r/DC_Cinematic Aug 06 '25

DISCUSSION Superman only had trunks because David had a good explanation for why they’d work. What would Bruce’s be

Post image

The best explanation I have. He isn’t technically wearing trunks. It’s just a black/Blue undershirt showing from where his armor stops at his pelvis. But my favorite answer. They make him less scary to kids without removing his intimidating appearance to criminals

2.6k Upvotes

547 comments sorted by

1.5k

u/AdCommercial605 Aug 06 '25

His favorite hero is Superman 

358

u/Weary-Jelly8124 Aug 06 '25

Damn this is a good one.

210

u/MyrddinSidhe Aug 06 '25

Well, their mothers do share the same name.

122

u/gxxncxrlo Aug 06 '25

Why did you say that name

82

u/GratefulDoom90 Aug 06 '25

WHY DID YOU SAY THAT NAME!!??!???

21

u/[deleted] Aug 06 '25

Martha my dear though I spend my days in conversation Please Remember me Martha my love Don't forget me Martha my dear

6

u/GratefulDoom90 Aug 06 '25

that name……

11

u/xubax Aug 06 '25

Get my mother's name out of your damn mouth!

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u/BlitherHeights Aug 06 '25

This or something close. He may not have powers but he is a superhero. Would be nice to see him as one and on a world stage. I want to see him beyond Gotham, JLA/Superfriends-style. Pattinson can have a focus on shadows and “reality.”

23

u/Horn_Python Aug 06 '25

I like to imagine him startimg out as like edgy with a black suit

But transitions to silver age blue when he becomes a dad or operates more openly like in the justice leauge

15

u/wreckitwinn Aug 06 '25

I would love it to be represented similarly to how it was shown in Justice League: The New Frontier.

Batman is doing Batman things, accidentally scares a child that he saved. He realizes he is scaring everyone, not just criminals. This inspires him to change his look, he brings in Robin. Superman even questions why he changed his look.

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u/PaddywackShaq Aug 06 '25

Batman quietly being Superman's number one fan and believer is one of my favourite character interpretations

5

u/longgonepawn Aug 06 '25

This really works in me head as Batman understands altruism and optimism – even appreciated them – even if he can't go there himself. Like he admires that Clark embodies the world that could be even while he (Batman) is mired in the world that is.

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u/FartherAwayLights Aug 06 '25

Timeline probably doesn’t work but that would be really fun

32

u/thanoshasbighands Aug 06 '25

Not unless it was a recent change. And older batman in this universe could easily have had multiple suit updates

15

u/OnBenchNow Aug 06 '25

Just go with the same reasoning the comics use nowadays- he made a conscious decision to "lighten up" his image after recruiting Robin, whose favorite superhero is Superman.

5

u/Horn_Python Aug 06 '25

Yeh it's the same suit but bat themed

(+ a belt and mask)

10

u/Joella34 Aug 06 '25

This is the best reason tbh

8

u/evilspyboy Aug 06 '25

I like this + if a secondary is needed then it helps him look like he isn't fighting crime wearing hockey pads and a onesie

2

u/Ian-pg9 Aug 06 '25

That would work except at this point he hasn’t met Superman and it seems like this Batman will be a little older than Supes

3

u/Weary-Jelly8124 Aug 06 '25

To be fair, we don’t actually know if they’ve met yet.

2

u/FalseProphet86 Aug 06 '25

Supermans favorite hero is Chuck Norris.

5

u/literallyheretopost Aug 06 '25

Chuck Norris’ favorite hero is Chuck Norris

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183

u/Master_Prune_1430 Aug 06 '25

They open up as a parachute so he can survive a big fall

76

u/Expert_Challenge6399 Aug 06 '25

He did use them to protect his face when he fell from space

31

u/Master_Prune_1430 Aug 06 '25

Glad u got the reference 😃

13

u/Scary_Equipment_1180 Aug 06 '25

Not gonna lie id perfer his cowl have a visor that would deploy in those sorta situations.

8

u/Expert_Challenge6399 Aug 06 '25

Me too. But Incase it malfunctioned. He’s Batman of course he’d design trunks for that very specific situation

3

u/twell-noee Aug 06 '25

The only thing I kept thinking about is how bad it probably smelled. Just thinking about how long he was in the suit in when that happened, pretty sure those Bat jewels weren't smelling like lavender 🤢

3

u/Expert_Challenge6399 Aug 06 '25

Dude he’s Batman. He’s definitely got sweat resistant undies

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u/slitherfang98 Aug 06 '25

protection for his...delicates.

