With the excitement building for Matt Reeves’s “THE BATMAN” starring Robert Pattinson, it’s the perfect time to take a drive down memory lane and explore the most iconic Batmobiles in Batman history. From the silver screen to the comic book pages, animated series, and video games, the Batmobile has consistently been a symbol of innovation and intimidation.
Detective Comics #27 (1939): The Batmobile’s Humble Beginnings
“Does it come in black?” – A question we imagine Bruce Wayne asked early on.
In his initial appearances in Detective Comics, Batman wasn’t cruising in the high-tech vehicles we know today. Instead, he utilized a variety of ordinary convertible sports cars, lacking any distinct “bat-trappings.” It wasn’t until 1941 that the term ‘Batmobile’ officially appeared. This early Batmobile design was a striking red hotrod, inspired by the Cord 812, boasting a ‘super-charged’ V8 engine. This marked the genesis of the Batmobile as a distinct and recognized vehicle in the Batman mythos, even if it was far from the gadget-laden marvels to come.
The Black & White Serials (1943/1949): Real-World Rides for the Caped Crusader
The low-budget, black and white serials of the 1940s took a remarkably simple approach to the Batmobile. Batman and Robin were depicted driving Bruce Wayne’s personal vehicles, a rather unconvincing disguise for the millionaire playboy’s alter ego. A 1939 Cadillac Series 75 convertible and later a Ford 1949 Mercury Convertible served as the Batmobile. The lack of bat symbols or any significant modifications reflected the serials’ budgetary constraints and perhaps a less developed sense of the Batmobile’s iconic potential. These were essentially stock cars, a far cry from the customized crime-fighting machines that would soon define the Batmobile.
The “Bat-tering Ram” Batmobile (1940s and 50s): Embracing the Bat-Theme
A significant turning point in Batmobile design came in 1941 with Jerry Robinson’s redesign in Batman #5. Robinson, also co-creator of Robin and The Joker, imbued the Batmobile with its signature “Bat-theme.” This iteration introduced a dark, sleek aesthetic, complete with gothic tail fins and a prominent bat-shaped hood ornament that doubled as a battering ram. This design became the standard for the Golden Age of Comics, establishing the Batmobile’s visual identity as more than just a car, but a symbol of Batman himself. The “Bat-tering Ram” Batmobile was a bold step towards the iconic vehicle we recognize today.
BATMAN ’66! (Bam, Pow, Zap!): Campy Cool with Gadgets Galore
The 1960s Adam West Batman series delivered a Batmobile that was as campy and stylish as the show itself. This truly timeless, black and red, gadget-filled 50s muscle car, designed by George Barris and based on the Ford concept car, the ’55 Lincoln Futura, became instantly iconic. The ’66 Batmobile is arguably the most recognizable version for many. It boasted a fast, sleek design, a distinctive bat-branded paint job, and a siren, befitting this deputized vigilante. Gadgets were plentiful, rivaling even James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5, and included Bat-radar, Bat-scope, Bat-car-phone, a super-powered bat-magnet, the bat-glove-compartment, and even a ‘batzooka’! To top it off, an atomic-powered rear-rocket thruster added an extra layer of over-the-top coolness. The 1966 Batmobile perfectly embodied the show’s lighthearted and gadget-centric approach to Batman.
(Honorable mention goes to the Bat-boat, Bat-copter, and Bat-bike from the 60s series, further expanding the Bat-vehicle arsenal!)
Hannah Barbara, Toys, and More! (1960s / 70s / 80s): Echoes of the ’66 Classic
Batmobiles following the 1960s series, in both comics and cartoons like ‘Super Friends’, clearly drew inspiration from the West-mobile. These versions often adopted a blue and yellow color scheme, a departure from the red and black of the ’66 model. As comics moved into the 70s and embraced darker themes, the Batmobile evolved again, becoming sleeker and stealthier, reflecting a return to Batman’s grittier roots. This era saw a transition from the bright and flashy to a more subdued and shadowy Batmobile aesthetic.
The Neal Adams Batmobile! (1970s): Sleek and Ominous
A fan-favorite emerged from the iconic Denny O’Neil / Neal Adams comic run of the 1970s. This Batmobile was a slick and simple black and blue sports car. Its ominous silhouette became a symbol of fear for Gotham’s criminals as it sped through the city streets. This design emphasized speed and stealth, a departure from the gadget-heavy ’66 version. Interestingly, this is also the Batmobile infamously targeted by a young Jason Todd for tire theft before he became the second Robin, adding a unique bit of trivia to this particular design.
Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns” (1986): The Bat-Tank is Unleashed
Frank Miller’s groundbreaking 1986 graphic novel, “The Dark Knight Returns,” presented the most radical Batmobile transformation to date. This was no longer a sleek car, but a veritable “bat-tank.” “The Dark Knight Returns” offered a gritty, dystopian vision of Batman and Gotham City, and the Batmobile mirrored this tone perfectly. Calling it a tank was not an exaggeration; it was an armored vehicle built for urban warfare, reflecting Batman’s intensified war on crime in this dark future. This Batmobile was a symbol of brute force and intimidation, a far cry from the earlier, more conventional designs.
The “Burton-mobile”! – BATMAN ’89 (and ‘Returns’): Gothic Majesty on Wheels
For many, the Burton Batmobile from Tim Burton’s 1989 “Batman” and “Batman Returns” is the definitive Batmobile. It’s a truly unique vehicle, a gothic masterpiece on wheels that perfectly captured the dark and stylized world of Burton’s Gotham. Driven by Michael Keaton, this all-black Batmobile prioritized speed and stealth with an intimidating presence. The scene where Vicky Vale asks “Which one?” upon seeing the Batmobile remains a classic cinematic moment. Designed by Anton Furst, drawing inspiration from H.R. Giger, it utilized a Chevrolet Impala chassis, a Chevy V8 engine, and the visual suggestion of a jet engine. This Batmobile could reportedly accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 3.7 seconds. Voice activation, remote control, deployable shields, and a weapons arsenal, famously unleashed at Axis Chemicals, added to its impressive features. The Burton Batmobile was a game-changer, setting a new standard for superhero vehicles on film.
Fans rejoice! Rumors suggest this iconic Batmobile may reappear in the upcoming Flash movie.
BATMAN: The Animated Series (1992): Streamlined Noir
The opening of every episode of ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ showcased the Batmobile roaring to life in the Batcave, instantly captivating a generation. A streamlined evolution of the Burton Batmobile, this version perfectly captured the show’s noir and sophisticated tone. While still packed with gadgets, it presented a more serious and grounded take compared to the Adam West era, feeling genuinely cutting-edge and cool. The Animated Series Batmobile is almost as iconic as Kevin Conroy’s legendary Batman voice, a testament to its lasting impact.
The Norm Breyfogle’s ‘Batmobile – Mk III’ (1990-1995): A Radical Comic Book Departure
While movie Batmobiles dominated the 90s, the comics featured a distinctly different vehicle. Designed by Norm Breyfogle and introduced in Batman #456 (1990), this Batmobile marked a radical departure from previous designs. It served as Batman’s ride during the epic Knightfall Saga, where Bane famously broke the Bat. This unique and angular design remained in use until 1995, when it met a dramatic end, destroyed by Jean-Paul Valley in his attempt to eliminate Bruce Wayne. Breyfogle’s Batmobile stands out as a bold and memorable comic book exclusive.
Batman Forever (1995): Neon Knight Rider
Building on the aesthetic of the Burton-mobile, Val Kilmer’s Batman in “Batman Forever” drove a flashier model. Barbara Ling’s design incorporated nods to the 40s Batmobile, particularly with a prominent bat-fin, but added a 90s twist with neon accents. While perhaps not ideal for stealth, the neon-glow Batmobile certainly had visual flair, fitting the movie’s over-the-top style. Unfortunately, The Riddler destroyed this Batmobile along with the Batcave, marking a short but visually striking chapter in Batmobile history. The movie also features a famously outlandish scene where the Batmobile uses a grappling hook to scale a building, pushing the vehicle’s capabilities to cartoonish extremes.
Batman & Robin (1997): Toyetic Excess
“Batman and Robin” opens with a line that perfectly encapsulates the film’s tone: Robin exclaims, “I want a car! Chicks dig the car,” and Batman, played by George Clooney, retorts, “This is why Superman works alone.” This film, often criticized as a live-action toy commercial, showcases an even more absurd Batmobile than its predecessor. While the “Forever” Batmobile had neon, this one doubled down on impracticality and flashiness. Stealth was clearly not a design priority; this Batmobile could be spotted from across Gotham. Adding to the questionable design choices, it inexplicably features only one seat. The impracticality and over-the-top design made this Batmobile a symbol of the film’s overall excesses, although Robin’s motorcycle, “The Red Bird,” did receive some praise as a cooler vehicle.
Batman Beyond (1999): Futuristic Flight
“Batman Beyond,” the futuristic animated sequel to ‘Batman: The Animated Series,’ introduced Terry McGuinness as the new Batman, mentored by an elderly Bruce Wayne. Terry’s Batmobile was a high-tech hovercraft, blurring the lines between Batmobile and Batwing. This futuristic vehicle reflected the show’s cyberpunk setting and offered a unique take on the traditional Batmobile concept, embracing flight capabilities and advanced technology.
