Batman: All 10 Bat-Signals ranked from worst to best

4. The Batman

The most recent addition to the Batman lore, The Batman changed the purpose of the Bat-Signal. Yes, it was a necessary tool that Lieutenant Gordon used to call on his friend for help, but it was also a warning to the criminal element in Gotham City, inspiring fear in those who normally preyed on it. And it served that purpose well, as the chilling opening scene of the movie showcased, with various criminals running scared whenever they saw it overhead.

This iteration of the Bat-Signal also looked terrifying, boasting one of the most original designs yet. An eerie yellow searchlight, it is characterized by the unique bat symbol that Robert Pattinson’s Batman wears, which consists of two large bat-wings, with little-to-no emphasis on the bat ears. It also features what looks like a rusted vent upon which the bat symbol is fixed. And when it’s projected onto the Gotham City sky, those huge bat wings and that unsettling yellow spotlight make for a truly goosebump-inducing sight.

Something that also sets this variation of the Bat-Signal apart from its predecessors is that it is located on the roof of a condemned building, meaning that both Gordon and Batman must travel to it, using it as their secret meeting spot.

“Fear is a tool,” the Caped Crusader tells us in the Matt Reeves movie. “When that light hits the sky. It’s not just a call. It’s a warning.” And oh, what a chilling warning it is.