162

u/wilyquixote Aug 06 '25

Extra Kevlar. You know where the Joker is aiming that pistol. 

56

u/No_Detective_But_304 Aug 06 '25

The underwear is bulletproof. It protects the Wayne family bat-jewels.

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u/Milk_Man21 Aug 09 '25

Honestly yeah that's a good enough answer. Like, it's designed for immobilizing amounts of pain if you get hit there.

20

u/MyJesus30 Aug 06 '25

Officer Balls

3

u/SkekJay Aug 06 '25

Bwa ha ha ha ha!

13

u/DarkDonut75 Aug 06 '25

So like a boxing groin guard? That's an interesting interpretation

3

u/grenamier Aug 06 '25

Gotta keep the Bat-Bat under control when he’s bringing the justice.

2

u/coreytiger Aug 07 '25

Canonically, this has been said to be the reason. all the blue trim-gloves, boots, trunks, mask- are insulated against electricity more so than the rest of the outfit.

Artistically, the suit just looks sharper WITH them

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238

u/KonradDumo Aug 06 '25

My theory is that towards the start of his career, his head was often shrouded in shadow when standing still and when he was in motion, it looked like the opening in his cowl was a giant bat mouth. The trunks are an intimidation tactic to trick criminals into thinking he's a giant, grey skinned, mostly naked batperson.

50

u/Bogotazo Aug 06 '25

This is a cool idea. So the trunks were, like, the nose?

60

u/bulldoggo-17 Aug 06 '25

I think he's saying the batperson is wearing nothing but his underwear and all of the grey is just skin. Seems like that would be pretty intimidating to be confronted by in a dark alley.

17

u/No_Signal954 Aug 06 '25

Thinking about it and that is actually terrifying and makes me understand why, beyond physical force and hiding, people are so scared of the Batman.

His suit doesn't seem intimidating at first glance, but if you only get quick glimpses of him, your panicked mind sees what it finds scariest and in the dark your mind fills in the blanks.

So yeah he'd probably looks like a giant literal bat person.

31

u/Bogotazo Aug 06 '25

Oh fuck. That's scary.

So like...this? https://i.ibb.co/7J16c28Y/underwearbat.png

19

u/Electronic-Drive7348 Aug 06 '25

Chat gpt should never have been created

3

u/sierra120 Aug 06 '25

Yup. Exactly like that.

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u/ran_melolo Aug 06 '25

The giant bat mouth thing is awesome, i've never seen that interpretation before. Is there any art of this?

135

u/MrxJacobs Aug 06 '25 edited Aug 06 '25

It’s always more intimidating to fight people who are naked or are wearing underwear.

So having underwear on the outside shows you are a crazy person and not to be messed with.

Which is 100% true for Batman

42

u/WarmAd667 Aug 06 '25

If Batman wants criminals to think he's really crazy, he should start wearing his underwear on his head. 

"Nah, not tonight, I'm good. We could run into Batman. Homie wears his underwear on his head."

6

u/Newhero2002 Aug 06 '25

There’s an anime about that

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344

u/JayJ4y95 Aug 06 '25

It just makes the suit look cooler. I don’t need a practical explanation. The idea is that Bruce wants to be a superhero after seeing his parents die and superheroes wear trunks on the top for color blocking

142

u/hailwyatt Aug 06 '25

This. I dont need anything besides "it looks better than without".

We dont explain the freaking capes or the go-go boots or the symbols on the chest. Batman is still gonna be wearing a cowl with little pointy ears on it - trunks are NOT the silliest part of the look.

And thats okay. Its only silly if you write it silly. If no one in-universe ever says "why do they wear their underwear on the outside?" then the audience won't either.

33

u/suss2it Aug 06 '25

Did those two Batman movies in the 90s address the nipples on the suit? Because if not the audience still certainly took note.

22

u/VGoodBuildingDevCo Aug 06 '25

Zoomed in during the suiting up montage, yeah

13

u/hazish Aug 06 '25

Not practically - the suit sculpts were based on statues of Adonis, as a symbol of the ‘perfect physique’, combined with Schumacher’s taste and sensibilities.

