Batman's utility belt
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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. Recent depictions of the belt's lock have changed with today's technology in that it is now a biometric lock. 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.
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[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 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. Often, 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.
[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.
During the events of No Man's Land, Batman made use of a more simple worksman's belt with larger pockets due to the necessity of carrying more equipment.
In the animated series Batman Beyond, the belt is incorporated into the batsuit, with features such as the buzz blade belt buckle, and button on the buckle to activate the suit's camouflage system.
In the more recent animated series The Batman, the belt contains highly advanced gadgets that allows Batman to summon his vehicles, thaw him out in case of being frozen, and control his surveillance batarangs. The belt also locks in place when worn and is therefore, very hard for anyone other than Batman, to take off.
[edit] Contents
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Elements[1][2][3][4][5] of the utility belt at times include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Batarangs:[6] A customized throwing weapon used by Batman. Interpretations of the weapon have varied from the boomerang to the shuriken[7]. Recent interpretations have shown a large array of different types and sizes for different effects (ie blunt impact, edged, slashing, etc. and other uses).
- Bat-bolas:[8] 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:[9] 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:[10] Used to track enemies Batman can't follow closely.
- Communications device:[11] Often an earbug, but sometimes handheld.
- Cryo Capsules
- Goo gun:[16] A handheld foam projector that fires an adhesive-like substance to incapacitate opponents.
- Grappling hook:[17][18][19] Used to fire a bat-shaped hook attached to a high-tensile wire line in order to scale sheer surfaces and/or swing across gaps.
- Night vision goggles:[20] Using Starlite infrared lenses to see thermal output in low light or non-lit situations. Currently built-in to Batman's cowl.
- Flashlight: A simple flashlight. Batman uses it in numerous episodes of the animated series, usually when looking for clues, or through private files in the dark.
- Kryptonite ring: Stored in a lead box, it is reserved for emergency use against a rogue Superman and/or other Kryptonians.[21]
- Line gun: (Grapnel Gun)[23][24][25] Similar to a grappling hook, the line gun uses a strong clamp attached to a high-tensile wire 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.
- Lock pick: Sometimes kept in the gloves instead.
- Marble: Rolled down stairs to imitate footsteps. Depicted as a magnetic metal ball in the "Hush" storyline arc.
- Rebreather:[29] Allows Batman to breathe underwater or in vacuum. Depending on the writer and/or artist, it may also be incorporated with the gas mask.
- A Master Key (sometimes mistakenly called a skeleton key) is perhaps the simplest tool in Batman's utility belt.
- Smoke pellets:[30] Often used to quickly provide cover for Batman's stealthly exits and entries. Knock-out 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: [31][32] Emits bright light and loud sound to blind and stun enemies.
- Thermite grenades: An incendiary used to burn[33] 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.) In Judgement on Gotham (1991), Batman is equipped with a phosphor-based incendary device.
- A cache of cash
- Evidence bags:[34] Bags in which to hold evidence.
[edit] Bat-grenades
Batman typically utilizes two mini-explosive types: small "pellet" grenades with quick-setting contect cement and five-second delay fuses; and concussion/blast grenandes of explosive or flash/bang force with thee-second to 40-minute delay, radio-control, or bungee-primia cord detonators.
[edit] In other media
A variation of the Bat-grenandes or Bat-bomb[35] appeared in the 1997 live-action film Batman & Robin[36]. These bat-shaped portable explosives could either be thrown or attached with a magnet.
Bat-grenades were also designed for but ultimately, not shown[37] in the 1989 live-action Batman film. With this bomb, following a time run off, an explosive with enormous explosive yield is set free. In the same movie however, Batman was seen using smoke grenades[38][39].
For director Tim Burton's second Batman film, Batman Returns (1992) had in his arsenal, a collection of special "test tubes."[40] These little tubes were hidden in the utility belt, and contained several mixtures of chemicals. They had several effects when thrown separately or mixed together. The blue was napalm[41], the red was an explosive and the green was knockout gas.
