The Batman Experience - Restoring the 1989 Batsuit

The Batman Experience at 2019's San Diego Comic-Con offered fans a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see eighty years of Dark Knight history up close, including authentic props and costumes from his legacy of films. No collection of Bat-costumes would be complete without Michael Keaton's suit from the blockbuster 1989 movie. However, years of exposure had left his iconic costume in a degraded state. In this DC Daily clip, we go behind the scenes for an exclusive look at what it took to restore the first Batsuit of the modern era to its former glory.
For more videos, features and comics celebrating Batman's 80th anniversary: www.dccomics.com/batman80
#DC #DCComics #DCUniverse

[@FairPlayGaming]

WB should start up a museum with all these assets.

[@blackwingz55]

upkeep would cost more than tickets sold

[@lukedodson3267]

They do sometimes loan them out to museums and other places for special displays.

[@HyperRPG]

They have one on the WB lot

[@caidema]

they have a museum thats going to upen up next year

[@wolverineiscool7161]

great idea, i think also they should give me a batsuit but hey

[@lilbud951]

"A friend of mine had a Keaton bodycast" So we ain't gonna talk about that? How one has a body mold of Michael Keaton just lying around?

[@godzillapoop4538]

I'm sure he's referring to another guy in the same industry as him, and not his son's little league coach. In watching The Death of Superman Lives I would imagine that several people have body casts of Nicholas Cage as well.

[@courageunitycompassi]

You don’t? I keep mine in the trunk.

[@courageunitycompassi]

And all of them are named Nicholas Cage.

[@nickkenmill8364]

Lilbud I think that’s awesome, I Am a little Curious though! Hmm

[@crackasmackin1899]

@@courageunitycompassi hold up....

[@sprosonator]

I’ve seen this suit in person. It was even more beautiful than I could’ve imagined.

[@JohnSmith-wi7nf]

I saw it for rent for 100 bucks in 1989 on Halloween in a store. Never saw it again after that. They said it got damaged or not returned. I imagine the rubber tears and weara.

[@TheRedRaven_]

John Smith For rent? That’s weird.

[@TREVORJB101]

@@JohnSmith-wi7nf that would have been a replica. It definitely wasn't a screen used suit..

[@andrebaudoind]

@@TREVORJB101 hopefully not atleast

[@TREVORJB101]

@@andrebaudoind definitely not. Most video stroes had their own Batman movie display. Some had the option of a costume rental.

[@alexanderskiles4755]

Gold Mine!!!! Imagine a tour of the place.

[@soapm490]

How do you know my dreams?

[@headlight31]

Or.....how much it's worth. Millions probably.

[@Jucelegario]

Announcing an old divesity hire lady who cares jackshit about heroes runs the place will attract male robbers.

[@joshuasmith6346]

Imagine him customizing a bat suit just for you

[@mojoman10k]

“A friend of mine had a Keaton body cast” ...elaborate further please

[@pjincho]

It was me. I make love to a full body cast of michael Keaton. I sit him at the end of a 20 foot long dinner table, and ask him to pass the salt.

[@ismaelalcaron6877]

@@pjincho 🤣🤣🤣 best comment/reply on here 👌

[@mattykay6982]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@Louellen100]

😂😂🤣😂 right

[@Axlyoung1995]

The friend's name is Shawn Reeves. He runs his own costume fabrication company called REEVZFX

[@jkie89]

This made me cry. 89 and Returns are two very important films (along with Forever and Batman and Robin in their own right) to my childhood. To see Warner and Ironhead place so much time and care into restoring these and seeing that the suits still retain the same "DNA", well, I'm at a loss for how beautiful that is.

[@Regular_1k]

I always wondered where they put the costumes after filming now I know

[@Jucelegario]

where the woke feminist old lady who cares jackshit about superheroes resides. Hurray!!!

[@sourlimone3004]

Let’s raid it they can’t stop all of us

[@sirgalahad1376]

J.C. L. How was she a woke feminist?