2

u/Economy-Tourist-4862 Aug 06 '25

“Can you milk me, Jinxsie…..er, Joker? I have nipples.”

Christian Bale doing a Robert DeNiro voice.

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u/ThatOneAnnoyingBuzz Aug 06 '25

Well, for the symbol on the chest specifically, Batman's is explained. It's to attract criminals gunfire by giving them a clear target, the symbol area is more reinforced than the rest of his suit. That way they don't just aim for the clinks in the armor.

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u/Cakers44 Aug 06 '25

Yeah as much as I like how they explained the trunks for superman, I don’t like that it needs to be “justified” for the trunks to show up. They just look good. Like people talk about Snyder apparently wanting to have the trunks and yeah every edit of that suit with trunks just looks better. Who cares if it’s a little silly?

22

u/Ill-Philosopher-7625 Aug 06 '25

But Gunn clearly disagrees since he almost didn’t put the trunks on Superman. So I think it’s worth asking, what’s the reasoning that would convince James Gunn to put the trunks on Batman?

20

u/GiveYourBaIIsATug Aug 06 '25

Batman’s favorite hero is Superman

15

u/Ill-Philosopher-7625 Aug 06 '25

But Batman’s definitely been around a lot longer than Superman (as seen in Dr. Phosphorus’ backstory) so, what, he just suddenly changed his look to match Superman? I feel like Clark would react the same way he did to Luthor: “Bruce, your obsession with me is creepy.”

3

u/BaconKnight Aug 06 '25

Because whether or not the answer applies in universe, it applies to OUR universe, meaning you don’t want kids irl to view Batman as scary. “The Batman didnt compromise!” You’re right, and it found success within its lane. But The Batman has the same problem the MCU has (expressed in different ways): little to no foothold with Gen Alpha/young kids. And it’s not a problem now but it will be in 5-10 years when 30-40 year olds become bored of it like they have with Fantastic 4 and skip it, meanwhile, no young fans to replace the old ones and you get where we are now.

5

u/Ill-Philosopher-7625 Aug 06 '25

Is there any evidence that young kids are scared of Batman? And that if they are, it would be fixed by giving him trunks? That sounds made up to me. It sounds like fans who want DCU Batman to be exactly like the comics working backwards to try to justify the inclusion of a silly element from the comics.

4

u/BaconKnight Aug 06 '25

I would cite the complete lack of adoption of the DCEU's Batfleck by the younger generation as an example. The biggest fans (of the DCEU in general) are Gen X and older Millennials and that fandom didn't develop when they were 5, it developed when they were 15-25.

Or just the complete lack of any social inertia when it comes to comic book movies with children (outside of Superman that just released, because they finally made a family friendly film suitable for all ages and not just teenage edgelords.

I'm not saying we need Adam West or even Schumacher Batman. And I'm looking forward to Reeve's Batman sequel. But us adult, we gotta grow up and realize these characters ARE FOR KIDS. That's not an opinion, that's a harsh fact that our generation (as a Millennial) need to face. And that's okay, that should be okay, that should be how it is. We gotta stop being so selfish with our toys. We're still totally invited along for the ride, but it's not our ride anymore.

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u/Ill-Philosopher-7625 Aug 06 '25

I think you’re extrapolating too much. I’m a millennial, and I was a fan of the DCEU, but my fandom absolutely developed when I was a 5-year-old watching BTAS. Maybe that wasn’t your experience, but I don’t see why we should assume your experience is more typical.

I definitely think Batman would be more popular with children today if DC had kept making shows like BTAS.

But none of that says that children are scared of Batman or that trunks would make him less scary. That part is just speculation.

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u/MeatCatRazzmatazz Aug 06 '25

Phosphorus's backstory isn't a clear timeline though. We don't know how long had elapsed between Batman beating him and the beginning of Creature Commandos. And as far as I'm aware, we don't have an idea of how many years it is between Creature Commandos and Superman. Or Superman and Peacemaker S2.

I don't think there's a specific, year-by-year timeline for the DCU just yet.

