Why does Batman leave his mouth exposed?

Sketcher · February 1 2013, 09:03 PM

It seems like a pretty obvious tactical error. It'd be easy for a criminal to inflict serious damage on the area. He could get his jaw/teeth broken by a fist, baseball bat, crowbar, etc. Not to mention it gives clues to his identity - skin color, shape of mouth, dental records (if anyone can get that close to him).

Robert Maxwell · February 1 2013, 09:15 PM

Is the mask supposed to be nearly invulnerable or something?

Christopher · February 1 2013, 09:35 PM

"Who are you?"

"Mm'm Bmtmmn."

That's why.

Of course, in Batman Beyond, the futuristic high-tech Batman suit had a full-face mask that somehow had a visible mouth on the outside, the sort of thing that's much easier to pull off in animation than in reality.

Agent Richard07 · February 1 2013, 09:37 PM

I find the exposed mouth odd too, but I accept it because it's part of his iconic look.

Gaith · February 1 2013, 10:06 PM

Because

Mr. Laser Beam · February 1 2013, 10:12 PM

For the same reason that a pair of glasses makes Superman unrecognizable.

TemporalFlux · February 1 2013, 10:41 PM

Gaith wrote:

Because

Yep. That was one of his inspirations.

The New 52 also presented a strange idea in Catwoman #1. They say now that Batman spreads some kind of gel over his exposed skin that mitigates damage from punches, cuts, etc. So they're saying he does wear a full face mask in a sense; it's just that the part on his chin is clear.

Melakon · February 1 2013, 11:10 PM

It makes Bruce Wayne remember to shave every day.

teacake · February 1 2013, 11:45 PM

For kissing.

Carcazoid · February 2 2013, 12:17 AM

Gaith wrote:

Because

Mr. Laser Beam wrote:

For the same reason that a pair of glasses makes Superman unrecognizable.

Tied for the win.

Guy Gardener · February 2 2013, 12:43 AM

The dates have been sliding for quite a while.

Unless his parents took little Brucie to see a really really old movie...

Antonio Bandaras is going to be the Batman's inspiration quite soon.

Nerys Myk · February 2 2013, 12:53 AM

Guy Gardener wrote:

The dates have been sliding for quite a while.

Unless his parents took little Brucie to see a really really old movie...

Antonio Bandaras is going to be the Batman's inspiration quite soon.

Are there no revival movie houses in Gotham?

Shazam! · February 2 2013, 01:04 AM

TemporalFlux wrote:

The New 52 also presented a strange idea in Catwoman #1. They say now that Batman spreads some kind of gel over his exposed skin that mitigates damage from punches, cuts, etc. So they're saying he does wear a full face mask in a sense; it's just that the part on his chin is clear.

This is the shittest thing I have ever heard.

Christopher · February 2 2013, 01:06 AM

Guy Gardener wrote:

The dates have been sliding for quite a while.

Unless his parents took little Brucie to see a really really old movie...

Antonio Bandaras is going to be the Batman's inspiration quite soon.

In fact, the name of the movie the Waynes saw that night was never specified in the comics until Frank Miller established it as The Mark of Zorro in The Dark Knight Returns in 1986 -- as an homage to the influence Zorro had on Bob Kane in creating the character. So it was already meant to be an old movie at the time.

I believe the first version of the origin to name the movie was probably "The Fear," the 1985 Super Powers Team episode by future Batman: TAS producer Alan Burnett. In that version, the movie was Robin Hood. Although you'd think that would've been an inspiration for Robin rather than Batman.

Guy Gardener · February 2 2013, 01:44 AM

Someone did a story where Tom and Martha took Bruce to see Finding Nemo.

(I'm serious. They didn't say "Finding Nemo", but there was a fricking Clown Fish on the movie screen in several panels... So maybe the artist was screwing around and the writer had no idea what was happening?)

And then after the shock of his parents dying, Bruce butched it up so he didn't seem like a wuss... Not in this comic, but how we bridge the schism.

I mean what's worse?

"My Parents died taking me to see Finding Nemo."

or

"My parents died taking me to see Zorro"

From an 8 year olds perspective that's a world of difference.

And I know you think you're still young Neyrs, but the only place you could see an Antonio bandaras Zorro Movie on the big screen is at a Revival movie theatre.

