Batman's Aesthetic Choices

[SpeDog]

Looking at the fan art thread brought a quandry to my mind and I am interested in others opinions. After reading Batman comics since around 1980, the costume itself has changed a bit here and there but I was wondering what the preferences were in general from the peanut gallery. In the game, and as Alex Ross prefers it, Batman's eyes are visible, but I prefer the white lenses. I like the shorter ears ala Dark Knight Returns, pouches on the belt as opposed to the capsules, and NO YELLOW FREAKING OVAL around the bat. That to me is how I see an iconic Batman costume, what does it for you?

[Gopher_777]

I like visible eye, mid sized ears, a belt like Batman Begins, no oval around bat emblem.

[Old_BenKenobi]

It really shifts a bit in the details, but currently my preferred look of Batman:

-Really short ears that curve inward, Frank Miller style (not Chris Nolan style. That cowl is butt ugly). I also dig Bob Kane style ears, which are long but flair out then in. Look really unique
-I like the lenses in the eyes.
-Big mouth hole. I like it when Bat's entire lower face is showing.
-I like a cape that fastens under the neck, by the collar bone
-I like the cape to almost reach the floor when Bats is standing
-I like the cape to have deep scallops, but rounded so it doesn't look like a zigzag
-I like the cape to be able to cover Bats entirely when its hanging in its natural position
-I like the cape to be tinged blue. Mostly black, but some blue. The game did a good job of it, IMO.
-I like the bodysuit to be a pretty neutral gray. Not super light, but not super dark either. Again, the game got a good tone.
-I like the yellow oval in the emblem. More visible.
-I'm torn between what kind of belt I like. I like the look of pouches, but I don't like the visual of them flapping around either. Rigid pouches like in the Justice League cartoon, perhaps?
-I like the gauntlets to be attached to the gloves, not strapped on
-I like the little bat fins to be flat at the tops and (much more noticeably) for there to be four of them, in line.
-I like the gloves to have the look and texture of leather.
-Not really to do with the suit, but I like a Batamn with less defined musculature. Bonus points if if the suit is shown wrinkling like cloth.
-Yes, I like the briefs. They keep his pants up and hide his junk. I like them to be shaped less like tighty whities and more like shorts though, and textured like leather.
-I like Batman to wear big, strong, ass kicking boots. I'm not big on them being flush with his suit either. Again, leather. Bonus points if there are creases. Big treads on the bottom.
-The gloves, briefs and boots are all the same colour as the cape and cowl.

Kind of a combo between TDKR's Batman and Jim Lee's.

[Gopher_777]

It really shifts a bit in the details, but currently my preferred look of Batman:

-Really short ears that curve inward, Frank Miller style (not Chris Nolan style. That cowl is butt ugly). I also dig Bob Kane style ears, which are long but flair out then in. Look really unique
-I like the lenses in the eyes.
-Big mouth hole. I like it when Bat's entire lower face is showing.
-I like a cape that fastens under the neck, by the collar bone
-I like the cape to almost reach the floor when Bats is standing
-I like the cape to have deep scallops, but rounded so it doesn't look like a zigzag
-I like the cape to be able to cover Bats entirely when its hanging in its natural position
-I like the cape to be tinged blue. Mostly black, but some blue. The game did a good job of it, IMO.
-I like the bodysuit to be a pretty neutral gray. Not super light, but not super dark either. Again, the game got a good tone.
-I like the yellow oval in the emblem. More visible.
-I'm torn between what kind of belt I like. I like the look of pouches, but I don't like the visual of them flapping around either. Rigid pouches like in the Justice League cartoon, perhaps?
-I like the gauntlets to be attached to the gloves, not strapped on
-I like the little bat fins to be flat at the tops and (much more noticeably) for there to be four of them, in line.
-I like the gloves to have the look and texture of leather.
-Not really to do with the suit, but I like a Batamn with less defined musculature. Bonus points if if the suit is shown wrinkling like cloth.
-Yes, I like the briefs. They keep his pants up and hide his junk. I like them to be shaped less like tighty whities and more like shorts though, and textured like leather.
-I like Batman to wear big, strong, ass kicking boots. I'm not big on them being flush with his suit either. Again, leather. Bonus points if there are creases. Big treads on the bottom.
-The gloves, briefs and boots are all the same colour as the cape and cowl.

