Batman's utility belt

File:Utilitybelt01.jpg

A close-up of an early utility belt

Batman's utility belt is the most characteristic portion of Batman's costume, much like Wonder Woman's Lasso of Truth, or Green Lantern's ring.

The exact contents of the belt are not known, as Batman changes them to suit his needs; his uncanny ability to carry the appropriate tools for a mission is legendary.

Batman's enemies are especially interested in the belt as they believe it will give them an advantage over him, but the belt's pockets are locked and only Batman knows how to open them. Occasionally, the belt is depicted as having defense mechanisms such as electric shock or stun gas in order to prevent tampering.

History

Up until 1989, most artists drew the utility belt as a simple yellow belt with a buckle and cylinders around it. In 1986, Frank Miller drew Batman's utility belt with many pouches around it in the Batman: The Dark Knight Returns limited series. This rendition was utilized again in Batman: Year One and used by almost every artist in the Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight comics series. In 2000, the pouches became a standard feature in the depiction of the utility belt.

Description

Although seemingly unremarkable in appearance, the utility belt is one of Batman's most important tools in fighting crime. Composed of a leather strap and a solid steel buckle, the utility belt houses ten cylinder cartridges, which vertically clip onto the outside of the belt. The buckle itself contains a miniature camera and two-way radio. A secondary compartment behind the length of the belt houses Batman's supply of collapsible batarangs.

Each of the ten cylinders contains various tools integral to Batman's war on crime, and are interchangable with other cylinders depending on Batman's needs for the mission. Through the years, Batman has modified the contents of his belt to accommodate various needs.

Contents

Elements of the utility belt at times include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Batarangs : Batman's version of the Shuriken. They have often been more closely identified with boomerangs.

• Bat-bolas : This weapon is thrown around the feet of Batman's enemies and ties them with a thin rope. Then, with the push of a button in Batman's glove it can cause an electro shock.

• Bat-cuffs : Bat shaped handcuffs, resembling Special Forces handcuffs. Using a one-piece design they slide closed and have to be cut off, using a special tool given to the Gotham PD.

• Communications device : Often an earbug, but sometimes handheld.

• First aid kit : For minor injuries. A larger kit is stored in most vehicles.

• Forensics kit : For impromptu examinations of crime scenes. A larger, more comprehensive one is in the Batmobile.

• Gas mask : Protection against air-toxins (i.e. the Scarecrow's Fear Gas). Depending on the writer and/or artist, it may also be incorporated with a rebreather.

• Goo gun : This elegant weapon fires an adhesive-like substance that delivers small electrical impacts to its victim.

• Grappling hook : Used to attach a line in order to scale sheer surfaces and/or swing across gaps.

• Infrared goggles : Using infrared technology to see thermal output in low/no-light situations.

• Kryptonite ring : Stored in a lead box, for use against Superman and other Kryptonians should the need ever arise.

• Laser torch : A strong minaturized laser used as a cutting tool.

• Oxy-acetylene torch: The laser torch's predecessor

• Line gun : Similar to a grappling hook, the line gun uses a strong clamp attached to a line, for scaling surfaces and/or traversing gaps. It can be recovered by releasing the clamp and rewinding the cable.

• Lock picks - Sometimes stored in one of his gloves instead.

• Micro camera

• Miniature smoke grenades

• Miniaturized toolkit

• Rebreather : Allows Batman to breathe underwater or in vacuum. Depending on the writer and/or artist, it may also be incorporated with a gas mask.

• Remote control : Used to control the Batmobile and other vehicles.

• Smoke pellets: Usually used to quickly provide cover for Batman to stealthly exits and entries.

• Stun (Flash-Bang) grenades: Emits light to blind and stun enemies.

• Taser

• Thermate grenades (Although they are identified as Thermite grenades it is safe to assume that they are actually Thermate since the former is a World War II technology which has largely been replaced by Thermate): An incendiary used to burn through obstacles. In Batman: Year One, the thermite charge ignited accidentally and destroyed the utility belt.

Appearance in other media

• The utility belt as seen on Batman (TV series).[1]
  The utility belt as seen on Batman (TV series).
• The utility belt as seen in Batman (1989 film).
  The utility belt as seen in Batman (1989 film).
• The utility belt as seen in Batman Returns.
  The utility belt as seen in Batman Returns.
• The utility belt as seen in Batman Forever.
  The utility belt as seen in Batman Forever.
• The utility belt as seen in Batman & Robin.
  The utility belt as seen in Batman & Robin.
• The utility belt as seen in Batman Begins.
  The utility belt as seen in Batman Begins.

References

http://science.howstuffworks.com/batsuit4.htm

http://www.dialbforblog.com/archives/282/

External links

• Superhero Gadgets as a Deus Ex Machina
• Utility Belt Bio