Medieval Batman - Historically accurate

[Ibeenthere]

Hi all!
I am starting to work on my new cosplay! I have a couple of months to finish it so it's going to be tight!

I want to make a medieval Batman armor that will try to be as historically accurate as possible to what armor looked like, while taking into considerations relating to Batman, like the need for mobility (which means maybe not full heavy plate), comfort and gadget carrying (which means tool belt that can feel historically accurate), Batman's origin (since batman is rich, in the historical relevance he would have to be a high noble or something, which makes me wonder if I should do a worn out armor, with scratches, dints etc... which I usually prefer, or a shiny new armor, since being a noble he could maintain to keep it looking like that) and other considerations.

I'll try to keep record of the whole process for others, including schematics for the armor (Which I'll make public once I'm done) but I would love to hear your thoughts, suggestions and general help as I am not very experienced and honestly, it is hard getting the right tools where I live.

I do want to keep the general color scheme of the armor in a color scheme that will echo the classic batman (blacks and yellows, and maybe a little dark blue).

Anyways, that's all for now, hope to see you all and hear your thoughts!

 

[Ibeenthere]

Here are some references I found which might be the basis I'll start my design from (obviously, I'll add a lot of Batman's symbolism, like logo, decorations and general changes to armor shapes etc...):

I really like this general armor style and colors, though it still feels a bit too stiff (especially in the shoulders, Batman should be able to have as much shoulder mobility as possible for climbing and the likes...), but I feel like this could be a good start to base my design on.




This is also a good armor reference in my opinion, it feels more agile in the shoulders and also in the lower torso area. I also like this kind of helmet since the general shape resembles that of a bat.



Another option for a mobile oriented reference (not the colors thought or the gauntlets):



And I think these are my main references at the moment.
Obviously, I'd love to know if you have other examples and suggestions!

Also, I remember there is a service you can get a printed tight pants/shirt set from a pattern you provide... Can someone please link me? I thought having it with a dark chain mail pattern so for the unarmored areas it will still feel like I have protection (and if I'll have time left, I'll might even try to actually make real chain mail...)

Thanks!

 

[Abelugo]

Would it not make sence to reference Far East style warrior armor instead of European? If Batman trained with Ra's al Ghul. His weapons and armament would be from that area. Also batman is more about more innovative fighting techniques and weapons. Some European weapins dont seem as advanced as Chinese weapons. Also if Bruce Wayne was a wealthy person in the middle ages with castles in such he would have trouble Deland to get the best weapons and equipment He would also have the best medicines available which were teas and herbal medications found in the monasteries with monks. Not European monasteries though

 

[CSMacLaren]

The mythology of Gotham is... gothic. What about gothic armor?

https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=german+gothic+armor&term_meta[]=armor|typed

 

[Ibeenthere]

Abelugo - I get what you are saying, but that only make sense if you accept the movies premise that he was trained by Ra's al Ghul which at least to the best of my knowledge isn't really a think in the comics. But to be honest, I just don't know all that much about Asian style armor (aside from a Samurai which doesn't really feel right for Batman) and honestly, I just feel like a knight version of Batman will look way cooler than a ninja style or Asian style Batman, and lets be honest, since this is going to take a lot of time and effort, I might as well choose a style I am psyched about (plus it will be a good experience working with foam and stuff)

CSMaclaren - You sir are a genius! I didn't think about looking in Pinterest for reference (which is dumb on my part), and yea, I like the Gothic armors! I think I'll definitely try to take some inspiration from them! I'll have to make them lighter which will maybe take away from their Gothic source but their feel is very good! Thanks!

 

[Abelugo]

yes you correct on the movies stuff. In the end you are building something for yourself, basically its a mash up. It may be of things you like about both genres, so go for it and create. I would however recommend roughing out in sketches, then in cardboard, then in foam.
Please keep this updates, should be fun to watch the build process.

here is another way to research. https://www.google.com/search?q=med...KEwiI0MyfiLnJAhVXWYgKHZUJBwYQ_AUIBigB&dpr=0.9

good luck!

 

[Reznor9]

I would think as far as mobility is concerned, if I was batman... And I am... I would stray from your conventional metal plates. I would lean more towards a leather inspired midevil design. Which gives some level of protection, lighter, and easier to move and climb.

here are some examples I'm looking towards.