Kind of a combo between TDKR's Batman and Jim Lee's.

O.O details!

[Old_BenKenobi]

I draw. Its my nature to focus on details. :p

[SpeDog]

Same here. I really like your points, except for the oval but I'm sure you saw that one coming. I really liked the costume in the Batman: Dead End internet film. I think it proved the point that the white lenses and almost comic-like costume could work on film and not make you think of Adam West.

[Old_BenKenobi]

It was really clever how they did the eye lenses: White contact lenses. Never would have thought of that. The movie in general is really cool and shows the Batman I want to see on film, even though it isn't nearly as polished as a theatrical movie.

And the way I see it, Spidey can wear tights and not look like a horse's ass, why not Batman?

[JackWinz]

Yeah...
http://www.ifanboy.com/images/ifanboy/batman10.jpg

[Old_BenKenobi]

Forgive me, I don't understand what you're trying to say.

[ThatGuyHarris]

I've always thought lenses made the most sense. They offer the necessary protection for Batman's eyes and allow him to interface with whatever equipment he has in his cowl. I prefer the medium sized ears as opposed to the insanely long ones or short ones. I've always figured the ears would act as some sort of antennae. Batman's boots should have treads. The gauntlet spikes should be long enough to be functional as a tool or a weapon. I don't think the pouches work, simply because they seem too basic for a hero that relies upon so much high tech equipment. Also, I miss the yellow oval. Lastly, the cape should be spiked near the bottom and just barely brush the ground as it's not only meant to be weighted at the tips but allow for gliding.

[SolidSnake_123]

I just like a bad-ass batman suit.:)

[SpeDog]

I still like the pouches as they make more practical sense for the equipment Batman normally carries. Some things are contrived, but with the pouches you may think that he has pieces to some equipment and pulled it out and assembled it to make a larger functioning device-if need be. When he had the capsules on the belt and he'd pull out a bunch of forensic equipment you're just scratching your head going "where the heck did that come from?""Is there a dimensional bridge or wormhole under the cloak?".

One thing I never understood is that in upgrading the suit, it's technical aspects, and body armor over the years, why has he not found a way to integrate the belt pouches or capsules into the suit itself like Batman Beyond or even as Azreal did when he was pretending to be The Batman. He doesn't lose the belt as often as he used to, but if he found some way to make them a part of the suit itself he's never be without his tools anyway.

[Matches Malone]

Looking at the fan art thread brought a quandry to my mind and I am interested in others opinions. After reading Batman comics since around 1980, the costume itself has changed a bit here and there but I was wondering what the preferences were in general from the peanut gallery. In the game, and as Alex Ross prefers it, Batman's eyes are visible, but I prefer the white lenses. I like the shorter ears ala Dark Knight Returns, pouches on the belt as opposed to the capsules, and NO YELLOW FREAKING OVAL around the bat. That to me is how I see an iconic Batman costume, what does it for you?

Wow that is EXACTLY the way I also prefer Batman. But one addition I really prefer the squared off spikes on the gauntlets instead of the long, pointed spikes. The only time I liked the oval is in The Dark Knight Returns when he gets shot in the chest and reveals the body armor underneath and he says. "why else would I wear a target on my chest?"

[Old_BenKenobi]

I still like the pouches as they make more practical sense for the equipment Batman normally carries. Some things are contrived, but with the pouches you may think that he has pieces to some equipment and pulled it out and assembled it to make a larger functioning device-if need be. When he had the capsules on the belt and he'd pull out a bunch of forensic equipment you're just scratching your head going "where the heck did that come from?""Is there a dimensional bridge or wormhole under the cloak?".

One thing I never understood is that in upgrading the suit, it's technical aspects, and body armor over the years, why has he not found a way to integrate the belt pouches or capsules into the suit itself like Batman Beyond or even as Azreal did when he was pretending to be The Batman. He doesn't lose the belt as often as he used to, but if he found some way to make them a part of the suit itself he's never be without his tools anyway.

