Concept artist Joe Quinones reveals several scrapped Batsuit ideas for Michael Keaton’s Batman. It’s clear why The Flash didn’t use them.
A DC concept artist unveils several unused Batman suits Michael Keaton could have worn in The Flash. The Flash features updated takes on popular DC superhero suits, from Supergirl’s variation on Superman’s DCEU suit to Flash’s sleek one-piece costume and an armored version of Ben Affleck’s original Batman suit. Michael Keaton’s Batman is the character with the least evident changes on his suit in The Flash, but there were still some ideas to overhaul the classic 1989 and 1992 Batsuits for the modern day.
On Twitter, comic book artist and illustrator Joe Quinones reveals various Batsuit designs he conceived while searching for the right look for Michael Keaton’s Batman in The Flash. Quinones drew inspiration from Kenner’s 1990s Batman action figure line, which put a bold spin on Tim Burton’s gloomy yet minimalist vision. See the concept art below:
The Flash is out today! Just got the go ahead to share my design work on the film — did these takes inspired by the Kenner action figure line based on '89 and Batman Returns. Here's the designs I did that are closest to what appears on screen #batman89 #TheFlash #TheFlashMovie pic.twitter.com/jMY7JJTMaO
— Joe Quinones (@Joe_Quinones) June 16, 2023
Some more designs for the movie and a closeup of the 'Bob Kane' version #TheFlashMovie #TheFlash #Batman #Batman89 @DCOfficial pic.twitter.com/zEu1hL2p2I
— Joe Quinones (@Joe_Quinones) June 16, 2023
The extravagant details in most of Joe Quinones’ Batsuit designs clearly reflect their action figure inspirations. Curiously, Quinones describes them as “the designs I did that are closest to what appears on screen”, which suggests that the artist drew, or at least considered, even more bombastic Batsuits. Of course, it’s unlikely for a live-action movie to feature Batman in such eccentric costumes, but it’s interesting to see the lengths concept art can reach while exploring all the possibilities.
The Flash’s Classic 1989 Costume Was The Best For Keaton’s Batman
The Flash could have modernized Batman’s classic Batsuit a little more by improving the neck’s mobility and breaking up the body’s shape into hard but flexible plates similar to those on Ben Affleck’s Justice League Batsuit. Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne could have also worn one of the suits Batman keeps in his Batcave, which seem to have special advantages in specific situations such as desert and underwater missions. However, any new design that distanced itself from the original 1989 Batman and 1992 Batman Returns Batsuits would have undermined Michael Keaton’s return, which based its appeal on nostalgia for the Tim Burton movies and their unique aesthetic.
Michael Keaton’s classic Batsuit, Danny Elfman’s iconic score, and Batman’s imposing Batmobile and Batwing have the biggest impact on fans in their original form. After all, it took over 30 years for them to return, so bringing them back unchanged is the logical option. Being a return to action after a long hiatus, it also makes more sense for Michael Keaton’s Bruce Wayne to go back to basics and honor his original costume on a final mission that concludes his superhero career on a high note.
Joe Quinones’ Batman concept art for The Flash shows how wide the variety of Batman’s suit designs can get if a live-action movie aimed to break the mold, from adding winged jetpacks to switching the all-black look for a lighter camouflage pattern or bright yellow. On the other hand, these wild concepts also prove why Batman’s classic costume remains so popular to this day. While there’s always space for innovation, the basic idea of Batman’s all-black Batsuit is simply timeless.
Source: screenrant.com
