This is my first article on the site, I've been a fan of the site for the better half of a decade and have finally decided to add my input. Also all the images used in this article are all totally robbed from Google searches. Lastly, YES I am a Ben Affleck supporter, the dude is going to CRUSH the part. That being said, BATMAN.
TONE:
Many fans of Ben on CBM have pointed out how similar he looks to TAS' Bruce Wayne, and since Batman: The Animated Series is one of the most fan praised adaptations of the entire Bat-Universe why not utilize that? The show for it's day was pretty gritty which tends to be how Batman operates nowadays, and I could totally see a similar tone being emulated in the DC Universe that Zack Snyder is beginning to establish. The character of Batman itself has been reinvented on the big screen and small screen so many times without reason when most fans really want to see something familiar that really FEELS like batman, not another ninja with too much Kevlar, sore throat & pointy ears.
THE COWL:
I really loved this version of the cowl for two reasons: First,the length of the ears is substantial, yet at the same time wouldn't be a nuisance or impractical like some versions where Batman can't walk through a doorway due to his foot long ears coming off the top of his head. Second, the accessibility to the removal of the cowl itself. The top portion of the cowl fitting between the ears and coming over the eyes and on the nose, allowing Bruce an easy removal similar to many versions of the cowl that would slide on & off like a hood.
COLOR PALLET:
I have always been fond of Batman's more famous color scheme (blue,gray,& yellow/black) I always understood why then went full black on the big screen, but have always hated it. YES, we get it, it's practical for a hero who benefits so much from the shadows to wear all black, it's tactical, but who gives a flying bat turd! Is it practical for a billionaire playboy to run around fighting crime at night in his underwear and a cape?! Since it seems that things are going to be heading more in the direction of The Dark Knight Returns, I think a similar color scheme should be utilized and leave the boring black batsuit behind.
THE INSIGNIA:
I'm honestly torn between the two circled in the image above. I do, however know that I absolutely hated Christopher Nolan's bat-symbol, it would have been better for a live-action Batman Beyond insignia. I think a more classic approach with a slight modern twist, more of a retro symbol would be sweet!
THE SUIT:
RANT: As I write this article I see that I tend to rip more and more on Christopher Nolan's Batman, and sadly for all you "Nolanites" out there, it doesn't end here. I always hated the way Batman acquired his suit and gadgets in the Nolan series only because I feel that Bruce Wayne was an idiot who could only mutter "Does it come in black?" whenever a new piece of technology crafted by Lucius Fox came his way. Bruce Wayne is a god damn genius, act like it! He's on par with Tony Stark! Hell, Bruce Wayne is the ORIGINAL Tony Stark! Nolan's Bruce Wayne wore what was handed to him and only made minor alterations such as a helmet with ears and a few batarangs. So essentially Nolan's Batman couldn't even dress himself let alone save his girlfriend.
END OF RANT: In my opinion the Kevlar armor and plated suit has become stale. Something more unified and singular seems right. All the costume designers for previous films have been guilty of over-analyzing the suit and added unnecessary military-grade attire. A more muscled & form fitting body armor would be nice, however covered with a thick outer layer of a sort of rubbery spandex material (Similar to The Amazing Spiderman 1 suit) to give a more iconic spandex superhero look.
THE BELT:
Nolan's utility belt was actually the only thing I enjoyed about the batsuit other than the cape's ability to harden for Batman to glide across the sky. My only complaint is that more gadgets weren't added to it. In Nolan's Batman movies it seemed to always be about the big boy toys and not all the cool shit that batman could put in his belt. When it comes down to it Batman is a detective (World's Greatest Detective) with an arsenal or badass gadgets, it's a shame that aspect wasn't more dominant in the series especially with it being more real world based.
THE DISGUISE:
The trouble with making a more realistic universe for superheroes is the fact that it can also become more of a possibility that their secret lives can be figured out more easily that ever before, living in a world with advanced technology and facial recognition, ect. I'm still curious to see how Snyder keeps anyone from finding out that Clark Kent is really Superman in the Man of Steel sequel seeing as how a change of hair style and use of glasses wouldn't actually fool anyone, yet I suppose an alien super hero isn't really the most realistic thing either, so I digress.
THE EYES:
Often referred to as "The windows to the soul" the eyes can be a dead giveaway to someone finding out that Batman is really billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne, especially when I'm sure that Bruce finds it hard to stay out of the Gotham City Tabloids, not to mention Batman coming face-to-face with someone he is close to. In light of these points I found it best to disguise his eyes, whether it be a full blown white tint similar to what is used in The Amazing Spider-man 2, or a sort of lit up lens similar to something Iron Man like or even Nolan's bat sonar lenses. This would also give the designers a chance to work with the iconic white eyes that many suPer heroes have in the comic books. Lastly, YES, I do think it appropriate for batman to have a in-eye interface similar to Iron Man, however I expect Alfred or even Oracle to be on the other end instead of a crafty A.I. system. There are multiple times where Batman has had to call Alfred to send the batwing (or whatever you'd like to call it) or even send the batsuit like he did in the opening sequence to Batman: Arkham City.
THE VOICE:
With the monstrosity that was Christian Bale's Batman voice I have discovered something more practical and far more pleasing in my opinion. If you were to look at my user avatar you would be able to tell that I am a fan of The CW's Arrow. Say what you will, but I enjoy the show. On the show whenever Oliver Queen (The Green Arrow) is in a situation where he is talking to someone that would recognize his voice, he uses a voice changer. In the clip above Olive Queen in full Green Arrow garb busts in on his own mother Moira Queen. I expect to get a bit of hate for this idea but at the same time if someone Bruce knows were to hear him speak while in costume, his cover is immediately blown. In addition I FULLY SUPPORT The CW's Arrow joining the DCCU, it's a fantastic show and I think is given such a bad reputation due to the network it's on and people who dislike the show not giving it the proper chance. As a huge fan of the show I do admit the parts of the beginning of the first season was not nearly as good as the has come to be and I encourage you all to give it a second chance.
And the best for last...
THE BATMOBILE:
I actually didn't hate the idea of the Tumbler in Nolan's Batman films, it was a great idea! Batman needs something fast, durable, and LOADED with toys, and the Tumbler absolutely delivered in all three categories. When I was doing my research however I stumble across this concept art that somebody was kind enough to make up, and I think it is absolutely beautiful and could fit in with the Animated Series kind of feel to the batmobile, as well as Snyder's very specific artistic view.
Thanks so much for taking the time to check out my article, and please leave a comment in the box below!