Exciting news for Batman fans: DC Comics is set to relaunch its flagship Batman series this September, and artist Jorge Jiménez has unveiled a stunning new Batsuit that reintroduces the classic blue cape and cowl. After nearly 90 years, DC continues to innovate the Dark Knight's iconic look, keeping fans eagerly anticipating what's next.
But how does this new Batsuit stack up against the classics? We've curated a list of the 10 greatest Batman costumes from the comics, spanning from the original Golden Age design to contemporary reimaginings like Batman Incorporated and Batman Rebirth. Dive in to see our top picks.
For those more interested in the cinematic side of the Caped Crusader, don't miss our ranked list of all the movie Batsuits.
The 10 Greatest Batman Costumes of All Time
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10. ‘90s Batman
Tim Burton's 1989 Batman film introduced a groundbreaking all-black Batsuit, which became one of the most iconic looks for the Dark Knight. While DC didn't fully adopt this design in the comics outside of actual Burton-Verse tie-ins like Batman ‘89, they did create a Batsuit inspired by the film in the 1995 storyline "Troika." This suit retained the all-black body but featured a traditional blue cape and cowl, along with more extreme elements like spiked boots. This design became the standard for Batman throughout the '90s, enhancing his intimidating and stealthy persona.
Batman Incorporated
Following Bruce Wayne's return after his supposed death in 2008's Final Crisis, DC launched Batman Incorporated with a new costume designed by David Finch. This suit brought back the classic yellow oval around the Bat emblem and eliminated the black trunks, offering a more functional and visually cohesive look compared to the later New 52 suit. It presented Batman as wearing armor rather than spandex, distinguishing him from Dick Grayson, who was also Batman at the time. The only minor flaw is the somewhat comical armored codpiece.
Absolute Batman
Absolute Batman, the newest addition to our list, makes a bold statement with its imposing design. In a rebooted DCU, Bruce Wayne, without his usual resources, crafts a formidable crime-fighting arsenal. This Batsuit is a weapon from head to toe, featuring razor-sharp ear daggers and a removable Bat emblem that doubles as a battle axe. The cape is reimagined with flexible, arm-like tendrils. The sheer size of this Batman, humorously dubbed "the Batman who lifts" by writer Scott Snyder, sets it apart.
Flashpoint Batman
In the alternate Flashpoint timeline, Thomas Wayne becomes Batman after Joe Chill kills young 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 on the cape and the use of guns and a sword make this one of the most visually striking alternate universe Batsuits.
Lee Bermejo’s Armored Batman
Lee Bermejo's distinctive take on the Batsuit, seen in works like Batman/Deathblow and the infamous Batman: Damned, emphasizes function over form. His Batman is clad in armor, not spandex, and exudes a haunting, Gothic quality. This design notably influenced Robert Pattinson's Batsuit in 2022's The Batman.
Gotham by Gaslight Batman
In the steampunk Victorian setting of Gotham by Gaslight, Batman's Batsuit is reimagined with stitched leather and a billowing cloak, perfectly fitting the era. Illustrated by Mike Mignola, this Batman is iconic, shrouded in shadow and resembling raw granite. This design continues to inspire through follow-up stories like Gotham by Gaslight: The Kryptonian Age.
Golden Age Batman
Bob Kane and Bill Finger's original Batsuit design has remained largely unchanged for nearly 90 years, a testament to its iconic status. Unique features like curved ears, purple gloves, and bat-wing-like cape set it apart. Modern artists often revisit this classic design, keeping it fresh and exciting.
Batman Rebirth
Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman Rebirth costume improved upon the New 52 design by retaining its tactical look while simplifying extraneous details. The yellow outline around the Bat emblem and the purple inner lining of the cape pay homage to Batman's Golden Age roots. Though short-lived, this Batsuit is a standout among modern redesigns.
Bronze Age Batman
During the late '60s and '70s, Batman's comics shifted from camp to more serious storytelling, thanks to artists like Neal Adams, Jim Aparo, and José Luis García-López. Their work emphasized Batman's physicality, portraying him as a lean, agile ninja rather than a burly brawler. This era's Batsuit, with its blue cape and cowl and yellow oval, remains a benchmark for many fans, especially through García-López's influential designs on merchandise.
Batman: Hush
Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's Hush storyline marked the beginning of the modern era of Batman comics, largely due to Lee's iconic Batsuit redesign. The sleek, black Bat emblem replaced the yellow oval, and Lee's dynamic, powerful rendering of Batman's physique convinced readers of his ability to face formidable foes. This design became the standard for subsequent artists and was eventually reinstated after the New 52 and DC Rebirth eras.
How the New Batsuit Compares
Jorge Jiménez's new Batsuit, debuting in the relaunched Batman series in September 2025 with writer Matt Fraction, brings back the blue cape and cowl, diverging from the recent trend of black. The heavily shaded cape evokes Bruce Timm's Batman: The Animated Series, and the blue, angular Bat emblem adds a fresh twist. While it's exciting to see Batman evolve, only time will tell if this redesign will endure like its predecessors.
