"New Batman Costume Unveiled: Top Batsuits Ranked"

Exciting news for Batman fans: DC Comics is set to relaunch its flagship Batman series this September, bringing a fresh look to Bruce Wayne. Artist Jorge Jiménez is behind the new Batsuit design, which revives the classic blue cape and cowl. Even after nearly 90 years, DC continues to innovate the Dark Knight's iconic attire.

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 costume to contemporary designs like Batman Incorporated and Batman Rebirth. Dive in to explore these iconic looks.

For those who prefer the cinematic version 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 Dark Knight's most iconic looks across all media. Although DC didn't fully adopt this costume in the comics beyond direct Burton-Verse tie-ins like Batman ‘89, they were inspired to create a similar suit for the 1995 "Troika" storyline.

This new Batsuit maintained the all-black body but kept a traditional blue cape and cowl, adding edgy elements like spiked boots, which were later softened. The result was a more intimidating and stealth-focused suit that defined Batman's appearance throughout the '90s.

9. Batman Incorporated

Upon Bruce Wayne's return after his supposed demise in 2008's Final Crisis, DC launched Batman Incorporated with a new costume by David Finch. This suit reintroduced the classic yellow oval around the Bat emblem and removed the black trunks.

The Batman Inc. suit offered a streamlined, armor-like appearance, distinguishing it from the more cluttered New 52 design. It successfully conveyed a functional, battle-ready Batman while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic, setting it apart from Dick Grayson's Batman costume at the time. However, the armored codpiece remains a slightly odd choice.

8. Absolute Batman

Absolute Batman, a recent addition to the list, makes a powerful statement with its imposing design. In a rebooted DCU, where Bruce Wayne lacks his usual resources, he crafts an arsenal-laden Batsuit. From razor-sharp ear daggers to a battle-axe Bat emblem and arm-like cape tendrils, this suit is a weaponized marvel.

The sheer size of Absolute Batman, humorously dubbed "the Batman who lifts" by writer Scott Snyder, sets it apart and highlights its formidable presence.

7. Flashpoint Batman

In the alternate Flashpoint timeline, Thomas Wayne becomes Batman after young Bruce's murder. This darker Batman sports a suit with bold red accents, including the Bat emblem, utility belt, and leg holsters. Enhanced by dramatic shoulder spikes and the use of guns and a sword, this alternate universe Batman presents a visually striking and unique appearance.

6. Lee Bermejo’s Armored Batman

Lee Bermejo's distinctive Batsuit, seen in works like the Batman/Deathblow crossover and the controversial Batman: Damned, breaks from the traditional spandex. His design emphasizes armor and a gritty, Gothic aesthetic, inspiring the look of Robert Pattinson's Batman in 2022's The Batman.

5. Gotham by Gaslight Batman

In the steampunk world of Gotham by Gaslight, Batman's costume is reimagined with stitched leather and a billowing cloak, perfectly suiting the Victorian setting. Mike Mignola's iconic art style, known from Hellboy, lends this Batman a shadowy, granite-like presence. This 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 remains a cornerstone of Batman's look, enduring with minimal changes for nearly 90 years. The design's menacing curved ears, purple gloves, and wing-like cape set it apart, making it a timeless classic that modern artists often revisit.

3. Batman Rebirth

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman Rebirth costume improved upon the New 52 suit by retaining a tactical look while simplifying the design and reintroducing color. The yellow outline around the Bat emblem and the purple inner lining of the cape hark back to the Golden Age, making it a standout modern redesign that was unfortunately short-lived.

2. Bronze Age Batman

During the transformative late '60s and '70s, Batman's costume evolved under the influence of artists like Neal Adams, Jim Aparo, and José Luis García-López. Their work emphasized a leaner, more agile Batman, aligning with his ninja-like skills. This period's design has become a benchmark for many fans, largely due to García-López's iconic artwork used in various merchandise.

1. Batman: Hush

Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's Hush storyline marked the beginning of Batman's modern era with Lee's elegant redesign. The sleek, black Bat emblem and dynamic, powerful physique became the standard for subsequent artists. The Hush suit's enduring popularity led DC to eventually revert to this design after experimenting with more armored looks.

How the New Batsuit Compares

Jorge Jiménez's new Batsuit, debuting in September 2025 with writer Matt Fraction, introduces subtle changes to the Hush design. By bringing back the blue cape and cowl, and adding heavy shading to the cape reminiscent of Bruce Timm's Batman: The Animated Series, Jiménez offers a fresh take. The blue, angular Bat emblem further distinguishes this suit.

Batman's willingness to evolve his look after all these years is commendable, but only time will tell if this redesign will join the ranks of his most iconic costumes.