[@jonassiendervils2102]

Now you know don't think us

[@vestige1671]

J.C. L. No one: Literally no one: You: FREAKING FEMINISTS!

[@3rdeyespy967]

The 89 batsuit by far my favorite of all time, just something about that suit screams awesome to me

[@bailey2624]

its perfection

[@gonzacollao]

Personally I love BvS Batfleck's suit, the classic grey looks perfect

[@alphatrion100]

89 and affleck are the best. Never liked the bale suit The mask is so ugly

[@toxification]

@@alphatrion100 The Bale suit's voice and suit do NOT match.

[@D5380H]

I loved 89 suit but there was something about the way the cape draped over his shoulders in Batman Returns that was awesome

[@ronaldrodriguez14]

I am glad Rocksteady added the 1989 Batsuit to Arkham Knight.

[@r0bw00d]

Hear hear!

[@AzraelDarkness64Gaming]

Same here and nightwing aswell

[@paddypowerhughes]

It’s kinda perfect considering it’s virtually exactly the same as the 90s batsuit

[@spartacussmith7070]

Excuse me

[@spartacussmith7070]

You ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?

[@nathancruz9172]

I still enjoyed the Batman suit and batmobile from 1989.

[@danialm8122]

oh

[@M64bros]

Same I'm going to be 1989 batman for Halloween!!!!!!!!

[@sherrypatrick2658]

😃👍

[@TREVORJB101]

@@M64bros do you have your suit? I have an 89 cowl from Reevesfx that is badass

[@M64bros]

@@TREVORJB101 I still have the suit with me. it looks like this kzbin.info/www/bejne/pV6QqKWtnMeXrsU

[@chwenhoou]

My hats off to you, Ironhead Studios, for restoring cinema history to its former glory.

[@LarryLeeMoniz]

Ironhead Studio seems to be the perfect place to restore this historic pieces. Jose Fernandez really knows, and cares about protecting the legacy of Batman. This couldn't be i better hands. The '89 Batman suit is far and away my favorite (as is that movie), and I am thankful they are restored to their former glory.

[@MISTERBOLD]

Forget Area 51...Storm WB corporate archives !!!

[@octpod3923]

It's all part of the plan.....

[@marillygo]

We want the government to think we are going to area 51, but they don't know are true plan

[@stevevondoom4140]

wb has dem martians , martian manhunter!! ;)

[@rasta-rr8eu]

im gonna finna come from Serbia just to strom this achieve m8.....

[@rudy6222]

Kai McCook thank you.

[@ROYCE415]

I remember they didn’t give this guy credit after Batman v Superman, glad he started his own company to get the recognition he deserves

[@darthvadersith514]

I’d imagine the WB archives doesn’t have museum-standard environmental controls. That might explain how some of the damage happened. Budget reasons, I’m sure. The controls are very important, but WB is a film company first. Btw, I’m not just saying this to be a troll. I’m a museum professional; I’ve seen and heard about many situations like this before. Archives and museums not getting enough resources to properly conserve their artifacts is a bigger problem than most people realize.

[@SauloVideoGameReview]

Batman 1989 & Batman Returns Batsuit is one of my favorite 👍❤

[@dvonmeadows323]

SauloFranchise I absolutely agree with you!!! Keaton was my first Batman experience and I’ll never forget it!!!!!

[@aarongilmore1254]

This man literally has his sweat and tears engrossed in the Batman Film Mythos. What a Legend

[@misterj1396]

3:00 Wait, they used Nike shoes for the Keaton Batman? lol

[@tristantristan8934]

they jordan 6 all black

[@DJDarkDarsi]

@@tristantristan8934 No, those are BatNikes, he bought them with the Bat credit card (different bat I know but still)

[@misterj1396]

DarkDarsi Right after he got drive thru

[@haljordan9715]

Mister J Gotta love product placements in films

[@7.2percentalcohol45]

DarkDarsi... Now thAt waS fuNny.. You get 2 be a ReaL BatMaN FaN 2 get thAt JokE.. Lol.. ""Bat Credit-card 💳""

[@spartan2188]

Batman 1989 and Batman Returns costumes are my favorite Batman costumes. The newer ones are not as iconic and awesome as these! Thank you Ironhead for restoring them!!

