DC Animation started down a path of artistic style in the early 90s with Batman “The Animated Series”. It was darker in tone, featured art deco styling, and was a throw back to animation of old. But it worked. Larger upper bodies, squared off chins & thin limbs were a key highlight. That style ran for years to come, seen in Batman “The New Batman Adventures”, Superman, Justice League, Justice League Unlimited, Batman Beyond, and a slew of animated movies direct to VHS and DVD. It evolved as it went, but it originated with Batman TAS. Toy lines from Hasbro, and then Mattel, featured figures from these shows, usually aimed at kids (duh), featuring gimmicks and crazy repaints for Batman and Superman. The key here being that most of the toys from this era are simplistic in nature. Fitting for the times, and even the style, but we as collectors are eager for a little more.
Enter DC Collectibles in 2014 with their first collector focused “Batman Animated” line. 5-6 inches tall, wide range of articulation, and very true to the animation models in sculpt, fine details, and accessories. They’ve started off with a mix of the two Batman series, some being from the original “The Animated Series” and others coming from “The New Batman Adventures”. Today, we are taking a look at the first, Batman, from TNBA. Read on to check out over 40 high res shots of Batman in action along with our thoughts, courtesy of site sponsor Big Bad Toy Store!
BBTS Pre-Orders – Get ’em while they’re hot: Robin (TAS), Poison Ivy, Man-Bat, Harley Quinn, Joker, Killer Croc and Baby Doll, Robin (TNBA), The Creeper, Riddler, Penguin, Batigrl, Batman (TAS).
DC Collectibles Batman Animated Series Batman (The New Batman Adventures)
Pros
Style is dead on to shows
Beefy, holds nice in the hand
Articulation is above average
Interchangeable hands
Two capes, one for posing, one for mean muggin
Stand included, Figuarts style with figure specific art
Cons
Broken hand on first move
Ankles are weak, hard to pose top heavy figure
Overall
Good, get one. Just kidding. Really tho, it is a great figure. This show dropped right as I was getting a bit old for cartoons (so I thought then), but it and it’s descendants were my guilty pleasure all the way through college. It wasn’t your goofy kids show, and that was a fresh idea at the time. Having high end figures to match the look and feel of it now as an adult really hits a sweet spot. The fact that DCC has gone all-in already, showing off figures through mid next year, 16 in total, is awesome. And not just Batman and the regulars, they are pulling some lesser known folks into the mix too (see above links at BBTS!). As for this Batman, it’s great other than some tech issues. Had a broken hand, the peg snapped when attempting to move the axis joint. The ankles are weak. I’ve heard reports of those breaking a lot, but it didn’t happen here. It is however difficult to pose with the loose ankles. Luckily, it comes with a stand :). One cool point to this – it felt very S.H. Figuarts in tone, running thru the whole package. It comes with a stand similar to a Figuarts one, and had a ton of extra hands and fists, two capes. Reminded me of opening up a SHF DBZ figure. I dig that, and hope they continue that trend beyond the animated line.
Overall, great figure, and great line. Stay tuned for the rest of wave 1 and 2, we’ll be doing galleries for them all!
Check out some key shots here, and the rest below!
BBTS Pre-Orders – Get ’em while their hot: Robin (TAS), Poison Ivy, Man-Bat, Harley Quinn, Joker, Killer Croc and Baby Doll, Robin (TNBA), The Creeper, Riddler, Penguin, Batigrl, Batman (TAS).
CompaniesDC Collectibles
CharactersBatman
Scale6 Inch
Sub-LineDC Animated Series (Modern 6 Inch)