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Evolution of the Batmobile

I noticed this sweet graphic tracking the evolution of the Batmobile that I just spent a fairly ridiculously long time staring at. I've read my share of Batman, but there are tons of designs that I'd never seen.

84 of 102 comments (clear)

  1. If we could only get the instructions by leetrout · · Score: 3, Informative

    Now we need a list of all the instructions on how to build all of those... Or be really dedicated and reverse engineer it from still frames from the movies like this fella http://www.gizmag.com/home-built-dark-knight-batmobile/16736/

    1. Re:If we could only get the instructions by Ginger+Unicorn · · Score: 1

      Dullam has even been contacted by defense contractors about using their transparent aluminum in the windows.

      WTF? Captain, there be whales...!

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  2. Yawn Comics by ObsessiveMathsFreak · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I've never really liked comics books, but wow, I never realised they could also be so consciously boring visually. Most of the 70s, 80s and 00s designs for the car are appallingly uncreative. Many are virtually or totally unaltered versions of existing cars. In fact the most unique, fresh and striking designs come from the TV, movie and cartoon adaptations.

    I guess if you want creativity, you don't look at a medium that recycles the same characters for 70 years.

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    May the Maths Be with you!
    1. Re:Yawn Comics by Monkeedude1212 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I've never really liked internet comments, but wow, I never realized that one specific instance represents the entire spread. Most of the .coms, .orgs, and .net sites for social interaction are appalingly uncreative. Many posts are virtually or totally unaltered versions of existing comments. In fact the most unique, fresh and striking ideas come from Fox News, CNN, and Glenn Beck.

      I guess if you want intelligent discussion, you don't look at a medium that connects millions of people from around the world together in live discussion.

    2. Re:Yawn Comics by Locke2005 · · Score: 3, Funny

      My spidey sarcasm senses are tingling!

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      I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
    3. Re:Yawn Comics by 91degrees · · Score: 2

      That's what I was thinking. The 60's TV Batmobile is iconic, the '89 movie version looked like it meant business, the animated version was clearly designed to work with the style of the series, and the Begins version is so radically different from all the others that you have to be impressed.

      The DC artists seemed to have a sort of childish dream car thing going on.

    4. Re:Yawn Comics by wondafucka · · Score: 1

      I've never really liked comics books, but wow, I never realised they could also be so consciously boring visually. Most of the 70s, 80s and 00s designs for the car are appallingly uncreative. Many are virtually or totally unaltered versions of existing cars. In fact the most unique, fresh and striking designs come from the TV, movie and cartoon adaptations.

      I guess if you want creativity, you don't look at a medium that recycles the same characters for 70 years.

      Imagine that, you found a datapoint that reinforces your expectations.

    5. Re:Yawn Comics by Nadaka · · Score: 1

      There is one bat mobile I do not see on that list, and it happens to be one that has some resemblance to the tumbler. It was very tank like, I don't recall exactly what series it was from though, one where he was an old man.

    6. Re:Yawn Comics by Kitkoan · · Score: 3, Informative

      The Dark Knight Returns. I mentioned it here.

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    7. Re:Yawn Comics by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Parent may be marked Troll - possibly thanks to the subject line - but he does have a point, doesn't he?

      I'm not even sure "Evolution" applies given that it's just snapshots of what a batmobile was in a given period of a year - there's no natural progression from one to the other, let alone 'Evolution'. Sure there's some recurring themes - the double-bubble, the 'bat wings', the mask on the front - but they appear and disappear at random.

      Similarly they go back and forth between 'bland' (1970 Corvette-based through 1973 904-based; nothing about them that says 'batmobile') and outrageous (1991 Judgment on Gotham - wtf is that? I'm not sure the Tumbler counts as a batmobile) about as much as they go back and forth between looking futuristic even by today's standards (1989 Comic Books 2nd entry) and looking like I-think-my-dad-drove-that (2000 Comic Books 1st (middle) entry; Is that a Citroën SM?).

      It's a cool overview, but if nothing else it shows the nearly complete -lack- of evolution in batmobile designs.

    8. Re:Yawn Comics by simcop2387 · · Score: 1

      That's likely the batmobile from Batman Beyond.