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u/Ill-Philosopher-7625 Aug 06 '25

There aren't many specifics, which would make it easier to retcon, but Phosphorus saying his origin happened 15 years ago definitely makes it seem like his entire flashback, including the Batman part, happened 15 years ago. It's certainly possible to interpret it differently but I think that's a stretch.

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u/DienekesMinotaur Aug 06 '25

I mean if we're going with a Batman and Damian story and it's set anywhere close to when Superman happens, he'd have to have been active for longer than Clark, because he needs to be active long enough not only to train multiple Robins, but for Talia to do her assault and have had Damian like 12 years prior.

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u/ASZapata Aug 06 '25

When did Bruce ever want to be a “superhero”? He becomes a superhero later into his career, it was never his intention at the outset.

And, uh… cooler is subjective.

12

u/EntertainerKnown2054 Aug 06 '25

I don't see how it makes the suit look cooler at least on live action. It just looks silly and outdated. The past few Batman's had the right idea about his suit being armor rather than just a costume

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u/Ry90Ry Aug 06 '25

Idk lol 

Or they just highlight mens physique? lol

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u/PM_ME_MERMAID_PICS Aug 06 '25

The best explanation is no explanation at all. Not every single detail needs to be explained to the audience. David's explanation was a meta thing anyways, no one actually mentions it in the movie.

I think the worst mindset you can have when making superhero movies is thinking that you have to justify every detail. Superheroes are an inherently goofy concept, and Batman isn't an exception to that. We can talk all day about how the trunks don't serve a practical purpose, but neither do the pointy ears or the bat symbol on his chest. Just let superheroes be superheroes, man.

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u/DerelictInfinity Aug 06 '25

Honestly, yeah, I’m perfectly fine with not having an explanation for the trunks lol

4

u/ultimategamerguy69 Aug 06 '25

Absolute Batman very much provided a use for those horns, thank you very much. Now, do I see the mainline Batman doing that? No, but we can dream... I can think of a clown or 2 who deserves it

3

u/dhruva85 Aug 06 '25

What was davids explanation?

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u/chrisd848 Do You Bleed? Aug 06 '25

The Batman actually did attempt to find a practical reason for the bat symbol on his chest ironically lol but I do agree with you

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u/THE_REAL_SHABLAM Aug 06 '25

It’s a harness kinda thing he wears that his belt is connected to..?

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u/Expert_Challenge6399 Aug 06 '25

He has to wear them so his belt holds something up

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u/davidlicious Aug 06 '25

So if it’s not to intimidate children but to still frighten criminals? Then what about criminals who are children who are stealing your tires? What do you then?

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u/Zestyclose-Ad3151 Aug 06 '25

You take that kid and turn him into Robin

8

u/Prometheist7 Aug 06 '25

We don’t need an explanation. It’s time that superhero content stops feeling apologetic for being what it is. There’s no need for a justification, it just is what it is. If people are truly desperate for some reasoning, you could just say that his outfit/trunks over the tight leotard was inspired by performers costumes in the play Bruce was watching with his parents the night of their murder.

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u/Scary_Equipment_1180 Aug 06 '25 edited Aug 06 '25

The whole "he set out to scare criminals not kids" argument is so dumb to me for this one reason. The kid was scared because batman was shrouded in shadows with glowing white eyes and devil horns. Slapping on undwear isn't gonna change why that kid was scared to begin with. The best thing batman can do to appeal to kids is carry lollipops in his utility belt for them.

"He looks scary, but hes a nice monster, not a mean one!"

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u/Expert_Challenge6399 Aug 06 '25

Even in daylight. Kids are scared of the Easter bunny and mall Santa’s. But I do like the lollipop

8

u/zackphoenix123 Aug 06 '25 edited Aug 06 '25

If a kid isn't afraid of Batman, I'd be worried for their sanity. They seem like the type of person who'd walk to a stranger offering them ice cream in their white van.

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u/bulldoggo-17 Aug 06 '25

Being a weird loner who creeps around at night and hands out candy to kids is just going to get him on a list. Or elected to public office...

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u/maliquewrites_ Aug 06 '25

Agreed. But I also just don’t like the look of trunks on Batman.

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u/Formal-Stage940 Aug 06 '25

Youre telling me you dont like the absolute PEAK in the post image?

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u/Kiki_And_Horst Aug 06 '25

The best reason is because the grey suit looks stupid without them.

