For the past 85 years, we've witnessed countless iterations of the Batsuit, each reflecting the era’s cinematic and storytelling sensibilities for the Caped Crusader.
From Adam West’s colorful spandex to Robert Pattinson’s rugged, tactical armor, the evolution of Batman’s on-screen wardrobe is constantly evolving.
Yet, one constant remains: the iconic cowl.
However, until 2016, the Dark Knight couldn’t turn his head while wearing it. Legendary costume designer Jose Fernandez changed that, revolutionizing the design for Ben Affleck’s portrayal in "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice" (2016).
Now, for the first time in history, Warner Bros. Discovery is opening the Batcave to host the Batman 85th Anniversary Live Auction with Propstore, offering fans the chance to own a piece of Gotham’s history.
Affleck’s Batsuit, meticulously crafted by Fernandez and his team at Ironhead Studio, is among the featured items — and it could be yours.
This suit is more than a costume; it symbolizes resilience, fear, and justice. With its innovative design and nods to Frank Miller’s "The Dark Knight Returns" and the New 52 comics, Affleck’s Batsuit represents a seamless blend of tradition and modernity.
The Batsuit in "Batman v. Superman" represents the first live-action adaptation of the grey-and-black aesthetic drawn directly from Batman’s comic-book roots.
Previous cinematic iterations, such as Christian Bale’s armor-inspired designs in "The Dark Knight" trilogy, prioritized tactical realism. In contrast, Affleck’s suit pays homage to its comic origins while retaining a practical edge.
This design borrows heavily from Miller's "The Dark Knight Returns," one of the most influential graphic novels in Batman’s history.
Key elements include the suit’s hulking musculature, short-cowled ears, and the oversized bat emblem on the chest.
Additionally, the absence of trunks and the armor-textured fabric reflect influences from the New 52 comic series, resulting in a seamless blend of classic and contemporary styles.
Crafted with meticulous detail, the Batsuit is as much a wearable art as it is an emblem of cinematic storytelling.
Its components include:
Bodysuit:
Constructed with a black Lycra under layer and foam muscle padding, the bodysuit emphasizes Batman’s formidable physique.
A textured gray synthetic-blend fabric overlays the padding, giving the suit its armored appearance. The iconic foam rubber Bat Emblem on the chest anchors the design with bold simplicity.
As a collector, I’m always apprehensive when I consider purchasing a costume, as it needs to be properly displayed on an appropriate mannequin. This meticulous decision is vital as it could hinder or help the costume’s lifespan and overall display presence.
With that said, custom mannequins need to be fabricated in most cases, which adds to the cost of the investment. (I’m having a custom mannequin built by Blok4 now for my screen-used Michael Myers costume from "Halloween" (2018) and "Halloween Kills" (2021). While it was a tough decision regarding budgeting, it was in the best interest of the costume long-term).
In the case of Affleck’s Batsuit, the custom mannequin is included with the lot, so the buyer will only have to unpack it and display it without going through the extra steps of sourcing a proper mannequin.
Cowl:
The foam latex cowl is a traditional and digital sculpting marvel. For the first time in Batman’s movie history, the design allowed the superhero to turn his head while wearing the classic cowl. This innovation was a breakthrough in costume design, achieved through a combination of advanced sculpting techniques and material flexibility.
"This was my fouth time working on this iconic character, and it was great to revisit the suit with a fresh perspective after so many years," Fernandez said. "Working with costume designer Michael Wilkinson, our main objective was to create a visceral, badass BAT. Technically, my goal was to allow him to turn his head in the cowl, which I had not been able to do in previous versions. I am very proud of this work."
The cowl, with its furrowed brow and short ears, exudes a grizzled, battle-worn persona that perfectly embodies Affleck’s interpretation of the Dark Knight. Notably, this cowl has undergone sympathetic restoration to address a tear at the back left side of the neck, but it appears to be in overall solid shape — especially when compared to another standalone Affleck cowl in the auction, which is described as having “some distortion to the nose” and “minor deterioration around the mouth opening, chest, and shoulders.”
It’s also important to note that a 3D-printed face has been installed in the cowl for display. This is vital as cowls are notoriously known for deteriorating over time unless properly supported on custom-form busts to prevent the material from succumbing to gravity, which can put pressure on weak points, ultimately causing cracks and tears.
Cape:
Attached via fastening strips, the latex cape flows with dramatic weight, mirroring its comic-book counterpart’s dynamic presence. Overall, the cape looks to be in good condition, and there seems to be some brown dirt on the back, which is always a plus for collectors looking for pieces used in films.
My philosophy is simple: the more distressed and weathered, the better — it tells a story and adds character.
Belt: The foam rubber belt, featuring bronze-colored compartments and a buckle, adds a touch of utilitarian realism to the ensemble.
While the belt is labeled with 'the principal performer’s name,' it also bears the label 'stunt,' which can be a bit confusing. However, it's possible production mislabeled this, and it was returned to the studio as such.
Replica Gloves and Boots:
During my first review of the catalog, I glanced over the details of the studio-licensed gloves and boots that were added to complete the costume.
While I appreciate these pieces being included for visual cohesion, I find it a little hard to believe the studio doesn’t have extra pairs of original gloves and boots from production.
Given how many were likely made, it’s surprising these replica pieces are in the auction. Nonetheless, studio-licensed replica components are better than nothing in this case.
Each element conveys the narrative of a hero who has endured physical and emotional trials but remains unyielding in his commitment to protecting Gotham.
Adding to the costume’s provenance, the bodysuit’s underlayer has handwritten production markings such as “#2,” which can be assumed to be worn by Affleck. Additionally, the cowl is labeled with the stunt performer’s name and “#2.”
While the description alternates between hero and stunt use, it’s reasonable to assume the cowl and belt were worn by Richard Cetrone, Affleck's primary stunt double in "Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice," "Suicide Squad" (2016), and "Justice League" (2017).
With all of that said, do I think the mix of hero and stunt pieces will deter bidders from going after the best Batsuit in the auction? No, but I think the estimate should be dialed back a bit given this suit is pieced together and not a 100% hero suit worn by Affleck.
Dan Gastin is a seasoned expert in the entertainment memorabilia industry with over five years of experience and an active passion for collecting movie props and costumes. He previously worked at Propstore.