Addressing Batman's Eye Black Issue: Finding the Perfect Solution

When you ask someone on the street to draw Batman from memory, they usually get the basic details right. However, when asked to sketch Bruce Wayne, they typically depict a man in a suit without capturing the distinctive eye black that Batman wears. In most live-action versions of the character, black makeup is applied around the eyes. It is uncommon to see Batman without his cowl, but Robert Pattinson's portrayal broke new ground by showcasing the smoky-eye look.

Each new live-action Batsuit represents a unique interpretation of the overall Batman universe. Tim Burton's Batman featured a shiny black matte latex suit that conveyed both a sense of terror and eroticism. Christopher Nolan's Batman, on the other hand, sported a more military-inspired outfit derived from a Nomex survival suit. Zack Snyder's version eliminated most of the color, emphasizing a gray and blocky appearance, and incorporated a rather impractical power armor suit. In contrast, Matt Reeves' design strikes a balance between the two, combining a grounded suit with some playful accents. These alterations truly make a significant impact.

Batman's eye black was never handled well

In Batman Returns, Michael Keaton's Batman wears the traditional eye black underneath his cowl. Although the movie doesn't portray him applying the makeup, he always has it on whenever he puts on the Batsuit. There is a particular scene where he is seen wearing the full suit without the eye black. This happens when he removes his cowl and reveals his true identity. Briefly, he can be observed in the cowl without any makeup before he removes the latex. This inconsistency was a deliberate decision made to avoid depicting Michael Keaton with dramatic smoky eyes. The jokes about Batman wearing makeup are quite common, often mocking the masculinity of the Caped Crusader for using a product that is typically associated with femininity. To prevent these jokes, the filmmakers chose not to show the lead actor wearing eye black when he is not in costume.

Eye black has multiple purposes in Batman's costume and is commonly seen on professional athletes, particularly football players. It is applied as thick black lines under their eyes to reduce glare. Some argue that the application of grease or strips under athletes' eyes is more of an aesthetic choice rather than a practical one. However, Mythbusters has determined that it actually helps enhance the difference between light and dark, which would be highly useful for Batman, who frequently fights in darkness or under harsh spotlights. Additionally, the black makeup helps disguise the area around Bruce Wayne's eyes that the mask doesn't cover. Surprisingly, the practical applications of eye black are rarely mentioned in the text.

In the movie Batman Begins, there is a similar scene to the eye black continuity error in Batman Returns, but with a more justifiable explanation. During the third act, Batman rescues Rachel Dawes and brings her to the Batcave. He then sedates her and arranges for her to be taken home. In a calm moment, Bruce removes his cowl and takes a deep breath, shown from behind. However, in the next shot, he is seen quickly getting dressed to attend his ongoing birthday party without any makeup around his eyes. The script by David S. Goyer includes an unused stage direction where Alfred hands Wayne a towel and gestures to his eyes, indicating that he should remove his makeup. However, this moment does not occur in the movie. Interestingly, the eyeshadow is not mentioned in any of the Batman movies from 1989 to 2012.

The Batman made the eye black part of the suit

Robert Pattinson, the sole Batman actor, uniquely incorporates and wears eye black even when not wearing the cowl. This choice is essential to his overall appearance. The film's makeup designer, Naomi Donne, renowned for her work on projects like Skyfall and The Royal Tenenbaums, was tasked with connecting Bruce Wayne to Kurt Cobain. Director Matt Reeves desired a tormented billionaire portrayal rather than a charismatic playboy. In an interview with Polygon, Donne revealed:

Matt specifically wanted remnants of the eye makeup visible when Batman removes his cowl. We actively pursued this idea. We actually removed the cowl to examine what was left behind and utilized it. Removing black eye makeup is quite challenging, and we capitalized on that fact.

The simple alteration rectified the previously unaddressed issue regarding the costume. It is not a crucial aspect of the storyline, but rather a practical fashion decision that no live-action Batman can now do without. The potential rationale for abandoning the use of makeup is to create a distinction between Bruce and Batman. By eliminating the delicate boundary between Bruce's everyday life and his nocturnal vigilante activities, the Batman narrative undergoes a significant transformation. This is a well-executed narrative decision, as Pattinson's Batman struggles to maintain separate identities. Sleep evades him, he lacks social connections, and burdened by overwhelming paranoia. Observing the tormented aristocrat undergo the arduous process of transforming into his sleep-paralysis demon before embarking on his mission to confront wrongdoers brings about a dramatic shift in the Batman story.

The eye black worn by Batman prompts discussions about masculinity, continuity, and the measures individuals will undertake to preserve their anonymity. The reasoning behind why some individuals find it necessary to criticize the use of makeup when considering a man donned in shiny latex may forever remain a mystery. However, Matt Reeves and Naomi Donne recognized an opportunity to introduce a fresh perspective through a seemingly insignificant element of Batman's appearance. This type of creative decision ensures that the character remains innovative and current.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about Batman's eye black. On the one hand, I understand why it's there. The eye black helps to reduce glare and disguise the area around Bruce Wayne's eyes that the mask doesn't cover. On the other hand, I think it can sometimes look a little silly. I mean, Batman is a superhero, not a football player.

I think the best solution would be to find a way to incorporate the eye black into Batman's costume without making it look too obvious. Maybe it could be a subtle line of black makeup that's only visible when he's in the shadows. Or maybe it could be a small piece of armor that he wears over his eyes. Either way, I think it's important to find a way to make the eye black look more natural and less like a gimmick.

Overall, I think the eye black is a minor detail that doesn't really detract from Batman's overall look. However, I do think it could be improved. I'm excited to see what future Batman movies do with the eye black and how they incorporate it into the character's overall design.