On my superhero fashion site Project: Rooftop, I've been talking up to the nth degree an amazing set of superhero redesigns by Italian artist Denis Medri. This artist has taken Gotham's resident bad-boy billionaire and recast him as a 1950s greaser to amazing results. While Medri's work might not be in line with the New 52, it harkens back to the best of DC Comics' celebrated Elseworlds line of titles reimagining its heroes in different timelines and settings. Medri's gone on to reinvent much of Batman's cast in this model, with everything from a Betty Page-esque Catwoman and a poodle skirt-wearing Harley Quinn to a Rat Fink-worthy hot rod Batmobile.

Although the actual chances that DC would somehow accept this as a back-door pitch are slim to none, it does highlight the intriguing passion artists have for classic characters and just how enamored fans can be when their favorite heroes (and villains) are repositioned to alternative lives. While some might say its insular thinking, I think it broadens the core concepts of these timeless characters and shows just how versatile they can be.