Exciting news for Batman fans: DC Comics is set to relaunch its flagship Batman series this September, and artist Jorge Jiménez has unveiled a new Batsuit that revives the classic blue cape and cowl. After nearly 90 years, DC continues to refine the Dark Knight's iconic look. But how does this new design stack up against the legendary costumes of Batman's past? We've curated a list of our top 10 favorite Batsuits from the comics, spanning from the original Golden Age costume to modern reinterpretations like Batman Incorporated and Batman Rebirth. Scroll down to explore them all.

If you're more into Batman movies, don't miss our ranked list of all the movie Batsuits.

The 10 Greatest Batman Costumes of All Time

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10. ‘90s Batman

The 1989 Batman movie introduced a groundbreaking all-black Batsuit, which became one of the Dark Knight's most iconic looks. Although DC didn't fully adopt this costume in the comics outside of actual Burton-Verse tie-ins like Batman ‘89, they did create a suit inspired by the films in the 1995 storyline "Troika." This new Batsuit combined the all-black body with a traditional blue cape and cowl, and added edgy spikes on Batman's boots. This design became the default look for Batman throughout the '90s, offering a more intimidating and stealthy appearance.

9. Batman Incorporated

Following Bruce Wayne's return after his apparent death in 2008's Final Crisis, DC launched Batman Incorporated with a new costume designed by David Finch. This suit brought back the classic yellow oval around the Bat emblem and removed the black trunks. The Batman Inc. suit successfully balanced functionality and aesthetics, resembling armor more than spandex, and helped differentiate Bruce Wayne from Dick Grayson, who was also serving as Batman at the time. The only slight flaw is the somewhat humorous armored codpiece.

8. Absolute Batman

The newest addition to our list, the Absolute Batman Batsuit, makes a strong first impression. In this rebooted DCU, Bruce Wayne, without his usual resources, crafts an imposing crime-fighting arsenal. This suit is weaponized from head to toe, featuring razor-sharp ear daggers and a removable Bat emblem that doubles as a battle axe. The redesigned cape consists of flexible, arm-like tendrils. The sheer size of this Batman, playfully dubbed "the Batman who lifts" by writer Scott Snyder, sets the Absolute suit apart.

7. Flashpoint Batman

In the alternate Flashpoint timeline, Thomas Wayne becomes Batman after the murder of his son, Bruce. This darker version of Batman sports a costume with bold red accents on the Bat emblem, utility belt, and leg holsters, replacing the traditional yellow elements. With dramatic shoulder spikes on the cape and a willingness to use guns and a sword, this Batsuit offers one of the most visually striking alternate universe takes on Batman.

6. Lee Bermejo’s Armored Batman

Artist Lee Bermejo's distinctive take on the Batsuit diverges from the typical spandex look, focusing on armor and function. His Batman, featured in works like the Batman/Deathblow crossover and the infamous Batman: Damned, embodies a haunting, Gothic quality. Bermejo's design significantly influenced the look of Robert Pattinson's Dark Knight in 2022's The Batman.

5. Gotham by Gaslight Batman

The DC multiverse offers numerous Batsuit variations, but none are as iconic as Gotham by Gaslight's Batman, designed for a steampunk Victorian setting. This version, illustrated by Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, trades spandex for stitched leather and a billowing cloak, perfectly fitting the era. Mignola's Batman, bathed in shadow, remains a standout, continuing through follow-up stories like Gotham by Gaslight: The Kryptonian Age.

4. Golden Age Batman

The original Batsuit designed by Bob Kane and Bill Finger has endured for nearly 90 years with only minor changes. It set the standard for all subsequent designs with its menacing curved ears, unique purple gloves, and bat-wing-like cape. Modern artists often revisit this classic look, showcasing its timeless appeal.

3. Batman Rebirth

During their popular run on DC's Batman series, Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo focused on the New 52 costume but later introduced the Rebirth costume. This design improved upon the New 52 suit by retaining its tactical look while simplifying the details and reintroducing vibrant colors like the yellow outline around the Bat emblem and the purple inner lining of the cape, a nod to the Golden Age. Despite its short run, the Rebirth suit stands out among modern redesigns.

2. Bronze Age Batman

The late '60s and '70s marked a transformative period for Batman, shifting from the campy Silver Age to more serious action/adventure and detective stories. Artists like Neal Adams, Jim Aparo, and José Luis García-López defined this era, emphasizing Batman's physicality and agility. Their work remains a benchmark for Batman's costume, with García-López's iconic designs appearing on countless pieces of merchandise.

1. Batman: Hush

Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's Hush storyline marked the beginning of the modern era of Batman comics, largely due to Lee's redesign of the Batsuit. This new look brought elegant simplicity, replacing the yellow oval with a sleek black emblem. Lee's dynamic and powerful rendering of Batman made the character believable against his greatest foes, including Superman. The Hush costume quickly became the standard, influencing subsequent artists and enduring through various DC eras.

How the New Batsuit Compares

Artist Jorge Jiménez, known for his work on Batman, will introduce a new Batsuit when he and writer Matt Fraction kick off DC’s relaunched Batman series in September 2025. This new suit retains elements of the Hush costume but introduces unique features. The blue cape and cowl, a departure from recent black trends, is heavily shaded, reminiscent of Bruce Timm's Batman: The Animated Series. The blue Bat emblem is now larger and more angular. While Batman's costume continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether this latest design will achieve the iconic status of its predecessors.