Fans all over the globe know of the Batmobile and its iconic status. It's impossible to see Batman without his trusty Batmobile much like James Bond and his Aston Martin. However, Batman has had several types of vehicles over the years including the Batcycle which was featured heavily in The Dark Knight.
One reliable vehicle that is often ignored by fans is the Batwing. But the Batwing has had as much of a presence in media as much as the Batmobile. Almost every appearance of the Batwing features a brand new look and gadgets to help Batman. Some Batwings are great inclusions while others could have been better.
The Bat - The Dark Knight Rises
The divisive finale to Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight trilogy featured many interesting choices. One of them was the inclusion of his take on the Batwing named simply The Bat. It was very much a downgrade from the show-stealing Bat-Pod from The Dark Knight.
In The Dark Knight Rises, The Bat is not only an unappealing design but the practicality of it is infamously mocked. Granted, superhero movies are not meant for realism but Christopher Nolan was aiming for a realistic take. As a result, even a military officer called out the flawed design.
Batwing Ver. 3 - Batman: Arkham City
The Arkham City version of the Batwing appears only in select sequences. Typically, the Batwing is seen dropping off various pieces of Batman's technology including the Batsuit.
The design itself is decent but nothing about it gives it an indication of being a Batwing. Overall, it looks like any high-tech jet seen in other sci-fi stories. It's definitely not a bad design but far from memorable.
Batwing Ver. 4 - Batman: Arkham Knight
This version of the Batwing from Batman: Arkham Knight is a bit of a mixed bag. The details and design of it clearly show a lot of care. However, the overall design never gets a chance to shine and leave an impact since the Batwing rarely appears; similar to the Arkham City version.
The idea of it acting as a carrier for Batmobiles is a neat touch. It's also the biggest of the Batwings thus far which gives it an intimidating look. Unfortunately, the player only interacts with it a couple of times throughout the campaign and only in cinematics.
Batwing Ver. 2 - Batman: Arkham Asylum
Just like the other games prior, the Batwing only appears briefly. In the case of Arkham Asylum, the Batwing appears twice in the whole game; once to deliver the line launcher and the second when Batman flies off at the very end of the game.
In the brief glimpses of the Batwing and viewing it in the extras menu, it's an upgrade from the others. It resembles a high-tech jet while still maintaining an overall look that fits with Batman. If it served more of a purpose in the story or gameplay, the Arkham Asylum Batwing would have been higher.
Animated Batwing - DC Animated Universe
The design of the DC Animated Universe version is simple yet effective. There are not a lot of flashy fins and other bat-themed designs to it. It's essentially a jet that is shaped like Batman's symbol. It matches with the minimalistic look Batman has throughout the DCAU including the Batmobile.
This Batwing is not just for transportation though. There are a plethora of weapons and tools that the DCAU Batwing uses throughout Batman: The Animated Series before getting a redesign with The New Batman Adventures.
1989 Batwing - Burtonverse
Making a huge appearance in the final act of Tim Burton's Batman (1989), the Batwing is what set a gold standard for Batwings to come. Much like the DCAU version, the Burton Batwing is simple: a bat symbol-shaped jet with tons of gadgets and weapons to help fight the Joker and thwart his plot to destroy Gotham.
The great thing about Burton's Batwing is the attention to detail. From far away, the design looks very simple but there are many subtle details that help it stand out. The exhaust ports, the panels that hide weapons, and more. As a bonus, who doesn't love that shot of the Batwing against the moon?
Veteran's Batwing - DC Extended Universe
Easily the most unique design of the movie Batwings, Ben Affleck's Batwing features a ring-shaped wing. The wing comes to a pointed tip, almost resembling a battering ram that can slice through enemy jets. The DCEU Batwing is also consistent with the rest of Batman's tech: very angular and sleekly designed.
This Batwing is also the most weaponized with twin railguns on the front that deal a lot of damage in the climax. Along with other weapons on the sides, Ben Affleck's Batwing is very distinct to its universe in every way which makes it stand out.
Batwing Ver. 1 - Batman: Arkham Origins
Finally, in the underrated Arkham Origins, the game developers made the Batwing a game mechanic. Though the player cannot manually pilot it, it acts as a means of fast-travel. This allows the player to actually get a more clear look at the Batwing without needing to go to the extras menu.
Design-wise, it's very much a jet with a couple of additions to it. Since it is a prototype, the simplicity makes sense and one can see the design being a precursor to the Arkham Asylum Batwing. Also, the pointed ends on the nose and the wings lend to a nice throwback to the Batplane of older comics.
Upgraded Batwing - Batman Forever
Like all of Batman's tech in Batman Forever, the Batwing was gifted with a flashy upgrade. This Batwing goes all out with the Bat-theme with the finds and wings while adding neon blue lights across it. It also keeps the H.R. Giger-esque style that the Batmobile had and it translates into the Batwings even stronger.
This Batwing also has multiple functions. Similar to the Lotus from The Spy Who Loved Me, the Batwing can transform into a submarine. The only downfall of this Batwing is that it makes a great entrance then is quickly disposed of during the climax. It deserved more of an actual aerial battle.
Elseworld Batwing - Injustice 2
A jack of all trades: this Batwing from Injustice 2 takes the best from nearly every Batwing of the past and merges them. It features the more sleek and weaponized design of the DCEU Batwing, the alien-like details of the Forever Batwing, and the more simple bat-like shape.
Seen several times throughout the story of Injustice 2, the Batwing displays a lot of capabilities and weapons. It is able to fend off Brainiac's forces and deal damage to other characters via the super move. On top of it all, it tributes Burton's Batwing by flying up in front of the moon.