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You had to know it was coming. <\/p>\nYou had to know it was coming. <\/p>\n
When I set out with this handy Most Requested feature, I made a list of characters from various lines that needed to be made. Admittedly, this figure was not on that list. I’d guess it was because, even though I would’ve welcomed one in any line, I really felt there was no possibility. But circumstances arise, things change, and lists get updated. This may be a Most Requested Figure that divides the fanbase, but whatever side you fall on, you might not want to look directly at the image…<\/p>\n
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At SDCC, on preview night, the Mattel booth was flooded with toy collectors and their cameras. They snapped away at the offerings even though there was really very few new items. But tucked away with some 2ups of DCUC10 was this little gem: Zebra Batman. <\/p>\n
Now if you don’t know about Zebra Batman, he appeared back in Detective Comics no. 275 (January 1960). In that issue, he fought Zebra-Man, a villain that irridiated his body so he could move non-magnetic things… magnetically. Batman was similarly irridiated and, after running away thinking he would be forced to live in seclusion for the rest of his life (and leaving young Robin in charge), he quickly came up with a way to dispense with the energy and stop Zebra-Man. That’s compelling drama. <\/p>\n
Now, I know you probably had an instant judgment about all this. Either you wanted it or you wanted to never see it again. If you’re in the latter camp, I’m sorry, but we have to ignore you on this one. The Zebra Batman has gained a kind of quiet cult status on the internet over the last few years and that has culminated in not only this SDCC mock-up, but he also appeared briefly in the new Brave and the Bold cartoon (and Zebra-Man has two quick appearances for good measure). He may not be as crucial as Martian Manhunter or Kyle Rayner. He may not be as wanted as Zatanna or Raven. But he has something that none of them do: there was a mock-up of him in the case at the San Diego Comic-Con.<\/p>\n
So what’s the story behind that? According to Julius Marx’s Twitter<\/a> on the subject, Zebra Batman was \u201cNot planned for any wave\u2026yet. Just did it for fun and put it in the case. A nod to the Silver Age.\u201d<\/em> I’m not sure who exactly put that Zebra Batman in the case, but it caught the fans by surprise. It escalated to the point that, at the DC Panel, Mattel asked if anyone would want a Zebra Batman and the crowd responded positively<\/a>!<\/p>\n So, it’s time Mattel. If you want to make the most people happy, do this figure in place of an All-Star Batman. That way he doesn’t have to be packed with a C&C piece and the people who don’t enjoy Zebra Batman can walk on by. But even if you do him as a regular in a wave, or an online 2pk, or whatever – I’ll be there and they’ll be plenty of people with me.<\/p>\n