Showing posts with label Batman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Batman. Show all posts

Thursday, August 6, 2026

DC Blokees - ARKHAM KNIGHT BATGIRL!

Blokees DC Defender Version 03: Arkham Chaos - Batgirl - Blokees 2026

Blokees has been dominating both the collector and commercial toy markets in the last few years. They produce figures at a rapid pace, they have great character selection, they are inexpensive (these Blind Box model kits are $3), and they are fun to put together. Other cool thing is the wide variety of scales that exist within each license. These Defender scale figures are the smallest at around 2.5" tall. I think they are pretty fun and adorable. The Transformers Defender line is already up to Series 08 (in two short years), so I have hopes that same momentum will exist for DC and give us a flood of characters. My excitement for these is reminiscent of how I felt when I discovered Mini-Mates or Medicom Kubricks; A fun tiny scale, cool characters, and a lot of product. The Arkham Knight Batgirl design was never my favorite. I always felt that her cowl was too bulky and the gold gauntlets and boots contradicted the gritty aesthetic. But in this scale I find it much more palatable. Let's check out Batgirl below!

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

DC Blokees - ARKHAM KNIGHT CATWOMAN!

Blokees DC Defender Version 03: Arkham Chaos - Catwoman - Blokees 2026

About ten years ago the Arkham Series of video games dominated the Gotham Girls merchandizing. For a brief period of time, I loved the new spin on my favorite characters. But I can admit it got old pretty quick. The darker, grittier designs were just too far of a stretch from the simplified comic designs that initially drew me to the characters. I would have been more excepting if almost every action figure of Catwoman between 2012 and 2018 wasn't in this style with a little tuft of hair on her forehead and unnecessary cleavage. But by the time her 2022 McFarlane figure was released, my criticism had abated a lot. So last week when I first learned that the third wave of the Blokees DC Defender blind box minis was Arkham themed, I was genuinely excited to hunt them down. And then within a couple days, my local toy shop got them in stock. Luckily the ladies are almost always the lightest figures in the assortment so they're relatively easy to pick. Let's check out Catwoman below!

Thursday, May 21, 2026

Batgirls - STEPHANIE BROWN BATGIRL!

DC Multiverse - DC Direct Digital - Stephanie Brown Batgirl - McFarlane 2025

Between 2021 and 2023 there was a 19-issue comic series called Batgirls featuring Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown patrolling Gotham with Barbara Gordon in their earpieces. Having all three Batgirls teamed up like this was a plot I had been dreaming of for years. The books themselves ended up being a little far from what I ideally wanted. The art was loose and cartoony (which is a weird trend for female-led titles) and the bad guys - at least in the first story arc - were techno-hacker-types (which I find rather boring in comparison to the vast Gotham rogues gallery of colorful costumed psychopaths). But one great thing about the title was the inspiration of the two titular characters in toy form. Bat-females are my greatest obsession and Stephanie Brown in particular is my favorite Bat character (in any costume and with any name). It had been seven years since her last (Mattel) action figure so I was very excited for this figure. I even bought extras to make some custom Stephs. Let's check out Batgirl below!

Monday, February 23, 2026

DC Classic - BATGIRL!

DC Multiverse - DC Classic - Batgirl (Barbara Gordon) - McFarlane Toys 2025

Now that the McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse is coming to a close, it's amazing to see how good the figures are becoming. I have a lot of Batgirl action figures in my collection. Just on this blog, I have 112 posts tagged with "Batgirl" and even more I've never posted about. And I don't exaggerate when I say that this new DC Classic figure is my favorite of them all. She uses the same body as the 2021 Three Joker's Batgirl (which I always thought was a great buck), but with bright classic colors, a long wired cape, and an amazing headsculpt reminiscent of the art of Adam Hughes or Terry Dodson. The only thing I don't love about this figure is the metallic sheen of the cape. I would have much preferred a flat blue, but that's a small complaint. I have similar praise for the recent Ice figure whose head was clearly sculpted by the same artist. I just hope the remaining ladies coming this year pack the same punch. There are a handful of rumored characters we haven't seen yet. Let's check out Batgirl below!

