In case you missed the news, Bruce Wayne is set to don a fresh look when DC Comics relaunches its flagship Batman series this September. Artist Jorge Jiménez has crafted a new Batsuit that reintroduces the classic blue cape and cowl, bringing a nostalgic touch to the Dark Knight's iconic ensemble. After nearly 90 years on the stands, DC continues to innovate with Batman's costume, keeping fans engaged and excited.
But how does this new Batsuit stack up against the classics? What are the most memorable Batman costumes in comic history? We've carefully selected our top 10 favorite Batsuits, ranging from the original Golden Age costume to contemporary reimaginings like Batman Incorporated and Batman Rebirth. Scroll down to explore our picks.
If you're more into Batman movies, be sure to visit our ranked list of all the movie Batsuits.
The 10 Greatest Batman Costumes of All Time
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10. ‘90s Batman
1989's Batman movie introduced a strikingly different, all-black Batsuit that has become one of the Dark Knight's most iconic outfits across all media. While DC never fully adopted this design in the comics (except for actual Burton-Verse tie-ins like Batman ‘89), they did introduce a movie-inspired Batsuit in the 1995 "Troika" storyline.
This new Batsuit embraced the all-black body while maintaining a more traditional blue cape and cowl. It also featured more extreme elements like spiked boots, which were later toned down. The result was a more intimidating and stealthy look that became Batman's standard for the rest of the '90s.
Batman Incorporated
Upon Bruce Wayne's return following his supposed death in 2008's Final Crisis, DC launched Batman Incorporated with a new costume designed by David Finch. This suit is notable for reintroducing the classic yellow oval around the Bat emblem and omitting the black trunks.
The Batman Inc. suit successfully blends functionality with visual appeal, presenting a Batsuit that feels more like armor than spandex. It distinguishes Bruce Wayne from Dick Grayson, who was also Batman at the time. The only minor flaw is the slightly humorous armored codpiece.
Absolute Batman
As one of the newest additions to this list, the Absolute Batman Batsuit makes a powerful statement. This is Batman at his most imposing, set in a rebooted DCU where Bruce Wayne lacks his usual resources.
The suit is a weapon from head to toe, featuring razor-sharp ear daggers and a detachable Bat emblem that serves as a battle axe. Even the cape is reimagined with flexible, arm-like tendrils. The sheer size of this Batman, humorously dubbed "the Batman who lifts" by writer Scott Snyder, sets the Absolute suit apart.
Flashpoint Batman
In the alternate timeline of Flashpoint, Thomas Wayne becomes Batman after young Bruce Wayne's murder. This darker version of Batman dons a suit with bold red accents on the Bat emblem, utility belt, and leg holsters, abandoning the traditional yellow elements. The dramatic shoulder spikes on the cape and the use of guns and a sword make this one of the most visually striking alternate universe Batmen.
Lee Bermejo’s Armored Batman
Lee Bermejo's extensive work on Batman, from Batman/Deathblow to the infamous Batman: Damned, has resulted in a unique and striking Batsuit design. Far from the typical spandex, Bermejo's suit is pure armor, emphasizing function as much as form.
This haunting, Gothic-inspired Batsuit influenced the look of Robert Pattinson's Dark Knight in 2022's The Batman, showcasing its lasting impact on the character's visual evolution.
Gotham by Gaslight Batman
Within the expansive DC multiverse, Gotham by Gaslight's Batman stands out with its steampunk Victorian setting. The Batsuit, designed by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, replaces spandex with stitched leather and a billowing cloak, perfectly fitting the era.
Mignola's iconic portrayal, steeped in shadow and resembling carved granite, continues to resonate through follow-up stories like Gotham by Gaslight: The Kryptonian Age.
Golden Age Batman
Bob Kane and Bill Finger's original Batsuit design has endured with minimal changes for nearly 90 years, setting the standard for all subsequent iterations. The Golden Age suit features unique elements like curved ears and purple gloves, adding to its menacing and colorful appeal. The bat-wing-like cape further distinguishes it, making it a favorite among modern artists for reinterpretation.
Batman Rebirth
During their acclaimed run on DC's flagship Batman series, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo initially focused on the New 52 costume. However, Capullo's redesign for the DC Rebirth relaunch surpassed its predecessor by retaining a tactical look while simplifying some of the New 52's more extraneous details.
The Rebirth suit reintroduced color with a yellow outline around the Bat emblem and a distinctive purple inner lining of the cape, nodding to Batman's Golden Age roots. Though short-lived, this suit remains a standout among modern redesigns.
Bronze Age Batman
From the late '60s to the '70s, DC's Batman comics transitioned from campy Silver Age adventures to more serious detective stories. Artists Neal Adams, Jim Aparo, and José Luis García-López defined this era's Batman with a leaner, more agile physique that better suited the character's ninja-like attributes.
This period's Batsuit, with its blue cape and cowl and yellow oval Bat emblem, became a benchmark for subsequent designs, largely thanks to García-López's widely recognized artwork on various Batman merchandise.
Batman: Hush
Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's Hush storyline marked the beginning of Batman's modern era, largely due to Lee's iconic Batsuit redesign. The Hush suit brought elegant simplicity, replacing the yellow oval with a sleek, black emblem and showcasing Lee's talent for rendering dynamic superhero physiques.
The Hush redesign became the standard for Batman's look, influencing subsequent artists and enduring through the New 52 and DC Rebirth eras. Its timeless appeal speaks volumes about its effectiveness.
How the New Batsuit Compares
Artist Jorge Jiménez, no stranger to Batman, will debut a new Batsuit when he and writer Matt Fraction kick off DC’s relaunched Batman series in September 2025.
This new Batsuit, while rooted in the Hush design, introduces unique elements. Jiménez brings back the blue cape and cowl, contrasting with recent trends toward black. The heavily shaded cape evokes the style of Bruce Timm's Batman: The Animated Series, while the blue, angular Bat emblem adds a fresh touch.
As Batman continues to evolve, it's exciting to see new interpretations. Whether this latest redesign will have the enduring appeal of the iconic suits remains to be seen.
AnswerSee ResultsFor more Batman fun, check out IGN's top 27 Batman comics and graphic novels.