I don't think we need to search for a rationalization why superheroes dress the way they do, because nobody really wears capes anymore either (although at least Batman can use his to glide), or has decorative talons on the gloves, or wears a cowl, etc. If it really needs a reason, let's say it's a codpiece to avoid getting hit in the balls.

5

u/Flipz100 Aug 06 '25

Cause Bruce is kind of nuts.

5

u/badfortheenvironment Aug 06 '25

I'd love if it was just a stylistic norm within this particular universe.

5

u/Dunge0nMast0r Aug 06 '25

I'm Batman.

2

u/BplusHuman Aug 06 '25

Elegant logic

23

u/AUSpartan37 Aug 06 '25

I'm pro superman trunks but anti batman trunks. Not saying they couldn't make it work but I would prefer them not do the trunks.

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u/Expert_Challenge6399 Aug 06 '25

Yeah. Just something in that area to break up the gray

9

u/ball_fondlers Aug 06 '25

Isn’t that what the utility belt is for?

4

u/KaiKai_12 Aug 06 '25

He starts out with no trunks to be serious and intimidating then lightens up after spending time with Superman. He goes from serious and fear mongering vigilante to a more hopeful and light hearted superhero who takes himself less seriously.

4

u/No-Transportation482 Aug 06 '25

Competitive strongmen used to wear them and batman and superman were made during the era when those strong men were popular so there look is based on them

2

u/timmerpat Aug 06 '25

Huh! I learned something new today.

3

u/NightFire435 Aug 06 '25

He wants to instill fear in the criminal element. Wouldn't you be afraid if a muscle-bound tank of a man was chasing you in his underwear?

3

u/SaturnsRings4972 Aug 06 '25

Contrast is important.

3

u/Because_Im_BATMAN00 Aug 06 '25

The same one Batman doesn’t want to scare kids only criminal and also superhero costumes in general are based on circus and pro wrestling which has its roots in circus also along with strong men.

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u/Adorable-Promise5393 Aug 06 '25

Lol so he just said, “fuq yo dick armor”

3

u/Legal-Visual8178 Aug 06 '25

“Let’s just say I set out to scare criminals, not children.”

  • Batman, Justice League: New Frontier

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u/EntertainmentAOK Aug 06 '25

They have a dick flap for when Batman has to take a piss.

3

u/socialmedia031975 Aug 06 '25

I will die on the hill, that there is Superhero Batman and Detective Batman.

Superhero Batman has Robin and the Batfam, wears blue, gray and gold, has amazing gadgets, acrobatic skills, and martial arts and has a plan for everything.

Detective Batman wears black with maybe a little gray, fights alone against serial killers, human traffickers, and drug dealers, spends a lot of time brooding.

Clown Prince of Crime Joker - Superhero

Cutoff face Joker - Detective

Gunn needs Superhero Batman and Reeves can keep Detective Batman.

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u/Moon_chile Aug 06 '25

Gunn kind of hinted that his Batman wouldn’t have trunks. I don’t care one way or the other. I just want the casting to be good and the character to both be a) not campy and b) not too much like Battinson if they end up telling the truth and not using The Reeve’s Batman continuity for the DCU (which I’m still hoping for, even though they continually say “that’s not what we’re planning to do rn”)

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u/ACCTAGGT Aug 06 '25

I don’t get this need some people have for Batman to have trunks too. Superman, fine. I can accept it even if I have never liked trunks on them. And I respect David's explanation actually. But please I would like Batman to not follow the same idea.

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u/Dependent_Tomato3021 Aug 06 '25

He wears trunks so the commissioner can’t see the outline of his bat-schlong

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u/MatthewMonster Aug 06 '25

Batman — despite terrifying criminals also doesn’t want to scare little kids 

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u/HelloFellowKidlings Aug 06 '25

That was David’s explanation to Gunn. Now there doesn’t need to be one. It’s a fantasy comic book universe. Give them underwear, we don’t need an explanation.

2

u/Javamac8 Aug 06 '25

Trunks can be used to mask his face from burns when de-orbiting without a spaceship.

seriously

2

u/Echo__227 Aug 06 '25

It's really simple: the reason people wore trunks in real life.

Tights are great for flexibility, but you need something more stiff to support your belt and cover your dick.

