WARNING: The following contains spoilers for DC vs. Vampires #4, on sale now from DC Comics.
The Batcave is one of the most iconic parts of the Batman mythos. For years it has been the home of the Dark Knight and many of his allies. Although he's moved to a number of other hideouts throughout his history, just as he's doing now in the comics, he always returns to his most memorable home. However, since we all know the Batcave so well, we've never really questioned it.
With the war against the vampires on the horizon, the Dark Knight was attacked in his own home in DC vs. Vampires #4 (by James Tynion IV, Matthew Rosenberg, Otto Schmidt, and Tom Napolitano). Green Arrow believed that Batman was one of them and, after the misunderstanding had been cleared up, the two decided to join forces. Oliver's visit provided an outside perspective on the home of the Caped Crusader and highlighted just how ridiculous the Batcave really is.
The Batcave was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane and first appeared in the 1942 issue Batman #12. Since then it's been built upon and grown to the point that there are so many tiny little details to focus on. Some new, some simply forgotten. When Green Arrow looks around he finds a macabre collection of bat-skeletons in a display cabinet and an adorable little toy of the iconic '89 Batmobile. If that isn't one heck of contrast then who knows what is.
The Batcave is filled with ridiculous items like this. Some make sense, like keeping dangerous villain weapons on display. They're reminders of hard battles one and it means they're on hand to analyze later if those villains should return. Then there are trophies like the giant penny and the massive T-Rex. Both of these are ridiculous. Sure, there are reasons for keeping them. Alfred believed that they one day be part of a museum dedicated to the Dark Knight. They could also be seen as evidence of pride on Batman's part. However, one of the most ridiculous, and more honest explanations for the famous T-Rex came in Batman: Universe #3 (by Brian Michael Bendis, Nick Derington, Dave Stewart and Josh Reed). Batman just really loves dinosaurs.
The two details seen in DC vs. Vampires #4 are the perfect reflection of the Dark Knight then. The bat bone collection is the dark and analytical side of the Dark Knight. His obsession with and search for answers, taken to an extreme and on display for all to see. Meanwhile, the toy of his own car shows that's he still just a child that never grew up. Why else would he have this little model of his own vehicle?
There are so many more details in the Batcave that reflect the ridiculous life the Dark Knight leads. He has a seemingly endless garage of cars, that is just a child's dream come true. There's no way he needs that many. Then of course there's the more serious forensic lab. There's no excess or childishness in that, it's all business. Everything in there exists for the sole purpose of solving crimes as thoroughly and efficiently as possible. Of course, there's also the most poignant detail of the Batcave - Jason Todd's Robin costume. A constant reminder of the Dark Knight's greatest failure.
In this issue, Batman told Ollie that he doesn't live in the Batcave, but it's clear that his whole life is on display there. Everything about him is on display, from his cold clinical nature to the fact that he never grew up. The longer he continues his career as the Caped Crusader, the more of his story the Batcave tells. The Robin tribute is the best example of this. Despite how much changes in his life, however, it's evident that Batman will always be that young boy trying to make sense of his parents' death, and always on the verge of taking it too far.