Does DC have some weird dislike of the Oval symbol?

[AJBopp]

Then maybe he should wear a helmet.

there's no such thing as a helmet that is so bulletproof a bullet strike would not cause trauma even if it didn't penetrate, at least not if you are going to keep the cowl look. But Snyder's Batman seems to be pretty much invulnerable anyway no matter how much damage is actually inflicted on him, so I guess it doesn't really matter.

[Rory426]

I don't really care either way, but the oval symbol is the only thing I can draw so...

[carabas]

but his chest is bulletproof, his face isn't

It's relatively bulletproof. He gets hit in the chest, he's still going down with a bunch of cracked or broken ribs. That is is they're not using armour-piercing ammo, depleted uranium crap or whatnot.

there's no such thing as a helmet that is so bulletproof a bullet strike would not cause trauma even if it didn't penetrate, at least not if you are going to keep the cowl look.

That same goes for chest armour, really.

[Captain Jim]

I've never liked the yellow oval, its like a giant bulls-eye painted right on his chest. Never understood why Bruce would have it there it's not very stealthy.

Well, when the oval was added (in 1964), Batman wasn't a very stealthy hero. He pretty much operated out in the open during the daylight.

Around the time that it was added, I swear I read in a letter column or somewhere that it was added for trademark reasons (it's hard to trademark a big black bat). I know that others have claimed more recently that this isn't true, but I'm not really convinced; my memory on this is pretty clear. (Wonder Woman's eagle changed to a stylized WW for the same reason.)

By and large, it's been my observation that most of the people who miss the oval are fans who first encountered Batman when he was using it.

[DonC]

The oval just looks better, to me.

[Dr. Hurt]

Just popping in to say that i prefer the black bat specifically because it's less flashy. It also looks nice spread out on his chest like that. It's batman, why would he be flashy?

[bkey313]

Losing the oval in the Deluxe Edition of The Killing Joke was a bad one. Batman just did not look right in it and I love the black bat on gray version.

[AJBopp]

It's relatively bulletproof. He gets hit in the chest, he's still going down with a bunch of cracked or broken ribs. That is is they're not using armour-piercing ammo, depleted uranium crap or whatnot.


That same goes for chest armour, really.

Yes, but it's a tad more serious where the brain is concerned. A bullet strike to the head would put Batman down, probably permanently, whether it penetrated or not. Unless you are Snyder super Batman that can fight through anything as long as you grimace enough.

[dancj]

They're both not really something one could easily hit. Most people aiming for the oval are just as likely to hit his head, or a wall. And specialised snipers go for the headshot anyway, oval or no. And it's not as if a gunshot to the heart is that much better anyway.

Despite what Frank Goddamn Miller has to say on that.

I completely agree. The whole idea that criminals are good enough at shooting Batman while he's darting around to actually hit the target on his chest rather than his head or a limb is just ridiculous.

[Jim Thompson]

Losing the oval in the Deluxe Edition of The Killing Joke was a bad one.

I very much agree.

[Jeff Brady]

The oval just looks better, to me.

Same here. It feels more, well, symbolic. Without it, there's no drama. The bat gets muddied against the gray.

[RohanRiderX]

I've never liked the yellow oval, its like a giant bulls-eye painted right on his chest. Never understood why Bruce would have it there it's not very stealthy.

to qoute DkR. "why do you think i wae a bullseye on my chest i cant bullet proof my head"

[Jeff Brady]

By the way, I don't have a problem with the plain bat. I wish artists had the creative license to draw whichever they prefer in the books, as opposed to an editorial mandate.

[Captain Rabbit]

By and large, it's been my observation that most of the people who miss the oval are fans who first encountered Batman when he was using it.

That's true with me, although I've flipped flopped back and forth. I was used to The Animated Series oval, I remember when the "revamped" episodes changed to the black bat I wasn't fond of it. Now I don't really care either way, but if I had to choose I'd have to go with the oval, I like how it adds more color to the costume, which in real life Batman wouldn't need, but I think it looks better.

[Seattle Freeze]

I prefer the plain black bat.