Batman's utility belt

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Batman's utility belt is the most characteristic portion of Batman's costume, much like Wonder Woman's Lasso of Truth, or Green Lantern's power ring.

The exact contents of the belt are not known, as Batman changes them to suit his needs; his uncanny ability to carry the appropriate tools for a mission is legendary.

Batman's enemies are especially interested in the belt as they believe it will give them an advantage over him, but the belt's pockets are locked and only Batman knows how to open them. Occasionally, the belt is depicted as having defense mechanisms such as electric shock or stun gas or even an explosive device in order to prevent tampering.

Similar belts are used by the various Robins, Batgirls and other members of the Batman family.

Contents 1 History 2 Description 3 Contents 4 Appearance in other media 5 References 6 External links

[edit] History

Up until 1989, most artists drew the utility belt as a simple yellow belt with a buckle and cylinders around it. In 1986, Frank Miller drew Batman's utility belt with military-style pouches in the Batman: The Dark Knight Returns limited series. This rendition was utilized again in Batman: Year One and used by almost every artist in the Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight comics series. In 2000, the pouches became a standard feature in the depiction of the utility belt.

One feature added to the utility belt in the two Tim Burton directed Batman films, Batman (1989 film) and Batman Returns, was a small motor which would move items from the back of the belt around to the front allowing Batman easier access to his weaponry and tools. The feature was seen briefly when Batman and Vicki Vale were escaping the Joker's henchmen in the alley and when he rescued Selina Kyle from the Penguin's clown henchmen at the beginning of Batman Returns.

A common gag amongst comic fans is Batman's apparent ability to carry a tool for almost every eventuality on his belt, all prefixed with the word bat, such as bat-cookies and bat-milk. Oftentimes, especially in the Adam West series, Batman could carry everything needed for a particular scenario, from typical batarangs to a miniature batphone which remotely linked to the one in the batmobile. This also extended to the bizarre, such as Bat Shark Repellent Spray (when Batman was in a surfing contest with the Joker and was threatened by a shark), adding to the comic depiction of the BatBelt

[edit] Description

Although seemingly unremarkable in appearance, the utility belt is one of Batman's most important tools in fighting crime. Composed of a kevlar strap and metal buckle, the utility belt houses ten cylinder cartridges, which vertically clip onto the outside of the belt. The buckle itself contains a miniature camera and two-way radio. A secondary compartment behind the length of the belt houses Batman's supply of collapsible batarangs.

Each of the ten cylinders contains various tools integral to Batman's war on crime, and are interchangeable with other cylinders depending on Batman's needs for the mission. Through the years, Batman has modified the contents of his belt to accommodate various needs.

[edit] Contents

Elements of the utility belt at times include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Batarangs: ^[1] Batman's version of the Shuriken^[2]. They have often been more closely identified with boomerangs. A large array of different types and sizes for different effects (ie blunt impact, edged, slashing, etc. and uses.

• Bat-bolas: ^[3] Thrown around the feet of Batman's enemies to tie them with a composite-nylon cord. Often causes an escaping opponent to trip. With the push of a button in Batman's glove it can deliver an electric shock.

• Bat-cuffs: ^[4] Bat shaped handcuffs, resembling the kind used by Special Forces units. These restraints are made of a lightweight diamond-impregnated nylon overlaying a banded steel core. Using a one-piece design, they slide closed and have to be cut off. Batman has given a special tool with a diamond-edged cutting implement to the Gotham PD for removal.

• Bat-Tracer:^[5] Used to track enemies Batman can't follow closely.

• Communications device: ^[6] Often an earbug, but sometimes handheld.

• Goo gun:^[7] A handheld foam projector that fires an adhesive-like substance to incapacitate opponents.

• Grappling hook: ^[8][9][10] Used to attach a line in order to scale sheer surfaces and/or swing across gaps.

• Night vision goggles: ^[11] Using Starlite infrared lenses to see thermal output in low light or non-lit situations. Currently built-in to Batman's cowl.

• Kryptonite ring : Stored in a lead box, it is reserved for emergency use against a rogue Superman and/or other Kryptonians.^[12]

• Laser torch: ^[13] A strong miniaturized laser use as a cutting tool.

• Line gun: (Grapnel Gun) ^[14][15][16] Similar to a grappling hook, the line gun uses a strong clamp attached to a line for scaling surfaces and/or traversing gaps. It can be recovered by releasing the clamp and rewinding the cable. It was based from one that is designed as compact climbing gear for commando units.

• Micro camera^[17]

• Miniature smoke grenades ^[18]

• Miniaturized toolkit ^[19]

• Rebreather: ^[20] Allows Batman to breathe underwater or in vacuum. Depending on the writer and/or artist, it may also be incorporated with the gas mask.

• Smoke pellets: ^[21] Often used to quickly provide cover for Batman's stealthly exits and entries. Gas pellets are used as well for non-lethally incapacitating opponents. Lachrymatory and regurgitant agents are deployed by throwing or breaking open the small hardened-gelatin spheroid capsules.

• Stun (Flash-Bang) grenades: ^[22][23] Emits bright light and loud sound to blind and stun enemies.

• Thermite grenades: An incendiary used to burn^[24] through obstacles. In Batman: Year One, the thermite charge ignited accidentally and destroyed the utility belt. Although they are identified as Thermite, it is safe to assume that Thermate is used instead. (The former is a World War II technology which has largely been replaced by the latter.)

[edit] Appearance in other media

The utility belt as seen on Batman (TV series).[25][26]	The utility belt as seen in Batman[27].	The utility belt as seen in Batman Returns.[28][29]	The utility belt as seen in Batman Forever.[30][31]
The utility belt as seen in Batman and Robin.[32]	The utility belt as seen in Batman Begins.[33]

[edit] References

1. ^ Batarang
2. ^ Ninja star
3. ^ Bat-bolas
4. ^ Bat-cuffs
5. ^ Hand indicator
6. ^ Commuicator
7. ^ Goo gun
8. ^ Bat-hook
9. ^ Bat-rope
10. ^ Bat-claw
11. ^ Sonar suit
12. ^ e.g., Superman/Batman #32
13. ^ Bat-laser
14. ^ Line gun
15. ^ Gauntlet
16. ^ Double grappling hook
17. ^ Bat-monitor
18. ^ Bat-cap: Batman (1989 film)
19. ^ Bat-saw
20. ^ Batsub
21. ^ Bat-caps: Batman (1989 film)
22. ^ Bat-bomb
23. ^ Bat-cap: Batman Returns
24. ^ Bat-heater
25. ^ Bat-Equipment - On the Utility Belts
26. ^ http://www.batmanytb.com/tv/60series/gadgets/belts.php
27. ^ http://www.batmanytb.com/movies/batman/gadgets/weapons.php
28. ^ http://www.batmanytb.com/movies/batmanreturns/gadgets/weapons.php
29. ^ Optically, this utility belt corresponds to its predecessor model from Batman (1989 film). However, its color was somewhat optimized. The motor which brings the gadgets forward, was accelerated.
30. ^ http://www.batmanytb.com/movies/batmanforever/gadgets/weapons.php
31. ^ The utility belt of the Panther Suits are fastened in the back. In the front "peace symbol" oval, the representative bat is engraved. The oval caps contain gadgets such as the Batarang and Bat-bola. Additional gadgets such as the as Bat-goo gun are fastened in the back of the the back of the belt. Also, the control unit for the fire protection costume is in the chambers.
32. ^ http://www.paratime.ca/v_and_v/pics/utility_belt.jpg
33. ^ http://www.batmanytb.com/movies/batmanbegins/gadgets/weapons.php