In May 1939 the first Batmobile saw the light of day.. A red car that doesn't even look like the ones seen in Nolan's latest trilogy or during Zack Snyder's Justice League. Even so, that may have always been the great secret that has made Batman's car an icon, one of the things that fans most want to know with each new installment. And for that, this visual journey through the history of the Batmobile
81 years since the first Batman car
Appearance: Detective Comics 27
Vintage: 1939
It was in May 1939 when the first Batmobile saw the light of day, a red car that if you had no idea it might catch your attention. In the first place, because the color red doesn't seem to fit much with that dark atmosphere with which we all associate Batman and his dangerous Gotham. And then, because it was still a normal car, without any incentive like the numerous weapons and capabilities of the latest installments.
Even so, it is striking how that first car that could be seen in number 27 of Detective Comics has already become something essential and inseparable for the DC hero. What's more, there are many fans who, together with the history and the aesthetics of the bat man, if there is something they hope to know, is what the car will be like.
Because, furthermore, Batman's car is always closely linked to its aesthetics during every movie, series or comic. For example, the Batmobile that we could see in Tim Burton's film differs from the one we will see in the future installment directed by Matt Reeves and starring Robert Pattinson.
Anyway, let's talk and see how it has evolved. Because, Do you know how many Batmobiles have existed? we tell you, more than two hundred. This includes all those that have been created for the world of comics, television and animated series, movies and even video games such as LEGO ones.
Showing you each and every one of them is complicated, there are also some that are less attractive. So, we have selected the most representative and important ones. Even so, they are not few, so make yourself comfortable and move calmly through each and every one of them.
The evolution of the Batmobile
That red car that did not take long to receive its first evolution. In 1941 it became a convertible, but that initial red color did not add up much. During those first numbers it is true that it served to make it even more striking, but can you imagine Batman trying to go more or less unnoticed by driving that around Gotham? In addition, the bad guys would surely see him more easily when he does it in the black vehicle.
Appearance: Detective Comics 48
Vintage: 1941
This was the second Batmobile, convertible as we have said, and from there the evolution began. The first design with a more futuristic touch introduced a front part where it simulated the head with the Batman mask. There were also other characteristic elements that over the years were more or less maintained, such as those bat-wing-shaped ailerons.
Appearance: Batman 5
Year: from 1941 to 1943
Only during the productions of the first television series were they still betting on cars of the moment and slight modifications. Although in most of them there was nothing really striking. Something understandable at that time, because even the appearance of the series with those actors wearing gray tights was not very attractive and aggressive. At least, not like DC is used to right now with the latest character designs.
Appearance: Batman TV series
Vintage: 1943
Appearance: Batman Dailies
Year: from 1943 to 1946
Appearance: Baman 20
Year: 1942 to 1944
Appearance: Batman 25
Vintage: 1944
Appearance: Batman 47
Vintage: 1948
Appearance: Batman 47
Year: 1948 to 1949
As you can see, for several years the design of the comic was more or less maintained. There were slight changes, but the base was the same. And on television, some additional details began to be added to give it greater appeal.
Appearance: Batman & Robin (TV Series)
Vintage: 1949
Appearance: Detective Comics 156
Year: 1950 to 1955
Appearance: Batman 73
Vintage: 1952
Appearance: Detective Comic 204
Year: 1954 to 1957
Appearance: Detective Comics "Gotham City's Strangest Race"
Vintage: 1955
Appearance: Comic Books
Vintage: 1958
Appearance: Comic Books
Year: 1964 to 1966
Starting in the sixties, the idea that Batman used a convertible returned to take something from outside, especially with the premiere of the 1966 television series. In addition, some red details were recovered to highlight some edges or the Lego itself. of the bat on the door and hubcaps.
Appearance: Batman (TV Series)
Year: 1966 to 1968
Appearance: Batman Towel
Vintage: 1966
Appearance: Detective Comics 356
Year: 1966 to 1967
Appearance: The Brave and the Bold
Vintage: 1966
Appearance: Brave and the Bold 70
Vintage: 1967
Appearance: Detective Comics 362
Year: 1967 to 1969
Appearance: Detective Comics 371
Vintage: 1968
Appearance: Detective Comics 364
Vintage: 1968
Appearance: Detective Comics 377
Year: 1968 to 1969
Appearance: Batman 204
Year: 1968 to 1969
Appearance: Batman and Superman
Year: 1968 to 1978
Until the seventies and despite certain limitations or variants depending on whether it was for a comic or television series, the aesthetics of the Batmobile was more or less recognizable. The models seen in one of the books from the late sixties and early seventies or in Batman "This Murder Has Been...Pre-Recorded!" It did mean a somewhat more radical change. Although it didn't take long for him to return to those somewhat more classic lines.
