Comic book Batman for Halloween

[Doh2]

Even before the untimely passing of Darwyn Cooke over the weekend, I was planning a Batman costume inspired in part by his look in New Frontier, particularly the longer trunks and somewhat baggy suit (not being a buff dude myself, this will help to hide my girth). Basically this:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o00bX9k_B...rI/5YwEhic8hpg/s1600/9-Darwyn-Cooke-bendy.JPG

I also like the look of Batman Animated’s blue interior cape:

http://news.entertainmentearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/DC001003.jpg

Putting them together, I came up with this concept (the chest logo is just placeholder):



I’m on the fence about the blue trunks matching the cape interior, but we’ll see what I come up with. So far, I have a Reevz Arkham cowl on order, and already purchased the Gotham boots. I’m still researching the suit itself, but do want to keep it somewhat baggy. Also, I’ll be wearing this to work on Halloween day so don’t want to give my co-workers TOO much of a thrill!

For the belt, I want to use working ammo pouches so I can keep my wallet and keys in it. A lot of folks use one I found on Amazon, but the pouches look pretty small. While doing research, I saw that one clever fellow used digital camera cases painted yellow. They look plenty big so I might go that route.

For the gloves, I already have an old pair of Rubie’s Darth Vaders that don’t have too much detail. My plan is to sew some pleather fins onto the gloves. They don’t flare out too much from the arm, and that’s exactly what I want.

The real trick will be making the cape: I don’t know how to sew… yet. I’m still researching sewing machines and also want to take a class so I know what the heck I’m doing. My plan for the cape is to make it big enough that it can completely cover the front of the costume, allowing for a dramatic parting of the “wings.” I’ll attach dowel rods so I can hold it open properly. I’m contemplating black pleather on the outside, blue fabric on the interior.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Am I in over my head??

Thanks!

 

[sp1derman]

Even before the untimely passing of Darwyn Cooke over the weekend, I was planning a Batman costume inspired in part by his look in New Frontier, particularly the longer trunks and somewhat baggy suit (not being a buff dude myself, this will help to hide my girth). Basically this:

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-o00bX9k_B...rI/5YwEhic8hpg/s1600/9-Darwyn-Cooke-bendy.JPG

I also like the look of Batman Animated’s blue interior cape:

http://news.entertainmentearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/DC001003.jpg

Putting them together, I came up with this concept (the chest logo is just placeholder):

[url]http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a301/bonzohart/Halloween%20Batman%202016_zpszbuhrbvv.jpg[/URL]

I’m on the fence about the blue trunks matching the cape interior, but we’ll see what I come up with. So far, I have a Reevz Arkham cowl on order, and already purchased the Gotham boots. I’m still researching the suit itself, but do want to keep it somewhat baggy. Also, I’ll be wearing this to work on Halloween day so don’t want to give my co-workers TOO much of a thrill!

For the belt, I want to use working ammo pouches so I can keep my wallet and keys in it. A lot of folks use one I found on Amazon, but the pouches look pretty small. While doing research, I saw that one clever fellow used digital camera cases painted yellow. They look plenty big so I might go that route.

For the gloves, I already have an old pair of Rubie’s Darth Vaders that don’t have too much detail. My plan is to sew some pleather fins onto the gloves. They don’t flare out too much from the arm, and that’s exactly what I want.

The real trick will be making the cape: I don’t know how to sew… yet. I’m still researching sewing machines and also want to take a class so I know what the heck I’m doing. My plan for the cape is to make it big enough that it can completely cover the front of the costume, allowing for a dramatic parting of the “wings.” I’ll attach dowel rods so I can hold it open properly. I’m contemplating black pleather on the outside, blue fabric on the interior.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Am I in over my head??

Thanks!

