The T shirt Thread

[cultpop 0217]

FIFTY DAYS OF BATMAN TEES

41/50

DAY 41

Today is going to be a two for one. I only have a few days left and I have too many T shirts. 

The Batman "No More Lies" photomontage T Shirt by Rucking Fotton, limited edition, 100% cotton, 2022

One of the things The Batman did so well was the way it portrayed Gotham City. 

Landing somewhere between Tim Burton and Anton Furst's 1989 fantastical but back lot-esq Gothic hellscape and Christopher Nolan's barely disguised Chicago, Matt Reeves made Gotham into a rain soaked nightmare. 

 

********

In 10 days I will turn 50. 

I know. 

I decided to do something fun to celebrate. 

 Over the last forty days I have been wearing and posting dozens of Batman tees from my collection. 

Many are vintage, some are rare, some are deadstock, bootlegs, or parody. Some are just from Old Navy or The Gap. A few are even home made. 

Most of them just came in black. 

Follow along, ask questions, enjoy! Or don't. I can't tell you what to do. 

#50daysofbatmantees

 

[cultpop 0217]

FIFTY DAYS OF BATMAN SHIRTS

42/50

Day 42

Uniqlo Jean Michel Basquiat x José Luis García-López x Warner Bros Batman and Robin T shirt, 100% Cotton, 2022

Another Jean Michel Basquiat Batman tee, this one takes the line work from his 1981 painting "Piano Lesson". 

The front has another depiction of the Dynamic Duo, this time by DC legend José Luis García-López, who was responsible for DC's iconic 70s/80s style guide that most famously was used as the package art for Kenner Super Powers toys. 

The two illustrations could not be more different. 

Bit of trivia: Jeffrey Wright played Jean Michel in the film "Basquiat" AND plays both LT. James Gordon in "The Batman" AND even voiced the Dark Knight himself in "Batman: The Audio Adventures".

*********

 

[cultpop 0217]

FIFTY DAYS OF BATMAN TEES

43/50

Day 43

A banger today. 

Bat-manga Lord Death Man T shirt, 100% cotton, 2015

When the 1966 Batman show with Adam West and Burt Ward first aired it was an almost immediate success. Bat-hype swept the country...and then the globe. 

Nowhere was this more pronounced than in Japan. 

This Bat-mania produced some amazing toys which are now among the most collectible Batmerch around. 

It was even so hyped that Shonen King, a popular magazine publisher, licensed Batman from DC Comics and ran their own stories with their own artists like Jiro Kuwata and even their own versions of villains. 

The most notable being Lord Death Man who wore a death mask and could defeat the grave over and over.  

The stories only ran as long as the Bat-craze lasted and by May 1967 publication ended. 

Most American Batman fans and even many at DC Comics had no idea theses stories existed so in 2008 graphic designer and lifelong Batman collector Chip Kidd published the book "Bat-Manga: A Secret History of Batman in Japan" which details the brief period when Batman took Japan by storm. 

Since then the popularity of these stories has only grown. 

We even got a Bat-Manga figure in 2023. 

This shirt was released around ten years ago and I've worn it heavily since. It's quite large but I bought it when I was still lifting heavy and I was built like a box. 

Love the way the white ink is cracking and fading.

[Maynard Friedman]

FAO @Double 0 Soul Park Hill t-shirt

 

[cultpop 0217]

FIFTY DAYS OF BATMAN TEES!

44/50 

Day 44

"Paul Pope Batman: Year 100" T Shirt, Graphitti Designs, 100% cotton, 2013

 Paul Pope is my favorite Batman artist. He draws my favorite Batman. 

One of the only American artists to train and work as a Manga artist in Japan, Pope's work combines American, European/French, and Japanese cartooning traditions into a fully formed, ink and brush stroke heavy style that is instantaneously recognizable. 

He's only done a handful of Batman stories but they are among my favorites. His most significant contribution was 2006's Eisner Award winning and prophetic Batman: Year 100. 

Written and drawn by Pope, it takes place in 2039, 100 years after the first appearence of the Batman, in a Gotham City that is under 24/7 government surveillance, privacy is nonexistant, and faceless armored troops enforce the status quo by hunting anyone unknown, undocumented, or outside the narrow frame of conformity. Sound familar? 

Like I said, prophetic. Way ahead of it's time. 

In the midst of all this a familar figure from the past re-emerges: The Batman whose unknown identity and extra judicial vigilante actions threaten the grip of those in power. 

