Batman emblem
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The Batman emblem (also referred to as the bat-logo, bat insignia, or bat shield) is the signature symbol on the chest of the fictional superhero Batman's costume that has appeared in various versions since the character's inception.
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[edit] Original version
Until the 1960s, the Batman emblem was a simple black bat against the grey color of the Batsuit. This portrayal was reflected the comics as well as the live action serials of the 1940s. The simple bat kept with the character's dark beginnings of being able to blend in and hide within the shadows. Although the exact size and shape of the bat would vary between artists and comic issues, the basic design remained for the first 25 years of the character's existence.
[edit] 1964 "New Look" emblem
Approximately 25 years after Batman was first introduced, a "New Look" is given to the Dark Knight in Detective Comics #327, introducing the Bat-Symbol as a yellow ellipse behind the costume's bat-insignia against the grey color of the Batsuit. This version of the Batman emblem, with periodic slight redesigns depending on the artist, continued into the late 1990s and remains the most recognizable representation of the character. It was first represented in a live-action setting with the Adam West series that debuted in 1966. This brighter version of the emblem seemed in step with the continuing lightening up of the character towards camp that came with the series. A variation of this version of the emblem was used as the promotional representation for the 1989 film starring Michael Keaton; though the costume that appeared in the film had an ellipse of a primary shade of yellow, the promotional symbol features a deeper golden color.
While it is arguably strange for a character that thrives on being cloaked in darkness to have a large yellow emblem on his chest, a reason is given (although it is not necessarily canon) in the 1986 comic series by Frank Miller, The Dark Knight Returns. In that series, Batman states (to the reader) that since he could not protect his head, he provided a bullseye on his chest for criminals to aim for when they shot at him, and this part of his costume was reinforced with bulletproof material.
[edit] Knightfall version
During the story-arc that began with Knightfall, Jean Paul Valley takes over the mantle of the bat for a period of time. During his reign, the emblem went through a couple changes and was more of a circular shape with fewer points on the bat itself. When Bruce Wayne reclaimed the mantle, he did not keep this version.
[edit] No more yellow ellipse
In the late 1990s, the Batman character became darker and, his costume changed as well. After his confrontations with Bane and Azrael, the suit became darker and the yellow ellipse disappeared once again from the costume[issue # needed]. As of 2008, this is how the emblem remains in the comics and in most media adaptations of the character.
[edit] Batman Beyond, "Justice League" and The Batman
The emblem in the animated series Batman Beyond was a futuristic version of the bat, now in red against an all-black suit. A similar emblem was used as an alternate costume in the video game Justice League Heroes, modified to include a cape, and dubbed an "infiltration suit". A similar symbol was used on an alternate costume in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited as a member of the Justice Lords, an alternate reality Batman who doubts his groups methods and agenda (See: Owlman). The bat is grey, along with a grey cape and a black costume. In the animated series The Batman, which takes place early in the character's history, the yellow ellipse adorns the batsuit once again.
[edit] Kingdom Come and Elseworlds
In the epilogue of Kingdom Come, Bruce Wayne has set up Wayne Manor as a hospital, following in his father's footsteps (Thomas Wayne having been an accomplished physician). The symbol becomes a red bat with a white background.
In Batman: The Holy Terror by Alan Brennert and Norm Breyfogle, the emblem is a stylized bat after a priest's collar.
[edit] "The Brave and the Bold"
The upcoming animated series "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" returns Batman once again to the yellow ellipse, including a much more Silver Age style costume.
[edit] Alex Ross, fanfilms, and The Dark Knight
Painter Alex Ross based his version of Batman's emblem on various iconic turns, eliminating the yellow ellipse and reverting closer to Bob Kane and Bill Finger's original portayal. This is most noticeable in Batman: War On Crime. Fan director Sandy Collera used this image for his fan-films, dressing his lead actor with a similar design.
Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, while they have changed the costumes to fit the realism of the situation, seem to have maintained the emblem design, at least in advertising.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Daniels, Les. Batman: The Complete History. Chronicle Books, 1999. ISBN 0-8118-4232-0
- Daniels, Les. DC Comics: Sixty Years of the World's Favorite Comic Book Heroes.
- DC Comics: Batman official site
- Batman-on-film.com
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