We tried so hard to resist the hysteria, pretending to have more refined film tastes, but in the end we failed miserably. Afterall, what could possible be so good about a movie full of constant explosions, fast car chases, rocket launchers (essentially more explosions), psychotic mobsters, attack dogs, concept motorbikes… and more explosions?
With the international success of The Dark Knight and Nolan’s return to a more dark and menacing Gotham City, the world has gone a bit Batman-mad lately.
As our token offering to Batman online, we’ve scoured the net to find some of the best amateur vehicles, characters and suits made over the years by normal people who just want to clean the scum of the criminal underworld off their streets…
The Batmobile
There’s been some impressive projects over the years to recreate the iconic Batmobile from various movies. The Tumbler from Batman Begins and The Dark Knight for example has been painstakingly built by a single fan as close to the film specifications as possible. It probably doesn’t include the slew of weapons, the ability to jump bridges, or a detachable motorbike, but we still want one!
The Flatmobile is a 19 inch high, jet-powered beast built from the remains of a 1963 Hillman Imp. Resembling a cross between a mattress and the 1966 Adam West Batmobile, it’s not only road legal but also the lowest legal car in the world.
Z Cars, a firm in the north of England, were also been commissoned to build a working copy of the 1989 Batmobile made famous by Michael Keaton’s portrayal of the sinister vigilante. It’s only 400 horsepower so it will only reach 130mph… and as for the cost… well it’ll only set you back around £150,000. Check out the BBC video
These guys definitely get points for trying…
Credit to Jalopnik for this one
The Batboat
According our expert sources *cough, wikipedia*, Batman’s crimefighting cave is much bigger than the movies could budget for. On sub-level 6 he keeps his Batboat; a kind of hydrofoil on steroids. Just like his countless Batmobiles, the Batboat has sported a huge armourment of weapons and gadgets including a flamethrower, harpoons, grapnel launcher, depth charges, and everyone’s favourite: homing torpedos…
Yes, there’s even a group of people who design and race in arty rafts
We can’t help but think Batman is letting the team down with his hi-viz jacket.
This guy actually goes night fishing in a full batman suit!
The… erm… Batdog (that doesn’t sound right)
Now we went out on a limb here, and thankfully wikipedia once again came to our rescue. There is indeed a fully qualified Batdog! Ace the Bat-hound was the caped crusader’s canine companion, and aside from the odd mention, after 1964 much less was heard about him. It’s probably for the best to be honest.
Seriously… not… impressed.
“I want you to do me a favor. I want you to tell all your friends about me.”
The Dark Knight himself
Over the years the batsuit has undergone many functional enhances such as projectile glove fins, hidden ice-skates, and a full communications suite in the headpiece. Cosmetic changes have included the decency not to wear one’s underpants on the outside, and Schumacher’s famous addition of nipples to the batsuit. So where would we be without showcasing the winged avenger himself?
Yes, I think we’d smile politely and try not to make eye-contact too.
Not bad, not bad at all…
We can’t help but admire true dedication to a cause.
Here to clean da streets an’ fightin da crime! Word.
Almost as good as Rodney and Dell Boy. These costumes are fantastic!
Our favourite by far - no caption can do this photo justice.
Now to our knowledge, no one seems to have made a Batcopter or Batplane because if you start messing around with aerodynamics horrible things can go wrong. Let us know if you find any! Finally, we wanted to add our own design to the Batman craziness… The Bat-Segway! Nolan has our number if he wants it for the next film.
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