 

[Ibeenthere]

Abelugo - Thanks man! Will keep this posted as I go along

Renzor9 - In general I agree that leather would be more fitting Batman's style, however there are several considerations to take into account:

A. Leather works well if he is only located in a medieval style Gotham city, where most of his foes will also likely to be leather clad and not plated. But if he needs to fight heavy hitters with full plate, generally speaking, he will be vastly out matched (and yes I know, he is a master planner, he'll have plan B's etc... Still, when it comes down to it, most heavy plated knights will take most leather clad warriors in a duel).

B. And this is honestly, the main reason, I do not have the tools or knowledge to work with leather, or the will due to me being a vegetarian and trying to avoid real leather. (and even if I had tools and knowledge, where I live, getting faux leather in a quality that even remotely resembles leather is SO FREAKING EXPENSIVE! lol)

So due to these two reasons (but again, mainly reason B), I will stick to a plated style armor

 

[doppelganger]

I too would have gone with Reznor9's idea of leather. It can be made incredibly tough but also is a hell of a lot quieter than clanking steel suits or armour. Given your concerns I of course understand your reservations. I look forward to seeing what you come up with. Given that you are keeping him as bruce wayne and a billionaire (or the medieval equivalent) perhaps he has the best scientific minds working for him like an 11th century lucius fox making a new tree sap amber based resin for a fibre based light strong armour?

 

[Ibeenthere]

doppelganger - lol I liked that notion of a super strong resin... Medieval science at its best?



- - - Updated - - -

But in all seriousness, I'll think about it!

 

[Reznor9]

In Earth One: Volume One, Alfred asked Bruce why he doesn't invest in some armor when going out to fight... His response was...

"Do you know what body armor says about a guy?
It says he needs body armor."

So if it were me I'd go with the "less is more" approach and opt for leather armor if your going for historical accuracy. Also in terms of stealth, there is no way batman can sneak around in iron clad armor. He would be the loud knight instead of the dark knight. I'd look to Assassins Creed style suits for inspiration. As their armor was made to be durable, light and agile for tasks like climbing, fighting and stealth. Just my two cents.

but I hear you... we are just pretending to be a billionaire playboy. But in the end It all comes down to cost and know how. I'll still be watching this thread as I love self made batman variants.
​

 

[Ibeenthere]

Renzor9 - lol, that sentence is obviously written by a guy who's never been in an actual fight or has any kind of martial arts / military combat experience As someone who has both I can honestly say that even though I can take a beating better than most people, if I am were to go fight evil doers, and I lack any super powers, I'll want body armor

But like I said, I completely agree that leather armor is the logical, character accurate kind of armor, but since I don't know how to work with it and can't really excess any tools or materials that will help me get a close result, I'll have to focus on a cool looking plate armor... We can say it's his anti Superman power armor or something Only brings it out when there is a heavy hitter

Btw, anyone knows about that printable tights suit services?

 

[ValTroX]

I saw this image a couple of months ago, maybe you can take something from it http://40.media.tumblr.com/44af90976ef133084e0213e5eef33104/tumblr_nqtg8mWh571unb4zyo5_1280.jpg

 

[Redanthalas]

Um, guys, I´m a reenacter, and I must sadly tell you that, there was no leather armor, as you´d normally imagine such a thing, used during medieval times, simply because it´s efficiency/cost ratio is really terrible. Gambeson works way better. Some armor may seem to be made from leather, like some coats of plates, or brigantines, but that´s always futtered with steel plated. Leather armor as you´ve shown it Reznor is totally ahistorical and totally useless. Sry, bro. As for the stealthy aspects... You can cover the armor with cloth (and there are some findings of armor having cloth glued on them, so it´s legit) That prevents it from making noise, while still being armor. (And you can cut the logo on the chest, so it sticks out and it shows, that it´s an actual armor.)

 

[Reznor9]

Um, guys, I´m a reenacter, and I must sadly tell you that, there was no leather armor, as you´d normally imagine such a thing, used during medieval times, simply because it´s efficiency/cost ratio is really terrible.

Batman doesn't care about efficiency/cost ratios. His batsuit cost more money than the average person will make in 10 years. lol But seriously if we are pretending Bruce Wayne is a nobleman of great wealth that compares to what he would have in this fictional timeline, I wouldn't think cost ratios would matter nor what the armored "norm" of the era was. His suits have always been outside the box anyhow, not conventional to the times.

While scanning pintrist I came across this piece... looked right up your alley.

