Mattel DC Universe Classics All-Stars Batman Mattel, 2009
Day #447: July 20, 2012
All-Stars Batman Not too expensive
Legends of Batman Action Figure
Item No.: Asst. T3682 No. R5772 Manufacturer:Mattel Includes:Stand, batarang, grappling hook gun Action Feature:n/a Retail:$18.99 Availability: December 2009 Other: A great example of Batman
While Kenner cranked out Batman figures in numerous costumes, sizes, and colors, Mattel's offerings in its collector-oriented DC Universe Classics line were generally derived from the same mold with new paint. Multiple flavors of a "grey and black" Batman were produced, so you could pick up whatever tickled your fancy. Do you want a big black bat on his chest? You can get that. How about one splattered in brown clay? You can get that too. I got the one with the yellow circle around the symbol, which I like a lot because it reminds me of Batman: The Animated Series. Oh, and I should write that I'm not a collector of this particular line, I've just picked-and-chosen a few and I assume that you, the reader, aren't necessarily going to buy the mega-huge Super Powers-killer that is this vast, amazing line.
As a kind soul was nice enough to send one to me, I didn't know this one was called "World's Greatest" on some eBay auctions until I did some research. I'd be inclined to agree with those words, it's really nice. It makes use of the more-or-less standard DCUC buck, with bat-enhancements like boots and gloves, plus the cape and some accessories. The grey body suit is adorned with some black extras, and the rubbery cape does a nice job stabilizing the figure in some action poses. Since the deco doesn't try to be fancy, there's not much to knock-- it looks great. If I had to nitpick, the decision to paint the flesh parts of the face (rather than the black parts of the mask) looks a little funky, but it's still pretty great. Sometimes "skin" is best rendered in plastic, rather than painted.
Sculpting is spectacular, with his utility belt and all that jazz. The Four Horsemen did another great job on this guy, with ol' pointy ears looking as awesome as ever. With a hair under 20 joints, he's also one of the best-jointed Batman figures you can buy at a remotely reasonable price, and he makes for a great desk accessory.
Since Mattel has done a decent job doing multiple versions of Batman, if you don't like this one you've got numerous, similar alternatives. The grappling hook gun and batarang make this one extra-fun, though, and he's as close to an "Animated" Batman as this line has. Except for the "Public Enemies" figures but honestly, that's not quite what I meant. The grappling hook's "rope" is a weird one, as it feels like they had some string and managed to meld it into the plastic in a way that's tough to describe and something I haven't seen before.
I'd love to say "If you only buy one Batman figure, make it this one" but I don't have enough "modern" Batmen to know that this is indeed the best, but I can tell you that I'm incredibly happy with it. Short of somehow making it more like the cartoons from the 1990s, I can't imagine anything I'd rather see. If you can see it cheap, get it, I doubt you'll regret it.
--Adam Pawlus
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