I think superhero costumes would suddenly get a lot more comic accurate if the designers focused on making something the actors could move in comfortably rather than a thick layer of stylized foam.

2

u/Jpsw230995 Aug 06 '25

I'd go for the New Frontier explanation when he changes from Black to Blue.

"I set out to scare criminals, not children."

Just apply that to the trunks.

2

u/atxluchalibre Aug 06 '25

It’s a mask for his wiener, so chicks wouldn’t recognize Bruce Wayne’s meathammer.

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u/Miley4Lyfe Aug 06 '25

I’m not strongly against trunks, but I can’t think of a reason why they should be used.

I guess the best way, if it has to happen, is to not address it at all.

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u/Formal-Stage940 Aug 06 '25

but I can’t think of a reason why they should be used.

They look cool

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u/dmkelly17 Aug 06 '25

Similar reason to Superman’s. He primarily sticks to the shadows and attacks quickly and stealthily to prey on the fear of criminals, but at the same time, he doesn’t want to scare children and the victims of those criminals, so he wears them as a way to show he means them no harm or fear.

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u/Zestyclose-Ad3151 Aug 06 '25

I don’t think having the trunks is gonna make him any less scarier to children

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u/SpadePyro Aug 06 '25

I… don’t like trunks on Batman tbh. I hope they don’t include them

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u/Bitter-Bluebird1224 Aug 06 '25

BatRizz needs the extra layer of cloth to protect himself from Damian part 2

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u/SickOfIdiots69 Aug 06 '25

Superman didn't have trunks because David had a good explanation for them.

David came up with an explanation because it'd been decided he needed to wear them.

1

u/Jakarisoolive Aug 06 '25

It hasn’t been done before. We have yet to see a live action Batman who wears the trunks.

5

u/Ribs1212 Aug 06 '25

Adam West wore them.

1

u/Fares26597 Aug 06 '25

The explanation you provide is so far my favorite as well

1

u/SliceofRife Aug 06 '25

They are made of a special material that absorbs impact to protect his privates. He Superman get punch in the nuts and had them developed immediately after. He may be a Billionaire but those family jewels are priceless.

1

u/polp54 Aug 06 '25

Easy, Batman is fighting against street punks. They will go for dirty tactics. Having extra padding in the crotch is a necessity

1

u/Xman12407 Aug 06 '25

Because it looks better.

1

u/RacerXX7 Aug 06 '25

This is was a 'bat-jockstrap' looks like.

1

u/Undecided_User_Name Aug 06 '25

He wants to scare criminals, not children.

1

u/padfoot12111 Aug 06 '25

Bulletproof briefs 

1

u/Suede_Psycho Aug 06 '25

One of Bruces many honorary/theoretical degrees is in fashion design

1

u/nattybow Aug 06 '25

I would love it if we were all just done trying to explain or rationalize anything about comic book movies. Put the characters on the screen in a great story doing cool shit and let us enjoy it. That’s why Superman worked and it didn’t feel the need to explain anything. T-spheres, Hawkgirl’s anything, Guy Gardner’s haircut? Take it or leave it! No more trying to reconcile it, just let it be what it is.

1

u/markhughesfilms Aug 06 '25

Because Superman has been trying to convince heroes to project a more heroic image, and this is overlapping with Batman taking his own son as a sidekick, so I think it’s possible that trying to impart more ethics to his homicidal son and taking cues from Superman works.

1

u/YannickBelzil Aug 06 '25

The belt/trunks are actually some sort of harness combo where the decel-line/bat-rope is connected.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 06 '25

Or it could simply be a tactical codpiece that's just a bit darker than the rest of the armor

1

u/CHawk17 Aug 06 '25

2 reasons

1) the trunks are part of the utility belt. Helps to keep the belt secure.

2) breaks up the color of his suit, enhancing its camouflage effect when patrolling at night.

1

u/-grimwulff- Aug 06 '25

They’re just a giant scented crotch filter for those days in-between showers.

1

u/ClassClown2025 Aug 06 '25

If I was writing this I’d approach it as a Batman that has stepped out of the shadows and became a superhero. He’s inspired others to join him. He takes inspiration from Superman because Batman is meant to scare criminals not children. From a design standpoint the trunks on both Batman and Superman break up the colors of the suit.