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Batman Returns - CATWOMAN!

DC Multiverse Deluxe - Batman Returns - Catwoman - McFarlane Toys 2025

I have been begging for a 6-8" scale Michelle Pfeiffer Catwoman for as long as I've been collecting action figures. We've seen 3.75" figures, block figures like Kubricks and Mini-Mates, vinyl figures, and a glorious 18" figure from NECA. But all I wanted was something that could stand alongside all my superhero toys. It took a long time, but my wish was finally granted in the form of this near-perfect McFarlane figure. I managed to snag mine a few weeks before Christmas but was a little intimidated to open her until recently. It was actually the reveal of upcoming 8" NECA figure that lit a fire under me and inspired me to finally post this. She's as good as I've always hoped. She has the typical elongated body that all McFarlane DC figures are plagued with, but I'd always rather have a figure be too tall than too short. The placement of her mask can also vary figure-to-figure and greatly change her appearance, but I'm really happy with mine. Let's check out the Batman Returns Michelle Pfeiffer Catwoman below!

Monday, February 9, 2026

Batman Classic TV Series - CATWOMAN Bust!

Batman Classic TV Series - Julie Newmar Catwoman Mini-Bust - DST 2015

I'm pretty obsessed with the mini-bust format. In the early 2000s and throughout the 2010s, these were everywhere. Bowen Designs, Gentle Giant, DC Direct, and Diamond Select seemingly had releases every month. Plus several companies came to the game late like Monogram and Eaglemoss and produced some great pieces. But unfortunately, since 2019 almost all production seems to have ceased - with the exception of Diamond Select who was still occasionally releasing Star Wars and Gargoyles busts until just a couple years ago. My favorite character to collect in this format was Catwoman. I believe I have 12 different mini-busts representing a variety of her incarnations over the years (surprisingly there were never Pfeiffer or Golden/Silver Age representations - two glaring omissions). I excitedly bought this Julie Newmar Batman '66 bust when it came out 11 years ago, but was pretty disappointed in the paint quality. The difference between the paint masters and the production version was simple, but impactful. The solicitation photos looked decently like Julie Newmar (not great, but close enough). 

Monday, September 8, 2025

Batman '66 Comics - BATGIRL!

Batman '66 Comic Retro Series 11 - Batgirl (BTAS) - McFarlane Toys 2025

When I think about fun color variations to the Batman '66 Batgirl mold, I can admit this release wasn't one of them. I would have much preferred a more unique color combination for a re-release; like the New52 version with purple and black, or a Steph Brown blonde version (or a re-issue of the Yvonne Craig version to pair with the new Batgirl Cycle). But instead, we got a Batman the Animated Series repaint. Without the cartoony Bruce Timm sculpt to go along with it, this looks almost identical to the recent The New Adventures of Batman figure except a slightly darker palette and blue gloves and boots (and differently painted eyes). It sounds like some significant differences, but in person they are just way too similar for my tastes. Of course, that doesn't mean I can resist a Batgirl toy when I see her on the shelf... it only means I am unmotivated to open her and delay her review for almost a year. I'm still holding out hope for a Poison Ivy in this line, but that looks unlikely. Let's check out Batgirl below!

Sunday, March 23, 2025

Lego LED Keychains - BATGIRL & HARLEY QUINN(S)!

DC Super Heroes LEGO Keychain LED - Harley Quinn & Batgirl - Santoki 2016-17

I have several things going on in my life right now. Firstly, I'm on sabbatical and have ample free time for the next month. Secondly, I have a new computer and I'm struggling with all sorts of software and operating system issues. And thirdly, I have been focusing on finishing long-outstanding unfinished art projects and also reorganizing my toy room. The larger effects of all these events is that I will have less time for blog posts this month and the posts I do make will likely be products and photos from 5+ years ago that were never finalized (I have quite a backlog). This post features the latest three Lego LED Lites featuring the Gotham Girls. I've always loves Legos, but collecting minifigures is a who different genre from my norm that I find intimidating. But these larger 3" figures appeal to me greatly. The larger scale lets them blend in with my traditional action figures much better. And the limited character selection is actually obtainable. That said, it's been eight years and I'm ready for more. Let's check them out below!

