The quest is still on for the nextBatmanactor in the DCU, but the comics have already delivered a new Batsuit that is an exact match for James Gunn’s newSupermanmovie universe.
Whatever fans may think of the decision, the head of DC Studios has made it official:Robert Pattinson won’t be the DCU Batman. Despite its success, it’s obviousThe Batmanis no match forSuperman’s design, tone, or costumes. Thankfullyone comic has shown skeptics exactly what’s needed for the next Batman.
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The Shocking New Batman ofDC Vs. Vampires: World War Vby Matthew Rosenberg & Otto Schmidt
Fans of the Dark Knight can be forgiven for missing this new Batman and new Batsuit in the DC Universe, since it can’t actually be seen on the streets of Gotham City. Like Pattinson’s Batman, this new version is born from the Elseworlds, avenging a destroyed world inDC Vs. Vampires: World War V.
Most shocking of all, it actually isn’t Bruce Wayne inside the suit. Yet even in the face of that mystery, it was the brand new Batsuit that caught readers' eyes. And in the above variant cover forDC Vs. Vampires: World War V#8 by Fabrizio De Tommaso, the ‘real world’ depiction of the suit jumped from a great design to concept art for the next Batman movie.
After a brief mystery had fans theorizing who had claimed the Batman title following Bruce Wayne’s death, the truth came out. In a world stripped of his greatest rival and would-be heir, the villainousRa’s al Ghul became the next Batman, with a brand new Batsuit of his own design.
It’s bold, it’s classic, yet undeniably original, with splashes of color that could never be described as “dark” (covered head to toe in vampire blood, that’s really saying something). In other words, it’s exactly what the DCU needs.
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Setting aside this new incarnation is an insult to Bruce Wayne’s memory, the same can’t be said about the suit itself. For some, seeing the realistic/cloth-made depiction of the suit in De Tomasso’s artwork will do all the convincing needed. For skeptics, we would only point at thereactions to David Corenswet’s Superman suit.
The obviously classic elements of the Superman suit evoked enough nostalgia for James Gunn to build believers, while straying enough from modern depictions to raise eyebrows (and interest). Taking a look at Rosenberg and Schmidt’s own Batman ‘relaunch,’ and most of that holds just as true.
The cowl and shoulders are something new, whilethe iconic Batman chest symbol, cape, and utility belt all check the nostalgia boxes. While admitedly being as faithful to the oldest DC comics as the beloved Batman played by the late Adam West. A brave new step, clearly anchored in the history fans adore.
Whoever ends up playing Batman in the new DCU, it’s safe to assume Gunn will continue seeking a distinction from the version introduced by director Zack Snyder. If that’s the case, the fact that thisWorld War VBatman’s suit is a drastic change is only further making its case. Here’s hoping James Gunn takes notice.
DC Vs. Vampires: World War Vis available now from DC Comics.