    9. Re:Yawn Comics by eln · · Score: 3, Funny

      The first one pictured in the year 2000 is just depressing. Batman looks thoroughly depressed to be getting into what appears to be his father's old Pacer.

    10. Re:Yawn Comics by Nadaka · · Score: 1

      Thats the one. Big, wide, giant wheels.

    11. Re:Yawn Comics by Moryath · · Score: 1

      OMG! Comic book artists can get lazy and use the real world as a model for their art!

      My common sense is tingling!

    12. Re:Yawn Comics by Lord_of_the_nerf · · Score: 1

      "Hey Batman, your vehicle isn't visually impressive enough!"

      I dare you.

    13. Re:Yawn Comics by jellomizer · · Score: 1

      I agree. The standard car, is quite boring. I mean batman is supposed to be over the top. Some of those cars would be fine for Bruce Wane, but not for Batman. Some of those cars almost look like a gremlin. When I think batman I see a car when it drives up the bad guys go oh crap it is Batman. Not hey look it is a random guy driving up.

      --
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    14. Re:Yawn Comics by lgw · · Score: 1

      *SPOILER*

      That's the one that shot Superman in the face. Gotta love that, for all the (non) effect it had.

      --
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    15. Re:Yawn Comics by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

      I agree. The real life batmobiles, like the 1958 Corvette based batmobile are much more attractive and inspiring than the comic version.

      --
      I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
    16. Re:Yawn Comics by jedidiah · · Score: 1

      Show up in some of those cars and you might just get laughed at by the criminals.

      That definitely not what Bruce was going after.

      The car should inspire fear and awe as much as he does.

      --
      A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
    17. Re:Yawn Comics by Gadget_Guy · · Score: 1

      I didn't think it was boring, but an interesting sign of the times. However, I can't help but think that the 2000 version (that shows the Batman getting in) looks like he has been forced to drive a rental car. I imagine that it would have the bumper sticker "My other car is actually cool". It would have sensible gadgets like a drink holder and an AM/FM radio to get news reports.

    18. Re:Yawn Comics by wrencherd · · Score: 2

      I guess if you want creativity, you don't look at a medium that recycles the same characters for 70 years.

      While the characters and (origin) stories are recycled, the audience is always changing--as with grand opera and Shakespeare--and, in this particular instance, you can see how those changes are reflected in the styling of the car.

    19. Re:Yawn Comics by Unkyjar · · Score: 1

      I saw something different. I saw two distinct stylistic approaches depending on the storylines surrounding the designs. Some cars looking like the vehicles of the day to help the reader identify with the owner of the batmobile. Usually more for the noir and detective stories. Others so outlandish and advanced, as to underline the more fantastic and outrageous elements of superhero storlines.

    20. Re:Yawn Comics by kimvette · · Score: 1
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    21. Re:Yawn Comics by ian_from_brisbane · · Score: 1

      Many posts are virtually or totally unaltered versions of existing comments.

      I agree. In fact, many posts are virtually or totally unaltered versions of existing comments.

    22. Re:Yawn Comics by smitty777 · · Score: 1

      I was noticing that too. Also, why is he getting in on the wrong side of the car? Is he driving in England?

      --
      "Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish"
      Albert Einstein
    23. Re:Yawn Comics by operagost · · Score: 1

      That's not such my concern as:
      1) This series isn't so much an "evolution" as a total reimagining of the car in every iteration. Heck, there's a 2000 car that looks like the 1980s Porsche-inspired one.
      2) Some of the 70s-80s artists were terrible. The cars look impractical and out of proportion.
      3) The Barbara Ling cars are stupid and hideous. I mean, we had tacky, huge tailfins that flapped homo-erotically to go with the homoerotic Batman costume.

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  3. Very Cool by Tekfactory · · Score: 1

    Oddly enough for something like this there aren't any goofy ones.

    There are some retro car inspired ones, but nothing too wierd.

    1. Re:Very Cool by Joce640k · · Score: 1

      Some *very* boring ones....

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    2. Re:Very Cool by smitty777 · · Score: 1

      It's also interesting how many of the features are persistent. There is a face mask and single tail fin in v2-4 that keep coming back in the future versions. In fact, these two features are really the only thing that really distinguishes the early versions from a normal car.

