Batman's New Movie Batsuit: The Best Comic Choices

Now that Ben Affleck is out as Batman, and the next version of Bruce Wayne is being created for director Matt Reeves' The Batman, it's time to discuss the real challenge: the invention of a brand new Batsuit.

It's the most hotly debated aspect of any Batman movie reboot, TV show, or even comic book relaunch. And over the years, the results have ranged from Michael Keaton's legendary rubber armor, to Armie Hammer's better-left-behind Justice League: Mortal Batsuit. But no matter which actor is cast as the new Batman, and for how long they are planned to stay in the role, they have the chance--nay, the obligation to make a new Batsuit of their own

So with that in mind, we're going back to the world of DC Comics to see which of Batman's uniforms and re-imagined suits is ready for live action. Here are our hopes and predictions for Batman's New Movie Batsuit: The Best Comic Choices.

6. The Earth One Batsuit

No matter how Zack Snyder's films were received by critics, or those wishing to move on may dismiss every aspect of the movies, there were plenty of movie fans who found both the Man of Steel suit and Ben Affleck's Batsuit impressive designs. At once completely loyal to modern comic source material, while also re-imagined using real world textures and colors. So if the rebooted Batman wants to stick with what worked, then the Earth One Batsuit seems to split the difference. The suit created by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank for their Earth One series hit the bullseye: at a distance checking off all requirements of a Batsuit, but up close, something genuinely different from the DC standard (and therefore different from Affleck's).

Grey fabric? Check. Cape, cowl, and chest logo? Check. The Earth One Batsuit doesn't reinvent the wheel, but implies a more... refined, perhaps even science-fiction-y Bruce Wayne. Calling the one-piece cowl, cape, and chest insignia slightly space suit-esque might be reaching, but Gary Frank's art always communicated Bruce's suit as textile, not spandex or a compression layer. It would make sense for a younger, thinner (than Affleck) Batman whose suit feels closer to Deadpool's than Superman's in terms of sophistication. And would communicate from the very first image and poster that this is NOT a take on Batman fans have seen before.

5. The Superheavy Batsuit

Assuming that Warner Bros. and Matt Reeves may want to take a bigger swing, and truly differentiate the older, more brutal Bruce Wayne from a newer, younger, more modern version, there may be reason to look at Batman's New 52 "Superheavy" arc. No, we're not suggesting that Bruce Wayne should pilot a Bat-mech (we're also not NOT saying that). We're referring to the bodysuit that Jim Gordon wore underneath the armor, and could rely on when stepping into a fight, or a case without his robotic backup.

The Superheavy suit would also open the door to re-imagining certain elements of the Batsuit. For instance, that yellow chest insignia has more than once been explained in the comics to be a target - a subconscious way of luring enemies into firing guns where the Batsuit is most thickly protected. If that idea were made today, wouldn't it make more sense to have a logo that gives off a low light than one painted yellow... meaning it would be least effective in the darkness, where Batman operates? And we know, we know, how could anyone imagine a Batsuit without a cape? But Bruce has to learn the effectiveness of a cape somehow, so what better way than to start him off without one?

4. The Batman: Gothtopia Batsuit

Not every single Batsuit needs to be met with unanimous approval or disgust, since it's often the smallest details that are picked up, refined, or expanded upon by subsequent comic book artists. Case in point: the Batsuit debuted in Detective Comics' "Gothtopia" storyline (above artwork by Jason Fabok). Set in a dreamlike utopia version of Gotham City, Bruce Wayne took to the streets during the daytime, in a gleaming suit of white armor.

Clearly we aren't arguing for a white Batsuit on film, but the physical texture, implied practical elements, and tactile nature of the Gothtopia Batsuit seems too original to toss aside. A mixture of armor plates, thickly woven material, and a cowl that doesn't try to 'pretend' its not a fabric helmet, the Gothtopia Batsuit could be a strong foundation for a new Batsuit. Especially if this is an earlier model crafted by Bruce Wayne in his beginning years.

Page 2 of 2: Our Top 3 Picks For The NEW Movie Batsuit

3. Tim Burton's Batsuit, Revisited

When you're dealing with a superhero costume, there are two separate, yet equally important sides to the design. There is the actual design and look, shape, construction of the suit, which is typically intended to feel born out of the same fiction and tone of the story being told. But in the decades since Christopher Reeves made his debut in a fabric Superman suit, and Michael Keaton learned how uncomfortable a latex rubber cowl can be, Costume design has come a long way, thanks to breakthroughs in the materials and processes now commonplace in blockbuster filmmaking.

The science has come so far, it may finally be possible to give Batman... gasp... a black costume. Black as in dark as night, not reflective, polished plastic like the original Batman series of films. And not metallic black plating meant to feel real and practical, like that of Christopher Nolan's later films. No, we want a Batsuit that sells the idea of a form-fitting layer not too different from Henry Cavill's Kryptonian suit (with the usual superhero actor muscle padding, of course). But actually black, leaving only the iconic yellow insignia on the chest to show the Keaton roots, but remade using modern, superhero movie magic. Yellow utility belt... optional.

2. The Batman: Rebirth Batsuit

Before the arrival of the DC Comics Rebirth--an initiative to return every major hero to the heart of their character--the controversial New 52 reboot had a few success stories. The most obvious of which being Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman series. Yet the Rebirth came to the Batman Family comics all the same, meaning the chance for another Batsuit reset, allowing Capullo to create his own (the New 52 being outlined by Jim Lee).

The result is one of the more popular Batsuits in recent memory. Sticking with the grey bodysuit, pitch black cape and cowl, and yellow highlights around the Bat symbol and utility belt, the suit soared into the pages of Batman: Rebirth. Throw in the deep purple underside of the cape, and it's possible for the next movie Batman to have a completely groundbreaking Batsuit... that is still pulled directly from the most recent comics.

1. The Batman Incorporated Batsuit

If the Earth One Batsuit feels like an idea worth exploring, but you have some reservations about such a big step away from the dark, dark black of the original suit and cape - not to mention the vibrant yellow chest insignia - then there's a good chance a movie version of the Batman Incorporated costume is the one most likely to be your top pick. In fact, there's a case to be made that from first glance, the Batman Incorporated suit would be the safest pick for Matt Reeves and his coming Batman film.

While it may not be the exact Batsuit that many fans will have in mind as a personal favorite, it might be difficult for those same fans to point out anything "wrong" in its presentation. Yellow chest insignia, mounted high on the chest, not too big, and slightly raised. Charcoal grey bodysuit, contrasted only with the jet black cape, cowl, and gloves. And yet somehow, not immediately evocative of any previous take on Batman. Maybe not the most daring redesign, but one that would play well on film for obvious reasons.

If you have a favorite version of the Batsuit, whether it be a nostalgic throwback, or a strange Elseworlds re-imagining, be sure to let us know in the comments. And rest assured, when the first look at the next Batman's signature costume is revealed, we'll be there to dissect it one thread at a time.

MORE: 20 Things Only True Batman Fans Know About The Batsuit