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After years of using the same model of the Batmobile, Batman redesigned the vehicle again, removing the main tailfin and changing the vehicle into a convertible sports car. However, many of its previous capabilities were still operational.<ref>{{c|Detective Comics #328}}</ref> This version however did not last long, as Batman soon redesigned the vehicle and transformed it into a similar model to a 1960's {{WP|Cadillac}} or a {{WP|Lincoln Futura}}. This vehicle featured a larger grille and the whole design was much more streamlined, but the convertible feature was still present. The Bat shield on the front also returned,<ref>{{c|Detective Comics #362}}</ref> but was quickly removed.<ref>{{c|Detective Comics #382}}</ref> |
After years of using the same model of the Batmobile, Batman redesigned the vehicle again, removing the main tailfin and changing the vehicle into a convertible sports car. However, many of its previous capabilities were still operational.<ref>{{c|Detective Comics #328}}</ref> This version however did not last long, as Batman soon redesigned the vehicle and transformed it into a similar model to a 1960's {{WP|Cadillac}} or a {{WP|Lincoln Futura}}. This vehicle featured a larger grille and the whole design was much more streamlined, but the convertible feature was still present. The Bat shield on the front also returned,<ref>{{c|Detective Comics #362}}</ref> but was quickly removed.<ref>{{c|Detective Comics #382}}</ref> |
||
| − | When Batman moved out of Wayne Manor, he left the Batcave and the Batmobile altogether. Instead, he started using a sport car, without any of the distinguishable features present in the Batmobile. This was a decision based on the fact that the Batmobile attracted too much unwanted attention.<ref>{{c|Detective Comics #396}}</ref> |
+ | When Batman moved out of Wayne Manor, he left the Batcave and the Batmobile altogether. Instead, he started using a sport car, without any of the distinguishable features present in the Batmobile. This was a decision based on the fact that the Batmobile attracted too much unwanted attention.<ref>{{c|Detective Comics #396}}</ref> However, this change didn't last long, as batman soon started using a sport version of the Batmobile, which featured a bat-symbol painted on the hood.<ref>{{c|Detective Comics #400}}</ref> |
===[[Post-Crisis]]=== |
===[[Post-Crisis]]=== |
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Revision as of 07:06, 9 August 2016
I'll need a vehicle... something special. 
History
Pre-Crisis
Earth-Two
Originally, Batman used the same vehicle as he did when he was Bruce Wayne. This vehicle had no special capabilities and it was a simple red convertible.[1]
A short time into his crime fighting career, Batman started using a custom vehicle, designed specially for his missions. This vehicle was a blue roadster with no special capabilities.[2]
Not long after this, Batman redesigned the vehicle and adapted it into a super car. It was a modified, blue two-door sedan with scalloped vertical tailfins and a bat-shaped ornament protecting the front grille.[3] This batmobile was also made of reinforced glass and steel and could withstand even the hardest crashes against other vehicles.[4] Batman changed the design of the vehicle and included red stripes on the middle section on both sides of the vehicle.[5]
First Batmobile
During a chase with the Joker, the Batmobile was extremely damaged after the criminal covered the vehicle with oil and set it on fire. To save their lives, Batman crashed the car against a fire hydrant. The water put out the fire, but the Batmobile was pretty much useless. Batman then had to use the spare Batmobile, which was a model of the previous version.[6]
Bruce decided to upgrade the Batmobile and included a television screen on the front board to enable a direct communication between the vehicle and the criminal profiles from the GCPD.[7]
The Batmobile was majorly upgraded after the first model was damaged beyond repair. The new Batmobile's chassis was extended and it featured a lengthened wheelbase, which provided a larger inner space, which was used to carry along equipment. The design was modernized and the vehicle featured various capabilities that weren't present in the previous version.[8]
A short time later, Batman incorporated remote controls to his vehicles with help from an elder scientist. He could monitor the Batmobile's movements through a screen monitor on the Batcave. Unfortunately, some crooks got hold of the remote control machine and the Bat-vehicles for their criminal purposes. Batman and Robin managed to recover the Batmobile in time, but the crooks took away the Batplane. Before going to recover the Batplane, the Dynamic Duo removed the remote control feature from the already recovered Batmobile.[9]
Earth-One
Second Batmobile
Most of the Earth-One Batmobiles were designed and built for Batman by stunt driver Jack Edison, who Batman had rescued from a flaming car wreck. Weapon systems and computer hardware were added by Batman.[citation needed]
The Batmobile was once adapted and transformed into a "firemobile", which resembled a fire truck with the Batmobile's design. Batman and Robin used this Batmobile during their week as Fire Detectives of the Gotham City Fire Department.[10]
Third Batmobile
The Batmobile was modified temporarily on various occasions over a short period of time. Batman included steel sheets on the sides to make the capable of withstand storms, he then used wood to make the vehicle float on water and finally he adapted the wheels to work as a snow-vehicle. All this sudden changes damaged the vehicle's motor to the point that the Batmobile was out of action for a short period of time. During this time, a criminal known as The Racer, outraced the Dynamic Duo, who were using a regular vehicle to chase crooks. When the Batmobile was finally repaired, Batman captured the Racer in a few seconds, proving the vehicle's superiority.[11]
