My first Batman custom was an attempt to make something out of leftovers. Those leftover parts are outdated now so I figured it's time to make a new Batman. Since I'm a dork I am constantly considering relative scale in making these figures. Basically the idea that Superman should be slightly taller and buffer than Batman who is in turn buffer and taller than Flash and so on. It's a factor I'm obsessed with and essentially it limits my base options dramatically if the proper body type isn't available or made yet.. So I needed a body type that would be best suitable for Batman. ML 8 Captain America was the best choice available right now, although it would require an extensive amount of work. I dremeled away the muscles of the torso till holes were showing to ensure that I can make Bats as slim as possible. I also dremelled away the glove and boot details. And since I'm a scale nazi I repositioned cap's neck abit higher and added some height to his ankles to make him a tad taller than the average 6" figure. Batman is 6'2 in the comics by the way. Dorks UNITE!!
Then I resculpted new boots and chest with epoxy putty and apoxie sculpt. I got the idea of using Bullseye's head from Jkdalessandro's awesome custom of Batman. I dremeled the head down to a heroic looking shape then sculpted the bat ears and brow. The cape was cut from an umbrella, as from the brilliant suggestion of Boy Blunder. I glued some twisty ties to the front trim of the cape to give it some poseability. The belt was from a Cable figure, thinned on the inside with a dremel so it wouldnt make his waist extremely bulky looking.
I was going for a JLU color scheme for him so I airbrushed some black on the blue parts of his costume. I also airbrushed the exterior of his cape black while leaving the interior blue. I really should have tried to go out looking for an umbrella with a shade of blue that closely matched the blue paint I used for his costume. But that'd require spending money. And leaving the house. And getting out of bed.
8/05
