What's the Ultimate Batman?

[palitoy]

A person I've been in business with has recently started a new company and has the rights to Batman. He wants to produce a collectible figurine and has asked me to be a consultant on the project.

I am trying to steer him to not only make this the comic Batman but to make it appear to look like a classic version of the character fans will love.

I chose two designs but wonder if there are more:

Carmine Infantino
http://www.dialbforblog.com/archives..._infantino.gif

Neal Adams
http://www.grouchoreviews.com/conten...views/70/4.jpg

I am missing the boat? Is there somebody else they should consider?

[Riffster]

Jim Lee's batman is fantastic, but i like Infantino

[Earth 2 Chris]

I think you hit it pretty well Brian. Either the Silver Age Batman, epitomized by Infantino, or the Bronze Age Batman, with his longer ears and cape, must famously drawn by Adams. Other than Adams I'd point out Jim Aparo and Jose Luis Garcia Lopez being in the same vibe there. They took Adams Batman and ran with it in their own directions. Garcia Lopez has the benefit of having drawn Batman on most merchandising since 1982.

Chris

[mitchedwards]

I like both styles

[Earth 2 Chris]

If your friend wants to go by eras, I'd do it like this:

Early Golden Age: The original Kane look. Ears spread out wide, stiff cape, round belt-buckle (just from the first two stories, but it's different than the later ones), little gloves that don't go up on the wrist.

Classic Golden Age: Dick sprang. Barrell-chested. Short ears. Jaw that could cut through pig iron.

Silver Age: Infantino (at his best when inked by Murphy Anderson)

Bronze Age: Neal Adams (best when inked by Giordano). Heck Giordano by himself is classic Bronze Age Batman as well.

Modern Age: Jim Lee

I kind of skipped the 90s "no trunks" look, but I hate that suit so...

Chris

[The Toyroom]

Yup, Infantino or Adams (I'm partial to Aparo myself for 70s Bats)...you can't go wrong with either of those gents.

To the general public though (not sure who the figurines would be marketed toward) Infantino's Batman may be a little too old-school and enduce images of the Adam West era Batman and you may or may not want to go there (again, depending on the target audience)

[ScottA]

I would say Adams as well. I typically don't think that far back to Infantino's Batman when someone mentions Batman in general. But either is a great choice.

[HardyGirl]

I'm the first to say that I don't know BOO about comic book artists, but I'm familiar w/ Neal Adams b/c of his art on Power Records. So, I like him.

[Raydeen1]

I agree on the 70s era. Neal Adams/Dick Giordano/Jim Aparo look but I love the Marshall Rogers look as well.

I also love the Infantino era. Great choices.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I agree on the 70s era. Neal Adams/Dick Giordano/Jim Aparo look but I love the Marshall Rogers look as well.

I'm a HUGE fan of Marshall Rogers, but his Batman is pretty distinctive, and doesn't represent the era as broadly as the Adams/Aparo/Giordano look. Just my opinion.

Chris

[The Bat]

Well...for Classic, I'd definately say NEAL ADAMS!!

Mordern...Jim Lee ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Raydeen1]

Oh I agree. Some have said his is the quintessential Batman and I'm inclined to agree but the others' styles are far more widely known. My reasoning for mentioning it was mostly because it hasn't been done yet while the others have.

I'm a HUGE fan of Marshall Rogers, but his Batman is pretty distinctive, and doesn't represent the era as broadly as the Adams/Aparo/Giordano look. Just my opinion.

Chris

[thunderbolt]

I'd really like to see Dick Sprang's version.

[BlackKnight]

Adams/Aparo/Lopez Batman Late 70's threw the 80's.
& I'll be there.

[Mego Milk]

The Killing Joke.

'Nuff said.