DC Animated Universe
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Batsuit Display

The original Batsuit on display.

"There was only one thing wrong: they weren't afraid of me. I've got to strike fear into them from the start."
Bruce Wayne[1]

The Batsuits were the costumes Batman developed and used for himself in his crime-fighting career. All Batsuits incorporated a utility belt with compartments to hold several items, the contents of which changed according to his needs and often included items such as flashlights, laser cutters, underwater rebreathers, binoculars, a fingerprinting kit, remote controls for his vehicles, and more.

History

Before the Batsuit

File:Batman 1st suit.png

Batman's first costume.

In his earliest adventures as a crime fighter, Bruce Wayne wore simple clothing and a ski mask. Failing to strike fear into the hearts of his quarry, he resolved to develop a more intimidating visage.

First Batsuit

When Bruce Wayne constructed the first incarnation of the Batsuit, it was a relatively simple prototype design. The utility belt consisted of cloth pouches that housed small throwing weapons, such as spiked pellets and grappling hooks. The costume itself featured simple gloves without any scallops, and a plain black bat-emblem over the pectoral region. The original Batsuit's cape and cowl also featured the same black-with-blue-highlights color scheme that the second and fourth Batsuits would have. After Bruce donned the mask of Batman for the first time, Alfred Pennyworth was genuinely frightened by his master's new appearance.

Second Batsuit

File:Batman BTAS.png

Batman's second costume.

Batman's second Batsuit incorporated more advanced materials and more varied gadgets and weaponry. The cloth pouches on the utility belt were replaced by rigid yellow cylinders, and the bat emblem was now encircled by a yellow oval reminiscent of the Bat-Signal. The simple grappling hook and line were replaced by a device that launched a line-trailing grapple over great distances, although the hook and line still saw action from time to time. It was during this redesign that the many gadgets and accessories designed to complement the suit and expand Batman's arsenal began to appear, such as a rebreathing apparatus and a motorcycle helmet designed similarly to the cowl.

Third Batsuit

File:BatmanTNBA.png

Batman's third costume, an updated version of his first costume.

Batman's third Batsuit was more reminiscent of the first in design and was given a more muted color scheme of black and grey. The yellow oval from his bat-emblem also disappeared, replaced by a larger black bat symbol. This suit continued to advance the range of gadgetry and weapons available to Batman. Batman appeared to have returned to using cloth pouches in this suit's utility belt. The third Batsuit was also the first to incorporate functional wings and a jetpack to enable gliding and flight. The cowl's ears were reinforced, acting as a deterrent should his head end up inside machinery ears-first. This version also had retractable claws to allow Batman to cling to the sides of buildings and vehicles.

Early 21st Century Batsuit

Batman JL

Batman's fourth costume, an amalgamated version of his first three costumes.

At some point before the founding of the original Justice League, Batman’s suit underwent another redesign. This fourth suit retained the simplicity of the third design, but reincorporated the first and second costumes’ blue accents - albeit now muted and more purplish. It was actually the most similar in both design and color to the original Batsuit; with the addition of lengthened ears on the cowl, scallops on the gloves, and heels on the boots. This suit also continued the trend of advancing the arsenal available to the Batman. Once again, the utility belt was redesigned. This time, the compartments retained the size of the cloth pouch versions, but appear to have been constructed of a more rigid material.

Mid 21st Century Batsuit

Bruce Beyond

Batman's final Batsuit.

The final Batsuit was developed presumably to compensate for Bruce Wayne's advancing age and was eventually inherited by Terry McGinnis when he assumed the mantle of Batman.[2] The Suit was at least two decades old when Terry became Gotham's new savior; however, its technology was so advanced that it was still considered state of the art. Another fifteen years later, Terry was still wearing this Batsuit, though its belt had pouches.[3]

Other Batsuits

Knight Armor

While in a virtual reality created by Riddler, Batman was forced to act as a living chess piece and wore a suit of armor indicative of his “Dark Knight” moniker.

Fireproof

To battle the villain Firefly, Batman donned a heavy suit that was very resistant to heat and fire.

Bat Armor

A powered exosuit developed by Bruce Wayne during his later years as Batman. The suit gave its wearer excellent protection from attacks and was able to shrink so as to be concealed beneath clothing. The suit was not used extensively, because its use puts a great strain on Bruce's heart.

The Savage Time

In the alternate timeline created by Vandal Savage's disruptions of the historical events of World War II, Bruce Wayne still became Batman. The Batsuit he developed in this alternate timeline reflected the state of war he lived under. This suit incorporated a helmet with seemingly no eyes (possibly a visor) and several rigid armor plates. Unlike the Batman of the primary timeline, this Batman incorporated firearms into his arsenal.

Justice Lords

In an alternate universe very similar to our own, Justice Lord Batman altered his costume after the Justice League transitioned to being the Justice Lords. The new costume had elements of our universe's late 21st-century Batsuit yet incorporated design elements similar to the other Justice Lords' costumes.

Gallery

Sightings

First Batsuit

Batman: The Animated Series

Feature films

Second Batsuit

Feature films

Third Batsuit

Superman: The Animated Series

Feature films

Static Shock

Fourth Batsuit

Static Shock

Final Batsuit

Batman Beyond

The Zeta Project

Feature film

Static Shock

Justice League Unlimited

References

  1. Melniker, B., Uslan, M. (Producers), & Radomski, E., Timm, B. W. (Directors). (1993). Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. United States: Warner Bros.
  2. Berkowitz, Stan (writer) & Geda, Curt (director) (January 10, 1999). "Rebirth, Part II". Batman Beyond. Season 1. Episode 2 (airdate). Episode 2 (production). Kids WB!.
  3. Timm, Bruce, McDuffie, Dwayne (story) & McDuffie, Dwayne (teleplay) & Riba, Dan (director) (July 23, 2005). "Epilogue". Justice League Unlimited. Season 1. Episode 26 (airdate). Episode 26 (production). Cartoon Network.
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