The most iconic superhero car: the Batmobile
The belief that one person could fix humanity and fight crime is the foundation of Bruce Wayne being Batman. Not having superpowers, Batman relies on his resources to build technology to make him a Super Hero. The crown jewel of his technology has always been the Batmobile.
As the graphic novel introduced us to Batman, it also had the caped crusader driving Bruce Wayne’s Cadillac as the Batmobile at night. Not quite the cars we’re used to now… Fast forward to Batman arriving on television in the 60s
The Batmobile on the Big Screen
The first famous Batmobile was made for when Adam West played Batman. This car started life as a Lincoln Futura concept, then customized by George Barris to create the masterpiece. He bought the concept car for $1 from Ford and had 15 days and $15,000 to create an icon.
Batman & Batman Returns
Next up, the Batman era of Michael Keaton was a much more aggressive, scary and dark character. This car had a low stance, kept the rocket but changed shape entirely. Reflecting more of a bat’s features and finished in Matte Black, this was the first bad ass Batmobile.
Batman, Animated
In 1989, Batman the animated series was on the air and as with every new installment of batman, a new Batmobile was designed. Taking parts of all the previous rides, the sleek and simplistic design introduced a new generation to Batman.
Batman Forever
The next Bat movie featured Val Kilmer driving a more refined Batmobile. Mean, aggressive but sleek and sexy. The ribs, blue under-glow and floating bat logo hubcaps were new, while the flame thrower stayed, but was much more powerful.
Batman & Robin
Batman and Robin required the Batmobile to again be changed. While Robin (Chris O’Donell) rode his motorcycle, Batman (George Clooney) had a larger, jet-inspired single seater. The dashboard looking more fighter-jet than car, the elements of the grill almost shaping the Bat Symbol, the fin/wings longer than ever and even Batman signature tire treat; the menacing Batmobile continued to roam the streets of Gotham City.
The Tumbler
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Half hummer, half supercar. The first introduction with Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne asking Mr. Fox (Morgan Freeman) about what that vehicle is tucked away in the corner. “you wouldn’t be interested in that…”
A car built to military specs with the lines of a Lambo, but the strength, power and brute force of a Hum Vee, Batman has a car that might just be more of a weapon than automobile. What a perfect fit! Appearing in Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises; the Tumbler is a supercar, is a motorcycle, and most of all, the best Batmobile ever created.
How does Batman get from point A to point B? In style and in the Batmobile.
