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Classic Batman & Robin Costumes for a High School Stage Play

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  • darklord1967
    Persistent Member
    • Mar 27, 2008
    • 1570

    #91
    Originally posted by oldhope001
    I am in awe of your work, especially Batman and Robin. It's like you stepped inside my mind and took the concepts from my childhood. Wow.

    How did you come up with such an amazing cape pattern? It looks so fitted with the cowl, almost one piece.

    What a really nice compliment! Thanks so much... everyone. Your support continues to mean so much!

    Even though I do NOT consider the 1966 "Batman" TV series costumes to be the definitive interpretations of these characters (I have yet to see that), the guidelines established by that production really influenced a LOT of my approach here.

    The near-seamless relationship between cape and cowl was definitely one of those guidelines.

    I must tell you, the cape and cowl combination was a matter of trial and error and little bit of luck. I did spend a lot of time shopping for cape material that would closely match the black urethane cowls of Batman and Batgirl. But I never thought I'd find anything perfect. I figured I would have to settle for something close.

    But I eventually lucked out by finding a dull black stretch PVC fabric who's color and sheen were virtually identical with the cowls. I couldn't believe my luck! And by fashioning the garment out of a stretch fabric, I was able to have a cape that always fit snugly around the wide neck sculpt of the cowl.

    Design-wise, it only made sense to me to create The Batman's uniform in a way where the cape would be worn over the cowl, NEVER underneath it (as we have seen in virtually every live-action version of the character since Michael Keaton in 89). To my eyes, the figure is much more elegant, stately, and powerful (as I believe The Batman should look) when the lines of his neck, shoulders, and cape enclosure are as un-cluttered and un-interrupted as possible.

    I believe that the look of a cowl worn OVER the cape goes against this clean, powerful look for Batman. It makes him seem messy... un-kempt. Also (to my eyes) it makes him appear neck-heavy and stoop-shouldered, rather than imposingly broad shouldered (which is more my preference).

    Also, as a fan of The Batman all through the 1970's, 80's and 90's, it seemed pretty clear to me that the character (as represented in the comics) never wore his cowl over his cape.

    I also strongly believe that a cape designed with a fitted shoulder seam is an essential part of completing the formal look of The Batman's broad, square-shouldered outline. After all, the character's cleanly-defined silhouette is a vital aspect of his persona. And properly shaped shoulders go a long way toward defining that silhouette.

    Now, with all due respect to my many talented Batman costuming contemporaries, many cosplayers prefer to construct Bat capes based on a circular pattern with a neck hole cut in the center... a basic cape "poncho". But those types of capes never have the look of a proper neck closure, nor do they look particularly good when worn closed in front of the body (which is the way I believe The Batman should mostly wear his cape).

    I think it's important to point out a serious and costly ERROR that I made when fashioning The Batman's cape: At first, both the cape and the lining material were stretch fabrics. The result was a cape that had an "overly rubbery" and "bouncy" consistency when worn. It also felt unstable around the neck, like if it would easily shift position.

    I learned that when a cape is this long and massive, it needs sturdiness somewhere within its own construction so that it can maintain a basic shape and properly support its own weight. Without structural sturdiness, a stretch-fabric cape will warp all over the place when sitting upon the figure and appear lifeless.

    I corrected this problem by removing the original inner lining material that I used on this cape (a "wet-look" stretch lycra spandex). I created a new inner lining with a (non-stretching) heavy, low-sheen, black bridal satin.

    After that, the cape was steady as a rock! All of the beautiful, regal gathers at the rear of the cape became defined, consistent, and far more powerful!



    As for Batgirl, I found myself unconsciously taking a page out of the 1960's TV show again. It made sense to me to fashion a cape for her that featured a gathered turtleneck-style enclosure which would appear to be an extension of her cowl.




    I fashioned a turtleneck "dickie" garment (out of the same material as the cape) for the Batgirl costume. This garment will be worn underneath the cowl, and it extends down to fully cover the neck (where it will meet the tall turtleneck cape enclosure). With the previously exposed neck now covered, the illusion of a seamless cape and cowl will be complete.

    Last edited by darklord1967; Dec 2, '14, 1:41 AM.
    I... am an action figure customizer

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    • darklord1967
      Persistent Member
      • Mar 27, 2008
      • 1570

      #92
      Originally posted by Torontogosh
      I love the belts you make for these costumes! What's your secret? Can you share some details?

      Belts you say? Well... as always, there's a lot I can share:

      I can begin by telling you that the method I originally employed to make BELT BANDS for these costumes proved to be completely ineffective.

      Like so many other things on this project, finding a way to create costume parts that are not only attractive, but also strong, sturdy and long-lasting is a real matter of TRIAL AND ERROR.

      In the case of Batman and Batgirl’s belt bands, they needed to adequately support the weight of attached items without warping or buckling (as they had begun to do on the first belt bands I made). They needed to be sturdy, rugged, and durable. I therefore needed to re-think the method of construction.



      The first thing I corrected was the flimsy base material that each belt would be made with. Previously, I used to fashion belt bands by cutting strips of canvas that were then glue-wrapped in the appropriately colored fabric.








      The bands looked okay, but they were not strong or sturdy at all.
      I... am an action figure customizer

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      • darklord1967
        Persistent Member
        • Mar 27, 2008
        • 1570

        #93
        I have now switched over to using 8/9 oz. weight leather belt blanks (purchased from an ebay retailer). These are available in a variety of widths, and they are incredibly sturdy and strong.




        After cutting the leather belt blank to the appropriate length, I used my trusty 3M Super 77 Spray Adhesive to lay down a generous coating of the glue on one side of the strip.




        It’s a bit of a trick to know exactly when to lay the desired fabric onto the sticky surface belt blank. The glue must be allowed to get “tacky”, otherwise it will seep through the top fabric and ruin the look of your finished belt band.