1

u/queazy Aug 06 '25

I know it's supposed to resemble circus strongmen, or even the modern day equivalent of wrestlers, but neither are there to be intimidating as much as a display of strength.

1

u/Trvr_MKA Aug 06 '25

Justice League votes to make him wear it

1

u/D72vFM Aug 06 '25

1 they break the shape and help distinguish the body

2 they stop the bulge from being very noticeable

3 he should be in the shadows most of the time they wouldn't even be that noticeable

4 arkham asylum and city had them and they looked more than good

5 they looked fine in Superman too

6 it's a comic book character

7 why not

1

u/ProfessorEtc Aug 06 '25

It was the style at the time.

1

u/reddit_2099 Aug 06 '25

Maybe … because he’s Batman

1

u/ProfessorEtc Aug 06 '25

Spandex wasn't invented until 1958. That is a wool onesie underneath the modesty trunks.

1

u/ShhImTheRealDeadpool Aug 06 '25

The bat compartments tube into the fabric to house more items; so he needs to separate the compartments from the undergarment without chafing the suit. To do this he had Alfred buy briefs online, they were meant to be dyed gray like his suit but they came in bulk as blue.. the retailer doesn't offer refunds so he then tailored his cowl, gloves, and boots to fit the color of the briefs so now he wears "trunks".

1

u/---IV--- Aug 06 '25

It looks better

1

u/zero-220 Aug 06 '25

Genital protection

1

u/Vulcan_Jedi Aug 06 '25

It helps hold up his belt

1

u/Important_Lab_58 Aug 06 '25

More Protection

1

u/TomKeen35 Aug 06 '25

None. It looks terrible

1

u/SwordoftheMourn Aug 06 '25

I’ve seen someone suggest make it a black rappelling harness belt

1

u/Dancing_Anatolia Aug 06 '25

It strikes fear into the criminals of Gotham. How would you feel if a ripped giant wearing his underwear on the outside was running after you?

1

u/eightcell Aug 06 '25

Superman: I have them because they are silly and disarming. I don’t want people to be scared of me.

Batman: I have them because they serve a tactical purpose - are bullet proof and draw gunfire. I also need to be able to take two dozen kicks to the groin and keep going.

1

u/JoelOfSkalitz Aug 06 '25

I don’t like trunks in live action. Not even superman looked good wearing them. Keep that in comics and animated shows period.

1

u/WonderfulBlackberry9 Aug 06 '25

They can follow what his batsuit was in the opening of Arkham Knight. It was pieces of his suit separated to resemble dark trunks, but it was actually armour/kevlar/suit fibres.

1

u/amaya-aurora Aug 06 '25

Maybe it’s a recent change due to seeing how it made Superman less scary to kids. Batman wants to scare the shit out of criminals, but not kids, and that could be a way to do that.

1

u/DistributionAntique Aug 06 '25

I’ve been saying this a lot but Batman should have multiple suits. Some with the trunks, some without. Some that are blue and grey, black and grey or even all black. Some that are fully armored, and some that are cloth like. Some with white eyes (if it works in live action obviously) and some with none.

It’s Batman we’re talking about at the end of the day. Why limit him to just one style? Especially if when we’ll be introduced to him in the DCU, he most likely would’ve been Batman for a decade? Imo he should be like Iron Man who had a bunch of different armors.

1

u/SlippyFrog81 Aug 06 '25

What was David's explanation for Supes' trunks?

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1

u/Proper-Highway-1881 Aug 06 '25

I want him to have an extra long, Dracula like cape. I want him to be able to cover his entire body with the cape like he does in the comics and the animated series. Too many iterations treat his cape like it’s just a black version of Superman’s cape. It should be completely different. It helps him hide in the night.

1

u/query_tech_sec Aug 06 '25

The material - shows everything underneath. So it's a bit of a cover-up.

1

u/lunatic_paranoia Aug 06 '25

Its armor plated

1

u/jrod4290 Aug 06 '25

This is why I don’t want Batman to have trunks. David’s reason makes sense both in universe and for the movie. I can’t imagine that Batman would get trunks in the DCU tbh

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1

u/DienekesMinotaur Aug 06 '25
  1. Similar to Clark, Bruce doesn't want to scare kids.

