We’ve got our first look at Ben Affleck as Batman, and the new Batmobile:

I have to admit, this photo has improved my opinion of the Superman Versus Batman project, and the decision to cast Ben Affleck as the Bat. In this picture, Batman looks appropriately grim and gritty, with the monochrome and the Batsuit. He looks almost exactly like he does in The Dark Knight Returns, the comic book that is the inspiration for the movie plot. Here’s what Batman looks like in that comic:

Yes, I realize this is a picture of a toy, and I apologize, but I couldn’t find a good picture that shows off the costume without giving away (possible) spoilers.

As you can see, Affleck’s costume has the same short ears and wide Bat-symbol as this. It looks like the movie developers are going out of their way to match up the movie to the original comic, which I approve of. The Batmobile in the background doesn’t look as similar, but I don’t really mind that.

They said they chose Affleck to reflect an older, more mature Batman, and it does look that way in the photo. However, that’s partially because it’s in black and white, and I wonder how well that image will hold up in the full movie’s super-colorful glory. Especially given director Zack Snyder’s penchant for big visuals.

Also, if they’re following the comic book script pretty closely, then that raises some questions about the future of DC movies. Batman’s not the only old one if the comic, all the heroes are old. So in the movie, we’ll have a young, newly-arrived Superman, dealing with an older Batman, and developers have already said that we can expect appearances from at least Wonder Woman, and possibly Cyborg and Aquaman. Are these characters older and established too? If they are, that sets up a weird situation for the upcoming Justice League movie.

Anyway, speculation aside, I think this photo of Affleck in the Batsuit makes him look pretty good. Will it actually look that good in the movie? That remains to be seen.

Figurine photo from The Comics Alliance