Warning! Spoilers for Future State: Gotham #13 ahead!
The latest issue of Future State: Gotham has finally unveiled Nightwing, Robin, and Bruce Wayne’s future Batman costumes, raising questions about whose suit is the best. Former Robins Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne are both fan-favorite successors to the Batman mantle. However, the recent Future State: Gotham #13 features the two protégés donning cowls with their own flair, while Bruce Wayne still operates as Batman.
DC’s Future State: Gotham depicts Gotham’s dystopian fate after being taken over by the Magistrate. With Bruce imprisoned, a Pure Brane-addicted Nightwing takes on the Batman mantle as Damian searches for his father. Eventually, Bruce is freed and joins Talia al Ghul to find Damian, who they learn is in hell and will destroy Gotham if he ever escapes. This issue ends with an adult Damian Wayne returning to Gotham, complete with his suit from Batman #666 by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert.
The Batsuit is one of Batman’s most prominent tools to fight crime. A great Batman costume must be functional while also striking fear into the heart of Gotham’s criminals. While each Batsuit featured in Future State: Gotham #13 — written by Dennis Culver with art by Geoffo — uniquely encompasses its wearer’s traits, Damian Wayne’s suit is the best as it draws from the classic aesthetics of a Batman costume and does not have any features that could hinder him.
Taken from Batman #666, Damian’s Batsuit adopts the classic Batman cowl, gauntlets, and belt but swaps out the cape for an oversized trench coat, allowing for more mobility. The costume has a dystopian feel that fits the storyline while still retaining the dramatic details that make Batman a terrifying figure. Not only does this suit look like a Batman costume, but it also matches its wearer. As the son of Batman, Damian is known for being obsessed with carrying on his father’s legacy. It makes sense that he would wear a modified version of the original costume as it allows him to pay homage to his father while adding personal touches to make the suit his own.
Unfortunately, Bruce and Nightwing’s new Batman costumes miss the mark. Bruce’s Batsuit is more streamlined, ditching the theatrics of his past costumes and incorporating more covert tactical gear. While the suit is functional and allows for more mobility, it does not honor the origins of Batman nor does it seem like something Bruce would wear. Alternatively, Dick Grayson’s Batman costume relies too heavily on dramatics, bringing down the suit’s functionality. Dick’s Batsuit appears to be a heavily modified Nightwing suit with a cape and tubes for his Brane drug. While the cape plays into the theatrics of Batman, Dick is known for his acrobatic fighting style, and a cape would only get in his way. Additionally, the large tubes running along his back are a massive weakness that his opponents could easily exploit.
Although all impressive, Damian Wayne’s Batsuit is the clear winner as it is functional, unique, and honors Batman’s history of striking fear in criminals. Perhaps Bruce and Nightwing's Batsuits will evolve as Future State: Gotham progresses, but as of now, Robin’s Batman costume reigns supreme.