Great stuff but the real star is the artwork.  Definitely felt some of it's influence in The Batman '22 in both the mood and the Batsuit specifically. 

 Unfortunately we have never gotten a follow up or an action figure. DC Direct made a great Black and White statue a few years back but I *need* one in plastic. 

But at least we got this rad shirt.

 I'll take what I can get!

 

 

[cultpop 0217]

FIFTY DAYS OF BATMAN TEES

45/50

Day 45

Vintage "Anti-Batman" T shirt, single stitch, no tag, 1980s

Let's talk about haters. You know the ones. Snarky, holier than thou reactionaries who simply exist to yuck other people's yums. Thieves of joy. 

Anytime something gets popular, they appear. An interesting or novel new addition to a popular franchise? They appear. 

(And before someone points it out, of course criticism and even healthy contrarianism is valid and valuable) 

Back in the lead up to the Bat-summer of 1989 the haters were big mad about Batman. 

Michael "Mr. Mom" Keaton had been cast as the Caped Crusader. Fears of a return to the comedic Biff Pow camp of the 66 show exploded. 

Warner Brothers recieved over 50,000 angry letters. 

Of course Keaton would go on to become perhaps the MOST beloved Batman actor ever but in 1988 itcwas a crime against humanity. 

We have seen it several times since.

 Whether it's the casual homophobia when they cast Heath "Broke-bat" Ledger as Joker or the thinly veiled misogyny of Robert "Sparkles" Pattinson as another Batman or Julia "Ozark" Garner as a female Silver Surfer... there has always been a reactionary segment of any fan base. 

Sometimes its more vague: this popular thing everyone loves is actually awful and bad. 

Whatever the motivation, someone made this shirt. And judging by the condition: sunfaded shoulders, frayed hems, cracked print...they loved it. 

At first I thought it might have been a deep cut from Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns (last frame) but the art doesnt match. 

[cultpop 0217]

FIFTY DAYS OF BATMAN TEES

46/50

Day 46

Bootleg "Joker/The Crow" parody T shirt, heavyweight cotton, unknown year. 

Yesterday we talked about all the haters who were furious that Mr. Mom was cast as Batman. 

Today we are going to talk about the initial reaction to Heath Ledger's casting as The Joker. 

"Broke-Bat or Brokeback Joker"

 "Ten Things I Hate About Batman" 

And the dumbest one :"The Crow-ker" ( because of the makeup and long hair). 

Folks, some Bat-fans were mad...AGAIN. Heath Ledger was a glorified teen heartthrob they said. Too good looking. Not talented enough. More Brokeback Mountain jokes followed. 

Then we heard a teaser of the voice and the laugh:

 " Starting tonight...people will die. I'm a man of my word"

That didn't sound like Heath Ledger and it certainly didn't really sound like The Joker but that laugh? That laugh sounded very promising. And kinda scary. 

And then the first trailer dropped.

"Evening...commissioner"  followed by a jump cut to a face, smeared with decrepit makeup like a Francis Bacon* painting and a lip licking snarl outlined in red. 

I saw the trailer in a full theater and let me tell you there were audible gasps and even a squeal or two. 

And just like that, the haters were silenced, the doubters believed and eventually the whole world took notice. 

* I would eventually learn that Francis Bacon's work did inspire the filmaker's take on the character.  

This T shirt exists as a monument to the reactionary and entitled parts of a fanbase that is still cracking "Sparkly Batman" Twillight jokes.

[cultpop 0217]

FIFTY DAYS OF BATMAN TEES

47/50

Day 47

Today we will talk about the mighty Bat-Symbol. There have been many logos, titles, and trademarks associated with the Caped Crusader over many eras but none are as iconic or as enduring as the black bat on a yellow oval. 

Originally introduced in 1964 as part of Batman's "New Look" the yellow oval behind a black bat was added by artist Carmine Infantino. His work would serve as the primary inspiration for Adam West's costume on the 1966 show. Now, like Superman and Green Lantern, Batman had a logo that was instantly recognizable. And when Bat-Mania spread across the globe, so did the new logo. 

Then in 1989 artist Bill Garland decided to use a metallic gold version of the symbol as a simple but effective movie poster. The humble Bat symbol would soon be emblazoned on billboards, hats, shoes, heads, dresses, city busses, and of course 1000s of T shirts. 

There are countless variations now. The comics have ditched and reintroduced the oval half a dozen times and everyone has their preferences. I have always preferred a simple black bat on the costume itself. 

