It’s not often a super hero comes to town, but for the next month those living in Manchester in the UK are being treated to a visit from one of the greatest super heroes of them all: Batman! The Caped Crusader is descending on the city, as part of an exhibition of props and Bat-paraphernalia from the Batman movies, and lucky Mancunians are being given the chance to see it all, up close and personal.
Hosted at Depot Mayfield, up near Piccadilly train station, Batman Unmasked: The Exhibition features an extensive display of gadgets, gizmos, capes and cowls. Props and full length Bat-suits have been plucked from films such as Batman Forever and The Dark Knight Rises, and all are crammed into a cave-like warehouse (complete with leaking roof) for fans to pour over and enjoy.
Being a HUGE fan of the Batman movies, as well as a resident of the city, I felt compelled to pop along and see it all for myself. Heck, it’s not every day you get to see Mr. Freeze’s cryo-suit in all its glory, so I certainly didn’t want to pass up the chance – and you won’t want to either!
For those already excited by the possibility of being surrounded by Bat-gadgets, get your tickets booked now. The exhibition is only on until late August, and then it moves to London for a spell before disappearing altogether.
For those who have yet to make up their mind, let me tell you all about it. I’ll even include a bunch of photos to show you what’s on offer.
I won’t spoil the event by giving a huge blow-by-blow account, but as you enter the exhibition you’re initially ushered into a room decked out to look like Stately Wayne Manor. It’s here where the introductions begin, and where a video from DC Comics President Jim Lee welcomes you to the event.
After exiting this area (in true Batman style), event attendees are moved through a series of themed spaces. Each space is kitted out with glass cabinets, TV screens, and various wall-mounted displays, with the big draw being all the props.
As you might expect, a couple of the spaces are reserved purely for Batman and it’s here you will find a range of Bat-related items. George Clooney’s cowl from Batman & Robin is on display, as is his Bat credit card, and you’ll find various Batarangs and Batbombs too.
Highlights from these spaces include a full-length suit worn by Michael Keaton, and a Batbike used by Robert Pattinson. You’ll also see grappling hooks, gauntlets, and utility belts too.
And if you look really, really closely, you’ll find arguably the smallest item of them all. I won’t say what it is, but it belongs to the Lego Batman.
Once you move beyond Batman, the exhibition veers into villainous territory, with a collection of spaces dedicated purely to the rogues of Gotham City. Here you’ll find Margot Robbie’s outfit from Suicide Squad, the Scarecrow’s mask from Batman Begins, and the Riddler’s coffee cup from The Batman.
As with the Batman displays, the villain zones are packed with imaginative items which are instantly recognisable from the films. Amongst the best of the bunch is one of Poison Ivy’s outfits from Batman & Robin, which is delightfully detailed and beautifully intricate.
The costume is encased inside a full-length display cabinet, and positioned close to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Mr. Freeze suit – another highlight. Arnie’s suit is huge (especially the boots) and showcases plenty of detail and design ingenuity.
Other highlights in the exhibit include the Tumbler from The Dark Knight trilogy, Joaquin Phoenix’s suit from Joker, and Two-Face’s coin from Batman Forever. The event also includes a couple of dedicated areas for family photos, as well as a play zone for young Bat-fans, and a gift shop selling T-shirts, Blu-rays, graphic novels, toys, and even packs of vintage Batman comics.
Pricey? Yes, but gift shops always are. Just remember, you don’t have to buy anything… although I did.
For the most part the exhibition is all good stuff and if you’re a UK Bat-fan who doesn’t usually get easy access to movie props you’ll be in comic book paradise. There’s certainly a lot to take in, and there’s enough on offer to cover around an hour of your time.
In fact, my advice to anyone going is to take your time and enjoy what’s on display. Give each piece the time it needs for you to soak up the details and take as many photos as you want.
Of course, not everything works as planned and you might find yourself scratching your head at a couple of sections but it’s all supposed to add to the atmosphere, so who am I to grumble? At the end of the day it’s fun and a showcase of movie history, and that’s the most important thing.
Batman Unmasked: The Exhibition runs from July 16th to August 25th in Manchester. The exhibit then moves to London from September 6th.
Regardless of the location, the event is more-or-less the same, with nine themed spaces. The only major difference you may find is a couple of different Bat-vehicles will be on display, depending on which location you opt for.
For further details or to book tickets, check out Batman Unmasked: The Exhibition.
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