“I’m tired, Alfred. A weary body can be dealt with, but a weary spirit, that’s something else. Sometimes, old friend, I wonder if I’m really doing any good out there. I’ve put out a few fires yes, won a few battles, but the war goes on Alfred, on and on… “– Batman, Batman: The Animated Series “I Am The Night” (1992)
If you review toys for a living… well, not really for living, more like a hobby in your spare time that pays virtually nothing, but when you do that you have to expect to review a lot Batman figures. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sworn off Batman figures… and yet there’s always another cool one. It’s a disease.
DC Collectibles, with their genius idea of revisiting The Animated Series figures twenty-three years later, is not only tapping deep into collector nostalgia, but has also gotten me to buy two* more Batmen thanks to the BTAS/TNBA switch that was made halfway through the 90s cartoons. Both versions of the show are amazing, sometimes in different ways, so try as I might to choose, I simply can’t. Even now, nearly a quarter of century later, I’m trying to save my wallet from this line and I can’t even just pick one style of figure to pick up. It’s killer.
* – Soon to be three Batmen early next year. Thank you, Phantasm 2pk!
When it comes to specific designs, it’s not always as hard a choice. Some, like Mr. Freeze are two home runs. Others, like Two-Face, barely register. And in-between… well, we can cover them when they get there. For Batman, I like the TNBA look just fine. He looks great with Superman (I am chomping at the bit for DCC to announce a Superman wave…) & it’s a strong, simple design. But I’m an oval man (both in shape & in Batman symbol preference), so TBAS speaks to me in a way that TNBA does not.
And this figure? This figure nearly nails it. The basic visual is fantastic. The shapes are great, the articulation doesn’t distract, and that sculpted, raised, oval looks magnificent. If I were to gush, I’d use the word stunning. It’s probably my favorite figure so far, but to be fair I’ve only opened six of the thirteen figures released. Hopefully, I’ll catch up soon.
While it’s my “new favorite thing” this week, there is one visual I’m not entirely sold on. And, no, it’s not that the utility belt doesn’t have panels all the way around, it’s the head sculpt. I think I might be being unfair to DCC because I’m a toy fan first. I love the old toys as much as I love the old cartoon. I love the old toys so much that, here’s my Bat-figuritis flaring up, I’d be hard-pressed to pass on repaints of this figure – I could see loving Sky Dive Orange, Infrared Red, Anti-Freeze White, Knight Star Gold, and even Lightning Strike Camo if I were just to throw out some colors there. Anyway, this head is not like that head and I think it’s tripping me up. I might say they were trying to look more like the cartoon, but I don’t think the head succeeds entirely there either the chin is just a little too round and the cowl lines too steep. It’s not bad by any means, but it just doesn’t quite scream BTAS like the rest of the body.
The articulation is alright. I don’t need hyper-articulation out of these guys because so much relies on the visual and, hey, we’re just trying to one up the five-pointers here. We’ve got limited ball-joints at the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, & inverted ankles. Those ball-joints are topped off with a waist swivel, single-hinge knees, and the h-style hips. All the joints work great, and the figure feels like I don’t have to be as careful with him as the first wave, but I still am moving him around gently. I wish the chest allowed more movement for the upper arms, or we had a true bicep swivel over the ball-elbows, but there’s plenty of range to get the figure into some fun poses. Continue to Page 2…
Sweet review, as ever!
I hope they’re clearing up the quality control issues on these figures. I had a Man-Bat on order from BBTS, which got cancelled due to “manufacturing issues,” or somesuch.
swap out the belt and torsos, and this is an instant buy for me. I never have liked the gold/yellow oval, even if it was what I grew up on.
and is the Batmobile the TNBA Knight Striker version? http://mygenerationtoys.com/images/TNBA%20Batmobile%20Knight%20Striker%20MISB.jpg
because that would be an instant buy, too. I recently found my 5″ version while unpacking, along with a couple of the “quick change” versions, which was also redeco’d for STAS in red…which I seem to have lost…. 🙁
I could have sworn they were all packed together!
Man, this line keeps hovering on my radar. If I were to get in, I’d stick to BTAS. Is the cape removable on this Batman? Just wondering how he would fit into the Batmobile.
Great job!
Ooh hopefully that means BBTS will ship mine soon.
I can see what you mean about the headsculpt vs the vintage figs, but I’m really digging this guy. And can’t wait to finally have the correct grappling hook, have only been wanting that since 1992.
Well with a LCS I always go to closing will finally buy some of these. Dunno if he’s gotten newer ones though but will find out. Wanna get normal Harley & the Mad Love set though.
Wish I started on these and now behind. Though buying too much lately (Christmas shopping, finishkng BaFs, Mystery Minis, Figuarts) debate if wanna start another line but, would replace my DCUCs with these but would look odd in crossover battles with MLs. Eeeh oh well. Great review and I gotta start these as have some wants (Joker, Harley, Batman(either), Harley (this an the upcoming Icons)
Anybody else think the last shot is kinda like a Asylum shot and the in package are like cells or that just me.
Haha! That final picture is outstanding.
I’ve picked up all thirteen figures released so far, and this Batman is definitely my favorite! And the only ones I felt I needed to be careful with were the four released in the first wave, although I’ve had no breakage issues with any. The nine figures released since then have been much more sturdy, by my experience.
And I’m really looking forward to the Batmobile shipping this week, but you’re right. Five new figures and the massive Batmobile was hard on the budget this month. This is currently the only line that I’m all in on, though. I read online that wave five and Roxy with her rocket will ship in December. That still leaves Killer Croc, Harley and Tim Drake Robin from wave three.
This is still my dream line but funds are so limited these days! Saw this in the comic shop and had to void the transaction after he rang it up for me! I cannot get pulled in!
I really want to get the BTAS Batman but is it exactly the same as the one in the Phantasm 2 pack?
Phantasm one has….a slightly angrier face?
I saw that but is it the only difference?
This Malibu Stacy has NEW SHOES!!!
I want it, I want it, I want it.
Funny how last shot kinda looks like Arkham Asylum cellblock in a way.
These figures do look really great. Another great review. Can’t wait for your Batmobile review. 😀
This version is better than the 1st release.