Many heroes have gadgets and signature vehicles, but only one drives a car as iconic as the Batmobile. While the concept of the Batmobile is iconic, the vehicle itself has undergone countless redesigns in Batman's 81-year history. It makes sense canonically because Batman is infinitely innovative and has the right tools for any occasion.
That being said, not all of his Batmobiles are equally timeless and slick. In fact, up until the 1980s Batman mostly drove a regular car that any person could buy from a dealer. Furthermore, several of the Dark Knight's car choices throughout comics history have been downright strange. Here are the 10 strangest Batmobiles that Batman has ever driven, ranked from weird to downright absurd.
10 Norm Breyfogle's Batmobile
Some cite this as one of Batman's coolest Batmobiles, but nonetheless is it weird. Created by artist Norm Breyfogle in the '80s, this Batmobile is one of the character's early departures from the standard road-legal designs. This design represents one of the first versions of the Batmobile that wasn't just a muscle car painted black.
While it is certainly creative, some strange elements stick out. Firstly, the covered wheels seem unmaneuverable and the way they stick out cannot be too aerodynamic. Also, the giant yellow bat symbol is quite garish. And yet, the back of the car evokes the appearance of Batman's giant flowing cape — a brilliant design choice that absolutely needs to be brought back.
9 The Top Down Batcar (Legends Of The Dark Knight, Issue #192)
At first glance, this seems like a pretty standard Batmobile. However, there are a ton of strange choices that stand out upon closer inspection.
First of all, there are at least four exhaust pipes visible on the back of this bat-car. If Batman is so concerned with the well-being of Gothamites, he really should consider toning down how much exhaust his vehicles emit. Secondly, while it must be nice to feel the wind in your cowl, it is a terrible idea for Batman to drive with the top down through a city with expert marksmen like Deadshot roaming around.
All in all, this Batmobile looks like a total clunker with a pair of wings and a spikey cowl pasted on top. For a character known for driving slick and stylish cars, this model does not fit in with the rest of his garage.
8 Grant Morrison's Batmobile
While most Batmobiles are metallic grey or jet-black, this one opts for a much brighter color pallet. Between the bright red windshield, the chrome body — not to mention the fact that it flies — this Batmobile is sure to attract attention.
This design comes from Grant Morrison's Batman & Robin, a series that saw an upbeat Dick Grayson Batman paired with a grim Damian Wayne Robin. Fittingly, this was an unconventional Batmobile for an unconventional bat-duo. Though it is strange, it certainly is a classic from the modern-era Batman comics.
7 The Swiss Army Batmobile (All-Star Batman & Robin)
Frank Miller's takes on the Dark Knight are historic, both for good and bad reasons. His Batman stories have featured several questionable redesigns of the Batmobile, among them being this massive eyesore from All-Star Batman And Robin. Proportionally, it appears to be about the size of a Greyhound bus, minus the seating options.
While it is cool that the car can transform for any environment, the actual transformation makes for a design that is aesthetically hard to follow. Covered in spikes and sharp metal, this Batmobile begs the question: is this a Batman story or a graphic novel adaptation of Michael Bay's Transformers?
6 The Bat-Tank (The Dark Knight Returns)
When talking about Frank Miller's Bat-cars, the one from The Dark Knight Returns demands to be mentioned. This behemoth of a vehicle can't accurately be described as a car, as its massive treads and impressive cannons firmly place this Batmobile in the realm of the tank.
It looks completely strange out of context, however, since it actually suits the Absolute Unit that is Elderly Batman in this story. Furthermore, since he goes on to lead an army of underground gangs in the third act, it is entirely appropriate that Batman drives a giant military vehicle. This extreme Batman needs an extreme Batmobile.
5 The Bat-Subway Rocket (Knightfall/Knightquest/Knightsend)
There was a time in Bat history when Bruce Wayne modified an abandoned subway system underneath Gotham city for his own transportation purposes. Famously, this Bat-Subway Rocket appeared during the classic Knightfall saga of the 1990s.
The logic behind this Batmobile was that it would allow for extremely fast travel all across Gotham. It is an undeniably ingenious idea, while also being incredibly strange. There is something that will always be odd about seeing a Batmobile on train tracks. Nonetheless, it looks great traveling through the subway line, as it is essentially an interconnected Batcave system.
4 The Bat-Monster Truck (Batman: The Cult)
This Batmobile just screams: "Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!" Hopefully, readers are ready for the most exciting monster-truck rally to ever take place in the DC universe. This is perhaps the most ridiculous Batmobile of all time. Despite the in-panel explanation of the vehicle's purpose, it is really hard to take it seriously on the page.
Being so high off the ground, one has to wonder how Batman even manages to see anything. Does the car have a glass bottom? What if it tips over? Obviously being the Batman, he has considered every potential outcome. Still, it's no wonder why this version of the Batmobile is forgotten in the history of bat-cars.
3 The Bat-Hatchback (The Legends Of The Dark Knight, Issue #134)
This version of the Batmobile (if it can even be called a Batmobile) is both strange and hilarious. Maybe the Tim Burton model was in the shop that day? Regardless, this Bat-hatchback is incredibly relatable. Especially to young readers who might be delivering pizza in a similar hunk of junk. Like that all too familiar teenage wagon, It must be great on gas mileage.
It is amazing that this image made it into an actual DC comic, though only briefly. Notably, it only appeared in a single sequence in its debut issue. The simple hatchback design signified Batman's early career, but the caped crusader still looks ludicrous climbing into it. This car belongs in a scrapyard, not the Batcave.
2 H.R. Giger's Batmobile
H.R. Giger is the iconic artist responsible for the timeless and creepy designs of the Alien franchise's Xenomorphs. His artwork is known for its unsettling blend of organic shapes and technological materials. Every piece of art he creates is both seductive and terrifying. His Batmobile design is one that would certainly strike fear into the hearts of criminals.
From that perspective, it's no wonder why Hollywood considered him to design the Batmobile in Batman: Forever. This design is definitely the most alien of any car Batman has ever driven. Its tentacle-like shape defies any car that has ever driven on the road. Despite being rather un-Batman-like, the fact that the car's wheels double as guns is entirely unique and creative.
1 The 1992 Batmobile
This one is a Batmobile that clearly came as a result of Tim Burton's iconic 1989 big screen design. However, this design presents a glaring design flaw. Aiming for an over-the-top Gothic aesthetic, this Batmobile completely misses the mark. The shape is more than a little bit... suggestive, as if Batman was compensating for... something.
The tricycle structure is also impractical and likely doesn't corner well in Gotham city traffic. The two bat-emblems on the back wheels paired with the giant cowl at the front makes this car look like a big toy. Bat-head tip is truly reminiscent of a Batman-themed roller coaster. We'll leave this car's suggestive imagery to your imagination.