(Warner Bros., 1989) Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman not only reinvented the modern superhero, it also changed Hollywood’s perception of what a caped crusader looked like. Comic Michael Keaton may not have had the ideal Batman body type, but after costume designer Bob Ringwood finished his inspired take on the Dark Knight, Keaton was convincingly transformed into Gotham City’s daring and courageous uber-defender, to the delight of audiences the world over. Batman represented the first time ever that a superhero costume was envisioned as more than just a fancy set of tights. Instead, Ringwood chose to accent Keaton’s physique with armored pieces molded in foam latex attached to a white spandex body suit, which was then spray-painted black each time the actor donned the costume. Although somewhat crude, this suit represents a grand experiment, which paved the way for all successive Batman film costumes, and influenced an entire generation of superheroes. This screen-used costume is one of only two known surviving Batsuits from the all-important first film, and includes the original latex cape replete with sleeves for the armature that made the scalloped cloak extend into a Bat-like silhouette, as the Dark Knight crashed through a skylight in one of the most spectacular entrances in movie history. The foam latex cowl is likely the only surviving screenused Bat-headgear in existence, and is mounted on a stunning silicone head of Michael Keaton, made using his actual lifecast taken for the production in 1988, and fitted with prosthetics-grade glass eyes. The boots are vintage Nike Air IIIs with added leather boot tops and boot armor recreated by the film’s original cobblers, while the gloves sport screen used urethane wrist armor and fins. The Batgun is cast from original studio molds. The entire ensemble is mounted on a custom-built flexible mannequin that expertly displays this rare, historic costume to its most dramatic and life-like effect.

ESTIMATE $40,000 – $60,000