Appearance: Batman Comic Book
Year: 1969 to 1971
Appearance: Batman "This Murder Has Been...Pre-Recorded!"
Vintage: 1970
Appearance: Batman Comic Books
Year: 1970 to 1987
Appearance: Batman Comic Books
Year: 1979 to 1971
Appearance: Detective Comics
Vintage: 1971
Appearance: Detective "Comics Forecast for Tonight... Murder"
Vintage: 1972
Appearance: Batman "How Many Ways Can a Robin Die?
Vintage: 1972
Appearance: Detective Comics
Vintage: 1973
Appearance: Detective Comics "Killer in the smog"
Vintage: 1973
Appearance: Comic Books
Vintage: 1973
Appearance: Detective Comics "The Night has a Thousand Fears"
Vintage: 1972
Appearance: Superfriends Cartoon Series
Year: 1973 to 1977
Appearance: Batman King of the Gotham Jungle
Vintage: 1974
Appearance: Batman Power Records
Vintage: 1975
Appearance: Batman Power Records
Year: 1975 to 1978
Appearance: Detective Comics "Crackdown on the Crime Exchange"
Vintage: 1975
Appearance: Batman Challenge of the Superfriends Cartoon Series
Year: 1978 to 1987
Appearance: Batman 412
Vintage: 1987
Appearance: Detective Comics 897
Vintage: 1989
The movie batmobile
Of course, the great leap in the evolution of the Batman car came with the premiere of the first film directed by Ti Burton. That Batmobile left its mark and almost marked a bit how the design line of a vehicle should be for a more mature hero. Although not dark enough as we will see later.
That car designed for the Burton movie stood out for its clear sporty focus and that nose turbine that gave clues to the speed it could reach when moving quickly from one point to another in Gotham. Although it was not the only striking thing, the car was also very well equipped in terms of weapons.
Appearance: Batman (Tim Burton)
Vintage: 1989
In 1995 a new version arrived, this time for the following film that was made: Batman Forever. This time the design of the car seemed somewhat more organic and had more pronounced wings and similar to what has already been seen in some comics.
Appearance: Batman Forever
Vintage: 1995
Two years later, the Batman and Robin movie brought with it a mix of designs between those seen in Burton's film and the one that followed. This Batmobile maintained that idea of a car with a very long front and elements that gave the sensation of speed, but the most striking thing is that it only included a single seat. That is, as if it were a plane, it was solely and exclusively for Bruce Wayne (played by George Clooney). Robin had his bike, so we're assuming he wasn't contemplating taking anyone with him.
Appearance: Batman and Robin
Vintage: 1997
After these three Batmobiles came the one we could see during Nolan's trilogy and for some one of the best cars. Along with the darker aesthetics of the film, the car designed by Nolan himself and Natham Crowley sought to be as realistic as possible. We think they nailed it and it also fit perfectly with the aesthetic of the movie and the character himself.
By the way, as a curiosity, in this trilogy we also saw how this Batmobile was capable of becoming a motorcycle.
Appearance: Batman Begins
Year: 2005 to 2008
Finally, with the ribbon that united Batman and Superman came a new Batmobile. This proposal retained that idea of a total vehicle, loaded with weapons and prepared for the toughest conditions fighting crime.
Appearance:
Vintage: 2016
The future Batmobile
The evolution of Batman's car is quite striking and interesting. Some pages specialized in his history offer very interesting information such as the guidelines that in certain circumstances they had to follow. For example, when drawing a new Batmobile for the comics, it had to be easy to replicate. Hence, many times there was not an excess of detail or elements that imply more time drawing and inking.
Now the next Batmobile awaits us that we will see and we will be able to add to this history of dark knight vehicles. will do it in the movie The Batman that Matt Reeves will direct. We have already been able to see some images, but surely there are some more details that will be interesting for the fans to know.