New Batman Costume Unveiled: Top Batsuits of All Time

Exciting news for Batman fans: DC Comics is set to relaunch its flagship Batman series this September, featuring a new Batsuit designed by artist Jorge Jiménez. This suit brings back the classic blue cape and cowl, giving a fresh yet nostalgic twist to the Dark Knight's iconic look. As Batman continues to evolve after nearly 90 years, this new costume promises to blend tradition with innovation.

But how does this new Batsuit stack up against the classics? We've carefully curated a list of the 10 greatest Batman costumes from the comics, spanning from the original Golden Age design to contemporary interpretations like Batman Incorporated and Batman Rebirth. Dive in and explore the evolution of Batman's attire below.

For fans of Batman movies, don't miss our ranked list of all the movie Batsuits to see how the cinematic versions compare.

The 10 Greatest Batman Costumes of All Time

12 Images

10. ‘90s Batman

Introduced in the 1989 Batman movie, this all-black Batsuit became one of the Dark Knight's most iconic looks. While DC Comics didn't fully adopt this design for the comics (except in actual Burton-Verse tie-ins like Batman ‘89), they did create a '90s-inspired suit for the 1995 storyline "Troika." This version maintained the all-black body but added a traditional blue cape and cowl, along with striking boot spikes. This Batsuit became the go-to look for Batman throughout the '90s, enhancing his intimidating and stealthy persona.

9. Batman Incorporated

Following Bruce Wayne's return after the events of 2008's Final Crisis, DC launched Batman Incorporated with a new costume designed by David Finch. This suit reintroduced the classic yellow oval around the Bat emblem and eliminated the black trunks, offering a more functional and visually cohesive look compared to later designs like the New 52 suit. The Batman Inc. suit portrayed the Batsuit as a suit of armor rather than spandex, creating a clear distinction from Dick Grayson's Batman. The only minor flaw was the somewhat quirky armored codpiece.

8. Absolute Batman

This recent addition to the list, Absolute Batman, makes a bold statement with its imposing design. In a rebooted DCU where Bruce Wayne lacks his traditional resources, this Batsuit is fully weaponized, from ear daggers to a battle-axe Bat emblem and a cape made of flexible tendrils. The sheer size of this Batman, humorously dubbed "the Batman who lifts" by writer Scott Snyder, sets it apart.

7. Flashpoint Batman

In the alternate timeline of Flashpoint, Thomas Wayne becomes Batman after the murder of his son Bruce. This darker version of Batman sports a Batsuit with bold red accents, including the Bat emblem, utility belt, and leg holsters. The dramatic shoulder spikes and the use of guns and a sword contribute to a visually striking alternate universe Batman.

6. Lee Bermejo’s Armored Batman

Lee Bermejo's distinctive Batsuit design, seen in works like Batman/Deathblow and the infamous Batman: Damned, stands out for its armored, gritty aesthetic. This suit, which inspired Robert Pattinson's look in 2022's The Batman, blends functionality with a haunting, Gothic quality.

5. Gotham by Gaslight Batman

Set in a steampunk Victorian world, Gotham by Gaslight's Batman, illustrated by Mike Mignola, features a Batsuit made of stitched leather and a billowing cloak. This iconic design, continued in follow-up stories like Gotham by Gaslight: The Kryptonian Age, perfectly fits the era and showcases Mignola's signature shadowy style.

4. Golden Age Batman

Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, the original Golden Age Batsuit has remained largely unchanged for nearly 90 years. Its menacing curved ears, purple gloves, and bat-wing-like cape set it apart, making it a timeless and influential design.

3. Batman Rebirth

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman Rebirth costume improved upon the New 52 design by retaining its tactical elements while adding color with a yellow-outlined Bat emblem and a purple-lined cape. This modern redesign, though short-lived, is considered one of the best.

2. Bronze Age Batman

During the late '60s and '70s, artists like Neal Adams, Jim Aparo, and José Luis García-López redefined Batman's look, shifting from camp to a more serious tone. Their work emphasized Batman's physicality, portraying him as a lean, agile ninja rather than a bulky brawler. This era's design remains a benchmark for many fans.

1. Batman: Hush

Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's Hush storyline introduced a sleek, elegant Batsuit that became the standard for years. Lee's design removed the yellow oval, opting for a black emblem and showcasing Batman's powerful physique. This iconic look, which influenced subsequent artists, eventually returned after the New 52 and DC Rebirth eras.

How the New Batsuit Compares

Artist Jorge Jiménez, known for his work on Batman, will unveil a new Batsuit when he and writer Matt Fraction kick off DC’s relaunched Batman series in September 2025. This new design retains elements of the Hush costume but introduces a blue cape and cowl, heavily shaded to evoke the style of Bruce Timm's Batman: The Animated Series. The blue Bat emblem is larger and more angular, adding a unique touch. While it's exciting to see Batman evolve, only time will tell if this new look will endure like its predecessors.