Bat-Gadgets: The Batarang

"He's only one man!"

"The most... uh... dangerous man on Earth..." – Protex and Superman, JLA Issue #4

Unrefutability one of Batman's most dangerous tools in his arsenal, the batarang (originally spelled baterang) is a roughly bat-shaped, semi-lethal throwing weapon.  Earlier versions were indeed styled after boomerangs, whereas later adaptations of the batarang have become more of a shuriken-like weapon.



Batarang (Arkham Asylum/Arkham City Style)



Whatever its shape and format, the batarang has always been one of the most versatile and useful tools in Batman's armaments, used to disarm and disable assailants, cut various objects, carry small charges of explosives or electicity, or double as an impromptu grappling hook.



Although seldom referred to by name, the batarang is undoubtably one of the most iconic symbols within Batman's posession, not to mention that it's an all-time fan favorite.

It goes without saying then that Batman would most likely have one or several of these within his crime-fighting tools all the time.


I took it upon myself to create some of these, following an instructable, and with sound advice from a machinist and an airbrush artist.

Batarang - Folded

The result:  Foldable batarangs.



Now, while these particular batarangs are styled after the Arkham Asylam and Arkham City video games, after learning the skills necessary to machine these, I've found it's not necessarily at all difficult to create batarangs with any other style or focus, simply by varying the techniques and materials a little bit.

For example, the Nolan films foldable batarang can be easily made using plexiglass and a small mortise hinge, whereas this particular style shown requires a furniture nut, a flathead screw, and a pair of magnet tabs.  How you style them is simply a matter of cutting the shape of the weapon on plexiglass.



Batarang - Back View



But it seems one thing is for certain.  People LOVE batarangs.  Fans, and even friends that do not necessarily love Batman much have started asking me to sell these.  We'll see.