For 80 years Batman has been one of the most popular superheroes in comics, relentlessly saving his city and the world from dynamic, charismatic villains. As he hit this milestone, it was clear that Batman should be the choice for a special exhibit at Awesome Con.
Each year, Awesome Con hosts focused exhibits as part of their Backlot festivities, with previous entries focused on Geppi’s Entertainment Museum and Star Wars. In 2019, it was all about the Caped Crusader.
Attendees were treated to an up close look at costumes and props from Batman films and TV shows. Batsuits worn by Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale, and Ben Affleck were displayed. Additional costumes in the exhibit were Anne Hathaway’s Catwoman suit, a Robin Lord Taylor Penguin outfit, a Cory Michael Smith Riddler outfit, Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn costume, Tom Hardy’s Bane costume, Heath Ledger’s Joker suit, Uma Thurman’s Poison Ivy costume, and Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze suit.
Film props included masks and cowls, Mr. Freeze’s gun, Riddler props and Two-Face’s coin from Batman Forever, the Joker’s guns from Suicide Squad, Penguin’s birth certificate from Batman Returns, and a selection of Batarangs and grapple weapons.
The exhibit was movie focused but did offer the chance to see some comic rarities as well. The most exciting of these pieces was a page of unused art from the 1988 “Death in the Family” four-page story in Batman #426-429. The story followed Jason Todd, the second Robin, as he tried to reunite with his birth mother.
Unfortunately, for him, Jason wasn’t exactly popular with fans, prompting an interactive storyline conceived by editor Denny O’Neil. For a short period in 1988, fans were given the opportunity to vote on whether Jason should die or survive an explosion set by the Joker. The majority spoke for his demise, and Jason was killed by the blast. But, two versions of artwork were prepared for either outcome, with this being the page in which Batman would’ve found Jason alive.
The exhibit saw a nonstop parade of attendees with adults excitedly chattering about the first time they saw the movies and kids gawking in wonder at the Batman. The Dark Knight is still cool at 80.
Complete Awesome Con coverage and a photo gallery are also available on Scoop.