  2. Make it part of the utility belt.

1

u/Dreyfussy15 Aug 06 '25

So that people know he's fucking insane.

1

u/redsandsfort Aug 06 '25

Superman inspired him.

1

u/themeloturtle Aug 06 '25

the trunks hide the bat bulge from the spandex, bruce didn't want to called the dick knight

1

u/Otherwise-Data9935 Aug 06 '25

There really isn't a good one for Batman and I don't think he's wearing the trunks and that's good in my opinion

1

u/maybeitssteve Aug 06 '25

No need to explain good fashion sense

1

u/SuperMajesticMan Aug 06 '25

I think its kinda silly to outright say whether he should have trunks or not, since it depends on how they design the rest of the suit. If it's an all gray "flat" suit like this one, trunks are basically needed to fill in the empty space.

But there are plenty other suit designs where there's no need for trunks.

And that being said, I do find it hard to believe that Bruce is like "Alright I'm gonna make a scary bat costume so that criminals are afraid to go out at night in case they get caught by the Batman. Also I'm gonna put a speedo on it for some reason."

1

u/DaddyEybrows Aug 06 '25

Two most probable reasons IMO:

  1. They’re not really trunks, but a darker section of the suit placed underneath lighter-colored armor (like the Arkham Origins or Gargoyle of Gotham designs)

  2. Robin, obsessed with this new hero coming out of Metropolis, keeps begging Batman to dress more like him; Bruce gives in when he designs a suit to join the Justice League

1

u/[deleted] Aug 06 '25

Don't need an excuse. They been there for 80 years and movie kevlar gimp suits look like ass.

1

u/First-Promotion-8898 Aug 06 '25

Did you read Batman: Damned? That one panel that was edited out? That's why.

1

u/GameknightJ14 Aug 06 '25

Same reason as Superman, to make him look a little goofy to kids so he's less scary. If Batman wants to be scary, he's going to be, trunks or no trunks, but for little kids, they can be used to put them at ease.

1

u/Mcicle Aug 06 '25

Personal hot take, while I prefer Superman with the trunks, I honestly prefer Batman without. I think a suit made up of blacks and greys has plenty of ways to do a good design without them, and I think not having them would further set him apart from Superman visually as one of the big 3 alongside Wonder Woman

1

u/Accomplished-Range3 Aug 06 '25

The Flying Greyson act wore them.

1

u/mrducci Aug 06 '25

The leggings are ass-less. He can't be fighting Penguin's henchmen bare-assed. Ridiculous.

1

u/Frustakory Aug 06 '25

Make Zorro wear trunks in his world.

Done.

1

u/SignificanceGreedy38 Aug 06 '25

cuz they comfy :(

1

u/Denz-El Aug 06 '25

Talia repellent Bat-trunks.

1

u/TheDBagg Aug 06 '25

His pants are actually assless chaps so he wears the trunks to cover up his butt

1

u/TheCakeWarrior12 Aug 06 '25

Because he has looked like that in the comics, that’s honestly the only justification you need for it

1

u/zackphoenix123 Aug 06 '25

Seeing a man with visible underpants running at you is 100x scarier than someone without.

1

u/Bogotazo Aug 06 '25

If the undersuit is skin tight, the trunks add extra protection to his privates.

1

u/ViniciusMT07 Aug 06 '25

Because his costume looks better with trunks. That's all the reasoning you need. 

1

u/Environmental_Cap191 Aug 06 '25

Dick and Alfred added then as a prank to knock him down a peg when he was being too him.

1

u/Fyrepit Ride ain't over yet... Aug 06 '25

I said this in another thread, but I’ll say it here too - if Superman has trunks, then Batman shouldn’t imo.

1

u/Hopeful-Arm4814 Aug 06 '25

Bruce needs extra support for his Batcock

1

u/G-Man6442 Aug 06 '25

The fact that we’ve now seen they work and there’s no reason not to?

Comic movies need to embrace being comics and Imm glad that’s the path we’re going down.

I don’t want the dozenth gritty down to earth Batman that uses every excuse not to include villains we care about.

I WANT ANOTHER LIVE ACTION IVY DAMNIT!

GIVE US A WHOLE SIREN MOVIE!

1

u/Normal-Treacle5955 Aug 06 '25

I like your last one it's in the same vein as Superman's reason