When you hear someone say “Batman,” who comes to mind?
Is it Michael Keaton? Is it Christian Bale? Val Kilmer, Ben Affleck or maybe Robert Pattison? There’s no wrong answer — every generation has its own “Batman.”
For the first time in history, Warner Bros. Discovery is opening the Batcave to host the Batman 85th Anniversary Live Auction with Propstore, featuring a rare and exclusive collection of iconic props and costumes from the "Batman" feature film universe.
Collectors will have the opportunity to acquire legendary costumes worn by actors portraying Batman and his allies, props from films spanning from 1989's "Batman" to 2023's "The Batman," and a collection of items from Batman's cinematic rogue's gallery.
There will even be vehicles taken directly from the streets of Gotham City. This unparalleled event offers a unique chance to own a piece of the Dark Knight's legacy.
While the full catalog won’t be online until Nov. 19, Propstore has released a Preview Gallery featuring four incredible auction items. The auction closes Dec. 6.
The first is Batgirl’s (Alicia Silverstone) Artic Suit from the 1997 movie "Batman & Robin." The suit is a specialized version of her Batgirl costume, designed for the film's climactic battle in the icy lair of Mr. Freeze (Arnold Schwarzenegger).
This suit features a sleek, metallic silver and black design, with an armored aesthetic to combat the cold environment. It includes high-tech elements such as a silver bat emblem, a cape and a mask, embodying the high-fashion, futuristic costume design that characterized the Joel Schumacher Batman films of the 1990s.
High-resolution photos from Propstore show some wear on the cape, particularly around the collarbone, but this is expected for a 27-year-old costume. Minor restorations should be easy for experts such as Tom Spina Designs.
Notably, I believe this is the first time a full costume has come to market and would be an immediate centerpiece in any Batman collection.
Next is Robin’s (Chris O’Donnell) suit from "Batman Forever" (1995). This modernized version of the classic Robin costume was designed to fit the film’s darker, more mature tone.
It features a sleek, form-fitting design made from rubberized armor, with a deep red torso, green accents, and a large black and gold "R" symbol on the chest, and the cape is dark with a metallic sheen.
This version of Robin's suit departs from the traditional bright colors of the comic-book design, reflecting the film’s stylized and more adult-oriented interpretation of the character.
The preview gallery doesn’t show Robin’s signature black eye mask, but it’s likely to appear as a separate lot, which could appeal to collectors on a budget.
The costume shows minor deterioration but remains in overall good condition, making it appealing to those who don’t want to invest in restoration work.
Riddle me this: What’s green, covered in question marks, and leaves Gotham guessing at every turn? Jim Carrey's Riddler suit from "Batman Forever" (1995) is the next tease from Propstore.
The costume is an iconic green leotard adorned with black question marks, symbolizing the character’s obsession with riddles and puzzles. The form-fitting suit emphasizes the Riddler's eccentric and flamboyant personality, while the vibrant green color and question mark motifs are a nod to the character’s comic book origins.
Carrey’s matching green bowler hat, also decorated with a black question mark, completes the over-the-top look that reflects his manic energy in the film. Similar to the Robin costume, the Riddler costume is missing the signature question mark cane.
Bob Ringwood and Ingrid Ferrin drew inspiration for the design from the original Dick Sprang comic artwork of the character, as well as the attire worn by Frank Gorshin as the Riddler in the "Batman" television series.
The costume and the cane are no strangers to Propstore’s auctions as several have sold in the past, but this will be the first time one from the archives goes under the hammer.
Finally, my favorite item from the preview: Batman’s (Ben Affleck) cowl from "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" (2016). The cowl’s design reflects a more experienced, hardened version of the Dark Knight.
Director Zack Snyder and costume designer Michael Wilkinson aimed to depict an older, battle-worn Batman who has been fighting crime in Gotham for years. The shorter ears and more angular features give Batman a tougher, more brutal appearance, distinguishing Affleck’s Batman from earlier more heroic interpretations.
The design was inspired by Frank Miller’s "The Dark Knight Returns" comic, which portrays an older, more cynical Batman.
While the cowl shows some cracking to the foam latex, it remains an eye-catching piece that will undoubtedly spark bidding wars among collectors, as this is its first time coming to auction.
Could a full Affleck costume be a surprise lot? Time will tell, especially with this being the 85th anniversary of Batman.
As a collector, I’m already blown away by these four items, but what excites me most is every item in the auction will be directly sourced from Warner Bros. Discovery’s Global Archives & Preservation Services, each accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) — the ultimate provenance.
The significance of this cannot be overstated. It's incredibly rare for a studio archive to open its vault and allow even a handful of items — let alone 85 — to be auctioned. This level of provenance is likely to drive up prices, as collectors will undoubtedly pay a premium to own a piece verified as coming directly from the Warner Bros. Discovery Archive, complete with its COA.
As we celebrate Batman's 85th anniversary, this auction offers fans and collectors a rare chance to own a tangible piece of cinematic history.
From Batgirl’s high-tech Arctic suit to the iconic Riddler leotard, and from Robin's modernized armor to Batman's battle-worn cowl, each piece tells a story from Gotham’s rich legacy. Whether you grew up with Keaton, Bale, or Affleck, this auction bridges generations of fans with the enduring mythos of the Dark Knight.
This article serves as a preview of what’s to come, and I will follow up with another piece in November once the full catalog is released.
With these exclusive items going under the hammer, now is the perfect time to celebrate Batman's legacy --- perhaps even take home a part of it.
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.