What is the most iconic vehicle in comic book history? It shouldn’t take long for you to answer: the Batmobile.

Welcome Back to Tony’s Garage. Today, we’re looking at the new Batmobile from Matt Reeves’ The Batman, that will debut in 2022.

The character of Batman, created by Bob Kane, first appeared, in May of 1939, in Detective Comics #27. Also making its debut in that issue was the Batmobile. The 1939 Cadillac Series 75 convertible, originally designed by Harley Earl of General Motors, was a far cry from the sleek black machine that we know and love today. The original Batmobile was colored red, and there were barely any modifications or gadgets included. Since the 1939 introduction, the look of the Batmobile has changed several times and the design continues to evolve. The infamously cheesy 1960s Batman television show was the first to incorporate the Batmobile as a specialised and unique crime-fighting tool. The on-screen car, designed by the legendary George Barriss, was a customised variant of the 1955 Lincoln Futura concept. Tim Burton’s 1989 iteration of the franchise introduced the first entirely original Batmobile at least aesthetically, however under the skin it reportedly utilised many parts from a Chevrolet Impala. In Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy, due to the director’s vision of a more “realistic” Batman, the Batmobile was reimagined as “the Tumbler“. Drawing design influence from modern tanks, the car was powered by a 5.7-litre GM V8 engine producing 372kW. 

All that history leads us to today, as we prepare to welcome the newest incarnation of both the Dark Knight and his incredible transport. The latest version of the legendary Batmobile will not make its screen debut until 2022, when Robert Pattinson dons the cape and cowl and gets behind the wheel in Matt Reeves’ The Batman. We don’t know much about the movie, but we do have this miniature version of the new car, so let’s dive in.

There is certainly a Mad Max muscle car theme happening here, with styling that seems to combine the hood of a classic Dodge Charger, the roof of an early Ford Mustang, and the slightly arching beltline of a first-generation Chevrolet Camaro. It is certainly a very different look from The Dark Knight trilogy, and it’s nothing like the fantastically winged Batmobiles that dominated the films and cartoons. some claiming it holds true to cars used in the comics. In particular, it brings to mind the current state of Batman in the comics. James Tynion IV has created a very intriguing new status quo, where Bruce Wayne has lost most of his vast fortune, and can no longer depend on Wayne Enterprises for his gadgets or vehicles. As a result, he has had to modify a muscle car to create the new Batmobile. Others think it looks like something from the Fast and the Furious films. Either way you slice it, the car seems rather controversial at this stage.

Hot Wheels acquired the license to the new Batmobile from the new movie, and although the film was pushed to next year in 2022, Mattel decided to release the car this year, making this the first official piece of merchandise from the film.

It is car #181/250 for 2021. The car has a Matte black finish, dark Chrome interior, tinted windows, Grey AeroDisc wheels, & a gray plastic base, 

In my opinion, the new Batmobile is very similar to the ice charger from The Fast and the Furious. Here’s some pics, featuring the new Batmobile alongside some of the previous models, and alongside some of the cars that may have inspired it, as well as some pics of the actual car as used in the movie. Judge for yourself.

What do you guys think about the new Batmobile?

Thanks for visiting Tony’s Garage. This is Tony hoping you’ll come back soon for another Hot Wheels review.