THE BATMOBILE!!!
Everyone knows this car, no matter what version. In this final post of THE BAT BLOG, I’ll be talking about a few of the Batmobiles over the years. My main focus is TV, Animation, and Film. Since my first exposure to Batman was the 66 TV Series airing reruns in the 80s, that is where I’ll start. I’ve never seen the serials and I do not read comics actively, so that’s where we begin!
Batmobile on Television
Batman 1966 TV Series Batmobile
This was my first introduction to The Batmobile. The Black and Red was an awesome color scheme, and that flame out the back! Everyone loved tat part, when the batmobile was on screen.
Batmobile in Film:
The Batmobile has had many iterations in film!
Batman (1989) and Batman Returns
Going from the TV Series Batmobile to this, everyone was amazed. This was the defining Batmobile after the film came out. Having this Batmobile was epic! I loved the way it looks, and I was awestruck with the whole Shields mode! That was freakin awesome!! Sadly they destroyed this on in Returns.
Batman Forever
Unlike a lot of people, I actually like that this version of the Batmobile can drive up walls! I thought that was a unique new ability that they added, compared to the previous films. I really liked that this one was much more of a sleek body, and I think it is my favorite in film, besides the 89 one.
Batman & Robin
Oh boy here we go…. This thing is a cross between a batface and a fish in the design of the front of the car. This Batmobile was all flash and no substance. I thought that the close up on the light up wheel with the bat emblem was kinda cool, but other then that is is the most useless Batmobile ever.
The Nolan Verse and the Tumbler!
Batman drives a TANK! in 2005 when Batman was rebooted by Christopher Nolan, we knew that it was gonna be a fully realistic version of Batman. When I saw the trailer to Batman Begins I was very intrigued with what this new Batmobile would be. I’ll also admit that I know Batman always has a backup plan, and in The Dark Knight when the main car gets destroyed, I was not disappointed to see the Bat Pod! Even though I know a few people have issues with it.
Batman in Animation:
DC Animated Universe:
There were multiple versions of the Batmobile in the DCAU.
Batman The Animated Series
In Batman Beyond it flipped over!
After the 1989 film, when this cartoon was created and released in 1992. It was a huge deal to see the Batmobile. This is the Batmobile in animation that most people love. I’ve often said that I love the 40s style and feel of BTAS, especially with the Batmobile and The Batwing.
From The New Batman Adventures to Justice League
When watching The New Batman Adventures, Justice League, and JLU I wasn’t so impressed with the redesigned Batmobile. It’s all black, muvh sleeker, and kinda blended in to much for me. I think over time I’ve gotten used to this design, but at first it was kind of shocking to go from the BTAS version to this.
Batman Beyond
In the FUTURE There are FLYING cars! The Beyond Batmobile removed the need for a Batwing, as it’s a flying car. To me this is just Terry’s transport, sure it can camofalge itself and has all the same powers as the Terry Batsuit, but in the series it is never really used. I mean that the car itself isn’t used for any of Batman’s battles.
Outside the DCAU:
There have been two other cartoons to this point, and they each had a unique version of the Batmobile.
The Batman
The Batmobile in this series reminds me of the sleekness of the BTAS batmobile mixed with the colors and design of the Batman Forever Batmobile.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
I’ve only seen maybe four episodes of this series. I just don’t care for it. The best thing it had going for me was the design of the Batmobile. It was a throwback to the older batmobiles, and I really liked that.
Final Thoughts:
I know I didn’t cover everything here, but no matter what iteration of the Batmobile you like, it will forever be a car that we all love. I can’t wait to see what they do with it in future films and animation. This wraps up GCRN’s BATMAN WEEK!!! There’s no same bat time same bat chanel this time. However you can and should be listening to Legends Of the Dark Knight!!!