[@kenrickbautista6141]

Michael Keaton was AWESOME as Batman! 😁

[@ariantaghdiri7937]

Best batman

[@davidcosloff]

He should've been all 4 films. The 5th film would've been amazing.

[@kenrickbautista6141]

David Cosloff I couldn't agree more.

[@kldeshesky]

Damian Howard Yes. He is THE best Batman.

[@RAG3Xbox]

Keaton was the best batman But Bale was the best Bruce

[@MoazIkhlas]

You ever danced with the devil under the pale moonlight? LOVE BATMAN!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!!! 🦇🦇🦇

[@Deep_Armageddon]

“In”

[@commandingjudgedredd1841]

It's a question I always ask of all my prey. I just like the sound of it.

[@micpere1991]

Man I would love to see these suits in person. They are a piece of history.

[@ZeppoStJohn]

How awesome would it be to have Michael K come back and play old Batman who turns the mantle of Batman over in Batman beyond

[@darthkurland]

That would be epic. But who would portray Terry McGuinness/Batman Beyond?

[@bofo85]

It’s happening! Keaton is set to return in the new Flash movie which will lead to more appearances

[@sharpey87]

Imagine...

[@darthkurland]

Now that it’s confirmed that Keaton is returning, where do they go from there?

[@james.black981]

Just a cameo from Keaton in a batman film would be amazing. But what about all of them sitting around playing cards or drinks in a bar, subtle but iconic.

[@newtechgs7471]

The cowl from returns is such a stunning sculpture

[@zwergz1122]

But will you be able to turn your head though?🤔

[@darthkurland]

Zwergz 112 good question.

[@chwenhoou]

Not sure but the BvS bat suit is where Ironhead Studios cracked that issue. Sadly, they were not involved in Justice League. Watch some clips of the two movies together and you'll see a world of difference.

[@marcodabatman]

The original Keaton suits had that problem. I assume with this being a display piece they probably don’t have neck movement in the cowl as well.

[@AlexTM44]

Peripheral view. This is one of the reasons why I don't like the Bale movies, brought up a lot of bs, just to introduce that ridiculous Batman suit, that looks more like a feline suit, a Catman suit

[@vergilsshcum]

@@chwenhoou the dark Knight suit can move head

[@daniel-zh9nj6yn6y]

DC, how about a Batman Beyond movie with Michael Keaton ?

[@CagedSUPERMAN]

daniel280456 sad thing is, he said he’d be up for it if Tim burton would do it.

[@JordanGingold]

@@CagedSUPERMAN not a chance in hell, but would be amazing

[@CagedSUPERMAN]

Jordan Gingold well Keaton said it not me. Up to the dicks at WB

[@DH_Artist]

Model T101 is it bad I read that in Keaton’s voice, including him saying “dicks up at WB”?

[@melancholyentertainment]

Well, they're trying to get him back for the Flashpoint movie it seems.

[@Amarsbar555]

I’ve seen the returns suit face to face. It’s majestic and I was in awe! I got to touch the shoes and the legs latex as it’s hanging up in the venetian,vegas. I spoke to the guy that day and he took me all the way to the top and through the warehouse bit- and I was just amazed. I just stared at the suit for a good 30 mins thinking of so many of my childhood dreams

[@hindsightpov4218]

I always thought the way the 1989 Batman suit and the 1992 Batman Returns suit would have the webbed ends of the cowl wrap around the bat symbol on the chest was a brilliant design. I was hoping this design element would make its way to the comics, but as far as I know it never did.

[@txbatfan6647]

wow! restoring history. awesome job. jose fernandez is a very talented vato

[@RgxSuperSonic]

This made me happy, i love the 1989 batsuit. Glad to see it preserved and its original material being recycled too! Would love to see more of the DC stuff at warner archive, or even more restorations.

[@rickwallace5806]

Thank you guys so much for restoring my favorite Batsuit.