[edit] Grapple gun
The grapple (or line) gun[42][43] (or Batcable[44]), normally allows Batman to scale up or rappel down tall buildings, or swing[45] between Gotham City skyscrapers on successive lines.
Similar to a grappling hook and speargun, the line gun uses a strong clamp attached to a high-tensil wire 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.
A magazine of explosively-propelled darts attach to de-cel jumpline reels secured with braking and clipping mechanisms inside the grapnel gun sleeve. "Smart" acceleration motors within the grapnel dart head enables attachment to light aluminum, steel, or concrete masonry. The dart is also engineered for snap-on mini-carabiner or high-test de-cel line.
[edit] In other media
[edit] Batman (1989 film)
This grapple gun[46][47][48][49] was a spring action, speargun-like device that shot a grappling hook and, when needed, paralyzing gas.
[edit] Batman Returns
The grapple gun[50][51][52][53] from Batman Returns was based on the first model from the 1989 Batman film. It was revised around the handle. Now, it had more chrome parts. The launcher was now at the lower part, but on the upper surface and it was operated with the thumb.
[edit] Batman Forever
The look of the grapple gun[54][55][56] changed dramatically for Batman Forever, to fit with the new[57] Batman (Joel Schumacher directed instead of Tim Burton, and Val Kilmer was the star instead of Michael Keaton). Now, it was more powerful and could cut through hard steel and rock, as seen in the opening bank sequence.
[edit] Batman & Robin
The graple gun[58][59][60] from Batman & Robin was very different from the one from Batman Forever. It can be attached on Batman's glove or the utility belt. The 90m rope it launches can carry as much as 400kg.
[edit] Batman Begins
The grapple gun[61][62][63] from Batman Begins was propelled with compressed air works with a magnetic Enterhaken[64]. The thin climbing cable was tested on a load-carrying capacity of 350 lbs.
[edit] Variations between media
 The utility belt as seen in Batman Forever.[67][68][69] |
 The utility belt as seen in Batman & Robin.[70][71] |
 The utility belt as seen in Batman Begins.[72] |
[edit] References
- ^ The Great Batman Equipment Archive
- ^ Batman (1989 film) - Gadgets
- ^ Batman Returns - Gadgets
- ^ Batman Forever - Gadgets
- ^ Batman & Robin - Gadgets
- ^ Batarang
- ^ Ninja star
- ^ Bat-bolas
- ^ Bat-cuffs
- ^ Hand indicator
- ^ Commuicator
- ^ Judgement on Gotham (1991)
- ^ Batman: The Ultimate Guide to the Dark Knight by Scott Beatty
- ^ The Batman Handbook: The Ultimate Training Manual by Scott Beatty
- ^ http://www.batmanytb.com/bios/gadgets/utilitybelt01.jpg
- ^ Goo gun
- ^ Bat-hook
- ^ Bat-rope
- ^ Bat-claw
- ^ Sonar suit
- ^ e.g., Superman/Batman #32
- ^ Bat-laser
- ^ Line gun
- ^ Gauntlet
- ^ Double grappling hook
- ^ Bat-monitor
- ^ Bat-cap: Batman (1989 film)
- ^ Bat-saw
- ^ Batsub
- ^ Bat-caps: Batman (1989 film)
- ^ Bat-bomb
- ^ Bat-cap: Batman Returns
- ^ Bat-heater
- ^ Justice League cartoons
- ^ Batbomb: to blow up the rocket before it turned Gotham into a crater
- ^ This portable explosive charge in form of a bat can be thrown either or attached with a magnet. As soon as the aerodynamic wings fold up, it can examine Batman on the inserted display whether the bomb is really sharp. In addition it can steer the explosions: either the bomb goes highly, if it hits or if it approached the goal on a certain distance. In addition, it can be ignited with the help of a signal of the inserted clock. The asking bomb can be loaded with flare signals, explosive or traenengas.
- ^ This weapon is not to be seen in the film. It was planned to hunt Axis chemicals not only with the help of asking mobilization ILS into air to let but also the time bomb be used.
