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See also Batwing (disambiguation) for a complete list of references to clarify differences between these closely named or closely related articles. |
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| Batwing | |
| Continuity: | DC Universe |
| Type: | Aircraft |
| Class: | Batplane |
| Manufacturer: | Wayne Enterprises |
| Crew: | 1 |
| Passengers: | 0 |
| Armament: | GE M134 mini-guns (2) Missile launchers (4) |
| Width: | 35 ft. wingspan |
| Complement: | HUD and targeting computer All-purpose grappling arm |
| 1st appearance: | Batman (1989) |
The Batwing is a fictional vehicle featured in comic books and related media produced by DC Comics. It first appeared in the 1989 live-action Batman feature film, directed by Tim Burton.
History[]
The Batwing was Batman's custom-built air combat vehicle. The craft was fully armed with mini-guns and missiles. It was unknown where the vehicle was stored, but it was presumably kept somewhere near the grounds of Wayne Manor or was in the Batcave.
Batman's first known use of the Batwing was after the Joker's rise to power, during his takeover of Gotham City's 200th Anniversary Parade. Batman used it to dispose of Joker's Balloons that were filled with "Smylex" that Joker attempted to use to kill everyone in the crowd. The Batwing flew extremely low down Broad Avenue, which then startled the crowd. Batman then extended a grabbing arm on the nose of the Batwing, used it to grip the wires of the balloons, pulled them above the clouds, and saved a majority of the crowd from Smylex.
After the crowds fled, Joker stood fearless in the middle of Broad Avenue and challenged the Batwing to attack him. Batman took aim at Joker and his floats and fired the Batwing's twin M134 Miniguns. A couple of Joker Goons seemed to perish in collateral damage to the floats. Batman immediately followed up with a pair of missiles that hit the pavement on either side of Joker and Joker still unflinchingly stood with his arms outstretched and dared Batman to kill him. Dismayed that everything had missed Joker completely, Batman pulled his targeting computer back. Joker then pulled a long barreled gun out of his pants, and fired one single shot that scored a direct hit to the front of Batwing. The Batwing was critically damaged and crashed into the steps of the Old Cathedral. Vicki Vale then rushed over to check for Bruce's survival and found an empty cockpit. The wounded Batman hid under some of the burning wreckage and emerged in pursuit shortly after Joker forced Vicki into the cathedral.
The second Batwing was eventually developed and was used six years later to confront the Riddler and Two-Face at Claw Island.