DC Direct, formerly DC Collectibles, and formerly before that DC Direct, have been producing 6 Inch Batman Animated universe figures since 2014. They’ve run through the eras including Batman The Animated Series (BTAS) and The New Adventures of Batman (TNBA). They also snuck in some figures from the Superman and Justice League cartoons, since they used the same animation DNA. They are firing things back up and producing new figures under the title Batman The Adventures Continue (BTAC). This is an extension of the Batman Animated universe in storyline and toy form, featuring new characters and looks that never appeared in the original series. There is an ongoing digital comic that is also getting compiled into book form featuring the story.
DC Direct doesn’t do traditional waves per say, but today we are looking at “Round 2” of figures. This includes new repaints of BTAS Joker and Robin, along with newcomers Deathstroke and Super Armor Batman. They are due to drop soon, with more coming later this year and next. Read on to check out some quick thoughts and our in-hand pics courtesy of DC Direct!
Batman The Adventures Continue Joker, Robin, Super Armor Batman and Deathstroke
Overall Thoughts
So I’m back in the saddle with these guys. I did the Animated figures when they first dropped and went with it for a while, but I did fade out near the end so I am not complete. I dig the Animated universe, but it’s not my first choice for DC representations so I’m a little less completionist there. These new Adventures Continue figures are sharp though. Joker and Robin are repaints, allowing folks to jump back in with besties. Joker is very clean, rich colors and sharp paint, this time getting a yellow tint in the eyes and teeth. Robin is about the same, little richer colors. Both however feature paint blocking to mimic animation cells. You barely notice it on quick glance but there are darker hues painted on under arms and inner legs, around some other areas that give off that cell shaded look. So that’s a good way to differentiate from previous releases. Of note – none of these figures have the stands with them that many early releases did, and I’m ok with that as I never used them.
The two all new figures are Deathstroke and Super Armor Batman. Deathstroke pretty much nails what you’d imagine an Animated version of him would be. He comes packed with a knife, gun and sword, an alternate unmasked head, and multiple hands. Paint is well done and applied cleanly throughout. He can stand on his own even with the heavy upper body. Slight ankle rock, torso cut and double jointed knees are present. Watch those knife/sword handles – they will snap with some pressure.
The star of the wave however is Super Armor Batman. A big chunky figure, it pulls from the Dark Knight / Batman Vs. Superman armor. He’s got 2 sets of hands, fist and gun style, plus an additional one for an energy blast from the palm. Additional parts include a kryptonite Batarang, gun, energy effect and alternate unmasked head. He’s got articulation and swivels at the shoulder, upper arm, elbow, wrists with joints, waist swivel, hips, knees and ankles. Due to his bulky nature, most of these points are limited in range but it doesn’t take away from the figure overall. It does what it’s supposed to do and feels great in hand.
Overall was happy with them all, and I really dig that they are continuing things in toy and book form. There is a lot of potential here and it can go on for a very long time. As of now, known figures include:
- Azrael (dropped in June)
- Red Hood (dropped in June)
- Thomas Wayne Batman
- The Talon
- The Batman Who Laughs
- Vampire Batman
And we are getting repaints of the following, all with the cell shading:
- BTAS Batman with new legs (dropped in June)
- Harley Quinn (dropped in June)
- TNBA Batman
- Tim Drake Robin
- Batgirl
- Catwoman
- Christmas With The Joker
I look forward to it all!
Check out our shots for Wave/Round 2 below.
CompaniesDC Collectibles
CharactersBatmanThe JokerRobinDeathstroke
Scale6 Inch
Sub-LineDC Animated Series (Modern 6 Inch)