Saturday, January 11, 2025

Mezco 5 Points - BTAS CATWOMAN!

Mezco 5 Points - Batman The Animated Series - Catwoman - Mezco 2024

I have a lot of hope for the Mezco 5 Points line. I only own four currently, but I really appreciate the quality sculpts and solid feel of the figures. They are more expensive and less-articulated than similar retro-inspired lines, but there is something I find super appealing about the character selection and final product. This Batman the Animated Series line breaks some new barriers by offering individually-carded figures in wonderfully retro packaging. Previous releases were only offered as convention exclusives or in large playsets (The Julie Newmar Catwoman was released in a 7-pack with a Batmobile for $130). I'm looking forward to the Harley Quinn in Series 2, but sad for (seemingly) cancelled Josie and the Pussycats and Birdman figures. I truly think the single-carded business model will increase sales and popularity for the line. I'm certainly more excited now. I hope to see more BTAS ladies, as well as all the Burton and Schumacher characters. Let's check out the BTAS Catwoman below!

Thursday, January 2, 2025

Batman: The Animated Series CATWOMAN!

Batman: The Adventures Continue #60: Catwoman V2 - DC Direct/McFarlane 2022

Near the end of DC Collectibles in 2020, there were a lot of Redecos and simple retools of previously released figures. The DC Essentials line was being re-released with zombie tooling and the original Batman the Animated Series figures from six years prior were being issues with slight paint upgrades. I ignored most of these toys and turned my attention instead to the new DC Multiverse line from McFarlane. A year later. McFarlane Toys surprised us by continuing these redecos under the resurrected DC Direct banner. I also ignored these. But eventually I picked up this Catwoman Version 2 on clearance. I hadn't noticed the significant improvement in her facepaint. And the previous ugly exposed pins on her hips were now gone. She is a beautiful figure. But I still didn't remember to open her until my recent Batgirl post (which was coincidentally the first cel-shaded figure I photographed). It took me a minute to find her buried in a closet, but here she finally is in all her glory. Let's check out Catwoman below!

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Batman the Animated Series - BATGIRL!

Batman the Animated Series (Maxie Zeus Wave) - Batgirl - McFarlane Toys 2024

With McFarlane Toys slowly re-releasing all of the old DC Collectible Batman the Animated Series and The New Batman Adventures figures, I have decided to be very selective. Some of the figures, including the TNBA Batgirl and TNBA Catwoman, have been essentially identical to the original releases (which I still have and love). But occasional there is something new, like the Batman '66 repaint of the TNBA Batgirl and this BTAS Batgirl in a distinctly-different deco. As much as I love the DCC BTAS Batgirl, the colors always seemed very dark and broody. I was very happy for this redecoed version, and I hope future BTAS/TNBA releases will have similar updates instead of boring re-releases. Plus, and I will always repeat this, we desperately need a Batwoman figure from Mystery of the Batwoman in this line. She would be such an easy figure from existing sculpts to make and a fantastic new character. Fingers crossed for a future reveal. Let's check out the updated BTAS Batgirl below!

Friday, October 18, 2024

DC Comics Total Justice - HUNTRESS!

DC Multiverse -  Collector's Edition - Huntress (Platinum) - McFarlane Toys 2024

Huntress has had quite a few notable costumes over her 46 years. I honestly haven't been a fan of them all. But they always had a few consistent elements through all the variations. Namely: lots of purple and a domino mask (of varying sizes). Plus her Bertinelli era typically included a cross motif or some religious iconography. But this McFarlane Platinum variant design holds a special place in my heart because it is the costume represented on her very first action figure (the Kenner 1996 Total Justice figure). As far as I can tell, she first wore this costume in the August 1996 issue of Shadow of the Bat #53. She then wore it, with only minor variations, for about six years through such landmark storylines as Cry for Blood, No Man's Land, Justice League of Amazons, Last Laugh, and the beginning of Birds of Prey. It wasn't until Hush in 2002 that she saw her first significant costume change. As iconic as this late-90s costume was, I simply wasn't reading those comics, so the nostalgia is purely based on that first toy in 1996. This new figure is a wonderful homage to that. Let's check out Huntress below!

