10 Secrets Of The Batmobile Explained

Batman's iconic ride has its fair share of secrets.

Batmobile DC Comics
DC Comics

In terms of key elements from the world of the Dark Knight, few things are as synonymous with Batman as the iconic Batmobile.

Simply put, for as long as there's been a Batman, there's been a Batmobile for him to drive around in.

Here, it's all about taking a look under the hood of the Batmobile, seeing what this beastly beauty of a car can do and what has made it tick for over 80 years by this point in time.

Naturally, given the vehicle has been around and iterated on for over eight decades by this point, there are a tonne of secrets and details surrounding the Batmobile that most readers may not even know about. From its top speed to the many wonderful toys hidden within its chassis, the Dark Knight's ride has plenty of surprises that he can turn against the criminals of Gotham City.

This list won't just focus on any one Batmobile in particular, but instead the vast array of cars Bruce Wayne has employed over his many years of crimefighting as the Caped Crusader.

So, from its humble beginnings as a sporty hotrod, to the more modern tank-like incarnations that have run amok in Gotham, here are all the coolest secrets of Batman's Batmobile, explained...

10. The Origin

Batmobile DC Comics
DC Comics

As a concept, the Batmobile has been around for just as long as Batman himself.

The Caped Crusader famously made his comic book bow in 1939's Detective Comics #27, and that debut appearance also saw Bats driving around in what would come to be known as the Batmobile.

Back then, rather than the all-singing, all-dancing Batmobile design(s) we've all come to love over the subsequent decades, this then-unnamed vehicle was a red car that helped the Dark Knight race to the scene of any ongoing crimes.

This very basic, very bland design was tweaked by the time of Detective Comics #30, where some background info saw it explained how this car was a custom built superpowered vehicle. Six months later - in Batman #5, to be precise - readers would be greeted by the first major evolution of the Batmobile's design, as a hood ornament, wing-like tailfins and a darker colour scheme would be applied to Bruce Wayne's vehicle of choice.

Batmobile Origin
DC Comics

Of course, this wouldn't be the last overhaul to be seen by the Batmobile, as time and time again DC Comics introduced new design after new design, as Bruce got busy splashing the cash to create a multitude of different Batmobiles - not to mention knock up the Batwing, Batboat, Batcycle and a whole slew of various other vehicles.

Senior Writer
Senior Writer

Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main dayjob, his role as the lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Adrienne Barbeau, Rob Zombie, Katharine Isabelle, Leigh Whannell, Bruce Campbell, and Tony Todd, to Kevin Smith, Ron Perlman, Elijah Wood, Giancarlo Esposito, Simon Pegg, Charlie Cox, the Russo Brothers, and Brian Blessed, to Kevin Conroy, Paul Dini, Tara Strong, Will Friedle, Burt Ward, Andrea Romano, Frank Miller, and Rob Liefeld, to Bret Hart, Sting, Mick Foley, Ricky Starks, Jamie Hayer, Britt Baker, Eric Bischoff, and William Regal, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, Brian Flynn, Denis Smith, Gary Bennett, Karl Connolly, and Bryan Robson - and that's just the tip of an ever-expanding iceberg.