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Credit: DC / Warner Bros.Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne/Batman is returning in a “direct sequel” to Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) later this year, so it’s only “fitting” that he gets a new Batsuit.
Although he isn’t the only version of Batman to get a new suit lately — an upcoming live-action Batman horror movie just revealed its version.
Michael Keaton’s Batsuit, however, is one of the most iconic in the entire Batman franchise. Its brooding, sleek-black design, which allows Keaton’s Caped Crusader to move through dark, smoky alleyways like an eerie silhouette, is perfect for the quasi-gothic world he inhabits.
The black-and-yellow emblem on his chest is also among the more recognizable Bat-logos — perhaps the most well-known of them all. But, first and foremost, it’s the suit that fans are largely drawn to. And, of course, there has been a plethora since Keaton’s two ’90s outings, Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992).
Related: Michael Keaton’s New ‘Batman’ (1989) Series Explained
Most subsequent Batsuits hardly pale in comparison, though, provided we skip George Clooney’s bizarrely futuristic outfit in 1997’s Batman & Robin (at least Val Kilmer’s suit in 1995’s Batman Forever kept mostly in line with the look-and-feel of Michael Keaton’s).
Throughout The Dark Knight trilogy, Christian Bale’s Batsuit went from a subtle Kevlar chest-and-torso plating to something far more militarized-looking, before Ben Affleck’s black-and-grey, muscle-hugging Batsuit in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016).
More recently, The Batman‘s Robert Pattinson gave us a Batsuit more realistic than anything we’d seen before, looking more like a highly-modified biker outfit (the cowl is an actual helmet). Now, there’s a Batman reboot titled The Brave and the Bold (TBA) and a live-action Batman horror movie in the works, so it’ll be interesting to see what Batsuits they give us.
Either way, Robert Pattinson isn’t the latest live-action version of the Caped Crusader.
Related: Batman: Every Returning Version of the Dark Knight Explained
Last year, Michael Keaton reprised his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman in the DC Universe (DCU) Multiverse movie, The Flash (2023). His “primary” Batsuit, known as “The Flash Suit,” is mostly a restoration of the version from the two Tim Burton movies.
However, we see six more in the background, most of which are a variety of tactical outfits. There’s a “Year Two Suit,” “Blue and Grey Suit,” “Scooba Suit,” “Desert Suit,” and the suits from Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (although these two aren’t that different).
Now, to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Tim Burton’s 1989 film, pop culture merchandise manufacturer The Beast Kingdom (via bleedingcool.com) has brought one of those extra suits to life through a new Michael Keaton Batman figure: the Blue and Grey Suit.
Related: Upcoming ‘Batman’ (1989) Sequel: Every Returning Character Explained
The highly articulate San Diego Comic-Con limited edition “Batman Returns Batman (BM 85th version)” boasts a metallic-blue cowl, boots, gloves, and a (real fabric) cape, with a metallic-grey bodysuit and standard black-and-yellow Bat-logo and yellow utility belt.
“As the original design of the Batman Returns suit remains firmly embedded in pop culture history, Beast Kingdom’s ‘Entertainment Experience Brand’ celebrates the release of the new [The] Flash movie by revisiting the iconic Batman Returns suit from the 1992 film,” the official description reads.
Though a variation of the 1992 Returns design albeit with a new color scheme, the figurine also shares its design with the fan-favorite DC Comics version of Batman.
“Unlike the common dark style of Batman figures on the market, this one features a metallic finish paired with comic version colors, significantly increasing its rarity as a collectible.”
At $59.99, Michael Keaton’s Dark Knight also comes equipped with swappable hands, a grapple-hook gun, a ninja throwing star, a communicator, and, of course, a batarang. This SDCC exclusive is set for a July 2024 release. Pre-orders are live now.
This year doesn’t just mark 35 years since the 1989 film — it’s also the franchise’s 85th birthday (Batman first appeared in 1939’s “Detective Comics #27”). As such, there are several new collectibles available, including Funk Pop versions of Michael Keaton’s Batman.
Eager to see Michael Keaton’s Gotham crime-fighter return in a more “active” capacity? You’ll get your chance when John Jackson Miller’s brand-new novel, “Batman: Resurrection” (2024), a “direct sequel” to the 1989 film hits shelves this October.
Are you a fan of Michael Keaton’s Batman? What do you think of this new look? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!