The Dark Knight Returns – Armored Batman DC Multiverse Figure by McFarlane Toys

The Dark Knight Returns - Armored Batman DC Multiverse Figure by McFarlane Toys

I like this more realistically proportioned version of DKR Bats, hope he does a nice Superman to go with it!

Wonder how long after this release McFarlane will re-release with a non-helmeted headsculpt.

I was really hopeful for this, but I think I'm going to pass. There's not nearly enough variation in that armored suit, even though a wash will likely help quite a bit. My main problem is that I don't think they got the proportions of the DKR Batman right at all. It looks quite off.

General pre-orders going live. Added a few links to the post.

Shouldn't he be a bit more bluish/grey. Perhaps, that color scheme will be next

I find it strange that for White Knight or the number of figures they've done from stories that Capullo drew the figures have aimed to be accurate to the source material but here they just kind of did their own thing based on TDKR's armored suit. I acknowledge that Miller's art is very rough/sketchy but Mattel and Mafex both already showed that the look can be fairly directly translated to plastic.

Maybe that's why Todd went a different route, since Mattel and Mafex already perfectly translated the look The Capullo and WK figures haven't been done much though so they went more comic-accurate haha

You know maybe you're on to something, because with how they normalized the armored suit they don't even have to bother making a new Superman since their standard one fits with this. This way we get another Batman in the line and another slot is freed up to be another Batman too. Jests aside, I admit I'm a little relieved that this figure not being done in Miller's style suggests that we won't be seeing a whole assortment of TDKR characters released because I feel like we've already had those pretty well covered by other companies.

There was an interview with either Todd or a member of his team where they said he's really uninterested in covering ground that's been done by Mattel or other parties making DC toys. (They'd said this specifically in reference to the possibility of making Justice League movie figures, which may be why some of those came out real phoned in.) He's clearly interested in putting his own spin on some of these designs that have already been done before, which you can see with the two Green Lanterns or that really janky looking new Wonder Woman.

I can understand why Todd doesn't want to re-tread familiar ground. Near the end of DCUC, it seemed like Mattel and DCD were releasing some of the same characters fairly close together.

But I have a hard time believing that Todd would skip the regular DKR bat-suits or some of the other characters. They only versions of the DKR figures that are actually good are the Mezco, Mafex, and DCC Batman: The Animated Series figures. The Mezco and Mafex figures are expensive while the DCC figures are in Bruce Timm's art style. IMO, the Mattel and the original DCD figures are serviceable only if you could never get another version of the DKR figures.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFVPMo82bn0

BTW I just saw this today and felt it was a really interesting look at why DC Multiverse has skewed so Batman heavy. It's from a former Mattel employee who worked on DC Universe Classics and it has some real fascinating insights into how these things come to be.

Allo. New here.

With regard to why the design isn't exactly comic-accurate, I believe it has to do with a lack of desire to compete directly with Mafex in particular. I am guessing this is also why he hasn't chosen to release a standard DKR batsuit as well, since that one was released recently to acclaim, and is still popular in toy photos etc. I'm glad of this actually. because looking at the art style on display here, I am guessing the DKR standard bats, whenever he is released will likely resemble the style on one of those expensive Prime 1 statues, and which would actually make the figure fit in with the wider DC universe figures a lot more than if he decided to strictly lift the designs from the comic. I'm pumped. I just wish the extra hands were fist, that's all.

That was a really informative video; thanks for linking that! I feel like I actually learned some important stuff about the industry.

Honestly, it's Batman heavy because Batman sells boys toys.

He and his Rogue's Gallery are by far the most recognizable DC names, so of course DC/WB/etc. want as many as possible.

Wonder Woman had a successful female superhero movie...that wasn't nearly successful as somebody nobody ever heard of in Captain Marvel. Diana's figure is still pegwarming. Batman/Superman/Wonder Woman had their first ever team-up movie that wasn't as successful as two C-list characters fighting each other - Iron Man and Captain America.

I get Todd doesn't want to retread, but I'm also not sure Todd's endless love for heavy metal looking figures is going to sell much DC or support a full line. He could always you know - make Poison Ivy or Supergirl or Power Girl or TT Raven or Mad Hatter or something. Not somebody Mafex or Figuarts is doing.

That WW looks pretty good with the Armored Batman which is actually mcfarlanized.