The car was wrecked by a criminal from the future, forcing the Dynamic Duo to use their new prototype vehicle, the Whirly-Bat. When these proved useless, the heroes had no choice but to use the spare Batmobile in order to chase the criminal.[12]
Fourth Batmobile
After years of using the same model of the Batmobile, Batman redesigned the vehicle again, removing the main tailfin and changing the vehicle into a convertible sports car. However, many of its previous capabilities were still operational.[13] This version however did not last long, as Batman soon redesigned the vehicle and transformed it into a similar model to a 1960's Cadillac or a Lincoln Futura. This vehicle featured a larger grille and the whole design was much more streamlined, but the convertible feature was still present. The Bat shield on the front also returned,[14] but was quickly removed.[15]
When Batman moved out of Wayne Manor, he left the Batcave and the Batmobile altogether. Instead, he started using a sport car, without any of the distinguishable features present in the Batmobile. This was a decision based on the fact that the Batmobile attracted too much unwanted attention.[16] However, this change didn't last long, as batman soon started using a sport version of the Batmobile, which featured a bat-symbol painted on the hood.[17]
Post-Crisis
The Batmobile was built as a vehicle that allows Batman to get around Gotham City in a faster way and it was Alfred who named it "Batmobile".[18] In time, Batman has used many variations of the Batmobile depending on the needs of the situation. Some of the earliest versions of the Batmoile were sports cars, built for speed, with a flame propeller on the rear, a feature that has been standard for most of the vehicles.
The car's structure was bulletproof and it was designed to withstand bombings and fire damage. The batmobile was also designed as a remote control vehicle, allowing the driver to control it from a safe distance. Batman used this capabilities to create a distraction among the ranks of The General.[19] Some time later, Batman used the Batmobile's computer database to find Cornelius Stirk, who was on the loose after the Arkham breakout.[20]
Some versions of the Batmobile feature a bat-shaped emblem in the front of the car. This is a specially designed structure that can withstand great damage and can also be used as a battering ram. Batman used this feature to stop a van in which The Riddler was escaping with stolen money.[21]
Batman used the Batmobile's incorporated missile to destroy the powerful android Amazo.[22]
Robin convinced Batman to take out the new batmobile to test drive it. This version featured a more sport look with red windshields and windows. After chasing down a common criminal, the Batmobile passed the first test.[23] Alfred would keep the vehicle clean after every mission,[24] but after Damian Wayne rescued Alfred from the Black Glove, he used the Batmobile to reach Arkham Asylum. However, he couldn't arrive and instead he pushed an ambulance off a bridge, the same which was being driven by the Joker. Fortunately, the car didn't take any damage.[25]
When Nightwing was attacked in the Batcave by the League of Assassins, he used the Batmobile to attack them and defeated his opponents.[26]
Shortly after, Damian took the newest version of the Batmobile and picked up a girl friend in the city for a joyride. When Oracle located the vehicle, she took the control, ejected the girl out of the car and forced it to go towards Gotham Harbor. However, the vehicle was attacked by Killer Croc and Poison Ivy. Damian managed to get out of, but the car was damaged and sunk on a small lagoon. Damian was rescued by Nightwing and they left the vehicle behind.[27]
At some point, during Dick Grayson's time as Batman, he upgraded the Batmobile, so it could perform minor aereal moves, useful for tracking down escaping criminals.[28]
The New 52
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Other Versions
- The Batmobile featured in this series was the second car owned by Batman after the first one reached its limits.[29]
- Batman had the Batmobile designed after a vehicle he saw at the Gotham's World's Fair during a date with Andrea Beaumont.[30]
- It was destroyed twice by Penguin and Bane.[29][31]
- It featured a conceal mode, in which the car hides underneath a fake trash container.[32]
Capabilities
The Batmobile's diverse array of functions have varied with time. Each version of the car has been improved since the vehicle's creation. Following is a list of the Batmobile's capabilities by decade:
- 1940's Batmobile
The 40's Batmobile
- The first roadster used by Batman had its tires coated with some special powder, which caused the tracks left behind to shine when exposed to infra-red light.[33]
- Upon adapting his roadster into a true Batmobile, Batman also included compartments to hold equipment and also a closet to carry around some spare clothing.[3]
- The tires of the car were made of some extra resistant material, which prevented them from being punctured by sharp objects.[5]
- The car had a secret throttle which increased the engine's power, allowing the Batmobile to travel at high speeds.[34]
- The car was constructed with a streamline design, which offers the least resistance to fluid flow. This helped the car reach higher speeds and prevent hurting people when crashing.[35]
- 1950's Batmobile
The 50's Batmobile