Here we have 9 versions of the yellow and black. 

1. Vtg Bootleg spiky Bat shirt, single stitch, 100% cotton, Made in USA, 1989

2. Vtg Chunky Yellow Bat, single stitch, 50/50 Screen Stars, U.S.A. 1980s

3. Distressed Bat Symbol Tee, Target? 100% cotton, 2014

4. Circle Bat Symbol Tee, 100% cotton, Heritage 1981 (Twenty One Mens), 2000s

5. Prince Bat Symbol Tank Top, 50/50, 2000s ( a gift from @brittbybritt) 

6. Vtg Bleach stained Bat Symbol Tee, Division 1 50/50, U.S.A., 1989

7.Vtg Black Bat on yellow tee, 50/50 Screen Stars, U.S A. 1988

8. Vtg Bootleg BAT - MAN tee, 50/50, Unknown, Pakistan?

9. Vtg 1989 Batman T shirt, 50/50 Select T, U.S.A.

[cultpop 0217]

FIFTY DAYS OF BATMAN TEES

48/50

DAY 48

Another banger today. 

Vintage Blue and Grey Keaton Inspired Batman T shirt, single stitch, 50/50, tag gone, 1989

Today we have very unique one. It must be fairly scarce because I have never seen another. 

The face is clearly inspired by Brian Bolland's art in The Killing Joke but it has some of the details of Keaton's suit like the extra points on the Bat Symbol and the belt but the rest is a pretty standard, if awkward, blue and grey 80's Batman. 

But...the art is also kinda wonky and at first I thought it was a bootleg yet it has both trademark and copyright markings.  

So it's just a rare weirdo. 

The print is cracking perfectly and the fabric is soft and thin in the way only true vintage gets. 

Kinda perfect. 

********

In a few days, I will turn 50. 

I know. 

I decided to do something fun to celebrate. 

Over the last 48 days I have been posting and wearing dozens of Batman tees from my collection. 

Many are vintage, some are rare, some are deadstock, bootlegs, or parody. Some are just from Old Navy or The Gap. A few are even home made. 

Most of them just came in black. 

Follow along, ask questions, enjoy! Or don't. I can't tell you what to do. 

#50daysofbatmantees

[cultpop 0217]

FIFTY DAYS OF BATMAN TEES

49/50 ( 1 of 3)

Day 49! 

"The Dark Knight Triumphant" T Shirt, 100% cotton, Graphitti Designs, 2000s

Some of you have pointed out that 50 days would end on the day *before* my actual Birthday. 

I know. It's all part of the plan. 

Plenty has been said about both Frank Miller's influence as well as his later career misteps but

I'm just going to talk about the impact his Batman books had, specifically The Dark Knight Returns. 

Released in 1986, The Dark Knight Returns is one of the most influential superhero books ever published. Its hard to overstate the impact it had if you didn't witness it. 

Along with Watchmen, both books simultaneously deconstructed and celebrated superhero stories and tropes while introducing social and political themes that explored the nature of power and control. 

While long time comic book readers already watched Batman mature in the 1970s when Denny O'Neil reset the hero back to his noir roots the public still thought of Adam West in tights Biff Pow Zapping his way through puns. 

An aging 55 year old Batman comes out of retirement and dons the cape one more time to battle urban decay, global conflict, mutant gangs, old enemies, the Gotham police, nuclear winter, and a Superman recast as Ronald Reagan's personal weapon of mass destruction.

The comic book had little in common with the Caped Crusader from Super Friends.

Except, it was all still there. The suit, the gadgets, the cave, Commissioner Gordon, Catwoman and Joker, the Batphone, Alfred the loyal butler, even the Batmobile were all still there but reframed in a way to make it all feel new and different. 

It was massively influential. 

That influence can be felt in every piece of Bat-media since. Everyone from Tim Burton to Matt Reeves has leaned on Miller's work heavily. 

The impact it had wasn't all postive ( edgy 90s comics and Zach Snyder) but I still think the book is wildly musunderstood. 

Because despite the grit, violence, and clever deconstruction, I insist the book still has a beating heart and a deceptively simple message: we are better when we all work together. 

That one man (even a Batman) can not fix the fix world alone.

******

 

[cultpop 0217]

FIFTY DAYS OF BATMAN TEES

49/50 (2 of 3) 

Day 49! **

The Dark Knight Returns "Batman and Robin" T Shirt, 75th Anniversary Collection, 100% cotton, 2014

"What's your name?"

