Published: 24/03/2022
From Eyebrows to Nipples: A Batsuit Evolution Through Film
by Natalie Zahn
Content Producer | Makeup Artist | Collector of Figurines & Statues
Natalie is a Sydney-based content specialist who is utterly obsessed with all things DC Comics and is a certified makeup extraordinaire. You will generally find her curled up reading fantasy books and consuming way too much chocolate.
Natalie is a Sydney-based content specialist who is utterly obsessed with all things DC Comics and is a certified makeup extraordinaire. You will generally find her curled up reading fantasy books and consuming way too much chocolate.
With the release of the new bat-tastic film ‘The Batman’ (2022), there is no better time than to check out the history of the batsuit on the big screen. As a big fan of Batman, I’ve seen the films countless times, so let me take you on a journey through the evolution of how the Batsuit has changed from the 1960s to now.
“Nice outfit” - The Joker, Batman 1989
Batman
Year: 1966
Actor: Adam West
Colour Scheme: Grey, yellow, black and a touch of purple.
Characteristics: The classic design right out of the comics. Grey basic jumpsuit with no added muscle definition and black silk underwear on the outside. Satin elbow length gloves and large utility belt.
What I like About the Suit: I love the purple detailing around the mask to give Batman eyebrows and shaping around the nose like a bat.
Image source: darkknightnews.com
Image source: cinematicrandomness.com
Batman and Batman Returns
Year: 1989 and 1992.
Actor: Michael Keaton
Colour Scheme: Black, gold and yellow.
Characteristics: Black with added muscle definition built in. Cowl attached to the cape and in the center of chest is yellow and black Batman insignia.
What I like About the Suit: This movie’s Batman is my favourite. I enjoy the contrast with the yellow and black so when Batman is approaching the bad guys from the shadows, the first thing they see is the bat symbol and they just know they’re about to be taken down.
Batman Forever
Year: 1995
Actor: Val Kilmer
Colour Scheme: Black metallic.
Characteristics: Metallic black suit with attached gloves, still with added muscle definition. Belt is blended into the suit with a small gold bat symbol and a much larger Batman symbol embossed across the chest.
What I like About the Suit: To be honest, not one of my favourite suits. It’s a little flashy if you ask me. Plus, as soon as any light hits it, stealth mode is certainly gone.
Image source: viewsfromthesofa.com
Image source: hollywoodoutbreak
Image source: imdb
6. Batman & Robin
Year: 1997
Actor: George Clooney
Colour Scheme: Metallic black and silver.
Characteristics: Continuing with the metallic look, the first Clooney suit was known as the infamous ‘Nipple Suit’. The suit then evolves and upgrades with silver detailing and no utility belt.
What I like About the Suit: Out of all the movie Batman suits, the silver suit is by far my least favourite (sorry to all the George Clooney fans). It stands out way too much, you will be able to Batman from a mile away.
Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises
Years: 2005, 2008 and 2012.
Actor: Christian Bale
Colour Scheme: Matte black and gold.
Characteristics: Matte black finish with muscle definition and gold utility belt with black embossed bat symbol on front.
What I like About the Suit: As one of my favourite suits, I enjoy the matte finish, it definitely helps him blend into the shadows. What I also like is the return of the gold utility belt - classic!
Image source: gamespot
Image source: wallpaper Cave
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League
Years: 2016 and 2017
Actor: Ben Affleck
Colour Scheme: Black matte
Characteristics: Bulky armour-looking black suit, with separate helmet and lights where the eyes are. Known as the ‘Justice Buster Suit’. Inspired by the animated series Dark Knight Returns, armoured suit.
What I like About the Suit: When Batman wears this suit, he is not messing around. To me, similar design to the first Ironman suit which I thought was bulky and impractical.
The Batman
Year: 2022
Actor: Robert Pattinson
Colour Scheme: Matte Black
Characteristics: Another black matte suit, this suit is designed to give a look as though Bruce Wayne made the suit himself. The cowl is removable and his bat symbol on the chest is a removable tactical knife to throw.
What I like About the Suit: I do like the ‘homemade’ look it is giving. The suit has no mechanics to it and looks more practical. It complements the realism in the way Bruce Wayne/Batman was portrayed as just a rich dude trying to save his city.
Image source: imdb
Which Batman suit is your favourite? Show off your fandom for the Batman, check out the range of Batman costumes and accessories we have to offer.