Batman Is Getting a New Costume: These Are the Greatest Batsuits of All Time

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 explore these legendary looks.

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

12 Images10. ‘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 intimidating and stealthy design became the standard for Batman throughout the '90s.

9. 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 portrayed the Batsuit as armor rather than spandex, distinguishing Bruce from Dick Grayson, who was also Batman at the time. The only minor flaw is the somewhat comical armored codpiece.

8. Absolute Batman

Absolute Batman, the newest addition to this list, makes a powerful 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 redesigned cape consists of flexible, arm-like tendrils. The sheer size of this Batman, humorously dubbed "the Batman who lifts" by writer Scott Snyder, sets the Absolute suit apart.

7. 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 create a visually striking and unique alternate universe Batman.

6. 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. This armored suit, steeped in dirt and grime, embodies a Gothic aesthetic that inspired Robert Pattinson's Dark Knight in 2022's The Batman.

5. 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 iconic design continues to influence follow-up stories like Gotham by Gaslight: The Kryptonian Age.

4. Golden Age Batman

Bob Kane and Bill Finger's original Batsuit design has remained largely unchanged for nearly 90 years, a testament to its timeless appeal. Unique features like curved ears, purple gloves, and bat-wing-like cape add to its menacing yet classic look, which modern artists continue to revisit.

3. Batman Rebirth

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman Rebirth costume refines the New 52 design, retaining its tactical elements while introducing vibrant colors like the yellow Bat emblem outline and purple cape lining, a nod to the Golden Age. This modern redesign, though short-lived, set a high standard.

2. Bronze Age Batman

During the late '60s and '70s, Batman's comics shifted from camp to more serious storytelling, with artists like Neal Adams, Jim Aparo, and José Luis García-López defining the era's look. Their work emphasized Batman's physicality, portraying him as a lean, agile ninja rather than a bulky brawler. This design remains a benchmark for many fans, especially thanks to García-López's influential artwork.

1. 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 traditional yellow oval, and Lee's dynamic rendering of Batman's physique made him believable as a hero facing formidable foes. The Hush costume 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, a seasoned Batman artist, will debut a new Batsuit when he and writer Matt Fraction kick off DC’s relaunched Batman series in September 2025. This new design, while rooted in the Hush costume, brings back the blue cape and cowl, with a heavily shaded cape reminiscent of Bruce Timm's Batman: The Animated Series. The blue, angular Bat emblem adds a fresh twist. As Batman continues to evolve, only time will tell if this latest redesign will join the ranks of his most iconic suits.