[@yandman26]

My friends family were involved with the 89' film and she got to walk the Gotham city set. What an absolute dream.

[@BatmanKnightfan]

Gordon: “I’ll gotta get me one of those.” - Batman Begins Imagine owning Batman 89 or Returns Batsuit

[@player2-lightwater914]

Thats why the Batsuit in The Dark Knight was change

[@Deep_Armageddon]

Player 2-LightWater why

[@kevinnelson66]

Portions of the Batman Returns suit were auctioned off a few years ago. IIRC, they sold for some serious money.

[@MrGenexxx]

4:05 that's just sad...

[@theclayslinger]

WOW!!! Congratulations and WELL DONE!!! The perfect crew for the job!

[@darthkurland]

One other thing that I found out was that Mr. Fernandez had done the initial sculpt of the third film’s Batsuit when Michael Keaton was still attached to portray the Dark Knight. There were a few elements that definitely continued on to Val Kilmer’s two Batsuits, especially in the case of the Sonar Suit. I just wish that Michael Keaton’s Batsuit MK III had been finished so we could see what could have been. I hope that you’re listening, Mr. Fernandez.

[@DH_Artist]

I just went on the tour a couple weeks ago and there was hardly any Batman related stuff on the tour at ALL. We spent 5 minutes in the batmobile room and we saw 2 cowls, that was IT!!!! I want my money back.....

[@tonyalmeida5684]

All day around DC props AND a paycheck? Dream job!

[@travfdy]

This is great. What I love the most is that they keep Keaton alive in it through the computer screen to the finished product.

[@Cotygeek]

I love this kind of stuff. Seeing Jose Fernandez work on these suits is amazing.

[@Rivera2099]

Happy they restored the suits seeing them at NYCC few years back sadden me to see how bad they looked over time .. good job guys 👍🏻💨

[@TOSStarTrek]

They found a lot of the same problems while restoring the spacesuit from the Apollo era

[@clarkkent3809]

TOSStarTrek Yeah, because they are both fake.

[@clarkkent3809]

Lawn Bear Exactly! Haha!

[@sethcril]

It's nice seeing awake people in unexpected places.

[@Ur2ez4me81]

This is so awesome. I have nothing but respect for people who restore things especially anything related to Batman...

[@ianmuessig]

Super cool, thanks for sharing!

[@MRSceneITALL]

The 89 Suit the Forever Suit (Sonar) And The Begins Suits were my favourites. Afflecks was good But the years Could of been longer.

[@SweatmansFlicks]

"I'm not going to kill you. I want you to do me a favor. I want you to tell all your friends about me."

[@PowerRangersLostGalaxyFanFilm]

Goon: "What are you?!" Batman: "I'm Batman."

[@RebelKingfrom1995]

I love this stuff. Restoring classic movie costumes and the whole archive itself. I wanna go there one day.

[@marcelo78]

Beautiful. Fantastic work!

[@josephlowry4320]

DC I love the Tim Burton's Batman films and The Dark Knight Trilogy.

[@SlashManEXE]

Absolutely fascinating. I don't think it's such a stretch to say Jose has worked on some of the finest Batsuits put to film (credit to Bob Ringwood as well). Warner has done a great job of keeping the Keaton legacy alive amidst the long line of Batman films.

[@Darklg23]

Excellent work

[@williamclark3671]

Wow nice video dude!

[@bryantmcknight4880]

That cowl actually looks more form fitting and slim

[@JoseIbarra-dx8mu]

Bro that scarecrow in the beginning 🔥

[@barrywhisler96]

Yeah I seen that!! It's beautiful. And I want it!!

[@woahningenius]

What's it frommmm?

[@barrywhisler96]

@@woahningeniusWhat the scarecrow?

[@woahningenius]

@@barrywhisler96 yeah, I don't think I've seen it anywhere

[@barrywhisler96]

@@woahningenius Yeah me neither. I thought maybe it was like a revised version of scarecrow in Batman Begins but it's really nothing like it.

[@ed209onthestairs]

Fantastic video! What a fun cool job that would be, but probably also tedious and difficult.