      --
      "Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish"
      Albert Einstein
  4. Amazing imaginations of the illustrators by Suki+I · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Those illustrators are great, thinking what cars would have been like if they existed before the 1950's. It is like the precursor to steam punk!

    1. Re:Amazing imaginations of the illustrators by lgw · · Score: 4, Funny

      Those illustrators are great, thinking what cars would have been like if they existed before the 1950's.

      Wait, what? And modded +4 interesting right now, to boot.

      --
      Socialism: a lie told by totalitarians and believed by fools.
    2. Re:Amazing imaginations of the illustrators by The+Grim+Reefer2 · · Score: 1

      I'm hoping the parent was trying to be funny. Sadly, I'm not sure how this is informative though. Interestingly cars have been around since the 1800's and most of the first were in fact steam powered. Here's an interesting read about just how far steam powered cars advanced: http://www.damninteresting.com/the-last-great-steam-car

      It makes you wonder what could be done with today's tech.

    3. Re:Amazing imaginations of the illustrators by kryliss · · Score: 1

      A good article to read, thanks for the link.

      --
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  5. What a brilliant statement! by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 4, Funny

    I just spent a fairly ridiculously long time staring at.

    I could say the same thing about source code, but my manager would not get the joke.

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    1. Re:What a brilliant statement! by Abstrackt · · Score: 2

      I just spent a fairly ridiculously long time staring at.

      I could say the same thing about source code, but my manager would not get the joke.

      He'd probably just spend a fairly ridiculously long time staring at you.

      --
      They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance. - Terry Pratchett
  6. Man, he must be seriously tough on his cars! by Derekloffin · · Score: 2

    I mean, he replaces them often more than once a year.

    1. Re:Man, he must be seriously tough on his cars! by Kitkoan · · Score: 4, Funny

      Nah, it's because Bruce Wayne is rich... I mean Batman is rich... argh... I revealed his secret identity.

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    2. Re:Man, he must be seriously tough on his cars! by TheLink · · Score: 1

      I wonder how Batman would get those cars built without revealing that he's Bruce Wayne?

      Pay the contractors and builders in cash while dressed up as Batman?

      --
    3. Re:Man, he must be seriously tough on his cars! by Kitkoan · · Score: 2

      Well I saw the movie, and lets be honest. Morgan Freeman is a smooth talker.

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  7. They are missing one by Locke2005 · · Score: 4, Funny
    --
    I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
    1. Re:They are missing one by by+(1706743) · · Score: 1

      Quick! To the Batmob...ah screw it, I'll just walk.

    2. Re:They are missing one by kimvette · · Score: 1

      The Batman and Robin who ride in that thing really are gay!

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      The Christian Right is Neither (Christian nor right). See: Matthew 23, Matthew 25, Ezekiel 16:48-50
  8. How many times do you have to fold that . . . by Rob+the+Bold · · Score: 2

    . . . to get it back in the middle of the magazine?

    --
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  9. Missing the Dystopian Batmobile by Kitkoan · · Score: 5, Informative

    Its missing the Batmobile from Dark Night Returns comic series. It was designed by Frank Miller.

    --
    Attention... all grammer nazi"s! Is they're anything; wrong with: my post,
    1. Re:Missing the Dystopian Batmobile by sh00z · · Score: 1

      Best. Batmobile. Evar. Higher-quality image here

    2. Re:Missing the Dystopian Batmobile by Rogerborg · · Score: 1

      Good call. I wonder - does Dark Knight Returns mark the start of the Reboot Era?

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  10. Just in case it's slashdotted... by Stormwatch · · Score: 1

    Just in case the page gets slashdotted, here is the pic: http://www.multiupload.com/9DUI40ATQT

    1. Re:Just in case it's slashdotted... by Kitkoan · · Score: 1

      Doubt it will be /.'d No boobies in this one (unlike the NASA one)

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  11. And another one... by Ecuador · · Score: 1
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    1. Re:And another one... by Locke2005 · · Score: 1

      That Greek batmobile is so delightfully campy and retro, you can just picture Adam West cruising around in it!

