This summer, the most anticipated movie of the year, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” will be released. The fight between Batman and Superman will be portrayed in 3D CGI, and it will be shown in Imax theaters across the country. “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” is the culmination of decades of storylines from the comics, and it promises to bring the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel together for the first time on film. Batman and Superman have been fighting for justice ever since their first meeting in the 1940s, and this summer’s movie will bring their lifelong rivalry to a head. “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” will be an event movie—the capstone of DC Comics’ cinematic universe. But what will it take to build the Batmobile from the movie? Let’s find out.
The Basics
The Batmobile is the armored vehicle driven by Batman throughout the 1960s and ‘70s stories. It was originally inspired by the Tumbler, an automobile developed by the Willys company in the ‘20s. After that, the design was heavily altered for the purposes of the stories. The Tumblers had a slanted nose and a removable top hatchet that would pop up when the car was started. One of the most famous stories involving the Batmobile is “The Battle of the Bulge,” in which the car’s autopilot malfunctions and Batman has to take control of the vehicle for the first and only time (so far). Another iconic scene from the comics involves the Batmobile ramming through a plate-glass window.
The Evolution Of A Classic
The Batmobile received its final evolution in the ‘90s with the development of computer-aided design (CAD) software. One of the creators of the Batman franchise, Bill Mayes, worked as a systems engineer at Disney and consulted on the Batman movies. He implemented the Batmobile’s sleek and streamlined design using CAD software. Before that, the Batmobile was more of a streamlined tank with slats on the sides that could be opened to expand the interior. The CAD software made it possible to alter the shape of the vehicle, add more curves, and fine-tune the aerodynamics. As a result, the CAD-enhanced Batmobile looks almost exactly like the one we know from the comics.
The Difference In Theory And Practice
Theory and practice are two different things, and in this case, practice doesn’t quite cut it. While the CAD software made it possible to scale down the theoretical dimensions of the Batmobile to reality, there are still a few practical problems that could arise. The first and most obvious one is weight. A fully loaded (with gadgets and weapons) Batmobile weighs around 10 tons, and that’s before we start factoring in the pilot. As a result, it would be impossible to replicate the car’s unique look and feel, especially since the production value of a film like “Batman v Superman” is on a whole other level. Another problem is durability. Even the most sophisticated CAD software can’t provide perfect results, and in the real world, a car that’s driven by an angry Batman and Cycoons of the Russian mob will endure more damage than one driven by a superhero.
Where Do We Start?
There are seven basic parts that go into creating a fully-functional and beautiful Batmobile. These are the chassis, the cockpit, the wheels, the bumper, the grill, the nacelles (where the engine is housed), and the spoiler. Let’s take a look at what each one does and why you need them.
Chassis
The chassis is exactly what it sounds like—the base of the car. It doesn’t move (well, not in the normal course of operation), but it provides the structure for the rest of the vehicle. The first thing you’ll need to do is pick your favorite truck, van, or SUV and modify it slightly so that it fits the criteria set by Bill Mayes. Depending on how you want the car to look, you can choose between a front-engine, rear-engine, or midship configuration. A midship (center-rear-engine) chassis will give you the best weight balance and most interior room. You’ll also need to decide whether you want your car to look realistic or if you want to add more of those awesome gadgets Batman is so famous for having. Add in all the little details, like the studs on the back for attaching the engine to the chassis with engine mounts. You’ll also need to add some extra girth to the vehicle’s waist so that it doesn’t look like it’s going to topple over at any moment. Once you have your chassis, you can move on to the next step.
Cockpit
The cockpit provides the driver with a commanding view of the road ahead of them and also serves as a protective covering for the head and neck. It gives the driver a sense of security and privacy, which is essential for the character. The cockpit is where the action is, and it has to feel right at home for the driver. One of the things that make the cockpit so special is that it has been adorned with a unique piece of art. This art serves as a focal point for the entire vehicle, so it’s important that it accurately represents what it is that you’re trying to portray. For example, the art on the ‘60s Batmobile is a stylized illustration of the character’s head, with the visor down. This represents the character at his most badass and menacing. When the visor is up, it’s a sign that the driver is approaching his (or her) limits and is about to take on an awful lot of bad guys (or gals). The art on the ‘70s Batmobile is a photograph of the character, taken from the waist up, with his helmet in his right hand and a thick book with a blue cover in his left. This represents the character at his most intelligent and studious. When you’re in the middle of battle, the last thing you want to do is worry about whether or not you’ve run out of gas or need to find a place to hide. The cockpit is the place for all your vital stats and for displaying a symbol that represents your character. It also makes for a decent place to put a tablet or laptop computer, so that you can monitor the vehicle’s systems and navigate with ease. One other thing to keep in mind is that the interior of the cockpit should be as dark as possible. It’s easy for the driver of the car to become disoriented in bright sunlight, and this could end up being fatal. As a result, keep the sun out of your windows on brightly sunny days and put on your sun shades.
Wheels
With four wheels, you’ll need to pick one that’s big enough to feel solid, but not so large that it becomes unmanageable. The most important thing is that it’s comfortable for the driver. Once you have your wheels, it’s time to move on to the next step.
Bumper
The bumper is what you touch when you park your car. It keeps the car stable when it’s parked and attached to walls or other stationary structures, preventing damage and theft. The first thing you’ll need to do is locate the perfect piece of plastic for the job. This plastic should look as real as possible and fit perfectly over the front end of your car. You’ll also need to add a little more ‘60s vibe to the entire vehicle by giving it a smooth and shiny surface. It should be made of high-quality materials and have all the right curves and angles to match the original design. The best part about the bumper is that it can be customized easily to match your personality. You can even paint it to match the outfit you’re wearing (or your theme). One other option is to add a little more menace to the whole vehicle by adding a skull and crossbones or a snake and eye logo on the front.