- ^ Pellets: thrown at his feet to conceal himself; one thrown into a doorway to confuse goons
- ^ As soon as these caps on the soil impact, a close smoke spreads. Batman uses this smoke around its opponent orientation to take to wrap itself or in order to escape from a close situation.
- ^ Batman Returns - Gadgets > THE TEST TUBES
- ^ Napalm Pill: thrown at the Catwoman, exploding and burning her arm
- ^ BATMAN-NEWS > Grapple Gun Overview
- ^ Character Profiles - Gadgets - Grapnel Gun
- ^ Bat Gadgets
- ^ The act of swinging using the batcable, for instance, quickly switches the view to an angle looking toward Batman for no apparent reason other than to show off his front.
- ^ Grapple Pistol: hangs a thug 30 feet off a catwalk, lowers himself from ceiling, escapes several times; the Official Movie Magazine attributes it a smaller second trigger which shoots paralyzing nerve gas from a second barrel above the grapple but this feature was never used; two parts stack to form gun; bottom half is winch and line and can be hooked onto belt and used separately
- ^ Grapple Gun: significantly bigger gun and grapple than pistol, to save he and Vale from falling
- ^ Batman (1989 film) > Grapnel Gun
- ^ The first Grappling Hook Spear Gun resembles outwardly a hand-held weapon. It consists of two parts and in the center is plugged together. It can shoot arrows, which are connected with a steel cable. These windings around steel girders or bore themselves deeply in rock in. The integrated coil seizes approx.. 80 meters rope. The upper nozzle sprays if necessary a Betaeubungsgas.
- ^ Grapple Pistol: (identical to first movie) shot into the wall behind a bad guy; Batman yanks on the cord and the anchor pulls a chunk out of the wall, hitting the enemy in the head and knocking him out
- ^ Batman Returns > Grapnel Gun
- ^ The second Design of the Grappling Hook Spear Gun is based in the first model. To make it something revised around it handier and easier. To erziehlen the exterior with chrome parts enriched the better visual effects. The departure is no longer at the lower surface, but on the upper surface, the trip with the thumb is operated.
- ^ The doubles Grappling Hook is an advancement of the arm tulip. This is more handicher, graceful designed and around some lighter. Also this Gadget brings Batman by its twin projectile of point A to point B.
- ^ Grapple Gun: shot into wall to carry bank vault
- ^ The striking power of chopping was strengthened around some. It breaks through now also hardest rock and steel.
- ^ Batman Forever > Grapnel Gun
- ^ Batman's gadgets and weapons were also completely re-vitalized by Ling and company, reflecting the organic, sleek, high-tech and futuristic style of the vehicles. Among the extraordinary weapons and gadgets from the Batcave vault are the Batarang, Clamp-Ended Bat Cable, Bat Bolo, Bat Torch, Bat Grapple Hook and Bat Goo Gun.
- ^ Grapple Gun: to stop from falling, to knock the freeze ray out of Mr. Freeze's hands, to get up to Gotham Observatory
- ^ This Spear Gun has the same characteristics as its predecessors. Only the Design was adapted to the Freeze Suit.
- ^ Batman & Robin > Grapnel Gun
- ^ Movies - Batman Begins - Gadgets - Weapons
- ^ Earlier drafts oriented themselves exactly the same at classical gun Designs as at modern hand-held weapons. Finally one decided for a straight-line, simple and extremely effective form, which does not remind of approximately of Harrison Fords weapon from ' Blade Runner '.
- ^ Magnetic grappling gun with monofilament decelerator climbing line.
- ^ Enterhaken
- ^ Batman (1989 film) - Gadgets
- ^ Batman: Yesterday, Today, And Beyond ~ The Batman Homepage ~ The Largest Batman Site on the Net!
- ^ Batman Forever - Gadgets
- ^ Batman: Yesterday, Today, And Beyond ~ The Batman Homepage ~ The Largest Batman Site on the Net!
- ^ 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.
- ^ http://www.paratime.ca/v_and_v/pics/utility_belt.jpg
- ^ Batman & Robin - Gadgets
- ^ Batman: Yesterday, Today, And Beyond ~ The Batman Homepage ~ The Largest Batman Site on the Net!
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