10 Batman Variants Way Cooler Than The Original

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Batman is undeniably cool. He has the coolest gadgets, the coolest city and the coolest villains. Since his debut in Detective Comics #27 in 1939, DC has published hundreds of Batman variants in addition to the many live-action and animated Batmen.

Every Batman is cool in their own way, but some alternate versions of the Dark Knight stand above the rest. From the classic animated Batman in the DC Animated Universe to Robert Pattinson’s recent Dark Knight in The Batman (2022), the coolest versions of the Caped Crusader bring their own brand of edge, darkness and creativity. Some are cooler thanks to their personalities, and some are cooler thanks to the alternate DC universe around them.

10

Batman: King Of The Vampires

Red Rain

At base level, Batman is one of the coolest superheroes, with some of the coolest costumes and all the coolest toys a comic nerd would want. However, add a little vampirism, and the Elseworlds had one of their greatest additions with a vampiric Dark Knight.

During the Batman and Dracula: Red Rain trilogy, the iconic vampire lord came to Gotham, infecting its citizens. To stop them, Batman actually turned himself into a vampire to match Dracula’s strength and speed. Batman isn’t one to take half-measures, and intentionally succumbing to a vampire virus was a wild choice but incredibly entertaining.

9

A New Batman For A New Cinematic Universe

Robert Pattinson’s Batman

From the very first teaser trailer, fans knew they’d get something special with Matt Reeves’s The Batman (2022). Gotham looked realistic, but not so realistic that it resembled any standard American city. Pattinson’s Batman was younger, more confident, and, at times, more violent.

This Dark Knight wasn’t afraid to waltz into the Penguin’s club or chase the villain down the highway. He also injected himself with a type of green adrenaline drug at the end (venom?), giving himself a burst of stamina and rage. The Batman gave fans a modern Caped Crusader who was dark and mysterious while also presenting rays of hope at the end––this Batman can be feared by criminals, yet inspire Gotham.

8

Batman Of The Elseworlds

Gotham by Gaslight

The first Batman of the Elseworlds, Gotham by Gaslight‘s Batman may not be all that much cooler than the Batman of the prime DC Comics universe, but it’s all about aesthetic. 19th century London––the time of Jack the Ripper––laced with fog and shadows everywhere, playing to Mike Mignola’s artistic strengths. Gotham by Gaslight offered one of the best playgrounds for the Dark Knight.

Instead of a cape, this Batman wore a collared trench coat. His silhouette was unique and his costume looked realistic for the times. This Batman has returned in multiple sequels, including Master of the Future and The Kryptonian Age.

7

Batman, The God Of War

The Merciless (Dark Multiverse)

Every one of the Batmen from the Dark Multiverse is incredibly cool, each borrowing a trait from another character, fusing them with Batman in a twisted amalgamation. The Merciless is a Batman from the Dark Nights: Metal event who stole the helm of Ares, becoming the new god of war.

As a god, Batman waged a literal war against the criminals of Gotham City, then challenged the Justice League and even killed Wonder Woman, with whom he fell in love. This Merciless Batman even destroyed the other Greek gods of his dark universe, proving to be one of the most powerful Batmen recruited by the Batman Who Laughs.

6

The Dark Knight Of A Darker Future

Damian Wayne

Damian Wayne is Batman’s biological son who trained with his mother, Talia al Ghul, Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Assassins. When Damian first debuted, he was arrogant and cruel to his fellow Bat-Family members. His personality carried over into future storylines, such as his debut as an older Batman in Batman #666 and the Damian: Son of Batman miniseries, presenting a future where Damian donned the cape and cowl.

Like the Gotham by Gaslight Batman, Damian Wayne’s Dark Knight swapped the cape for a stylish, collared trench coat. This Batman was more ruthless than his father, but he quickly gained popularity. Many fans still hope Damian may one day officially become the Dark Knight in the future.

5

Batman In The Flashpoint Universe

Thomas Wayne

Readers were shocked when they learned that Thomas and Martha Wayne survived Joe Chill’s attack in Crime Alley––and that Bruce had died instead. In the Flashpoint universe, Thomas became an older, gruff Batman with a red utility belt, red bat symbol, and dual pistols. Martha, in turn, became a twisted version of the Joker.

Thomas’s Batman is at the end of his journey, looking for any excuse to retire. He was a pivotal ally to Barry Allen in the Flashpoint miniseries, but his hatred of the Batman mantle made him a villain to the prime universe’s Bruce Wayne. Still, many fans prefer Batman with a little show of deadly force.

4

Batman Comes Out Of Retirement

Dark Knight Returns

Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns is such an iconic take on the character. Bruce Wayne retired from crime-fighting, but Gotham City isn’t any better. Crime is up, Mutant gangs have sprouted, and the government has acquired their greatest soldier: Superman.

Watching Bruce Wayne return to the cape and cowl is half the fun of reading Dark Knight Returns. It’s not an easy hill, but Bruce climbs it anyway, taking back his city and toppling the Man of Steel in the process. Many readers love a good comeback story, and Dark Knight Returns offers the best look at an older Batman, forced out of retirement.

3

The New Batman Of Neo-Gotham

Batman Beyond

One of the coolest Batmen in comics, TV, movies and more isn’t even Bruce Wayne. Terry McGinnis debuted in the Batman Beyond animated series and quickly became a fan favorite. Batman Beyond was the perfect blend of darkness fans came to expect from the DCAU, high school drama, and humor they’d find in a Spider-Man comic and sci-fi storytelling.

Neo-Gotham was literally built on the foundations of old Gotham City, just as Batman Beyond was born from the Bat-Family that came before him, influenced by Bruce, Barabra, and even Dick Grayson in Batman Beyond comics. On top of that, Batman Beyond has one of the best costumes and one of the coolest batmobiles.

2

Batman: Gotham’s Public Enemy

White Knight

What if Batman was the villain and the Joker was the hero? That’s the question creator Sean Murphy asked when creating Batman: White Knight. The miniseries is one of the best modern alternate DC universes, thanks to its references to the standard DC Universe and plenty of fun Easter eggs for fans of the Burton films, Batman: The Animated Series and more.

This Batman was incredibly cool, especially with all the chips stacked against him. The Joker turned Gotham against him, and his whole world was shattered when Azrael showed up in Curse of the White Knight. The latest sequel, Beyond the White Knight, showed an older, seasoned Batman returning––married to Harley Quinn––with a version of the Joker floating around in his head. Plus, White Knight Batman may have the largest, greatest collection of cars of any Dark Knight.

1

The Definitive Batman For A Generation

DC Animated Universe

It’s hard to top Batman from the DC Animated Universe in any category. From the very start of Batman: The Animated Series, this animated Dark Knight was cool and collected. He was smart and wise. This Batman trained his entire life to defeat villains like the Joker while also feeling confident chucking Superman across the room.

While this Batman was always detecting, always solving, he was also always compassionate, best exemplified in the Justice League Unlimited episode “Epilogue,” when he comforted a dying villain. On top of all of that, Kevin Conroy made this Dark Knight. The late voice actor was beloved and truly elevated the character in every episode, every film and every game.

“}]] While the original Caped Crusader won over fans, variants like Batman Beyond and Flashpoint Batman are even cooler than the mainstream Dark Knight.  Read More