on his chest.

The Oval symbol is better, much more iconic, and more distinctive...and no, I dont give a damn if the black bat came first, i dont care if the oval was for copyrights and i particualry dont give a rats backside about whether or not the oval glows in the dark or not.

Sorry for the rant, but theres always BS surrounding the symbol discussion.

At the end of the day it's just preference. I love both symbols. Both are as practical as they are impractical. Personally I find the black symbol cooler or edgier but I like the yellow oval because it is more iconic.

 

[The Batman]

So has the oval symbol.

LOL....no. Not at all.

Theres so much backlash against the oval, even Grant Morrison acknowledged it in the commentary extras for one of his Batman TPB's. Its come to the point where the current costume, which has the oval, is being replaced...after less than a year, mind you, to bring in the black bat...again.

If anything, the oval has become underrated amongst fans, and frankly, I feel like the only reason people love the black bat so much is because of Frank Miller, not because its the original symbol.

 

[TheBatman072]

LOL....no. Not at all.

Theres so much backlash against the oval, even Grant Morrison acknowledged it in the commentary extras for one of his Batman TPB's. Its come to the point where the current costume, which has the oval, is being replaced...after less than a year, mind you, to bring in the black bat...again.

If anything, the oval has become underrated amongst fans, and frankly, I feel like the only reason people love the black bat so much is because of Frank Miller, not because its the original symbol.

I like it because it looks better.

 

[The Batman]

I really shouldve said most people, really. And to be fair, the original oval design sucked until neal adams got his hands on it.

 

[Saint]

Fact: the back-lit oval Batman wears now (or for the next twelve or so hours before Justice League is on the stands) is completely awesome--and that's coming from someone who generally prefers the black bat. Of course, it would be even cooler if it were a perfect circle instead of an oval.

I don't really get why it has to be an either/or proposition for people. I would have been perfectly happy if Batman wore the back-lit oval for five or so years before switching back.

I think the reason the oval-less look is popular is because it gives Batman a slick, monochrome look, and it plays really well with the look of the cape and cowl. Alternatively, the oval is popular because it really "pops" off the design, it makes Batman's yellow belt look less out of place than it does on the black design, and can stand out when Batman is in silhouette.

They both have their strengths. I think the oval makes more sense right now given that Batman is pushing a very public image with Batman Inc.; he wants to be seen, he wants to be talked about and recognized. Conversely, I think the black bat works better for the lower-key, street-level Batman stories.

I'd be thrilled if they switched to the back-lit oval for the next iteration of the films, since I also think those films should take a more fantastical, superheroic approach to the character, if for no other reason than to differentiate themselves from what Nolan has done so well.

 

[regwec]

I will always prefer the oval, because Batman was drawn that way by Norm Breyfogle when I first read the comics. I suppose it is always an emotive choice, really.

 

[Saint]

To expand on my point above, this is an example of something you don't really get with the oval:

Spoiler

Whereas you won't get this effect with the oval-less symbol:

Spoiler

The other thing that I think explains why the plain look is favoured these days is because it's easier to draw--as we can see from a dozen mangled bat-ovals in any given issue--and it offers a little more freedom for the artist to interpret the size and shape of the symbol.

 

[TheBatman072]

That backlit thing is so freaking stupid.

 

[Saint]

I will always prefer the oval, because Batman was drawn that way by Norm Breyfogle when I first read the comics. I suppose it is always an emotive choice, really.

I grew up on B89, and by the time I started buying comics on a quasi-regular basis, Jean Paul Valley was Batman--and of course, he didn't look like Batman at all.

Then Bruce came back, but he came back wearing the weird Troika costume with no gloves or boots, which transformed into an all-black version of the classic costume, which switched back to the pouch-belt in No Man's Land and finally back to the Year One design after that.

All things considered, the Year One design--with the trunks, pouch belt, and the black bat--is the one costume I never saw growing up, yet it's the look I like the most. But since I like pretty much every look Batman has had (except the Troika look, which was stupid and boring), it's not a huge distinction.

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

I like both symbols equally but i feel it would definitley seem out of place in Nolans batfilms.

 

[Saint]

That backlit thing is so freaking stupid.

So freaking awesome, you mean.

Of course, it would be stupid if he couldn't turn it off.

 

[The Batman]

um...saint...isnt justice league coming out next weds?

 

[TheBatman072]

So freaking awesome, you mean.

Of course, it would be stupid if he couldn't turn it off.

It's so unnecessary and gaudy and just...un-Batmanlike.

 

[Infinity9999x]

I've personally always preferred the all black symbol, simply because I like darker costumes for my heroes. But I don't have anything against the oval. Still, It got four movies, and the black symbol has only had two. And even then, it's been displayed in a way where it's barely visible.

 

[Saint]

It's so unnecessary and gaudy and just...un-Batmanlike.

This is a guy who colour codes his costume, puts bat ears on his cowl and fins on his gloves, and goes out of his way to design cars and gadgets that look like bats.Sure, I guess it's gaudy to put a shining logo on your chest, but no more gaudy than anything else the guy is doing.

As for "unBatman-like," well, maybe at some other point in time it wouldn't have been very Batman-like, but for the Batman who's trying to push world-wide recognition and be seen everywhere he goes (to create the illusion that Batman is everywhere), it makes perfect sense.

Even for Batman's more classical approach, it's not going to be a problem unless it doesn't turn off. I could see Batman using such a light to enhance the moments where he wants to be seen, like his dramatic entrances. Plus, it's just good sense to have a hands-free light when you're operating at night--even if Batman has nightvision lenses, not everybody else does (of course such a light wouldn't have to be in his oval, but why not?).

Anyways, I think "It's not very Batman" is true in a general sense, but it's something that can be adequately rationalized to make sense for the character.

 

[Saint]

um...saint...isnt justice league coming out next weds?

Bah, you're right.

Now I'm sad I have to wait a week.

 

[The Batman]

Bah, you're right.

Now I'm sad I have to wait a week.

Me too.

I'm biding time by rereading Hush and For Tommorow. Not All Star Batman, though, since thats not in continuity.

I just hope Geoff writes a decent Batman and that Lee's art makes the new outfits look good.

 

[akfj]

Here's a little compilation of the Batman film logos;

 

[regwec]

I like that you can see the first four.