        These images were taken when I was fabricating the new belt band for The Riddler. I wanted to improve upon my original Riddler belt, not only in terms of sturdiness but (finally) in terms of the correct color (Royal Purple) and texture (pig skin suede) that I always wanted. Naturally, the other purple items of The Riddler’s costume (gauntlets and hat band) are being fabricated with this same purple suede.
        I... am an action figure customizer

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        • darklord1967
          Persistent Member
          • Mar 27, 2008
          • 1570

          #94
          Another thing that I felt needed to be addressed was the way the rough cut edges of the colored fabric (on the back side of the belt band) would at times snag on the surface of lycra spandex uniforms.









          I decided that I needed the backs of all belt bands to be lined with a smooth, silky barrier of some kind to protect spandex costumes.

          I employed a 2” wide band of nylon seatbelt material for this purpose. Seen here: Rear lining installed on Batman belt band.







          I... am an action figure customizer

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          • darklord1967
            Persistent Member
            • Mar 27, 2008
            • 1570

            #95
            Originally, I attached Batman and Batgirl’s utility belt vials to the belt band with small screws from behind. But with the issue of sharp edges that can snag into lycra spandex AND with vials that ended up not being position-adjustable , I decided I needed to re-think that.

            The next thing I tried was making some canvas “loop” straps for the pouches and vials of Batman and Batgirl’s utility belts. This would allow me to re-position the items along the belt band based on the wearer.
















            I suppose it was a decent idea, but in no time at all, the loop straps sagged and warped out of shape, causing the belt items to flop about loosely. Also, the straps had a rough, un-clean look that really bugged me!
            I... am an action figure customizer

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            • darklord1967
              Persistent Member
              • Mar 27, 2008
              • 1570

              #96
              I realized that the straps needed to be fashioned out of something rigid. They could then be securely glued onto the backs of each vial. Seen here are the vials being fashioned for Batgirl’s utility belt:

              My solution to the problem of neater, more rigid vials belt loops was to use flexible white styrene. I cut a bunch of ½ inch wide strips .




              I carefully wrap-folded the strips around the width of the finished belt bands, and trimmed the ends to the appropriate length.














              I then contoured the ends of each loop strap into a curved radius by forcing them onto a rounded edge of my paper cutter.






              The purpose for radiusing these ends was so that the loops would make full surface contact when glued against the rounded length of the vials.

              I sandpapered each styrene belt loop (to prep for glue and paint) and then attached them to the un-painted vials with superglue.










              I typically then sandpaper the vials one last time (to clean up any glue stains) and proceed with final detailing work:

              Three coats of white primer followed by six coats of Tamiya gloss "Chrome Yellow" hobby spray.

              I do a light sanding in between each of the coats of primer and paint to get rids of lumps in the paint job, or wayward lint or hairs that are inevitably attracted to the paint when wet.

              Lastly, two coats of gloss clear.

              Here are The Batman's finished utility belt hard items (and dyed pouches) just as they were ready to be installed onto the belt band.

              I... am an action figure customizer

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              • darklord1967
                Persistent Member
                • Mar 27, 2008
                • 1570

                #97
                Now it's on to our Kickstarter and fund-raising campaign!

                In the meantime, enjoy these images. They are from the final publicity photo shoot (Saturday, February 16th), for "Father's Of The Dark Knight"...
                I... am an action figure customizer

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                • darklord1967
                  Persistent Member
                  • Mar 27, 2008
                  • 1570

                  #98


                  The Dark Knight and the Commissioner's kid

                  Photography by Roberto Williams
                  Last edited by darklord1967; Dec 18, '13, 1:44 PM.
                  I... am an action figure customizer

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                  • darklord1967
                    Persistent Member
                    • Mar 27, 2008
                    • 1570

                    #99


                    BATGIRL

                    Photography by Roberto Williams


                    .
                    Last edited by darklord1967; Oct 18, '14, 7:23 PM.
                    I... am an action figure customizer

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                    • darklord1967
                      Persistent Member
                      • Mar 27, 2008
                      • 1570



                      CATWOMAN


                      Photography by Roberto Williams
                      Last edited by darklord1967; Dec 2, '14, 1:47 AM.
                      I... am an action figure customizer

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                      • darklord1967
                        Persistent Member
                        • Mar 27, 2008
                        • 1570




                        CATWOMAN: "Meee-ow! The World-Famous Egyptian Cat's eye Opal! What a puuurrr-fect play toy you are... much better than any ball of yarn!"


                        Photography by Roberto Williams
                        Last edited by darklord1967; Dec 18, '13, 1:51 PM.
                        I... am an action figure customizer

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                        • darklord1967
                          Persistent Member
                          • Mar 27, 2008
                          • 1570

                          HARLEY QUINN:


                          Last edited by darklord1967; Oct 18, '14, 7:27 PM.
                          I... am an action figure customizer

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                          • darklord1967
                            Persistent Member
                            • Mar 27, 2008
                            • 1570




                            CATWOMAN: "Take the fall?" Oh, I don't think so, Batman. You forget. I'm a cat. I always land on my feet. Hsssssss!!"


                            Photography By Roberto Williams
                            Last edited by darklord1967; Dec 18, '13, 1:53 PM.
                            I... am an action figure customizer

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                            • darklord1967
                              Persistent Member
                              • Mar 27, 2008
                              • 1570

                              post updated
                              Last edited by darklord1967; Oct 18, '14, 7:24 PM.
                              I... am an action figure customizer

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                              • darklord1967
                                Persistent Member
                                • Mar 27, 2008
                                • 1570





                                Last edited by darklord1967; Dec 2, '14, 2:05 AM.
                                I... am an action figure customizer

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