7 Worst Batsuits Ever, Ranked

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Batman is famous for being ready for anything, always having backup plans and even plans for those plans! He often has a new suit designed to help him, and some of those suits have become iconic – turning into popular toys or appearing on ‘best of’ lists. We’re all picturing those classic Silver Age costumes, but let’s focus on the ones that didn’t quite work out as planned. Still, even with a few misses, Batman has had many truly amazing suits that more than make up for them.

Readers are loving the new batsuit in the latest issue of Batman #1, by Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez. It seems fans were ready for a return to a more classic, straightforward depiction of Batman. While the darker, grittier take on the character has been popular for years, many felt it was time to bring back the traditional “Caped Crusader.” The “Dark Knight” era had a good run, but this feels like a fresh start. Hopefully, this signals a trend of revisiting classic costume designs for future storylines.

In the meantime, here are the worst of the worst when it comes to Batman costumes.

7) Azbat Suit (Version 2)

When Azrael temporarily became Batman during the *Knightfall* storyline, his Batsuit was noticeably complex. He kept adding more and more technology, to the point where it felt excessive. While the suit might have fit better in a different universe, it was simply too much for the main DC timeline in the 1990s – it felt over the top.

Even though Rob Liefeld didn’t create it, the Batsuit still featured his trademark elements: lots of pouches, heavy shoulder pads, and a futuristic look. It at least had feet, but fans weren’t impressed. Without the bat symbol, it’s a decent design, but it doesn’t quite *feel* like a Batman suit. This actually sums up the entire *Knightfall* storyline quite well.

6) Flashpoint

The Flashpoint batsuit originally appeared in a separate timeline. When it was incorporated into the main DC story, that’s when problems started. The suit fit the character of a hardened, older Thomas Wayne, but keeping him that way and turning him into a villain didn’t quite work. While there’s much to discuss about this version of Batman, in the Rebirth storyline, the suit simply didn’t suit a villainous role.

Keeping Thomas Wayne around is fine, but turning him into a villain undermines the powerful meaning of the suit in the *Flashpoint* story. It’s actually made fans dislike the suit, especially since it made sense within that specific timeline. The gun holsters heighten the fear factor for Batman fans, and really highlight what went wrong with the *Rebirth* storyline. It would have been better to leave that version of Batman in the past. Ultimately, it’s a case of taking something good and pushing it too far.

5) Rainbow Suit

Of all the Batman suits from the Silver Age, the rainbow one is the only one that still seems silly. While the story it appeared in is good, the suit lost its appeal when it combined with others. The idea of Batman wearing a different colored suit each night was interesting, and the individual suits had a unique appeal. Combining them into a single suit just felt excessive and overly nostalgic. Honestly, the rainbow suit only makes sense for the annual Pride issue, and it’s surprising we haven’t seen it there yet.

4) Citizen Wayne

The Citizen Wayne costume feels like a poorly made action figure – not a high-quality one like McFarlane Toys, but a cheaper imitation. The unusual cape and gold-trimmed mask clash and look messy. It seems to be aiming for a fresh look, but it doesn’t quite work. It feels like a costume from a different universe that somehow ended up in the main storyline, and it’s another disappointing design that had potential.

3) Failsafe Batman

Failsafe quickly became a memorable Batman villain and storyline. After seemingly disappearing, fans wondered what would happen to the unstable android. When Batman’s alternate personality, “Zur En-Arrh,” took control of the robot, it seemed like the end. However, things took a strange turn when the robot decided to create and wear its own Batman costume – a surprisingly silly sight.

While the bat emblem clearly signaled this was supposed to be Batman, the cape and cowl on a bat-shaped head felt unnecessary. The purple colors are visually appealing, but don’t quite fit the overall design. It suffers from similar problems as Azrael’s suit, but even more noticeably. The design would be much improved if it had simply kept the body and removed the rest of the elements.

2) Stan Lee’s Batman

There’s been a lot of discussion about the stories Stan Lee pitched for DC Comics, and his take on Batman is often cited as a misstep. He focused too much on the literal meaning of ‘Bat-Man,’ designing a character that resembled Man-Bat more than the iconic hero we know. His realistic approach – a bat-like mask and wingsuit – diminished the mystery and fantastical nature of Batman, turning him into something more grounded than an urban legend should be.

This wasn’t the Batman we know – it was a completely separate version, and should be appreciated as such. Even with a name that was a bit too on-the-nose – especially considering it could have been designed by Stan Lee – the suit remains iconic. For many fans, it’s best remembered as a fascinating look at what could have been – a glimpse into an alternate reality.

1) Yellow Paint

We have to mention the notorious yellow paint costume. Featured in *All-Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder*, this questionable choice is the brainchild of Frank Miller. Knowing Green Lanterns are vulnerable to yellow, Batman covered himself entirely in the color as a tactic against them – a decision many fans found truly baffling.

Frank Miller’s controversial decision remains a talking point among fans, and it’s just one of the many strange moments in the All-Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder series. If the idea sounds interesting, you should check out the book – many of us already have, unfortunately.

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2025-09-25 02:13