The Flickering Myth writing team share a few thoughts on the first look at Ben Affleck in the Batsuit….
DC fans haven’t had much to shout about over the best part of the past year, having to sit twiddling their thumbs waiting on news while Marvel Studios, Sony and Fox laid out their superhero plans for the next few years, as well as delivering the likes of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and the upcoming X-Men: Days of Future Past. However, since the announcement of a Justice League movie, we’ve had the DC shows The Flash, Gotham and Constantine all picked up, and yesterday Zack Snyder sent the internet into meltdown by releasing the very first image of Ben Affleck as The Dark Knight in the upcoming Man of Steel sequel Batman vs. Superman. So, what did our writers make of the new Batsuit?
Villordsutch: I’m made up with this new Batsuit to be honest. Of course I was a bit wary of what was coming our way after witnessing the back-end of the Batmobile as I was getting cold sweats of the neon Joel Schumacher days; I began to get the fear of Bat-nipples. However, seeing this beefy Batsuit I’m over the moon. Now if we can just take the name Zack Snyder out of the picture I’ll be air-punching all the way to the Odeon!
Chris Cooper: I love Christian Bale’s Batman. I love Michael Keaton’s Batman. As open to Ben Affleck as I’ve been, I never expected to even consider that he could be better than either of them.
This suit is Batman. To my eyes it merges the ‘Earth One’ suit with Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns design, to great effect. The short ears were a concern at first, but I’m pleased they’ve finally used something so common in the comics. Really helps makes this Batman stand out amongst the others. The most famous batsuit designs from the comics – Miller in DKR, Lee in Hush, Mazzucchelli in Year One and most recently Capullo – all have shorter ears so it’s about time really.
The colour scheme, whether it turns out be blue/grey or black/grey (maybe grey/grey?) will further differentiate him and make it plain that this is a new take on the character.
He definitely looks grizzled (notice the scars on the suit and the stubble), and gives me the impression that he is not someone to be mucked around with. Very imposing, and I hope the writing and acting makes the most of that.
I have questions. Namely how well can he turn his head, and what will he sound like? But he has the build and the suit so that’s a strong start.
It could all fall apart when we see it in action, but going by Watchmen (I’d always wondered if Nite Owl’s suit would be an inspiration) and Man of Steel, Snyder knows how to design a superhero, and how to make them look cool at least.
A lot of the rest falls on Affleck’s rather broad shoulders. I think he’s up to the task.
The Batmobile looks like a hybrid of Tim Burtons and Christopher Nolan’s cars, and I’m happy with that. From models I’ve seen I wonder if it can be more than a car, but time will tell.
Overall, I’m very excited and pleased.
Gary Collinson: I like it a lot. Nice to see the utility belt looking like it actually has a purpose. Will be interesting to see it in colour. I’m hoping it’s black and grey, which would make a change from the typical black movie Batsuits. I have no idea how Affleck’s Batman will turn out (although I’m quietly confident), but I definitely prefer this suit to the rubbery-looking one from The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises.
Matt Spencer-Skeen: I do hope that this will slow down some of the rampant scepticism about whether this is basically going to be a Joel Schumacher fest of a Batman film. I like the suit, I like that it feels different to what’s come before while staying true to the character. I think Affleck will surprise the naysayers, I just hope Snyder can do the same. I have less faith in the latter.
Kris Wall: I’m intrigued rather than excited at the moment. Not sure how I feel about the ears. Definitely looking forward to seeing it from a better angle and in colour. However, he looks great in the suit, physically imposing! Very excited by that Batmobile design though.
Gavin Logan: Extremely excited about the new Batsuit. Have always been on board with Affleck however its still too early to tell if he’ll pull it off. Good first signs though.
Luke Owen: I just love the Bat logo. The design is great and Affleck looks really good in the costume. Not bothered by the ears, but I could see why some people might not like it. I’m just glad to see we’re getting a grey suit and not the standard black suits we’ve had previously. Do you think they’d go with a blue cowl?
Chris Cooper: I don’t think they will Luke, but if they did…I’d be cool with it. Black/grey is faithful as it is. But blue/grey would be crazy! I wonder if they’ll stay away from that to keep the colours between Batman and Superman distinct. Cavill’s Supes is already dark so they might not want the same palette too.
Martin Deer: I like it. I like a lot.
Gary Collinson: I must say though, I think WB has missed a trick with the marketing campaign. They should have built up to Batman by releasing images of Superman (whose sequel it is meant to be), Wonder Woman et al instead of jumping straight to the money shot. But I guess you could say that’s their whole approach to a DC Cinematic Universe…
So, a positive reaction to Affleck’s Batsuit from us here at Flickering Myth then, but what did you make of the look? Let us know your thoughts…
Batman vs. Superman is set for release on May 6th 2016 with Zack Snyder directing a cast that includes returning Man of Steel stars Henry Cavill (Superman), Amy Adams (Lois Lane), Diane Lane (Martha Kent) and Laurence Fishburne (Perry White) alongside Ben Affleck (Argo) as Batman, Gal Gadot (Fast & Furious 6) as Wonder Woman, Ray Fisher as Cyborg, Jesse Eisenberg (Now You See Me) as Lex Luthor, Jeremy Irons (The Borgias) as Alfred Pennyworth and Holly Hunter (The Piano), Callan Mulvey (300: Rise of an Empire), and Tao Okamoto (The Wolverine) in as-yet-unrevealed roles.
Originally published May 14, 2014. Updated January 18, 2020.
