Among the most impressive things about Matt Reeves', The Batman, is the Batmobile that appears in a long chase scene involving Batman and Penguin. Since the Caped Crusader is only in his second year of crimefighting in the movie, he uses a black, modified Dodge Charger as his vehicle of choice. And it sure is pretty.
Over the years, fans have gotten to see different types of Batmobiles in movies as well as DC TV shows, each being impressive in its own way. However, there are some details about Batman's iconic car that only comic fans know. These details range from features to how the ride has been used by Batman at different stages.
How Batman First Acquires The Batmobile
In live-action, most notably, Batman Begins, Lucius Fox is the person that provides Batman with the Batmobile. In The Untold Legend Of the Batman, stunt driver Jack Edison is the person behind the Batmobile. Since Batman once saved his life from a crash, he repays him by providing him with new cars and repairing damages on existing ones.
Regrettably, Edison doesn't last that long in the comics. In future issues, fans are introduced to Harold Allnut, an engineer who lives inside the Batcave. The engineering tasks are then transferred to Earl Cooper in Batman: The Animated Series before Lucius Fox takes over in live-action. Of all the people that have handled the vehicle, Fox is undoubtedly the most knowledgeable one.
The Emergency Options
When Gotham gets hit by an earthquake in Batman: Cataclysm, it's disclosed that Bruce Wayne has hidden a number of vehicles all over Gotham for times like these. One of the best vehicles he uses this time is a modified Humvee.
It's a wise move because, as cool as the ordinary Batmobile is, it definitely can't move through the rubble. Moreover, it's smart of Bruce to keep the spare vehicles away from the Batcave. This enables him to still have means of transportation in the event that the Batcave gets destroyed by a villain.
A Flying Batmobile
In Batman & Robin #683, Bruce Wayne builds a new kind of Batmobile that is capable of flying. It's also capable of firing 19 different types of projectiles.
Having a Batmobile that can fly makes fleeing or chasing villains much easier for him. He no longer needs to switch from the Batmobile to the Batwing, something that normally takes at least a couple of seconds. However, this version of the Batmobile is shown to experience a couple of flight problems that Bruce's son Damian Wayne eventually solves. A flying Batmobile is also seen in Batman: Rebirth #1.
Batman Once Stops Using The Batmobile
Batman & Dracula: Red Rain, has one of the wildest alternate versions of Batman - The Vampire Bat. Since he develops Bat-like wings as part of the transformation, he stops using the Batmobile and the Batwing to move around.
This version of Batman hasn't always been popular with fans because he frequently breaks his "No-Kill" rule. Moreover, his appearance isn't appealing. And most importantly, the Batmobile is a big part of Batman's identity. The fact that Batman abandons it so that he can make use of his wings doesn't quite thrill readers.
The First Batmobile
The Batmobile first appears in Detective Comics #27, which is also the issue where Batman makes his debut. Interestingly, it is red in color. It's also a normal car with no special features.
The vehicle's appearance might seem odd to fans today but it's actually similar to what law enforcement officers used at the time. And since the early issues specifically emphasized Batman's detective skills rather than his superhero abilities, it makes sense for his car to look like that of any other detective
Superman Once Tries To Come Up With His Own Version
After seeing how efficient the Batmobile is, Superman tries to come up with his own version in Action Comics #481. The Supermobile is shown to be able to do everything Superman does, including punching opponents. Sadly, it is never featured again in future issues.
The Supermobile comes off as goofy because of its unrealistic features. Moreover, Superman doesn't really need it because he can do everything it does. As a Kryptonian, he isn't limited in any way like Batman. It's simply a case of him wanting a cool-looking toy because his fellow hero has one too.
The Biggest Ever Batmobile
The biggest ever Batmobile is owned by the elderly Batman in The Dark Knight Returns #1. It resembles a riot vehicle and takes up two lanes on a highway. And according to Bruce, the only thing that can penetrate it, "isn't from Earth."
With age, Bruce becomes weaker, hence the need to build a vehicle that is much safer for him. Instead of having to engage with criminals one-on-one, he can simply do so from the comfort 0f the Batmobile since it also has rubber bullets that complement his "No-Kill" rule. Only Superman manages to tear the Batmobile apart.
Multiple Batmobiles
Ordinarily, the Caped Crusader only owns a single Batmobile but in one of Batman's best comic arcs, Batman: Hush #608, he owns 10 of them. Additionally, all the Batmobiles can be remotely controlled at the same time.
There is a need for more than one Batmobile in the issue because of the villain, Hush, who has a penchant for stalking Batman. Thanks to Batman's many cars, Hush is unable to tell which one Batman is currently riding in. This eventually makes it easier for the Dark Knight to outsmart yet another foe.
The Transforming Batmobile
While the flying Batmobile in Batman & Robin #683. is a revolutionary one, the Caped Crusader unveils an even better one in All Star Batman And Robin The Boy Wonder #3. This particular version can not only transform into a submarine but into a harrier jet as well.
Over the years, Batman has rarely been seen going underwater, so the new Batmobile makes him able to do just about everything his fellow Justice League can do. As such, he is able to help Aquaman tackle the villains from Atlantis. He also gets to have a faster-moving jet that cant be easily shot down.
The '60s Batmobile Is Featured In The Comics
Batman's ride from the the best ever Batmobiles and it has been included in a number of comics. The car makes the most appearances in Detective Comics #850.
The TV series' Batmobile ranks high in popularity ratings because it's a convertible classic car. It also has a simplistic design and happens to be more aesthetically pleasing. Moreover, it distinguishes itself by making numerous daytime appearances compared to other Batmobiles that tend to mostly come out in the night.
