The new Batman costume is Hot this Halloween. That's because Christopher Nolan's latest movie, "The Dark Knight" has taken the country by storm. It has also changed a few things we've come to know and love about Batman.

The familiar music of the campy television show "Batman" is gone. A moody, deep music replaced the older lighter version. No longer is "Na na na na na na na na... BATMAN!" your cue that the caped crusader is on his way. The new movie "The Dark Knight" changed the lighthearted image from the television series to a more sinister, black movie on the silver screen.

That doesn't take the joy away from watching this film though. It just creates a different dimension. One, those that attend the movie prove to love, given the high box office receipts and the early rush for Batman Halloween costumes this year. And luckily for those that want a Batman costume, very little has changed on his attire. The concept remains the same, even if the fabric is a little different.

The outcome from all the hoopla is not only a rash of Batman costumes, but also Joker costumes and of course, accessories beyond just the usual t-shirt and poster. This year everyone will have a bit of either Batman or the Joker in their speech or personal effects.

The Joker, a far more sinister character in this movie, portrays the product of childhood abuse. No longer created from falling into a vat of chemicals, the evil in this super villain exists because of things that happened as a small child. This creates a far more frightening realm since it could conceivably occur.

Batman got his start in "Detective Comic #27" in 1939. He was a unique character that didn't have a single super power. Instead, his impetus to a life of crime fighting came from witnessing the murder of his parents when he was young.

A vengeance grew inside him and he learned to fight on the streets. It wasn't until he found the League of Shadows in a Bhutanese prison that he learned the ways of the Ninja and started looking like the Batman we know today, transforming into the image many will re-create with a Batman costume this Halloween.

His detective skills are superior. They have to be. He has only his cunningness, physical prowess and those detective skills to depend on for crime fighting. Of course, he does have a whole load of money to create the toys that help him capture the underworld. While many women believe that Batman became a crime fighter to justify buying the toys, his history in the comics proves that the toys came later.

Bruce Wayne, billionaire and dashing playboy dons the Batman suit when Gotham City needs the crime fighter extraordinaire. This Batman figure finally rated high enough to get his own magazine in the Spring of 1940. Since that time each generation experiences the Batman in various media designed specifically for the times but never swaying from the original concept. The same basic concept you'll see when men and boys everywhere slip into their batman costume this Halloween.

With the popularity of any character, also comes the popularity of the items that represent the figure. The character of the Joker, far more developed than any previous Joker, has gear and memorabilia in the same fashion as the new Batman. Many trick-or-treaters, or adult party goers, will wear the Batman costume or create the image of the Joker to delight both themselves and others.

Since Batman doesn't have his familiar sidekick in the movie, I wonder if anyone will portray the butler, Alfred Thaddeus Crane Pennyworth. This father figure to Batman is tireless and often hilarious with cynical remarks. Perhaps if the child wears a Batman costume this Halloween, a spectacular accent for the parent that accompanies them, is to dress as Alfred.

Whichever Batman character you choose, you'll want to shop early if you don't want to miss out. With the popularity of the Dark Knight, the Batman costume and the Joker costume will be selling out quickly this year.