Exciting news for Batman fans: DC Comics is set to relaunch its flagship Batman series in September 2025, and with it comes a fresh new look for Bruce Wayne, courtesy of artist Jorge Jiménez. This new Batsuit brings back the classic blue cape and cowl, highlighting DC's ongoing effort to refine the Dark Knight's iconic attire after nearly 90 years in print.
But how does this new design stack up against the legendary Batsuits of the past? Let's delve into the top 10 greatest Batman costumes from the comics, ranging from the pioneering Golden Age design to more contemporary takes like Batman Incorporated and Batman Rebirth. Scroll down to explore them all in detail.
For those more inclined towards the cinematic versions, 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
Introduced in the 1989 Batman movie, the all-black Batsuit became a defining image of the Dark Knight across all media. While DC Comics didn't fully adopt this look outside of actual Burton-Verse tie-ins like Batman ‘89, the 1995 storyline "Troika" introduced a Batsuit that embraced the all-black body but maintained a traditional blue cape and cowl. Enhanced with spikes on the boots, this suit became a more intimidating and stealthy option, dominating Batman's look throughout the '90s.
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, notable for reviving the classic yellow oval around the Bat emblem and omitting the black trunks, offered a more functional and armor-like appearance. It successfully differentiated Bruce Wayne's Batman from Dick Grayson's during their concurrent tenures as the Dark Knight, although the armored codpiece remains a curious design choice.
Absolute Batman
Absolute Batman's Batsuit, one of the most recent designs on this list, is striking for its imposing nature. In a rebooted DCU where Bruce Wayne lacks his usual resources, he crafts a suit that's a weapon from head to toe, complete with razor-sharp ear daggers and a detachable Bat emblem that serves as a battle axe. The redesigned cape, with its arm-like tendrils, adds to the suit's fearsome presence, accentuated by its sheer size—aptly dubbed "the Batman who lifts" by writer Scott Snyder.
Flashpoint Batman
In the alternate timeline of Flashpoint, Thomas Wayne becomes Batman after the murder of young Bruce. This darker Batman sports a Batsuit with bold red accents, replacing the traditional yellow elements. The deep crimson Bat emblem, utility belt, and leg holsters, combined with dramatic shoulder spikes and the use of guns and a sword, make for a visually striking alternate universe Batman.
Lee Bermejo’s Armored Batman
Lee Bermejo's distinctive take on the Batsuit, seen across various works from Batman/Deathblow to the infamous Batman: Damned, focuses on function over spandex. This armor-centric design, steeped in dirt and grime, evokes a Gothic aesthetic that 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. Illustrated by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, this design is iconic for its shadowy, granite-like presence. The character's enduring appeal is evident in follow-up stories like Gotham by Gaslight: The Kryptonian Age.
Golden Age Batman
Bob Kane and Bill Finger's original Batsuit design has remained remarkably consistent for nearly 90 years, showcasing the timeless appeal of its menacing curved ears, purple gloves, and bat-wing-like cape. Modern artists continue to revisit this foundational look with enthusiasm.
Batman Rebirth
Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman Rebirth costume refines the New 52 design with a more tactical yet streamlined appearance. The yellow outline around the Bat emblem and the purple inner lining of the cape pay homage to the Golden Age, making this suit a standout modern redesign.
Bronze Age Batman
During the late '60s and '70s, artists like Neal Adams, Jim Aparo, and José Luis García-López redefined Batman's look with a leaner, more agile physique, moving away from the campy Silver Age. Their work, especially García-López's, has become a benchmark for Batman's appearance and has adorned numerous pieces of merchandise.
Batman: Hush
Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's Hush storyline introduced a sleek, elegant Batsuit that removed the yellow oval and emphasized a dynamic, powerful physique. This design quickly became the standard for subsequent artists and has endured as a defining look for Batman, even after experiments with more armored costumes in later eras.
How the New Batsuit Compares
Jorge Jiménez's new Batsuit for the relaunched Batman series in September 2025 subtly deviates from the Hush design by reintroducing the blue cape and cowl. The heavily shaded cape and the angular, blue Bat emblem evoke the style of Bruce Timm's Batman: The Animated Series. While it's exciting to see Batman embrace new looks, only time will tell if this redesign will achieve the iconic status of its predecessors.