Dark Knight returns is the "sequel" to All-Star Batman and not regular Batman, or New 52 Batman.

I was rather chuffed when I fiigured that out, but then they just forgot to make any more All-Star Batman, so it didn't matter.

February 1 2013, 09:15 PM	#2
Robert Maxwell Cherry Chassis Location: The Track	Re: Why does Batman leave his mouth exposed? Is the mask supposed to be nearly invulnerable or something? __________________ Your crash was, like, spectacular! My world simulation project! Also: Women and Men: Self-Image and Rape Culture

February 1 2013, 09:35 PM	#3
Christopher Writer	Re: Why does Batman leave his mouth exposed? "Who are you?" "Mm'm Bmtmmn." That's why. Of course, in Batman Beyond, the futuristic high-tech Batman suit had a full-face mask that somehow had a visible mouth on the outside, the sort of thing that's much easier to pull off in animation than in reality. __________________ Christopher L. Bennett Homepage -- Updated 5/28/13 with discussion of Rise of the Federation Book 1. Written Worlds -- My blog

February 1 2013, 09:37 PM	#4
Agent Richard07 The Tim Burton Version Location: In Solitude	Re: Why does Batman leave his mouth exposed? I find the exposed mouth odd too, but I accept it because it's part of his iconic look.

February 1 2013, 10:06 PM	#5
Gaith Rear Admiral Location: Starfleet Command, The City that Knows How	Re: Why does Batman leave his mouth exposed? Because

February 1 2013, 10:12 PM	#6
Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Location: The visitor's bullpen	Re: Why does Batman leave his mouth exposed? For the same reason that a pair of glasses makes Superman unrecognizable. __________________ It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the beans of Java that thoughts acquire speed, the hands acquire shakes, the shakes become a warning. It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.

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February 1 2013, 09:03 PM	#1
Sketcher Commander	Why does Batman leave his mouth exposed? It seems like a pretty obvious tactical error. It'd be easy for a criminal to inflict serious damage on the area. He could get his jaw/teeth broken by a fist, baseball bat, crowbar, etc. Not to mention it gives clues to his identity - skin color, shape of mouth, dental records (if anyone can get that close to him).

February 1 2013, 11:10 PM	#8
Melakon Commodore Location: Unmarked grave, Ekos	Re: Why does Batman leave his mouth exposed? It makes Bruce Wayne remember to shave every day. __________________ "Every time you think, you weaken the nation." --Moe Howard

February 1 2013, 11:45 PM	#9
teacake Admiral Location: Militant Janeway True Path Devotees Compound. With Sehlats.	Re: Why does Batman leave his mouth exposed? For kissing. __________________ Rider: I can't believe you'd kill me for a field of empty holes. J'onn: It's all I have. ■ ■ ■ Janeway does Melbourne

February 2 2013, 12:43 AM	#11
Guy Gardener Admiral Location: In the lap of squalor I assure you.	Re: Why does Batman leave his mouth exposed? The dates have been sliding for quite a while. Unless his parents took little Brucie to see a really really old movie... Antonio Bandaras is going to be the Batman's inspiration quite soon. __________________ "Glitter is the herpes of arts and craft." Troy Yingst. My Life as Liz

February 2 2013, 01:44 AM	#15
Guy Gardener Admiral Location: In the lap of squalor I assure you.	Re: Why does Batman leave his mouth exposed? Someone did a story where Tom and Martha took Bruce to see Finding Nemo. (I'm serious. They didn't say "Finding Nemo", but there was a fricking Clown Fish on the movie screen in several panels... So maybe the artist was screwing around and the writer had no idea what was happening?) And then after the shock of his parents dying, Bruce butched it up so he didn't seem like a wuss... Not in this comic, but how we bridge the schism. I mean what's worse? "My Parents died taking me to see Finding Nemo." or "My parents died taking me to see Zorro" From an 8 year olds perspective that's a world of difference. And I know you think you're still young Neyrs, but the only place you could see an Antonio bandaras Zorro Movie on the big screen is at a Revival movie theatre. Dark Knight returns is the "sequel" to All-Star Batman and not regular Batman, or New 52 Batman. I was rather chuffed when I fiigured that out, but then they just forgot to make any more All-Star Batman, so it didn't matter. __________________ "Glitter is the herpes of arts and craft." Troy Yingst. My Life as Liz