The Suction Pads were climbing equipment used by Batman in his early operations. They were often used to climb buildings too high for his Silken Cord to reach. Batman would eventually abandon usage of the pads after developing methods to climb/ascend more quickly.
Functionality[]
The suction pads consisted of four rubber suction cups. There were attached to two gloves and kneepads. Batman would have to equip them before scaling a building, using his own body force to attach and detach the cups from a surface. The pad would remain attached when force was removed, allowing Batman to keep his grip on a building whilst he moved other appendages. The pads could be removed and reattached in a different area, allowing Batman to climb the surface without expending climbing equipment like pitons and ropes.
History[]
Batman had either acquired or developed the pads just prior to his confrontation with Doctor Death, with him first using them to scale the skyscraper to one of the penthouses. Batman later made use of the pads again to climb another building to its penthouse whilst investigating the Painter of Death.
Appearances[]
- Detective Comics (Volume 1)
- #29: "The Batman Meets Doctor Death" (First Appearance)
- #42: "The Case of the Prophetic Pictures"
Behind the Scenes[]
- Batman's usage of suction pads very likely inspired by the Shadow, who also used suction cups to scale buildings in his earlier appearances.