For the Cape honestly I'd buy it from on pleather wings they sell a specialist animated and comic styles and at the price it's worth it to avoid mistakes.
I've been sewing for years and I'm still buying the Cape for myself to make sure it's perfect

Sent From The Batcave

 

[Doh2]

I never heard of On Pleather Wings before -- thanks for tip! Their stuff looks great.

http://www.onpleatherwings.com/cape-shop/4588427616

Something else to ponder now...

 

[Doh2]

Getting warmer: Reevz cowl has arrived!

Shawn does seriously beautiful work; we're talking museum-quality. I use the water method to get it on and it's a little intimidating, but I just need to practice more before Halloween.

For the gloves, I'm going to alter the Rubies pair I bought a few years ago. My plan is to make them less pirate-like at the cuff, and redo the fins so they curve. Will probably use cardboard inside for support.

I still want to make the cape myself. I haven't really done the research yet, but have talked myself out one that fully closes. The costume will probably be hot enough and difficult to walk in using only the 6-panel design. Los Angeles can potentially be 100 degrees on Halloween day, so I want to keep the misery factor to a minimum. More later...

 

[Doh2]

Progress! I cut down the Rubies gloves and added new fins. The large one on the left glove sorta got away from me, but I still prefer this to the unaltered ones I started with:

I also made a quick concept cape sample. I need to do more research, but feel that I'm on the right track:

Does anybody have any tips on how to add dowel rods? I want to hold the cape open like Keaton did in 1989.

My last hurdle is finding a suitable belt buckle. I bought camera bags to use for the utility belt pouches but am having a hard time finding a belt buckle large enough to take a 2" belt. Ideally, I'll get a flat one, then affix a bat logo to match my chest emblem (still deciding on that one).

 

[Uridium]

Does anybody have any tips on how to add dowel rods?

those modern tent poles may be good for this, they are really strong and lightweight, with a little flexibility. You will have to sew them into your cape, probably between the two layers.

 

[Doh2]

Thanks, Uridium! I just found a YouTube cape tutorial in which the person added a hem to the outside edge of the cape. They closed off the bottom and slid the rod into the top.

I do like the tent pole idea. I saw somebody's cape online that used them. I like the top arc when extended instead of just a straight line jutting out.

 

[Doh2]

Picked up my pleather for the cape tonight, and it is HEAVY! I think I'll be skipping the the blue lining after all; don't want to lug around 30(?) pounds of material fastened at my neck. Speaking of, I plan to add a collar but how to keep it together: Hooks? Snaps? Velcro??

I also put together a utility belt using a simple 2" tactical belt, camera bags, and ammo pouches. Just need to paint everything yellow:

Went for an old school emblem. It's not attached yet so I think I'll do a bigger one, then just glue it into place instead of sewing. Any glue suggestions out there?

Thanks

 

[batrunner66]

When can we see it all together.?

 

[Doh2]

Still have to make the cape!

And paint the belt.

And make a bigger emblem.

So hopefully by the 31st...

 

[Doh2]

Success! I came in 2nd today at work's Halloween contest.

Observations:

1. I gotta lose my gut.

2. The Reevz cowl is terrific, but it's a bear to put on. Once on, I could see OK, but the neck was pressing into my throat so I couldn't eat or drink while wearing it; a bunch of us went to lunch in costume but I had to take it off at the restaurant. If I suit up again, I'll have to find a different cowl for comfort's sake (but it will make a helluva display piece).

3. Pleather can be frustrating to work with. When I started to sew the cape, all went well -- as long as I sewed fabric interior and not the shiny exterior. When I added the hems for the dowel rods, the machine kept grabbing the pleather and jamming it down in one place instead of advancing forward. I still might try to make a blue-lined cape someday, but only if I make both sides cloth instead of pleather exterior.

4. I didn't want to mess with fumes or overspray so painted the utility belt with a brush instead of spray paint. I think I had to use about 5 coats to make the black belt look yellow. The paint pulls away from the belt fairly easily so I might strip it off and use spray after all.

All told, however, I'm quite pleased how everything turned out.