For the Earth-97 version, see Batsuits (Earth-97).
A row of second generation Batsuits.
The Batsuit is the suit of Batman. Bruce Wayne has designed many different Batsuits, keeping them stored in a large vault in the Batcave.
A brass utility belt is worn all variations of Wayne's Batsuits.
Standard Batsuit variations
1st Generation Batsuit
The original suit often protected Bruce Wayne from the gunfire of common street thugs in the early days. As demonstrated, the suit can easily defend its wearer from multiple point-blank gunshots, although the force of the impact still knocks the wearer off their feet. It is also apparently able to not only protect Batman from physical attacks, but also injure the person who attempted to physically attacked him in the process, as evidenced when the Joker attempted to punch Batman after spitting his teeth out, only for him to react as though he significantly injured his hand afterwards with a distinct snapping sound upon impact. Other armored points are the gauntlets, which can be used to deflect bullets away from the wearer or to protect the wearer from severe melee strikes, the shin guards seem to posses similar capabilities. The cape, textured to resemble bat wings, can also be unfurled to give the silhouette of a giant bat to complete the "Batman" effect.
The suit is worn by Batman to do battle at Axis Chemicals against Grissom's men and used throughout his encounters with the Joker and his men resulting various types of toro armor damage and replacements. Bullet holes would be visible when taking point blank shots. When not in use, the suit was stored inside a large vault in the Batcave across from Bruce's work station. The entire suit was heavily damaged after crashing the Batwing at the steps of Gotham Cathedral.[1]
2nd Generation Batsuit
At some point after the 200th Anniversary Parade, the suit is updated to a more angular armor plated version, with more industrialized seam lines being shown rather than being hidden at joints or at the back like the previous sculpted muscle look. Most notably down the center of the thighs. This new version has shown to possess weak points in the armor, particularly in the pectoral seam or his lower sides, as demonstrated by Catwoman.
However, the suit still retains its defense against bullets, although, again, the impact of the bullets knocks the wearer off their feet. It does not appear to leave bullet marks as easily the original torso after taking hits. A notable improvement allows the cape to transform into a glider. The second armor is more mass-produced than its predecessor, as Bruce now has a walk-in vault to select and assemble from multiple suit-pieces now present.[2]
3rd Generation Batsuit
At some point after Penguin's demise, Wayne decided to stop wearing his art deco torso armor. The cowl is similar to preceding one, but white LED lenses have been added. The plated gauntlets from the original armor return, as well as a chest plate that resembles sculpted muscles. The chest emblem, slacks and shin guards are identical to the 2nd Generation Batsuit. The most noticeable difference is that inside of the cape been changed from black to purple for reasons unknown. The ever present brass utility belt is worn on this armor as well.[3]
Storage
The Batsuits are kept on display in the Batcave.
Behind the scenes
The process of putting these costumes on was quite laborious and required "batsuit wrangler" to assist the performers between takes. William Todd-Jones was the original wrangler that experimented with Michael Keaton. Day Murch became the lead wrangler on the subsequent sequels.