Late 90’s / Early 2000’s – Comics and Cartoons: Design Explosion
Following the Burton and Schumacher movie eras, the late 90s and early 2000s witnessed an explosion of Batmobile designs in comics and cartoons. Many of these designs drew inspiration from previous versions, including ‘Batman: The Brave and the Bold’ which blended the ’66 Batmobile with the original 40s look. A recurring visual element was the red-tinted windshield, becoming a common trope. The sheer volume of designs from this period is vast, but highlights include the diverse interpretations showcased in the images above. (Explore more at Batmobilehistory.com)
“The Tumbler” – BATMAN BEGINS (2005) / THE DARK KNIGHT (2008): Military-Grade Realism
Christopher Nolan’s “Batmobile,” dubbed “The Tumbler,” offered perhaps the most realistic and militaristic take on the vehicle, heavily inspired by Frank Miller’s “bat-tank.” Introduced in “Batman Begins,” Lucius Fox presents Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) with a Wayne Tech military prototype designed for advanced infantry. Bruce’s immediate question, “Does it come in black?” is a nod to the Batmobile’s inherent aesthetic. The Tumbler was groundbreaking as the first fully functional on-screen Batmobile capable of performing the stunts seen in the films, reaching speeds of up to 160 mph. Nolan described this 500 horsepower behemoth as a cross between a Lamborghini and a Hummer. While tragically destroyed by the Joker in “The Dark Knight,” its demise paved the way for the introduction of ‘the Bat-pod,’ another iconic vehicle from the Nolan trilogy.
Beware the Batman (2013): Sleek CG Stealth
‘Beware the Batman,’ a short-lived CG animated series, offered another cool, sleek, and stealthy Batmobile design. This version emphasized a modern, streamlined aesthetic, fitting the show’s contemporary take on the Batman mythos.
The Arkham Games (2009 – 2015): Video Game Powerhouse
The “Arkham Asylum” video game series delivered a fan-favorite Batmobile design, blending elements of the Burton Batmobile and the ‘New Adventures’ animated series with a touch of classic hot-rod styling. “Arkham Knight” finally allowed players to drive this impressive vehicle, and it lived up to expectations, offering both high-speed chases and tank-like combat capabilities. The Arkham Batmobile became a definitive video game interpretation of the iconic vehicle.
Lego Batman (2017): Building Blocks of Justice
Lego Batman, voiced by Will Arnett, debuted in “The Lego Movie” and proved so popular he earned his own film, “Lego Batman.” This movie is a hilarious and self-aware romp through Batman lore, featuring numerous Bat-vehicles that are constantly assembled and reassembled on the fly from Lego bricks. Adding to the fun, fans can actually build many of these Lego Batmobiles in real life, bridging the gap between the digital and physical worlds.
“Bat-fleck’s ride” – ‘Batman v Superman’ (2016) / ‘Justice League’ (2017 / 2021): Brutal Force and Modern Edge
The “Bat-fleck-mobile” is often described as a fusion of the Burton-mobile and The Tumbler. It takes the sleek, black coolness of the ’89 version and combines it with the armored, military-grade hardware of The Dark Knight trilogy. While “Batman v Superman” received mixed reviews, the Batfleck Batmobile design was widely praised, even if piloted by a more brutal and controversial Batman. This Batmobile truly shines in the climactic battle of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, showcasing its firepower and resilience against the Parademon army. Ben Affleck’s portrayal, his Frank Miller-inspired look, and this powerful Batmobile left many fans wanting more of this DCEU Dark Knight.
THE BATMAN (2022): Muscle Car Vengeance
The newest Batmobile, featured in “The Batman” starring Robert Pattinson, appears to be a departure from recent tank-like designs, returning to a customized muscle car aesthetic, reminiscent of 70s vehicles. Trailers reveal a Batmobile roaring through explosions, promising a raw and visceral take on Batman’s ride. Reportedly powered by a V10 engine and featuring a rocket exhaust port, this Batmobile suggests a focus on speed and power, fitting the film’s grounded and gritty tone.
What are your favorite Batmobiles from Batman’s extensive history? Let us know in the comments below!
You can hear more discussion about Batman movies on the Comic Zombie podcast, as well as the latest season of Podcasters Assemble. Also, be sure to check out other articles including Every Star Destroyer in Star Wars and the Top 10 ‘Sexiest’ Star Trek Ships!
“The Batman” speeds into theaters on March 4th, 2022!
