Best of 2025 :: Published/Unpublished Media artwork (Music, TV, Movie)

Batwing concept art (1989 Batman film)

Owner: Sideshow Bob
Artist: David Russell (All)

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Artwork Details

Title:	Batwing concept art (1989 Batman film)
Artist:	David Russell (All)
Media Type:	Pen and Ink
Art Type:	Other
Views:	73
Likes on CAF:	10 11
Added to Site:	11/16/2025

Description

Dated Feb 1988. By storyboard and concept artist David Russell.

Love the note to Tim Burton about the wings. Whereas earlier concept art by Russell for the Batwing had more traditional pleating in the wing shape, this is later so maybe a little bit closer to Burton�s near-to-final vision during pre-production. From the eyes of the bat on the nose of the plane...those might be lasers (which would have been SOOOO cool), but I have read that during production they opted to stick with a more practical armory of missiles and rail guns, dropping the more expensive laser idea.

The final design more directly followed the look of the Bat-Signal, with that final Batwing design credited to Julian Caldow, as opposed to this more "organic" bat portrayal by Russell. The idea to silhouette the Batwing against the moon was inspired by storyboard artist Michael White (according to Nigel Phelps in a 2005 DVD extra)...that moment as a kid seeing the Batwing crest the cloud canopy and stall in front of the full moon for that one brief moment was just jaw-dropping.

Super excited to have a piece of pre-production art from one of my favorite movies and one of the greatest vehicle designs.

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About the Owner

	Sideshow Bob ( 7 ) Premium Gallery Owner
Joined:	September 2012
Last Login:	January 2026
Country:	UNITED STATES
On CAF:	Artworks Commented On Liked Art Site Activity on CAF

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