If you thought that batman’s influence was only on youngsters, then think again. Here are 2 news items to show how the caped crusader carries weight well outside the movie industry.

IN one state a Court has just banned a man from putting on a Batman costume to be reinforced by his bail conditions. He was arrested in Petoskey where he was seen hanging from a building, equipped with a baton and a chemical spray.He made a press statement that he was being chased by people and decided to hide the best way he could.
The terms of his bail strictly set out that he many not wear any batman costumes fro a period of 6 months.

In a second news item, DC comics limited edition of batman costumes is valued at $999
due to the detail on the muscles on the suit and a specially crafted mask and head set.
For women there is the $400 Batgirl costume. Included in the costume is a leotard and corset together with mask and gloves. You have to be a be a die hard enthusiast to get in that this end of the batman costumes market.

There have been many important stories that Batman comic book issues have focused on in recent years.

DC comics promises that Legacy will be the last large crossover for a year, to give readers a break from the large, long stories. The word from Denny O’Neil is that no crossovers will occur for one year; that all in-title stories will never extend beyond three months; and that every month there will be at least one single-issue story. Also, there are going to be six team-ups of characters.

Regarding the recent appearance of The Spectre in Batman #540 & #541, and Batman in The Spectre #51: this is not a crossover. They just happen to be appearing in each other’s titles, and this happens to be around the same period of time…

Kingdom Come was a recently-released miniseries showing a possible future for the DCU characters. Superman has retired (after his parents and Lois died); Batman apparently has never fully recovered from Bane, and has robotic Bat-men protecting Gotham (Gotham is the only “safe” city in the US now); and Lex Luthor has been conspiring with Catwoman, the Riddler, Ib’n Al Xu’Ffasch (Ra’s al Ghul’s grandson (son of Batman and Talia)), and others. A new breed of superhumans has become bored with protecting the people, and hunt one another down, killing many innocent people in the process. Diana convinces Kal-El to return to his role as Superman and take control of the new superhumans, after they destroy most of the American Midwest during one of their battles. The story is presented from the point of view of a priest being taken around by the Spectre (very much like the three ghosts in A Christmas Carol).

The story is in four parts: the first shows the new breed of superhumans, and Diana’s meeting with Kal-El. The second shows the incarceration of these new superhumans by Superman and his allies. The third shows Bruce Wayne and the people on his side – those that oppose Superman’s methods, meeting with Lex and his people to stop Superman, and the fourth shows the final showdown.

Kingdom Come featured fantastic artwork by Alex Ross – it is all painted. And Mark Waid wrote an excellent story, although there are a lot of things that were left unexplained that made the story confusing. The newest issue of Wizard (#65) explains a lot of the back stories behind Kingdom Come, and is definitely worth picking up.

Another possibly for an outfit, is Batman’s long-time side kick, Robin. ‘The Boy Wonder’ is just as recognisable and arguably as famous as ‘The Dark Knight’. If you have a look through the Batman costumes that are on offer then it won’t be long before you find several Robin outfits to choose from.

If you are considering getting dressed up as ‘The Caped Crusader’ himself then you might like to spend some time deciding which era of Batman you want to use for your outfit. There are quite a few differences between the sixties TV show Batman costumes and the ones that have featured in the string of movies in more recent years. Are you going to go for one of the heroes’ sombre and moody outfits of modern times or for the more camp and fun look of the swinging sixties? How much detail do you want your outfit to have? To attain full authenticity, Batman costumes should feature some of the impressive weapons and ‘Bat Gadgets’ that we are all so familiar with. Just how realistic you want it all to be is up to you.

Does the idea of your friends and relatives being dressed up as various villains and accomplices from the pages of one of DC comics’ most famous creations appeal to you? If so, then you could be in for a party that is a great deal of fun.