[@oliversantillan8105]

This was amazing. I hope we can have the DCDAILY every week!!!!

[@Bat-talk]

Wow all this is mind blowing:0 I had Nike’s like those haha

[@Sacha_8976]

BAT-TALK! You had Batman’s shoes 🤣

[@Bat-talk]

apple cider Vinegar black Nike’s with yellow accents haah

[@antoniorosko765]

They are Jordan 6s

[@mrdan5943]

Batflec suit was literally a masterpiece!!!!

[@DarrenRichardCalvert]

This suit is just amazing I was lucky to see it last year... childhood dream. Still my favourite film. 🙂

[@HomeOfTheBRAVE.]

That's a magical place. Amazing. I grew up with the bat since 91' and lucky to see the evolution of this character.

[@Thesmartestmanalive81]

Jose Fernandez received ZERO credit for his amazing work in BvS. Watch the end credits and you’ll see. That’s the reason why Batman couldn’t turn his neck in justice league. Thanks a lot Warner Bros! #releasethesnydercut

[@untamedoffice4475]

the first batman with keaton was great

[@Jacob-rd2wh]

I would happily spend on my money just to see a museum of just batman

[@fabianchavez9310]

That must be a dream job, being able to actually touch iconic one of a kind suits. Also just making other super heroes costumes and video game caricatures. I wish I could sculpt as good as they do, cause that would be my DREAM job and I would never retire.

[@mikekazz5353]

My only question is why nipples on a bat suit. Batman: to put fear into crime Villain: um bat are you enjoying this a little too much?

[@imperial-xi]

Who's here after hearing the Michael Keaton returning as Batman news?

[@heartburglar3411]

He's not...that was just lame rumour

[@imperial-xi]

@@heartburglar3411 he's in talks for the role. That's been confirmed. It is most likely going to happen.

[@omegacatdestroyer5634]

@@imperial-xi even if he comes back he will come back as old man bruce wayne in a batman beyond movie.

[@BrandonGebbia]

Wow... Love the returns suit.

[@AWMsCorner]

This is the dream warehouse to visit. I’m a huge Batman fan, and I’ve always loved the 89 suit, and my personal favorite, The Dark Knight outfit. It would be so mind blowing to see all the movie models and outfits they have stored there from all my favorite movies!

[@SOULFORESAKER]

WB! Make his cape cover his shoulders!!!!!!!!

[@raymondpurwanto6191]

I would like to see more of this kind of documentary!

[@stevevondoom4140]

yes please... i imagine a similar process is being used for the cw show suits from arrow/Flash...

[@thetruthisoutthere5265]

That was really cool to see preserved and recreated by the one who made it!

[@fers_in]

That's why I love comic movies, such a nice customs that make me dream but now I see all the incredible work behind that and that explains all.

[@headlight31]

Batfleck is still hands down the best suit. Also, Batman 89 wore Nike's?! 😮

[@WinningProduction420]

Batfleck did take from almost 30 years of trial and error. So by now, they have zero excuse for making a bad batsuit

[@firsttry2]

Yes Keaton have tried the shoes and love the confort.

[@darnayblue3081]

n1ko Yeah, Nike Trainers and Nike Air Jordan VI.

[@Doug5614]

Hated the Batfleck suit. Ugh! Don't being back the short ears.

[@TheTorchMC]

2:12 “A friend of mine had a Keaton body caste”

[@jasonhearn5818]

tim burton's direction and Keaton's portrayal batman was a major game changer ...set the tone and paved the way for nolan's batman ..prior the Keaton's batman was Adam west (RIP) campy...kid friendly version but tim burton's 1989 movie releases with that all black batsuit and batmobile and the rest is history

[@Pwg1985]

Favorite Batman suit. Glad your keeping them alive. Ied love to have one.

[@Angie_Onaleta]

Real life Edna Mode!

[@Bat-talk]

They originally didn’t give this guy much credit from my understanding.. good thing they acknowledging him Now ! Suits designed by a Mexican! Wooohoo as a Mexican myself I’m happy for this man!

