Every Batman Vehicle From The Animated Series Ranked

Batman has undergone many transformations in the cycle of comic to sitcom to film to animated series. So too have The Dark Knight’s vehicles. Batman has always had a variety of transportation at his disposal thanks to being a billionaire with shadowy origins who heads up multinational conglomerate Wayne Enterprises. The many means of conveyance Batman utilizes have found their rightful place in popular culture. Beyond the comics, the original 1960s sitcom with Adam West, and Tim Burton’s films, the beloved 1990s Batman: The Animated Series put its stamp on a number of The Caped Crusader’s iconic rides and glides.

As such, we take a look at Batman’s boats, bikes, aircraft and yes, cars, from DC’s original Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995). We’ve left out some of the utility vehicles to focus on more memorable vehicles and ones that are just plain cool. Here is every Batman vehicle from the animated series ranked. 

6) The Bat-Glider

When the cape isn’t enough but a stealth streak through the sky is needed, The Dark Knight turned to The Bat-Glider. The personal aircraft is a no frills pragmatic solution to silent entrances. Fans can catch The Bat-Glider in action in the very first episode, “On Leather Wings.”

5) Robin’s Redbird Motorcycle

Robin is represented on the list with his Redbird Motorcycle, first appearing in BTAS Season 1, Episode 51 “Robin’s Reckoning.” Robin’s ride can’t really outshine Batman’s so Dick Grayson’s bike is pretty basic. The Dynamic Duo rolling up on motorcycles is pretty boss though. Robin’s Redbird appears in the episodes “I Am the Night,” “The Mechanic,” Time Out of Joint and Second Chance

4) The Batcycle

The inspiration for Robin’s Redbird, the Batcycle is Batman’s go to for quick access into places other vehicles cannot tread. The bike’s angular design in BTAS strikes an intimidating presence but can still shoot down Gotham’s narrow alleys. The Bat Bike can reach high land speeds and has no trouble in snow.

3) The Batboat

This is Batman’s workhorse watercraft. Utilized much more than the Advanced Batboat, Batman patrols the waterways of Gotham to prey upon those who mean the city and its residents harm. With a laser gun and turbine engine, the Batboat is a formidable vehicle that can be controlled from Batman’s utility belt.  The Batboat can not only shoot over the surface of the water at high speeds but can also submerge with a retractable canopy for underwater operations. The BTAS version of the Batboat also served as inspiration for the same vehicle in the 1995 film Batman Forever.

2) The Batwing

Next to the Batmobile, The Batwing is about as iconic as it gets. Instantly recognizable with its aerodynamic batwing design creating that classic silhouette. A high-speed aircraft that can also hover, among the Batwing also features a claw that can both shred enemies and resuce those in distress. The aircraft is also autonomous, with its onboard computer capable of piloting and landing.

1) The Batmobile

Batman: The Animated Series puts its stamp on Batman mythology and iconography with its sleek, elongated art deco-inspired version of The Batmobile — equally at home in the retro-futuristic aesthetic of the series as well as in Batman’s own gothic style. The Batmobile can be seen as a metaphor for The Dark Knight himself: sleek, powerful, mysterious, and imposing. 

The BTAS Batmobile boasted advanced tech for the 1990s with jet turbine propulsion, ejector seats, grappling hook deployment, advanced navigation systems, oil slicks, nearly impenetrable armor and countless other gadgets. Truly an icon in the Batverse.

The vehicles of Batman: The Animated Series would go on to influence future films and animated shows. In Tim Burton’s movies to Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, elements of the animated vehicles can be glimpsed. Although the more recent movies have considerably morphed the main ride, The Batmobile (think the Batmobile tumbler from Nolan’s 2008 film The Dark Knight Rises), being able to look back on some of the iconic animated versions can be comforting and nostalgic for Batman fans. There’s something about the animated form that is akin to the comics and just says “classic.”

What’s you favorite Batman: The Animated Series vehicle? Let us know in the comments below.

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