I've gone on and on about the reasons why...The Batman is my all-time favorite live-action Batman movieOr, at least up to this point, given that there are numerous...upcoming DC moviesto anticipate). I'm a big fan of Robert Pattinson's powerful portrayal of Bruce Wayne, the breathtaking action scenes, the bleak aesthetic of Gotham, and the 2022 film's success in casting the Dark Knight as a true detective at long last.
There's a small detail in Matt Reeves' sprawling comic book crime saga that, while insignificant overall, was a huge comfort to me and other Batman enthusiasts. Now that I'm aware of who's behind it, I want to express my gratitude.
Mattson Tomlin came up with the idea for Robert Pattinson's smudged eye makeup in *The Batman*.
As viewers might remember, back in...The BatmanWhenever Bruce Wayne gets back from a night patrolling Gotham's streets, the black eye makeup he wears under his mask is still visible. Mattson Tomlin, whoI made some changes to the film's script, but I wasn't credited for it., confirmed in an XHe later claimed responsibility for this visual element in a post. You can see the post here:
Right, so, back when I was a kid, I clocked that Batman's eye makeup magically vanished the moment he whipped off his cowl, and it completely ruined the illusion for me. For two decades, I'd been picturing in my mind's eye just how bonkers he'd look with the makeup still on, and when I suggested it to Matt, he was well up for it.https://t.co/dBanKvPKm4July 31, 2025
It's hard to overstate the importance of...The Batman...does more to cement its standing as one of the most realistic comic book adaptations of its era, and I'm chuffed to see Tomlin finally recognised as Reeves' co-author on...the Batman Part IIThe script, completed in June.Right then, in case you're wondering why I rate this film so highly, especially considering it recognises eye makeup as a legitimate aspect of...Batman’s costumeRight then, let me clarify.
Why It Matters That The Makeup Stays On In The Batman
There is no such cowl that could comfortably or practically fit perfectly to the contours of Batman’s eyes, which is why it has always been important that Bruce Wayne masks that recognizable area of his face with eye shadow. Yet, just about any time he is seen removing the cowl in a comic book or screen adaptation, the makeup is somehow absent.
A particularly well-known instance of this can be seen in the 1992 film,Batman Returns, in which Bruce (Michael Keaton, arguably the greatest live-action Batman actor), who is clearly wearing the eye shadow under his rubber cowl, rips it off to reveal the makeup has magically disappeared. Speaking as someone who loves the Tim Burton movies, this scene has always annoyed me. So, it should go without saying how much I appreciated that The Batman not only shows black circles around Pattinson’s eyes after he removes his cowl, but even shows a glimpse of him applying the makeup early on.
This past Halloween, my wife and I went dressed as Catwoman and Batman, and I made sure to include the eye shadow as part of my outfit. The number of compliments I received for my costume should provide enough evidence for why it is essential to Bruce’s after-hours ensemble and why Mattson Tomlin deserves the praise he has received for this addition to The Batman. I am looking forward to seeing what other contributions to the Dark Knight’s lore he may bring in The Batman Part II, which comes out in 2027, and, hopefully, in many more upcoming superhero movies.
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