"Carrie. Carrie Kelley...Robin"

One of the most memorable things Frank Miller did in The Dark Knight Returns was bring the plain black Bat symbol back in favor. 

Early in the book Batman attempts to fight the proto Bane Mutant Leader and is severly beaten and his Batsuit destroyed. He is only saved because a local school girl (and former Girl Scout!) in a homemade Robin costume intervened. He then has to resort to wearing his older suit that only had a giant black bat symbol on it's chest. 

When Miller decided to use the plain black bat again in his follow up: Batman: Year One, that sealed the deal. 

The black bat was cool again. Overnight, everyone was ditching the yellow oval and it never regained it's dominance in the comics. 

Which brings me to the another of Miller's cleverest reinventions: Carrie Kelley as the female Robin. 

Instead of being adopted or having her father killed, a young girl Carrie has a run in with Batman and decides to ditch her indifferent stoner parents and jump around on rooftops in a home made Robin costume. 

She follows some gang members to the garbage dump where she witnesses Batman and his tank like Batmobile disrupt a rally before challenging the Mutant Leader to a fight that he proceeds to lose. Badly. 

Using her trusty slingshot, the self made Robin distracts the Leader long enough for Batman to narrowly escape. 

After Carrie sets his broken arm and bandages him up Batman then brings her back to the Batcave (despite Alfred's protests) where she starts spending her nights training as Batman's side kick, although mostly in a supporting role and under the constant threat of being "fired".  

Since her introduction she has appeared in both sequel comics, two different animated adaptations, and at least a half dozen action figures.

 

*******

Edited November 14, 2025 by cultpop 0217
Kerning

[cultpop 0217]

FIFTY DAYS OF BATMAN TEES

49/50 ( 3 of 3)

Day 49! 

"The Dark Knight Returns Joker" T shirt by Graphitti Designs, 100% cotton, 2000s

Today's last Dark Knight T shirt shows the exact moment the Joker twists his own neck until it snaps, finally ending a decades long battle between chaos and order, madness and reason. 

He teases Batman before goes: 

"You lost your nerve" 

Lets back up a bit. 

In the story Batman, haunted by his past, comes out of a decade long retirement. 

Across town a catatonic patient at Arkham Home sees a newscast about the Dark Knight's return and utters his first words in a decade: 

"B B B Bat...Batman...Darling." 

It's the Joker. Or it was. 

When Batman dissappeared ten years earlier the Joker had gone silent too. A ghost in his cell. 

Soon after, we learn his doctor thinks he is rehabilitated enough to go on the Late Show. 

Which he does. 

Of course Joker proceeds to kill his doctor and the talk show host, gasses the entire audience, escapes, and finally poisons dozens of folks at the fair with deadly cotton candy. 

After Batman realizes he is complicit in hundreds of deaths by letting Joker live, he vows to finally end the madness with his bare hands. 

But he can't do it. 

When the moment finally arrives he hesitates and leaves the Clown Prince alive but paralyzed. 

So "with a devil's stength he twists and twists and what's left of his spine goes..." and the Joker, knowing they will blame Batman, dies by his own hand. 

It's possibly the grimmest moment in a book filled with grim moments. But it remains iconic because Miller uses these heightened "what if" scenarios to distill the essence of these characters in a new way. 

A way that allows the reader to see them in a new or different light and perhaps even rediscover what makes them enduring in the first place. 

This version of the character appeared in 2013's excellent animated adaptation of The Dark Knight Returns where this scene somehow manages to be even creepier and more unsettling.

It has also been immortalized in action figures, statues and even a Lego, complete with cotton candy. 

 

********

Edited November 14, 2025 by cultpop 0217
Kerning

[LazyS]

Happy Birthday! Great collection!

[MJF9]

@cultpop 0217 Happy Birthday! Thanks for sharing them with us... do you have a favourite?

[cultpop 0217]

 

2 hours ago, MJF9 said:

@cultpop 0217 Happy Birthday! Thanks for sharing them with us... do you have a favourite?

About to post it! 

[cultpop 0217]

FIFTY DAYS OF BATMAN TEES

50/50

Day FIFTY! 

The final banger. The grail. 

Vintage bootleg "SUPER PIPES for SUPERHEROES" T shirt, single stitch, tag missing, unknown maker, 1970s

This shirt has everything that makes for a great vintage tee shirt. 

Great 2 sided graphics, imperfect/askew color printing, simple colors, multiple hand drawn fonts, awesome subject matter, a great story*, and the fabric! 

