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Holy dermatology, Batman!
Balance in practice
By Emily Margosian, assistant editor, August 1, 2020
Each month, Dermatology World addresses issues “in practice” for dermatologists. This month, Philip Latham, MD, talks about his passion for Batman-inspired car remodels.
“You can’t just go down and tell the guy at the auto store that you need parts for a Batmobile.”
─ Philip Latham, MD
Lucky residents in Sumter, South Carolina, might catch a glimpse of a different sort of car rolling through town. When not working full time as a dermatologist, serving in the National Guard, and performing in his physician-led band, Chief Complaint, Philip Latham, MD, channels his energy toward another passion: building Batmobiles.
Inspired by a love of movie props and a fascination with tinkering, Dr. Latham started his first build with nearly zero mechanical experience. “Other than changing the oil in a car, I had never done anything like this,” he said. Instead, he reached out to a wide network of friends and patients for advice. “In our position as dermatologists, we meet a lot of folks, right? Some of my patients are mechanics or have done body and electrical work. So, I just asked around to see if it were something they’d be willing to give me advice on.”
Eventually, Dr. Latham was able to transform his first Batmobile — originally a 1973 Lincoln Continental — into the Dark Knight’s signature car. “I literally just tore it down to the frame,” he said. “I’d say the process is 20% purchased parts and 80% pure sweat and fiberglass work. Most of it you have to make yourself. You can’t just go down and tell the guy at the auto store that you need parts for a Batmobile.” Each car is a full-size, fully functional replica from different eras of Batman cinematic history. The first was inspired by the classic 1966 TV series, the second, a replica of the car driven by Michael Keaton in the 1989 film.
Not to be limited to one film franchise, Dr. Latham has also constructed a Back to the Future-inspired DeLorean, which he said proved to be much easier to construct. “That one was basically just bolting on a bunch of junk,” he laughed. “Pretty much everything I do is just trial and error, or based off what I’ve seen on the internet, because believe it or not, I’m not the first nerd to do this.” Despite the years and “thousands of hours,” it takes to complete each build, Dr. Latham is already working on a fourth car. “I have a very understanding wife,” he said. “She’s let herself be a ‘garage widow,’ as she calls herself.”
Although all the cars are licensed and road-certified with the necessary safety features, Dr. Latham said he doesn’t drive them frequently due to the attention they attract. “You’re certainly not going to rob a bank and have any kind of anonymity. To be honest, the fun is building them.” He does, however, occasionally make some exceptions. “I’ve done a lot of benefits for children; taking them to schools. There was one particular kid who really loved Batman, and his caregiver had dressed up his wheelchair to look like a Batmobile. It made the kids’ days, and it also made my day to see him so happy.”
Col. Philip Latham, MD,
is State Air Surgeon for the South Carolina National Guard, and in private practice in Sumter, South Carolina.
Do you know a dermatologist with a unique hobby or pastime? Are you one yourself? Email your suggestion to dweditor@aad.org. You could be featured in a future issue of Dermatology World.
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