Batman changing back to his ‘old gear’ in Cold Stays feelsbstupid.

I’m sure people will disagree but I just don’t like it.

I can understand Superman having the undies. For one thing, Superman is Superman. He doesn’t need to wear weird Kryptonian armor or a sleek, fancy outfit with way too many lines. He’s got the invincibility and the strength, and I feel like that’s where the ‘cool factor’ comes from. Wearing something fairly simple and easy to recreate if damaged just feels more in line with his sensibilities. He’s a simpler dude with simpler tastes, and I like that. Say what you will about how much better his Rebirth variant is, but I’m okay with the Post-Crisis comeback.

Batman on the other hand? Nah.

Batman’s always ahead of the curve. He’s with the times. He’s hip and with it and not to mention rich as all Hell, so why go back to using a suit that just looks kinda silly? I get that it’s for sentimental reasons, but at least make appropriate changes to make it look a bit more sleek and modern, because Batman is all about sleek and modern gear. He makes changes, builds new tech, and probably orders tons of material all the time. Because he’s human and vulnerable and reliant on his gear to keep pace with Gods. And sure, he isn’t doing any Darkseid-defying or Superman-punching stuff in Kong’s run recently, but keeping his best gear on-hand seems more Batman than changing into a suit that he never technically canonically wore because I think this still relies on N52 continuity (still up in the air on that, and this isn’t helping.)

I mean, I get it. Fan service and stuff, but it just rubs me the wrong way.

There’s a particular page from Snyder’s run I think back to when I think about this, in issue 51 when Bruce is getting suited up in the cave. He’s strapping on a pretty sturdy looking combat vest while Alfred is helping him, and to me that seems a lot more realistic (in the context of the world) than him wearing some upped spandex or whatever it’s supposed to be made of. Make him seem a bit more broad under it, give it some ridges or different material to cover up the weak spots, make it look like he’s wearing actual armor and stuff. I get that’s more on an artist than a writer, but I’d just find it a lot more welcome.