What's the Deal With Batman's Eyes?

[MaxofSteel]

Not to sound controversial at all, since I do love me some Batman eyes, but I have to ask: Is there still a need for them to be white?

I realize thats how they were drawn since his debut, and that they're meant to conceal his identity and all, but isn't it about time he had 'em changed?

The Flash doesn't need white eyes. Movie Batman doesn't need white eyes (although, given the medium, white eyes in a live action film would'nt really work anyway).

Two things would be accomplished visuallly by removing the white eyes:
1. We'd get to see more facial emotion from the character (rather than just from body language and dialogue) and
2. We'd be able to see his pupils look around the corner of his eyes at someone behind him (I figure this is a tricky manuever with artists in this situation).

Some would argue changing Bat's eyes would be like cutting Superman's iconic spitcurl off, but I myself wouldn't mind seeing wide open slits (a la Captain America) for his eyes, at least as a temporary thing.

Anybody agree? Disagree?

[Joe Acro]

I just want to point out that Alex Ross does draw/paint Batman with actual eyes.

[Kara Zor El]

Not to sound controversial at all, since I do love me some Batman eyes, but I have to ask: Is there still a need for them to be white?

I realize thats how they were drawn since his debut, and that they're meant to conceal his identity and all, but isn't it about time he had 'em changed?

The Flash doesn't need white eyes. Movie Batman doesn't need white eyes (although, given the medium, white eyes in a live action film would'nt really work anyway).

Two things would be accomplished visuallly by removing the white eyes:
1. We'd get to see more facial emotion from the character (rather than just from body language and dialogue) and
2. We'd be able to see his pupils look around the corner of his eyes at someone behind him (I figure this is a tricky manuever with artists in this situation).

Some would argue changing Bat's eyes would be like cutting Superman's iconic spitcurl off, but I myself wouldn't mind seeing wide open slits (a la Captain America) for his eyes, at least as a temporary thing.

Anybody agree? Disagree?

I disagree. I like the white eyes. They are a comic book thing. They can also still show a lot of emotion, if not more. Just think of all the emotion you see in the white eyes of Batman: TAS. That opening sequence when they bulge.

They are meant to be lenses and they protect his eyes from dust, etc.

[stillanerd]

Well, there was a reason why Batman's eyes looked white, according to Batman: The Complete History

[Bill] Finger also objected to the way the eyes behind the mask appeared and urged [Bob] Kane to turn them into simple white spots. "It looked more like a bat at night when the eyes glow," conceded Kane.

And Bill Finger was right, in that Batman, especially in his first year, looked far more sinister with white eyes that looked like slits, along with his cape and cowl:

[IMG]http://images.*************/G/GhostmanX/1122382232_hv1tpbn001.jpg[/IMG]

Course, the eyes could be yellow or even red, considering how the eye pieces in Batman's cowl are night/thermal vision lenses.

[MaxofSteel]

I disagree. I like the white eyes. They are a comic book thing. They can also still show a lot of emotion, if not more. Just think of all the emotion you see in the white eyes of Batman: TAS. That opening sequence when they bulge.

I see what you mean. The white eyes work in the animated sense, and very much so in comics too.

But if a creative team on Batman were to change them (like, say, the writers for Superman changed Supe's costume to electric blue) do you think there would be widespread opposition to this?

[Kara Zor El]

I see what you mean. The white eyes work in the animated sense, and very much so in comics too.

But if a creative team on Batman were to change them (like, say, the writers for Superman changed Supe's costume to electric blue) do you think there would be widespread opposition to this?

I think there would be opposition, because there are some fans who will always oppose change no matter what.
If DC said "from now on Batman Will always have visible eyes and never again have white slats then I could live with it. If the story telling was good then ultimately that is what matters. But I'd miss them but then I have all the back cataloge to draw on. I think the best thing is to let artists decide what they want to do and let them.
The ones going for ultra realism could then choose the visible eyes.
Alex Ross does visible eyes and it looks good. But I'd like to see him do the slats.

He has to wear black eye make up around his eyes when he has no slats. If you watch Batman Returns. The bit where he rips his mask of to show Selina Kyle he is Bruce, well leading up to that bit he has the make up on his skin around his eyes. But the moment before he rips the mask off he doesn't. That's so when he takes it off he aint got make up on. But in reality he would. He'd be like a panda bear.

[GRANT!]

He has to wear black eye make up around his eyes when he has no slats. If you watch Batman Returns. The bit where he rips his mask of to show Selina Kyle he is Bruce, well leading up to that bit he has the make up on his skin around his eyes. But the moment before he rips the mask off he doesn't. That's so when he takes it off he aint got make up on. But in reality he would. He'd be like a panda bear.

There is a bit in the Batman Begins script where Alfred reminds Bruce to wipe the makeup around his off before he enters the party.

I'm pro white eyes. They look cool and in comic art you can cheat and make them more expressive then they would be in real life. Whenever they give Batman real eyes in comics it looks kind of weird. Even in the Alex Ross books.

It would be difficult to pull off in the live action movies though. It's something the Spider-man movies stuggle with.

[Kaos]

true, but still it'd be a cool look. I prefer the white slits, it adds protection in case someone tries to kick dirt in his face.

[Joker2503]

From a story-telling and realism perspective, the covered eyes make a lot of sense. I like the idea of having night/thermal/whatever-vision in the eye coverings. Also, not being able to see Batman's eyes also works to his advantage in a fight. Plus, he has preotection.

Artistically, I see both sides. Seeing his eyes would certainly make it easier to read his emotions. However, the covered eyes work so much better to add to the fear aspects of Batman.

[Lester C.]

LOL. I always just assumed it was his nightvison lenses that allows him to see in pitch black which is why they are other colors as well.

[kel25]

I always saw the eyes as a tool and there is no point in going into detail since so many already touched upon it. So seeing him with actual eyes wouldn’t bother me but it would seem a little awkward. About the same as seeing him go into action without the belt.

[infoghost]

I am pro white eyes, all the way. One of my biggest beefs with ALL the movies is not having the white eyes. I think Batman is much more intimidating with them.

Also, he can use them as utilities - night vision, infrared, etc. I think I saw one comic where it was almost like a computer, had various readouts he could pull up. Not sure where I saw it.

And, they just look damn cool.

[phantom1592]

Depends on the artist. I've always just assumed they were open, just no details. Batman was the first I ever saw say he had lenses. Then Flash's were commmented on. And they never made any sense. Touching his temple activates heat, night, sonar, etc lenses?!?! on a form fitting mask? I could almost accept ONE kind of lense with an on/off switch, but multiple lense that slide into place (as described) rubbish.

Gets even worse when robin does. He's got a grand total of 1" all around his eyes for those lenses to slide out of :rolleyes:

Alex Ross can make the eyes look right, but when Robin was in Identity crisis... those real eyes just looked Weird. I'm having a hard time remembering right now, but I think they got rid of the White for Green Lantern. Sometimes he has had them in the past and sometimes he didn't.

[herozero]

Well, there was a reason why Batman's eyes looked white, according to Batman: The Complete History

That's cool. I always assumed it was just to save time, like the Simpsons/Mickey Mouse etc. only having 3 fingers. Ya know?

[Hellstormer]

I can see both sides of the arguements I personally like the whit eyes, its a comic book tihng something that hasn't changed for awhile as far as Batman and Wolverine taking away Batman's white eyes would be like taking away Cyclops visor (remembers Astonishing X-Men 17) O wait forget that example the point is they're cool and removing them or changing the character would make him seem like a more caring creature.