BATMAN COWL
Bear with us a moment, but strictly speaking in an historical sense, a cowl is a type of hood worn by members of religious groups.
Actually, the word “cowl” is derived from the Latin words meaning “hood and rope” and refers to the long, hooded, long-sleeved cloak that you think of when you think of what a traditional monk wears, like the one on the right. OR … the garments worn by assassins and spies of yesteryear, which were the inspiration behind the term “cloak and dagger.”
So what does such a garment with religious connotations have to do with Batman?
Depends on your point of view. Cowls were originally developed during the Middle Ages by those living the monastic lifestyle – and they were perfectly suited for folks who spent uncounted hours in drafty, unheated churches and monasteries.
Sounds like the Bat Cave to us!
Naturally, the Batman cowl has different purposes: to keep Bruce Wayne’s identity a secret, to shield the head – and to frighten the living daylights out of crooks!
Same Superhero, Different Batman Cowl
Batman has appeared in many different story sources and been drawn in comics by a number of various illustrators. And while the Batman cowl may have individual separate nuances, it is basically the same format – a bat-like head covering that both protects the Bat Noggin and hides the identity of the wearer.
Perhaps the most effective one on screen is the Batman cowl worn by Christian Bale in the latest incarnation of Dark Knight films – it really contorts and hides Bale’s features so perfectly you would not know who was wearing it if you saw a photo and had no knowledge of the movie.
The funniest, of course, is when Alfred the Butler, played in the campy 1960s TV series by Alan Napier, has to fake playing the Caped Crusader to protect Bruce Wayne’s identity!
Caped Crusader costumes are fairly easy to devise, even the cape.
However, it is the trademark Batman Cowl that makes the costume, like this one:
Batman Dark Knight Adult Batman Full Mask
(One Size Fits All)
This is a full-coverage latex mask and is an officially licensed Batman ™ accessory.
It is a must-have for the Dark Knight and this is more like a real Batman cowl, and not a flimsy plastic face plate often found with some Caped Crusader outfits.
If you blacken the areas of around your eyes that are seen through the eye holes and wear the mouth cutout tight, it will truly disguise your identity just like the one worn by Christian Bale – and even your closest friends will find it difficult to know who you are!
Now, let’s compare the Batman cowl masterpiece with another gorgeous superhero cowl, the Night Owl Cowl from Watchmen.
Watchmen Night Owl 3/4 Adult Cowl
(One Size Fits Most Adults)
Like the one worn by Patrick Wilson (Night Owl II) in the 2009 superhero film, this officially licensed Watchmen ™ accessory Night Owl Cowl is another example of a mask that can really hide your identity on Halloween, at a costume party, during CosPlay or for any other reason.
Again, a little color for the eye hole patches and it really takes away the identifiable facial features that will have old friends guessing who you are – and new friends wondering what you REALLY look like.
Insert your own joke here about never wanting to take off the mask after impressing some beautiful woman and not wanting to disappoint her. (But what really, REALLY hurts is when you put on a Batman Cowl or a Night Owl Cowl and your wife, girlfriend or significant other tells you to never take it off. Been there, done that!)
Adult Catwoman Costume Kit
(One Size Fits Most Adults)
The original Catwoman, alter-ego Selina Kyle, first appears in Batman #1 (Spring 1940) in which she is known as The Cat.
She’s not truly an anti-hero adversary of Batman, their relationship is more love-hate.
In her debut appearance, she was a whip-carrying burglar with a taste for high-stake thefts.
Since the 1990s, Catwoman has starred in an eponymous series that cast her as an antihero instead of a supervillain.
The character has been one of Batman’s most long-lasting love interests. Many modern writers have also interpreted her activities and costumed identity as a response to a history of abuse.
A popular Batman world character, Catwoman has been featured in most media adaptations. Actresses Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether, and Eartha Kitt introduced her to a large audience on the 1960s Batman television series and the 1966 Batman motion picture.
Michelle Pfeiffer portrayed the character in 1992′s Batman Returns. Halle Berry starred in a stand-alone Catwoman film in 2004, which was a huge box-office flop.
Catwoman Costume Kit – Adult Catwoman Costumes – This officially licensed Catwoman Costume Kit includes headpiece, glovelets and claws. Please note: The cowl as pictured is not exactly like the Catwoman Costume Kit. This is a mask with an elastic band around the back to hold in place and the eye slits are not cut as wide as pictured. Also, the claws are shorter and have glitter on them.
Catwoman and all related characters and elements are trademarks of DC Comics
Adult The Flash Cowl and Mask
(One Size Fits Most Adults)
The Flash has actually been four different DC Comics superheroes, all of whom have the power of “super speed.” That power includes the ability to run and move very quickly, use superhuman reflexes and seemingly break certain laws of physics.
The four different characters who have become The Flash thus far are Jay Garrick (1940–present), Barry Allen (1956–1985, 2008–present), Wally West (1986–2006, 2007–present), and Bart Allen (2006–2007). Wally and Bart were apprentices using the name Kid Flash.
The Flash was also a 1990 American television series starring John Wesley Shipp as the superhero The Flash, and co-starring Amanda Pays.
Now YOU can become The Flash in a jiffy under this Adult The Flash Cowl and Mask – The Flash Adult Overhead Mask Costume Accessories.
The image for this item was taken on a mannequin and looks like there is a clear plastic “face” in addition to the red and yellow mask. This is not the case. The part that looks like a face is really the mannequin head. Flesh area is open and mask only includes the red portion plus the yellow at the sides.
