The Bat signal, the siren that calls upon the dark knight, is one of the most recognizable symbols of Batman. It signaled his descent from the sky to fight against crime in Gotham City. Since its inception in the 1940s, the iconic symbol has been featured on everything from T-shirts to action figures.
While it’s no secret that Batman is one of the most popular characters of all time, his unique lifestyle and fighting skills have never been more popular than they are now. Whether you’re a fan of the Dark Knight or not, there’s no denying that his influence has reached beyond cinematic screens and into the real world.
That being said, aside from collecting vintage comic books and hanging out with police officers, Batman has never really been a part of everyday life. Sure, we sometimes see photo-op friendly shots of the Dark Knight suiting up or hanging out with his cronies, The Joker and The Riddler, but those images don’t do his life story justice. So, if you’re looking to expand your knowledge about Batman and this amazing character’s incredible life, watch the below video.
Step Into the Shadows
We first meet Bruce Wayne, aka Batman, after he has retired from crimefighting and started a new life as a playboy billionaire. To reenergize himself and to continue his philanthropic work, he sets up a board where he can study and implement new ideas. One of these is a bat-shaped alarm system he dubs the “Batarang”, a device that can scare off criminals and allow him to sleep soundly at night.
He then takes this idea and runs with it, creating elaborate plots and scenarios where he can ambush and scare his targets – which, as we know, is more or less his forte. This also allows him to test out his gadgets and weapons without risking any real lives.
While these are all fantastically creative ideas, they’re still just that – ideas. What we see, on the other hand, is an incredibly elaborate and well-oiled crime-fighting machine, one that took several drafts to perfect and one that requires a bit of maintenance (read: a lot of elbow grease).
The Ins and Outs of Building a Batting Cage
If you’re looking to replicate the luxurious lifestyle of the late billionaire playboy, then you’ll need the help of several gadgets, a safe, and a security company. A batting cage is definitely a step in the right direction. It not only provides your average joe with the thrill of taking down a criminal, but it also gives you the opportunity to train like Batman himself.
The first step is to determine where you’re going to put it. You’ll want a quiet place with good acoustics, like an attic or a garage. Remember: no matter how big or small your space is, the audio for this system should be able to reach all corners, so that you can be sure that it will wake you up if someone enters your house illegally.
As for the materials, you’ll need steel bars for the frame (lots of them), some type of insulation to keep the cold air from seeping in through the cracks in the roof, and padding to minimize noise pollution. You’ll also need several cameras, mostly for monitoring purposes. With all these materials, it should take you about a week to a week and a half to complete.
The Finishing Touches
Once you’ve built your batting cage, all you need to do is paint it black, add some white trim and a few decorative touches here and there, and you’ll be good to go.
While the above steps will help you build a Batman cage for your home, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll be able to keep a criminal from breaking in even if you do have the best security system. That being said, if you want to experience the thrill of taking down a criminal, then by all means, follow these steps! Just don’t forget about the inevitable mess that will ensue when all is said and done.