I shot this with my @Leica_Camera M Monochrom. #Batman #Batmobile #Gotham http://t.co/WPHKLxgBLM pic.twitter.com/p5DEf6fLzJ

— ZackSnyder (@ZackSnyder) May 13, 2014

Today comes our first look at the new Batman, Ben Affleck, in all his Batsuited glory standing next to the new Batmobile. Director Zack Snyder tweeted the image this morning from the set of the now shooting, unofficially titled Batman vs Superman film.

This new suit is a noticeable and, to some, welcome departure from the more armored look of Christopher Nolan’s version of Batman. Why welcomed? Because it hints at the general direction and interpretation Snyder is bringing to the Superman franchise with the introduction of Batman. As already reported, Snyder’s variation of the Dark Knight will be more of an older and wiser Batman not yet seen on screen.  The seeming grey tones of the suit and noticeably shorter cowl ears seem to confirm such, as they bear a striking similarity to Frank Miller’s now classic take on the world’s greatest detective in The Dark Returns. Earlier this year in an interview given to the French magazine Popcorn (and subsequently translated over at comicbooktherapy.com), the director revealed that Miller’s storyline would indeed have a direct influence on Batman vs Superman.

Miller’s version of the Dark Knight is of an older, retired Bruce Wayne, who has to come out of retirement to fight a cadre of gangsters in a dystopian Gotham. This take on the Batman story served to reinvigorate interest in the adventures of the Dark Knight.  Gone was the campiness of the 60s TV show, and in its place was a bone-crushing Dark Knight who was not so interested in taking prisoners (not that he killed – Batman still has limits as a character).  As the famous mini-series progressed, Superman indeed made an appearance near the end…as a government agent sent in by the President to curtail the vigilante ways of the Batman. What ensued was an epic battle pitting the brawn of the Man of Steel against the cunning of the Dark Knight.

With such influences behind Snyder’s take on Batman for this new movie, it is no wonder that we see a more gritty, grey toned batsuit. It appears that Affleck and Snyder’s take on the Dark Knight will be a welcome addition to the various incarnations we have see thus far on screen. But how far will it go? It is doubtful that Miller’s grim storyline will serve as the main direction of Snyder’s film, for though this is in many ways fertile ground for a battle long hoped for by adoring fans, it is yet still too bleak for the burgeoning world of Superman and the inevitable Justice League film. Only time will tell, but it looks at first glance that Snyder is off to a good start.