      --
      I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
  12. Holy 7MB .jpg over SSL Batman! by choongiri · · Score: 1, Funny

    Taco, are you trying to take it down faster than $evil_villain at the end of the comic.

    http://graphjam.files.wordpress.com.nyud.net/2011/01/batmobile_page.jpg

  13. Batman Beyond by GammaKitsune · · Score: 2

    They appear to have missed the futuristic Batmobile which appeared in Batman Beyond. Maybe they figured it didn't count?

    --
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    1. Re:Batman Beyond by PRMan · · Score: 1

      They'll do it when they get to Batplanes...

      --
      Peter predicted that you would "deliberately forget" creation 2000 years ago...
    2. Re:Batman Beyond by DerekLyons · · Score: 2

      The site the graphic's creators ripped off lists the Beyond Batmobile under 'Alternate Timelines'.

  14. Batman: Arkham Asylum by vgerclover · · Score: 1

    Kinda disappointed that in such a detailed graph they forgot to look at the game. I'm sure that there are better screenshots of it, as it was one of the unlockable trophies.

    1. Re:Batman: Arkham Asylum by vgerclover · · Score: 1

      I'm an idiot, it's right there separated from the rest in its own box.

  15. advertising by Onymous+Coward · · Score: 2

    This is the kind of advertising I don't find offensive. Well done.

  16. George Barris by I8TheWorm · · Score: 3, Interesting

    George Barris did some really amazing work, including the 66 Batmobile, the Munster's coach, and a huge list of other slick creations. In the 60's he had a car driven by a joystick in the center console.

    Check out his site... pretty fun stuff there.

    --
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    1. Re:George Barris by baegucb · · Score: 1

      Thanks for the link. I used to see the original Batmobile being driven around Burbank Ca. in the 60s. And yes, I'm older than dirt :)

  17. Evolution of campy by ackthpt · · Score: 1

    With the pending release of the Green Hornet we get a new Black Beauty. Where once the Green Hornet and Kato tore about the city in the sleek, supercharged car, which must have turned a bit over 100 HP, we're in for something which will have to make even the Batmobile look like yesterday's Fiero.

    And in about 2 more years Green Hornet Returns will have yet-another iteration of the famous Black Beauty.

    Honestly, where do you park a car like that while you're in the building fighting with gangsters, where nobody's going to notice it?

    --

    A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
    1. Re:Evolution of campy by Capt.DrumkenBum · · Score: 1

      Wasn't there a TV series or movie, where the Green Hornet had a green AMC Hornet?
      My father had an AMC Hornet station wagon.

      --
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    2. Re:Evolution of campy by ackthpt · · Score: 1

      Wasn't there a TV series or movie, where the Green Hornet had a green AMC Hornet?

      My father had an AMC Hornet station wagon.

      That would certainly be a large step down from what the Black Beauty was all about. I've seen AMC Hornets. It may have been tongue-in-cheek advertising.

      --

      A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
    3. Re:Evolution of campy by Capt.DrumkenBum · · Score: 1

      You are correct. After some googling, I find the ad at the bottom of this page:
      http://homepage.mac.com/christopher.z/hobby/Courtesy/72-HornetSticker.html

      --
      If I were God, wouldn't I protect my churches from acts of me?
    4. Re:Evolution of campy by geekoid · · Score: 1

      everything about the green hornet looks horrid.

      I recently re-watched some of the original. yeah, a ,lot of the filming technique s are 'dated' or immature by todays standards; however Bruce Lee is awesome fast, no special effects.

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  18. For you batmobilephiles... by Radical+Moderate · · Score: 2

    ...here's a great site about the creation of the vehicle used in the TV series.

    --
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  19. Re:Evolution of Hearse by sempir · · Score: 1

    Batman has to die...right....so before I do I have to see the Bathearse!

    --
    A closed mouth gathers no foot.
  20. Remember the Corgi model? by H0p313ss · · Score: 5, Interesting

    If you were a kid growing up in the '70s then chances are you or one of your friends had one of the Corgi Batmobiles, and if you did my Grandfather played a small part in your childhood.

    My grandfather was a "skilled metal worker", his specialty was the dies for casting metal, and later, plastic parts. His last job before retirement was over a decade with a small design shop in Worcester (UK) that contracted to Corgi. Many of the elements of the Batmobile were done by him and his friends.

    Over a decade later he still called the Batmobile design his best work.