[@sirgalahad1376]

He’s American sorry

[@Bat-talk]

Hingle McCringleberry FERNANDEZ is Latino Lol Mexican..

[@Bat-talk]

Mad Max don’t be sorry .. but Fernandez isn’t Caucasian Mexican-American maybe but still Mexican with that last name

[@Bat-talk]

Mad Max you’re stupid .. with the “sorry” tying to sound cool? Sounds sassy af

[@AmandaaRose]

This is amazing. I love it so much.

[@alexhetherington8028]

That opening batsuits shot gives me Goosebumps.

[@genracer8866]

God Bless You 🙏😎👍✌️💜💖💗🦇

[@Csthedirector]

Batman Returns & BvS are my two favorite! This was awesome to watch!

[@toc8566]

Batman wore NIKE'S!!! 😱😂

[@ciaramundo562]

Cap Rog8 they’re Jordan’s

[@toc8566]

@@ciaramundo562 thank you for the correction 😊❤

[@supersebac320]

Seeing the 89 and specially the returns suit just turn to dust is heartbreaking, specially since they are some of my favorite versions of the suit. But seeing it beinf recontruscted its just amazing

[@Spacemonkey907]

Amazing. How do you even get into jobs like these? Everybody else doing construction, retail jobs. That would be rad to do for a living.

[@austinmeghu]

I want to see a sequel to batman returns that follows Frank Miller's "the dark knight returns" storyline with Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson

[@Deep_Armageddon]

Lol unfortunately Nicholson is pushing 90 so I’m pretty sure that won’t happen.

[@austinmeghu]

@@Deep_Armageddon it's a story with an old batman and joker. Our original batman and joker are still alive. Feels like a missed opportunity not to make that movie

[@jamesfrancistamburojr8180]

Amazing video

[@LuxCyanoFilmes]

Thanks for all, Jay! Greetings from Brazil.

[@alexanderskiles4755]

The Iron Giant!!!! 19-20 sec

[@perryzion333]

Here you go 0:19

[@jasontodd9]

Not everyone can hear, DC. Closed captions would be nice.

[@SeanOzz]

You absolutely killed it on the Ben Aflick suit! amazing job!

[@stylez12a]

How can anyone dislike such art? This is absolutely amazing 😊

[@Scoot694]

So pumped to see Robert Pattinson’s suit!!

[@stevevondoom4140]

better not sparkle tho....

[@Scoot694]

Steve Von Doom I honestly highly doubt it. It’s reassuring to know that even Robert Pattinson hated the Twilight movies.

[@ironhorse3826]

I can’t wait to see Michael Keaton’s

[@darthkurland]

@@stevevondoom4140 it won’t. That’s not who Batman is.

[@boomdaddycool4328]

The 89' Keaton Batman is a str8 O.G he the only Batman to ever sport the Bo Jackson Nikes it don't get no more real than that

[@boomdaddycool4328]

@j t yes Michael Keaton was sporting a custom made version of Bo Jackson's Nike air trainers from 1988 Bo Jackson was the man he is the only "2 sport" athlete in sports history to be an All-star in MLB and the NFL he played for the KC Royal's and the L.A Raiders at the same time and dominated look it up Keaton wasn't sporting them cuz they were cheap he was sporting them cuz it was an honor if u don't know now who he is look it up bro😎

[@roasthunter]

Really great overview, would be good to have seen Keaton try on his suits again :)

[@NFStamper]

He did

[@thetruebatman4632]

Visiting either of these facilities would be like a dream come true.

[@Cat-meow-Cat]

The 70 dislike were from batman's list of rouges And yes they are called rouges

[@SonnySkye]

Jose was HOT AF when he was younger.

[@CartoonManWhoo]

89 was the first film I ever saw in theaters. I was 4 years old. As a result Batman has always been best for me in the 70's, 80's and some of the 90's and 200's comics.

[@CesarIsaacPerez]

Awesome!!! Jose Fernandez and Iron head Studios do amazing work and the dude's barely aged in 30 years...