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

DC Comics New 52 - HUNTRESS!

DC Multiverse -  Collector's Edition - Huntress (New 52) - McFarlane Toys 2024

Huntress holds a special place in my heart because my discovery of her was the first time I truly fell in love with comics. My brothers and I were big fans of Batman from the '66 live action show and the Filmation and Super Friends cartoons. My first forays into comics were just an extension of my TV watching (mostly G.I.Joe comics), but I soon found myself buying backissues of Batman Family and expanding my knowledge of the Batman universe. When I first learned of Huntress' lineage, my young mind was blown. I had watched Catwoman and Batman flirt for years. But to learn that in an alternate timeline they were married and had a vigilante daughter was the coolest thing I had ever heard. I've been a fan ever since. I much prefer the Helena Wayne version, but I'm a fan of all her incarnations. Interestingly enough, the last comic I read starring Huntress reconciled the Wayne and Bertinelli versions into one multiverse-misplaced character. Don't know if that story stuck, but I highly approved.

Monday, October 7, 2024

MAFEX - Batman: Hush - HUNTRESS!

MAFEX #170 - Batman: Hush (Jim Lee) - Huntress - Medicom Toys 2022

Tomorrow I should be getting my McFarlane Platinum Huntress in the mail (from BBTS) and I am giddy with excitement over opening and reviewing the two new Helena figures. But that excitement also served as a reminder that I had this beauty sitting in the wings for several years waiting for me to post her. In all honesty, I find purple characters to be the hardest to photograph. The slightest change in the lighting conditions or zoom level can make the color look completely different. It always takes a ton of color tweaking to make the photos match real life in the most consistent way. It can be a major chore and characters like Huntress tend to suffer because of my laziness. When this Mafex figure was released, it had been eight years since we last got a figure of Helena. And honestly, the previous two figures were pretty lackluster. But then here comes Medicom with a perfect rendition of the Jim Lee Hush Huntress. This truly is a magnificent-looking figure. Let's check her out below!

Friday, October 4, 2024

Imaginext - POISON IVY!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Rivals Pack - Poison Ivy - Fisher-Price 2024

Poison Ivy has been having a bit of a renaissance in the comics recently. Her ongoing solo title is up to issue #26 already and is developing her character in new and interesting ways. The art by Marcio Takara is amazing and the first story arc is reminiscent to The Last of Us, which is gloriously dark. I've even been hearing comic shop chatter about Ivy being in the next Batman film. To be clear, people are wishing for her to be the next film villain. And I would love that too. Similar to Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy is another character that is often sanitized for young audiences. It's easy to reimagine her as a mild troublemaker snaring her foes with vines and pollen rather than a ruthless eco-terrorist leaving a trail of bodies in her wake. But at least Poison Ivy's slightly wicked persona stays pretty consistent regardless of the target audience. This Imaginext figure represents Ivy in the newest DC Girls launch. Time will tell if this is simply a Fisher-Price theme or a wider multi-media push. Let's check out Ivy below!

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Imaginext - HARLEY QUINN!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Rivals Pack - Harley Quinn - Fisher-Price 2024

I always find it exciting when a character who is known for being villainously deranged, or violent, or any type of kid-unfriendly attribute gets marketed to children. I remember years ago seeing a Lobo Imaginext in the store and sending a pic to my friends.  We were incredulous that this was a preschool toy. Even recently I saw the Suicide Squad Little People set from Fisher-Price featuring four murderers and the label "Suicide" on the packaging (Yes, I'm aware that this set is marketed to collectors, but it's still jarring). Over the years, Harley has been sanitized to just be a little zany and irrational. Sometimes (annoyingly) she's written as being dim-witted and clueless. But I will always look at her and see the twisted psychopathic psychologist I fell in love with 25 years ago (I was a little late to the Harley party and didn't become a fan until her first solo comic series). This new Imaginext figure continues the cute-washed trend that makes her insanely popular across the generations, but belies the villainy beneath.

Sunday, September 29, 2024

Imaginext - BATGIRL!