I remember seeing a diagram where it showed inside each little cylinder and everything was so compact in there. It was cool.

Nolan went a cool route (the only area that I really agree with when it comes to the Batsuit). He has the little pouches for stuff, in the form of rigid metal boxes, but he also hooks things like his grapple gun directly onto the belt (I think with magnets), and for big gear he has it stored in components and reassembles it.

I remember in TAS, in Heart of Ice, he kept a thermos in his belt, yet at one point Freeze took it from him and had it draped over his shoulder, with no thermos in sight.

[stubs182]

http://www.superherotimes.com/newsarchive/dcd111204batmanposter.jpg

easily my favourite intepretation of batman

[Old_BenKenobi]

Jim Lee definitely draws an amazing Batman. Probably the "definitive" Batman.

[Zombie_in_zen]

I really like the Dustin Nyguen Batman. Not just cause of the costume, but the way he treats the look of Batman and his supporting characters.

And the Neal Adams Batman i like very much too.

I love the Neal Adam/ Dustin Nyguen take on the Blue and Grey suit. It may not be as threatening or practicle as later renditions... But it's the Batman I grew up loving.

[SpeDog]

Well, if you want to talk artists... Jim Lee, Neal Adams, Frank Miller's art from the original DKR (not so much w/DK Strikes Back), Jim Aparo, David Mazuchelli, have drawn amazing and iconic versions of the batsuit and pretty much set the standard for how it should be shown. I've liked the looks from Ed Benes and Joe Mad as well, but ears...too...big...

[Old_BenKenobi]

Well, if you want to talk artists... Jim Lee, Neal Adams, Frank Miller's art from the original DKR (not so much w/DK Strikes Back), Jim Aparo, David Mazuchelli, have drawn amazing and iconic versions of the batsuit and pretty much set the standard for how it should be shown. I've liked the looks from Ed Benes and Joe Mad as well, but ears...too...big...

My fave.

[ArmoredFist]

Keaton's Nike basketball shoe/boot from the '89 movie was really unique. At the time, we expected Batman to wear combat boots or something similar to what Adam West wore. To see Batman wearing sneakers with armored shin guards really made sense.

At the time, I thought it was really innovative because you can perform martial arts in tennis shoes...a front snap kick done with heavy combat boots isn't really realistic.

I've always loved those nikes....you can't find black leather nike kicks that look like that ANYWHERE nowadays, either!

[Old_BenKenobi]

I never noticed he was wearing sneakers. :p

[ArmoredFist]

I never noticed he was wearing sneakers. :p

For some reason, Tim Burton did several close-ups of Batman's custom Nikes in the '89 movie. The closeup on the rooftop, pressing the brake pedal and accelerator in the Batmobile.

I read they were Air Jordans....I want a pair of those shoes!

[ArmoredFist]

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1989/08/14/72348/index.htm

http://media.npr.org/programs/atc/features/2006/jan/nike/batmanboot200.jpg

The one on the right is from Batman 1989. The one in the foreground is from Batman Returns. I think the '89 boot is awesome!

[The Hylden]

Keaton's Nike basketball shoe/boot from the '89 movie was really unique. At the time, we expected Batman to wear combat boots or something similar to what Adam West wore. To see Batman wearing sneakers with armored shin guards really made sense.

At the time, I thought it was really innovative because you can perform martial arts in tennis shoes...a front snap kick done with heavy combat boots isn't really realistic.

I've always loved those nikes....you can't find black leather nike kicks that look like that ANYWHERE nowadays, either!

Very true. Doing kicks with boots on isn't as fun, that's for sure. The weight, for one, and the lack of what you mention -- a certain loss of dexterity.

[Old_BenKenobi]

In the comics, Batman's boots are flexible and have elastic in the heels to give him full extension in a kick.

Slightly related note: Given the company he keeps, wouldn't it be more plausible for Batman to have a ridiculously high-tec, space-age suit than the flexible body-armour and belt combo we have?