1989 was a very awesome time to be a Batfan. The symbol was everywhere and after years and years of the 60's theme being sung at you it appeared that the Dark Knight was about to get his due deference.
I was able to see it twice on opening day in the UK resplendent in my Brian Bolland Killing Joke shirt and Batman cap and during the run I saw it at least another 3 or 4 times. Then a couple of weeks later I was handed the holy grail. A bootleg copy of the movie filmed on a videocamera in a Turkish cinema. It was the greatest thing ever and I must have watched it literally 50 or 60 times before I had to hand it back.
As such the movie, for all it's flaws, will always have a very special place in my heart, as will the look of Batman from it.
The single most important aspect of the 89 suit is that awesome cowl. If you have nothing else but the cowl and symbol it's immediately recognisable as Keaton's Batman.
It is therefore an immense delight that I have been able to trace an absolute screen accurate version of the cowl.
This sculpt is by the immensely talented Shawn Reeves. Sculpted rough like the screen used cowl it's not smooth and a lot of folks are surprised by this. However, if you watch the movie closely to can see the grain and the texture of the cowl clearly.
I love it. It adds that definitive look.
The cost of this bad boy is less than I thought for one of Shawn's cowls but I will be waiting to make the payment until such time as I have a decent display case and bust so that it can be lovingly displayed until the rest of the suit is put together.
Until then...I'll just have to make do with these amazing photos...
next up for the 89 suit...
THE CAPE