Imaginext - DC Super Friends - Batgirl Hero Hideout - Fisher-Price/Mattel 2024

The new girl-centric line of DC Super Friends Imaginext toys has started off with a bang. In the first wave of releases we've already seen seven key characters represented in a fresh new style, a colorful palette, and supported by a series of animated shorts from DC Kids on YouTube. The style of these figures is reminiscent of the Teen Titans Go Imaginext line that was released 7-10 years ago featuring larger, more animated heads and slimmer limbs. I think I will always prefer the traditional Imaginext proportions, but this new series has grown on me fast. Batgirl seems to be the primary protagonist of this group. She seemingly owns the heroes' base of operations (the "Batgirl Hero Hideout") and she seems to be the focal point of most of the animated shorts. And that's impressive considering she is joined by heavy-hitters like Wonder Woman and Supergirl. (It's honestly most likely because she has the most impressive and notable villains of all the heroes). Let's check out Batgirl below!

Saturday, June 8, 2024

Dark Knight Rises - CATWOMAN!

MAFEX No. 009 - The Dark Knight Rises - Catwoman - Medicom Toys 2015

The MAFEX line from Medicom has come a long way since its beginnings in 2014. This specific Catwoman figure is the 9th release from 2015. And while this figure is very nice, it pales in comparison to the 2021 Hush Catwoman I recently opened. In fact, there is a version 2.0 of this Dark Knight Rises Catwoman released two years later in 2017 (MAFEX 050), that appears greatly improved. Unfortunately, that 2.0 figure's secondary market price is often in the hundreds of dollars. (But meanwhile you can easily get this MAFEX 009 version for $25 bucks today). I was really happy to finally open and review all my backlogged DKR Catwoman figures. I've had this one for seven years and she looks great finally displayed on my Catwoman shelf. My desire to do a group photo with the new McFarlane DC Multiverse figure made me finally dig all these figures out of the depths of my closets and finally give them the attention they deserve. Let's check out this (long-neglected by me) Mafex DKR Catwoman below!

Thursday, June 6, 2024

Dark Knight Rises - CATWOMAN!

S.H.Figuarts - The Dark Knight Rises - Catwoman - Tamashii Nations/Bandai 2018

This figure sent me on a crazy internet-searching frenzy this week. When I was photographing this figure, I had the sudden realization that she looked exactly like Sarah Michelle Gellar. This idea got so implanted in my head that I couldn't unsee it and created the (fictional) idea that Gellar was possibly considered for the role before Hathaway was cast. We see a fair amount of toys that are based on pre-production design, so my theory had merit (in my mind). Alas, I was wrong and the likeness is just a coincidence. But, wow, there is a lot of fancasting out there for Gellar in the role of Catwoman. For a long time, this S.H.Figuarts figure from Bandai was the nicest DKR Catwoman out there. She has great textural details, excellent articulation, and perfect proportions. Plus she was the victim of some bizarre merchandising practices and was heavily clearanced at GameStop for $30. This purchase started my obsession Mafex, S.H.Figuarts, and Figma (which I had always avoided). Let's check out Catwoman below!

Monday, June 3, 2024

Dark Knight Rises - CATWOMAN!

Dark Knight Rises: The Bat 1:12 Collectible Set - Hot Toys/Sideshow 2014

This figure was the Bane of my existence for years (pun intended). As a surprise pack-in figure for the gargantuan deluxe The Bat vehicle from Hot Toys (MSRP $779.99), she was simply unobtainable for me. I had hopes that someone would split up the set and eventually sell her cheap(er) on eBay, and a mere eight years later I finally had her. Beyond the general character appeal and my obsession for collecting variations, I also wanted this figure as a rare example of a 1:12 scale figure from Hot Toys. As a company known for its large high-end 1:6 figures and smaller SD Cosbaby line, a traditional 6" scale figure is an oddity. And while she's not as detailed or articulated as her Mafex and SHFiguarts versions, she is still a fantastic rare figure. Her face and eye details are especially amazing. Although she kind of looks like she's about to cry with that Hot Toys' signature glassy shine and pink-lined eyelids. She probably saw her pricetag. Let's check out this rare Dark Knight Rises Catwoman below!