 

[Redanthalas]

Ok. I´ll put it differently. It just doesn´t work, you get hit by almost any weapon, and it comes right through easily, while weighting the same as tempered steel plate, while being way thicker. Plate armor, especially very well made, doesn´t slow you down very significantly, I can tall that from personal experience, I don´t have exactly top notch armor, but still, I have no problem running, falling, getting up, fighting, wight is not a problem with armor, if it isn´t a master piece (what most aren´t) it limits your movement, but not wight you down, especially, when you´re full of adrenaline, and you´ve trained to get used to it... And Batman´s armor would be exactly tempered (cause he can afford such craftsmanship) and thus not all that thick, making it even lighter, than mine plates. He would wear a lighter gambeson, precisely sewn to fit his stature, so ti won´t limit his movement almost at all, he would be trained to move in it his whole life, and he would be very physically fit.

 

[Reznor9]

Ok. I´ll put it differently. It just doesn´t work, you get hit by almost any weapon, and it comes right through easily, while weighting the same as tempered steel plate, while being way thicker. Plate armor, especially very well made, doesn´t slow you down very significantly, I can tall that from personal experience, I don´t have exactly top notch armor, but still, I have no problem running, falling, getting up, fighting, wight is not a problem with armor, if it isn´t a master piece (what most aren´t) it limits your movement, but not wight you down, especially, when you´re full of adrenaline, and you´ve trained to get used to it... And Batman´s armor would be exactly tempered (cause he can afford such craftsmanship) and thus not all that thick, making it even lighter, than mine plates. He would wear a lighter gambeson, precisely sewn to fit his stature, so ti won´t limit his movement almost at all, he would be trained to move in it his whole life, and he would be very physically fit.

i think it would be made of liquid metal with a leather texture. Jk
no, that explanation was much more informative. Thanks.

 

[doppelganger]

Ive often thought of a custard pouch armour ( bare with me....lol). or to put it another way a non newtonian fluidic membrain armour. As we all know non newtonian fluids solidify with impact. The harder the impact the more solid they become then instantly become fluidic again. I wonder if pouches could be sewn into sensitive areas for protection, but not knowing when their properties were discovered they would probably not be of the period. but im guessing some time after sir isaac newton laid down his liquid laws....lol.

Whichever way you go I wouldnt want to scale a wall in any of them..... tooooo heavy. I can barely get myself over a wall these days.

Hmmmm I wonder what the medieval batmobile would look like? Black horse and cart?

1289 batman says.... "get in the cart"
1295 batman says.... "its the cart right?.... wenches love the cart"

 

[Redanthalas]

Sorry, it´s a second language, so my expression can be confusing.

So, tempered means that you use a steel with more carbon in it to make the plate and than quench it (heat it and than cool it quickly), which make´s it way harder and resilient. So you can use thinner plates of steel, than if you were using just regular mild steel to achieve same protection.

After you make the armor, you can take cloth and cover all the plates in it, simply by gluing it on. That give´s it a cloth texture. Or you can cover it in some thinner leather. Both make the armor not shiny, and silent (since all the metal to metal contact is muffled by the cloth or leather, thus making it suitable for sneaking.

Gambeson is a padded jacket you wear under the armor. It receives the energy of a blow and reduces it a lot. It´s completely essential to any armor.

 

[Ibeenthere]

Wow! Didn't see all the comments so far
Being an illustrator and working on a fantasy book, I did a lot of research about the subject of actual historic armors and such... So I completely agree with Redanthalas!
A full plate armor would weigh significantly less than what a normal modern age soldier would carry for example.
Anyways, since this is a mix of both fiction and realism... I'll try to do my best

Here is some progress I've made! I finished all the schematics and finally started to get to work! Here are the vambraces so far (minus sealing, painting etc...). I am conflicted between making it super shiney and new, to give it that awe factor that might add to Batman's myth and fear factor when enemies see him... Or go the used and weathered route to show that is has been battle used... Would love your thoughts!

The size came out a bit snug, though I believe I'll be able to wear it over a thin long sleeve shirt... Worst case I'll either redo it or if time won't allow, just add laces or buckles to close even though it won't seal all around entirely...



Tomorrow I'll get my modge podge and finally will be able to start sealing and painting... (getting materials here is a problem so I have to find other ways to improvise a lot of the times). tonight I'll start working on the Sabatons (Shoe plates)