- The Batmobile was majorly upgraded for this decade and it featured new capabilities such as using jet tubes to jump over gaps, a large space for a mobile laboratory, a search light with the Bat-Signal engraved on it and the front Bat-Shield was upgraded to feature a knive-edge steel nose to cut through barriers. The windshield was replaced with a large plastic bubble, which provided the driver a better view of the outside.[8]
- The turning radius of the Batmobile was 40 feet, which proved troublesome during car chases in narrow streets.[36]
- The Batmobile was also waterproof and shockproof.[37]
- 1960's Batmobile
Third Version of the 60's Batmobile
- After the complete redesign, Batman included an hydrofoil attachment under the Batmobile, which allowed the vehicle to hover over a short distance in order to avoid touching the ground.[38]
- The car featured a couple of nylon-umbrella parachutes incorporated on the rear and front for use when the car fell from high places in order to slow down the fall.[39]
- The "Bat-Headlights" of the vehicle allowed it to drive through dense smoke and counter the effects of light-based weapons such as lasers.[40]
- 1970's Batmobile
- 1980's Batmobile
- 1990's Batmobile
- Flame propeller on the rear; bulletproof structure, impact resistant, fire resistant and remote control device.[19]
- Incorporated computer with database and files from the Batcomputer.[20]
- 2000's Batmobile
- Remote control auto-pilot. Oracle is able to control the batmobile from the Watchtower to reach any location.[41] This technology was later implemented on the Utility Belt.[22]
- The batmobile's outfitted with Kevlar-reinforced tires filled with petroleum jelly; in the likeness of military armored cars.[42]
- The batmobile is built to absorb and redistribute the shock of any impact. It also has an incorporated computer, radio, video and ejectable seats.[27][43]
- 2010's Batmobile
- The car was adapted to perform aereal maneuvers.[28]
- Modern versions of the Batmobile are coated with titanium and the car still has the reactive armor, jet engine, onboard computer (which is capable of connecting the Batcave and Wayne businesses for multiple functions).[citation needed]
- The car can be triggered by a button on Batman's utility belt or in his gloves.[citation needed]
- Batman can also make the Batmobile self-destruct by remote control, in the event criminals capture the vehicle.[citation needed]
Weapons
Some versions of the Batmobile feature non-lethal weaponry as well as fire arms and explosives. Some of these weapons include:
- Incorporated missiles[22]
Onboard Equipment
- Radio transmitter and receiver capable of locating any radio band or frequency including police and criminal radios[44]
- Gas Masks[45]
- Television screen[7]
- Radar Screen, radar antenna on the tail fin and rocket tubes[8]
- Onboard computer located on the dashboard with a direct feed to the mainframe computer located in the Batcave[27]
- Remote controls for the secret Batcave entrace and a telephone with direct connection to Commissioner Gordon's office at the GCPD HQ.[46]
- Bat-Spring ejector on the truck of the car. Used to eject objects and/or people into the air.[47]
- Bat-Radar: Special equipment that allowed Batman locate other vehicles and crimes in progress.[48]
Notes
- Since his early appearances, Batman drove a red 1936 Cord with no special modifications, which was occasionally blue. Sometimes this vehicles were reffered to as "Batmobile", but it wasn't until Batman #5 that he actually designed the true Batmobile.
- The original concept of the Batmobile was developed by writer Bill Finger, and illustrated by artist Bob Kane. Later design concepts were developed by various other artists and writers. Most notably among them are Joseph Samachson, Dick Sprang and many others.
Trivia
- The Batmobile made its first cover appearance with Batman #20.
- Batman designed an old fashioned version of the Batmobile, based on the model of the 1905 Marmon vehicles.[49]
The Supermobile
- On one occasion, Superman was powerless and in order to continue his crime-fighting activities, Batman designed a vehicle with similar capabilities to that of the Batmobile, but he adapted it for Superman's needs. This vehicle was called the "Supermobile" and instead of the regular Bat-shaped shield in the front, it had the Superman Symbol engraved. It was decommissioned soon after Superman recovered his powers.[50]
See Also
Links and References
- ↑ Detective Comics #27
- ↑ Detective Comics #35
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Batman #5
- ↑ World's Finest #2
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Detective Comics #60
- ↑ Detective Comics #71
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Batman #53
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Detective Comics #156
- ↑ Batman #91
- ↑ Batman #96
- ↑ Batman #98
- ↑ Detective Comics #257
- ↑ Detective Comics #328
- ↑ Detective Comics #362
- ↑ Detective Comics #382
- ↑ Detective Comics #396
- ↑ Detective Comics #400
- ↑ Batman and the Monster Men #5
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Detective Comics #656
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Batman #494
- ↑ Batman #615
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 Batman #637
- ↑ Batman #676
- ↑ Batman #677
- ↑ Batman #681
- ↑ Nightwing (Volume 2) #152
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 Batman: Battle for the Cowl #1
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 Batman #703
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 The Mechanic
- ↑ Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (Movie)
- ↑ Bane
- ↑ The Underdwellers
- ↑ Batman #1
- ↑ Batman #37
- ↑ Batman #48
- ↑ Detective Comics #214
- ↑ Batman #114
- ↑ Detective Comics #351
- ↑ World's Finest #160
- ↑ World's Finest #163
- ↑ Batman #609
- ↑ Batman #610
- ↑ Detective Comics #805
- ↑ Detective Comics #92
- ↑ Batman #50
- ↑ Batman #164
- ↑ Batman #184
- ↑ Batman #191
- ↑ Detective Comics #219
- ↑ World's Finest #77