On Friday, the world will come to a grinding halt with the release of The Dark Knight Rises, the third and final Batman film to be directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader. In our anticipation of what some early reviews are calling “spectacular, to be sure, but also remarkable for its all-encompassing gloom,” we wanted to get in on the Batman excitement.
Nolan, Bale and the rest of the cast and crew of The Dark Knight Rises were unavailable for interviews. But luckily, we didn’t need to talk to them. Instead, we went directly to the source and interviewed the defender of Gotham City himself. Yes, we talked to the Batman.
Well, the Batman who lives around here, that is.
Back in March, Montgomery County police pulled over a black Lamborghini convertible after noticing that in place of a standard-issue license plate, it was embossed with a tag featuring the Bat-symbol. In the driver’s seat was Lenny B. Robinson, a Baltimore County businessman who was dressed as the Dark Knight.
The image of Batman pulled over on a suburban highway was good for many laughs, but a few days later, Michael Rosenwald of The Washington Post revealed that, in fact, Robinson was en route to one of the many local hospitals where he makes appearances—as Batman—to cheer up critically ill children.
We caught up with Robinson via phone. He’s currently in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in the middle of a cross-country trip back to Maryland. A few weeks ago, he flew out to British Columbia to pick up his new ride, which is a big—and appropriate—upgrade over the Lamborghini.
Robinson talked about his upcoming hospital visits, shared some tales from his road trip and rated the actors who have played the Caped Crusader on the big and small screens. Though Robinson’s portrayal has more of Adam West’s humor than Christian Bale’s Cookie Monster vocals, he appreciates all the actors who have donned the cape and cowl.
And, yes, he’ll be at an opening-day screening of The Dark Knight Rises. In full regalia, of course.
How did this all start?
Eleven years ago, my son, who was six at the time, was obsessed with Batman. Eventually his obsession became my obsession. Then my OCD kicked in and I tried to get the costume. My first car was a Chrysler prowler. Later upgraded the costume and the car to the Lamborghini. Now I have a real Batmobile.
How did that happen? Is it street legal?
Instead of fitting some shell over a 30- or 40-year-old frame, I built everything from the ground up. New Ford racing motor. Everything from scratch. It’s just the best of the best. The guy that built it for me is located in British Columbia. I went up there and did several children’s events in Sidney, Vancouver and Victoria. Then came into the United States. In Washington (State) at a Walmart I was buying Batman T-shirts. The manager approached me and asked me to come back the next day to do an event for Habitat for Humanity.
Were you dressed as Batman?
I was dressed as me, but the Batmobile was out in front of the store.
So what are you doing out in Idaho?
I’m dropping in on various hospitals on my way back. My next stop is in Montana, then the Dakotas. I’m going to St. Louis Children’s Hospital. From St. Louis, then there’s two hospitals in Illinois.
I’m not one to name drop but there’s one family (Charlene and Wayne Knudtsen) who has taken me in. They are the king and queen of Coeur d’Alene. It’s unbelievable. The reception is unbelievable. While I was in Coeur d’Alene I ate dinner at Don Larsen’s house. He was the only player to pitch a perfect game in the World Series. This place is over-the-freaking top. It’s absolutely amazing.
Your Batman seems more along the lines of Adam West and the 1960s series. What do you think of Christopher Nolan’s films?
The Dark Knight is a different take than the Michael Keaton/George Clooney movies. They really are dark. If I were more like The Dark Knight I think a lot of kids would be scared to death of me.
Who’s your favorite Batman?
It would absolutely be Michael Keaton.
Do you enjoy the Christian Bale series?
I enjoy them all. And I appreciate what they’re all about. I’m not going to BS anyone. It is what it is.
Are you going to see The Dark Knight Rises?
I will be there on Friday.
What city will you be in?
They want me to backtrack to Spokane, Wash. The son of a man who is running for sheriff works for Apple and rented a theater out and asked me to be there as Batman with the Batmobile. It’s supposed to be West Coast to East Coast, but I’m headed to the West Coast. But I’m going to do it. And my car shoots real fire.
Any tickets yet?
No tickets yet. In March, I didn’t get a ticket. I didn’t even get a warning.
The cops probably just wanted to get their photo with Batman.
That’s funny. But the bottom line is that it’s all about the kids. The kids are in the hospitals and fghting 24/7 for their lives. They can’t go out and see a new movies whether its Spider-Man last week or Batman this week. They are fighting every single day. And I feel it when I visit them. And I think I can help them feel better. That’s pscyhe. That’s what I do, that’s the bottom line. Everything else I do, whether I’m me or Batman or just in the car, that’s all fun and good. Hope for Henry, Superheroes for Good, those are for the kids. It just touches the core within me. And I thank God every day that my kids were and are healthy. It’s tough enough in this world when you are OK.