Not sure if 100% cotton or a blend but it's tubular knitted, perfectly soft and thin, NOT threadbare or fragile, with a very slubby textured hand, lightly frayed edges, a few minor yet visually pleasing holes, and some light staining (but miraculously no dreaded pit rot!) . 

It's absolutely perfect and a bonus, it fits great with slightly longer shirt sleeves that hug my arms and a nice drape. 

This T shirt had been on my wishlist and sat in my ETSY shopping cart for about five years. It was the coolest Batman tee I had ever seen and the seller knew it so it was priced accordingly. 

With a milestone birthday coming up I decided I just couldn't live without it. 

So after selling some other vintage goods to raise the funds I finally pulled the trigger.

I've been staring at hanging on my wall for weeks now. 

Today it finally makes it's debut. 

*Very little info was available but I found the founder/former owner of the company on the shirt. They made performance exhaust parts for racing and the owner went on to race himself. He is now happily retired on the West coast. No idea how many shirts were made or when or why Batman but also, why not? 

 

********

Today I turn 50. 

I know. 

I decided to do something fun to celebrate. 

In the past 50 days leading up to my 50th birthday I posted, rambled about, and wore dozens of Batman tees from my collection. 

Most were vintage, some were rare, some were deadstock, bootlegs, or parody. Some were just from Old Navy or The Gap. A few were even home made. 

Most of them just came in black. 

I asked folks to follow along, ask questions, and most importantly, enjoy! 

If you did, Thank you!  

-W

November 14th, 2025

#50daysofbatmantees

[LazyS]

My favorite is your hand drawn crucifix one. Did you already have the other crucifix one when you made it? 

[Dr_Heech]

Happy birthday @cultpop 0217

Amazing collection of tees, thanks for sharing mate.

[Maynard Friedman]

Happy birthday cultpop, that’s an impressive collection. Now I think you should wear all your Batman t-shirts at once, like when Joey wore all of Chandler’s clothes!

[Lorcan]

Happy birthday cultpop! Feel like I've received a proper education in Batman reading this series, awesome stuff.

[Geeman]

Happy Birthday and thanks for sharing 

[AnOldFolkSong]

Happy bday @cultpop 0217

[ATWM]

Happy birthday cultpop! 

[cultpop 0217]

On 11/14/2025 at 4:03 PM, LazyS said:

My favorite is your hand drawn crucifix one. Did you already have the other crucifix one when you made it? 

No. The printed one is a relatively new pick up and I'm still not sure where the image comes from. I had never seen it before.  The hand drawn one is nearly thirty years old. 

[cultpop 0217]

Thank you for all the birthday wishes.

I had a great night. Nearly every person I would want too showed up. Humbling. Very blessed. 

Someone pointed this out at my party.  Kinda amazing. 

It's my dang name! 

 

[Double 0 Soul]

[cultpop 0217]

On 11/14/2025 at 4:03 PM, LazyS said:

My favorite is your hand drawn crucifix one. Did you already have the other crucifix one when you made it? 

Update: I went digging based purely on the way the Bat symbol and utility belt were drawn and my hunch was correct. 

Its a bootleg/ swipe of Norm Breyfogle's art for the cover of Detective Comics 596. 

[cultpop 0217]

About 25 years years ago I came across this random photograph of a young punk kid wearing a perfect vintage T shirt with an amazing graphic. 

It was in the contest issue of American Photo magazine, December 2000. 

I have been looking for one ever since. I have typed "Speedway Motors"  into an Ebay search more times than I can ever recall and this hunt has largely fueled my vintage t shirt hobby and obsession. Once, I even tried tracking down the photographer. No luck. 

About a week ago I found one. Different graphic, different colors but similar font and logo and most importantly the right era. Might be an even better graphic. Certainly more unique.  Also it was in my size and cheap. 

Of course I'm going to keep looking but I feel like I finally scratched a two decade long itch.

 

Edited January 15 by cultpop 0217
Photos

[cultpop 0217]

1970s Thrashed and threadbare Jellystone Park Bicentennial Ringer T shirt

50/50 cotton/ poly single stitch, 1976

The collar is so thrashed it fits like a tank top.

[cultpop 0217]

Vintage Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Sky Watcher Glow in the Dark Constellation T- Shirt

At first glance this print looks like a mistake.

But it's actually designed so the wearer can simply look down and use the shirt to identify stars WHILE WEARING THE SHIRT.  

The stars are also glow in the dark! 

Clever little shirt.