    He passed away in 2002 at the age of 88 and I can tell you that even in his final months he was still passionate about craftsmanship. In one of the last conversations I had with him he told me about hanging out with his own grandfather who was a basket weaver and being taught how to weave reeds.

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    1. Re:Remember the Corgi model? by PRMan · · Score: 1

      I still have one of those on my desk at home. Cool story. Thanks.

      --
      Peter predicted that you would "deliberately forget" creation 2000 years ago...
    2. Re:Remember the Corgi model? by Hozza · · Score: 1

      I had one of those, it was really cool, even as a kid you could see it was designed better than most other toys. Thanks for the back story.

  21. Missing the 2009 model by Narishma · · Score: 1

    They're missing the 2009 model.

    --
    Mada mada dane.
  22. Still the classic! by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 1

    The TV series car based on the 55 Futura is still burned into my mind as the classic implementation. I love the list of futuristic features in the article's image:

    * Nose mounted chain slicer (WTF is that?)
    * Atomic turbine engine (Mr. Fusion)
    * On-board telephone (As Steve Jobs says: It's magical!)

    1. Re:Still the classic! by operagost · · Score: 1

      I'm sure the chain slicer is a one-off plot device (literally) that mysteriously vanished in later episodes.

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  23. Forgot some by lyinhart · · Score: 1

    Not surprisingly, they left out the ones from old 1940s serials. Everybody overlooks those.

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  24. Saw this on Jalopnik Last week by socz · · Score: 1

    http://jalopnik.com/5726457/this-is-every-batmobile-ever

    That said, it's not every batmobile. But the discussion has some interesting things!

    --
    My abilities are only limited by my imagination
  25. Where are the cars from the 1940's Batman serials? by drainbramage · · Score: 1

    Black and white, no sissy 3D or color!
    Lucky we had sound I tell you.
    Alfred driving Batman around in a big ol' limousine.
    That was crime fighting!
    Now get the heck off my lawn.

    --
    No brain, no pain.
  26. Tumbler? HA! by The+Archon+V2.0 · · Score: 1

    That's nothin'. You want a real Batmobile, you want a completely unmodified '49 Mercury.

  27. Wrong movie for Tumbler by Anubis+IV · · Score: 1

    They appear to have mixed up The Dark Knight and Batman Begins...

    1. Re:Wrong movie for Tumbler by boxwood · · Score: 1

      the tumbler was in both movies. I guess its kinda weird they used a colon instead of a slash to separate batman begins and dark knight, but whatever.

  28. The best one was from the 1989 movie by jollyreaper · · Score: 2

    I've never been satisfied with any of the other batmobiles. The Tumbler from the reboot is a very cool vehicle but it doesn't say "batman" to me, just generically awesome.

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    1. Re:The best one was from the 1989 movie by PyroMosh · · Score: 2

      Agreed. Dark Knight replaced the Burton Batman films as my favorite, but the Batmobile didn't seem like the Batmobile - just another of Batman's "wonderful toys".

  29. Evolution of the Batmobile by Odinlake · · Score: 1

    That is to say it hasn't really evolved since the 60's (excepting the Dark Knight version) but only adds or deducts a few wings and shapes randomly, and modifies a few lines to keep up with contemporary automotive trends? That's how it looks to my untrained eye anyway.

  30. Nice Touch by sodafox · · Score: 1

    I especially like the nice touch at the end, where they put the name of the insurance aggregator that Bruce Wayne uses when he's shopping around for... hey, wait a minute...

  31. ...but missing the most important Batmobile by Tomsk70 · · Score: 1

    No Dark Knight Returns tank.

    For those who might not know - Dark Knight Returns is as big as it gets and one of the most important graphic novels of all time

    Not including the extraordinary batmobile from DKR is like missing out Tom Baker in a Doctor Who chart.

  32. clickety-clickety-click by water-and-sewer · · Score: 1

    I'm not much of a batman fan, but enjoyed this anyway. Mostly because the author put the whole thing on one diagram, instead of doing what EVERYONE else is doing now: putting each of 60 diagrams on a different page and making you click through them, one by one, with a new ad on each page.

    Kudos to this guy. The rest of the web is slowly turning to crap thanks to this "get as many ads across you as possible in one session" mentality.

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