Yellow symbol to a plain bat?

[Batfan]

When did batman switch to just the Bat on his chest?

[Lurch]

Actually,he just switched back to the symbol he used in the forties and fifties. I think the first time he was seen without the yellow was in TDK, but the change in the regular universe came about around 1996 or so.

[Buried Alien]

Actually,he just switched back to the symbol he used in the forties and fifties. I think the first time he was seen without the yellow was in TDK, but the change in the regular universe came about around 1996 or so.

Actually, it happened after NO MAN'S LAND wrapped up. The yellow logo was standard from 1964-1999.

I kind of miss it myself.


Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Brack360]

Batman first adopted the yellow oval in 1964 as a way to "trademark" the bat symbol. He had been wearing just the plain black bat since he debuted in 1939.

He returned to just the plain back bat in 2000 after "No Man's Land." The first issues in which he is once again wearing the plain bat symbol are Batman #575, Detective Comics #742, and Gotham Knights #1.

However, when Batman: The Animated Series moved from Fox to the WB Network in 1997, all of the characters were redesigned and the animated Batman was given the plain bat symbol. The animated version may have influenced the return to the plain bat symbol in the mainstream comics a few years later.

[bones mccoy]

he used both during war games/ war drums/ hush....

[Charagon]

I much prefer the yellow bat.

[PatrickG]

I'd like to see a solid yellow bat ala Barbara Gordon's Batgirl symbol.

I mean, if we follow Miller, the whole point is to draw gunfire towards his heavily armored chest.

A yellow bat symbol would do that.

Let me work up a mockup before you judge...

[PatrickG]

Here's a very rough take:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y201/LoIG_Starslash/batyellowrough.jpg

[Jason H]

Nice job. I could see that working.

[Guts/Batman]

I liked the Batman suit he wore when they skipped ahead in Rock of Ages. That black suit with the yellow bat.

[Alan2099]

Even before Batman Beyond was created, I had the idea of Batman with a red Bat on his chest (and red lenses on the mask.)

[HartyPotter]

At first I didn't like the symbol without the yellow oval, but now I dig it that way.

[Headhunter]

Even before Batman Beyond was created, I had the idea of Batman with a red Bat on his chest (and red lenses on the mask.)
That sounds a lot like the new Nightwing look coming out.

[dancj]

I mean, if we follow Miller, the whole point is to draw gunfire towards his heavily armored chest.

I never bought that logic. It would require all of the villains being very good shots

[chriskenny]

I prefer it the way it is now. It is more practical and it just fits the way Bruce Wayne would have truly designed a costume. Why put yellow on your chest when you are supposed to be a Dark Knight. Didn't make sense. I like that the primary colors of his costume are either gone or muted.

[Buried Alien]

The yellow logo, back in its day, was a great visual cue for the point in continuity in which a Batman story occurred. Pre-COIE, Batman with a plain bat symbol on his chest signified Golden Age (Earth-2) Batman or Silver/Bronze Age (Earth-1) Batman in the early years of his career, whereas Batman with yellow oval represented the Earth-1 Batman in the middle years of his career. Post-COIE, Batman with a plain bat symbol represented Batman during the first years of his career (i.e. before taking on Dick Grayson as Robin) whereas Batman with the yellow oval represented the character in the middle years of his career.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[CjP]

Here's a very rough take:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y201/LoIG_Starslash/batyellowrough.jpg


I don't see it as very practical for all the reasons listed above, but it would make one heck of a cool visual; image passing some pitch-black alley, and seeing nothing but the white eye-slits and the yellow bat...

[trickster]

I liked the Batman suit he wore when they skipped ahead in Rock of Ages. That black suit with the yellow bat.

It's hard to decide, but the black bat is better suited for camouflage (not to mention less cheesy). The metallic yellow oval has a tendency to glare and stand out in the dark, you know?

[knight16]

I miss the yellow oval.

But that change came about because there was a real editorial change. Gone were the time travel, sci fi stories along with the original Batman family(Batwoman,Bat-girl,Bat Hound, Bat Mite) to be replaced by more "realistic" storylines.

I actually welcomed the return to the plain bat emblem but I still miss the yellow oval.

[PatrickG]

The yellow oval, if I remember right, was both ADDED and ELIMINATED because nobody could tell what the symbol was supposed to be who didn't know about Batman first.

The symbol doesn't look like a real bat or even a cartoon bat.

Now, I believe one complaint about the yellow oval by artists was how it appeared in negative space. Instead of the bat symbol looking like a bat, it looks more like a weird mouth when set against the oval.

But I think a yellow bat would solve the problem.

[Aufbach]

Assuming that Batman is a "real-world" character (even within the context of a comic book), then the yellow oval on his chest makes no sense. Why have a yellow oval on your chest if you're attempting to frighten your victims senseless through surprise and intimidation? Unless you subscribe to Miller's DKR explanation ... which isn't too bad.

[chriskenny]

Miller's explanation is good, but you can tell he is merely trying to reconcile a design to the costume that made no sense. It is more a credit to his innovation than the design himself.

As for me, I prefer the black bat, but I also don't mind the yellow oval simply because it was all I ever knew growing up. Just sort of learn to accept it.

[Patriot07]

IMO, He should have the plain black bat on his costume, but the yellow oval should the bat logo, because it looks cool.

[Gentlegamer]

I prefer it the way it is now. It is more practical and it just fits the way Bruce Wayne would have truly designed a costume. Why put yellow on your chest when you are supposed to be a Dark Knight. Didn't make sense. I like that the primary colors of his costume are either gone or muted.Then why has he allowed his Robins to prowl around wearing yellow capes?

[dazzler_slave]

This is one of the easiest comic book debates for me. I actually like both equally, and am content with either.

[knight16]

In answer to some queries and comments re the yellow oval, it is not about nothing. It is actually representative of the Batsignal when beamed into the sky from police hq.

[chriskenny]

Then why has he allowed his Robins to prowl around wearing yellow capes?

Good question. But I do like the idea that Tim Drake's outer cape is black and blankets over his body when he wants to blend into the dark. That is the only Robin costume I find at all acceptable. I love the design because it provides the functionality that a costume should really have without sacrificing the classic look.

As for previous Robins, I don't know. I just limited the discussion to Batman.

[chriskenny]

This is one of the easiest comic book debates for me. I actually like both equally, and am content with either.

Yeah, I should point out that I feel the same way. I really don't care all that much. But if given a choice... haha.