Batman: The Animated Series not only changed cartoons, but the public perception of Batman on general. Much like the 1989 Batman film, it showed what could really be done with the character in less (purposefully, anyway) campy stories, yet the show went even further by distilling everything great about Batman and his world into a show that could be enjoyed by anyone. To this day, ask anyone of a certain age what their favorite version of the Caped Crusader is and more often than not you’ll probably be told “BTAS.”
It was also simply a juggernaut of a show, lunching toy lines, comic books, prose novels, films, video games, spin-off series, and more. Toward the end of the series’ run it was rebranded as The Adventures of Batman & Robin, with more of a focus on the joint Dynamic Duo without any real dip in quality. Where the “original” animated series had its own highly successful toy line, the later seasons of the show did the same. Granted, many of the toys were repainted molds with swapped out accessories, or even the exact same figures repackaged in a newly branded card. Still, there are some true gems in the line, and more than enough to count it as it’s own wave, so let’s check out the weird and wonderful toys from The Adventures of Batman & Robin.
Figures and Vehicles 37-21
37. Fast Pursuit Batman: This one caused me a ton of confusion, because I miscounted the number of figures in this block and couldn’t figure out where he was supposed to go. It’s my mistake, but I’m taking it out on him, so Fast Pursuit Batman is the bottom of the list. Plus that bronze on his cycle pack thing just clashes with the red costume.
36. Bomb Control Batman: Overly designed and with some truly wild colors, this one just felt right at the bottom of the list. I still don't hate it.
35. Disaster Control Batman: For when Bomb Control Batman doesn't do his job.
34. Batman & Robin Rogues Gallery: As much as I love micro figures and playsets, this is only the former, not the latter. Not a bad assortment of characters at all-- Batman, Robin, Harley Quinn, Mad Hatter, Catwoman, Mr. Freeze, Scarecrow, and a great little Clayface-- it just needs something more. Even a vehicle or a small play area would do.
33. Land Strike Batman: Weird colors and a silly accessory, I still kind of like the wackiness of the paint application. The black on yellow looks interesting, if nothing else.
32. Ski Blast Robin: A repaint and repackage of a better-- if still not that great-- figure from an earlier line. The look of joy on each Robin figure's head sculpt is always fun, regardless of the overall quality of the toy, so he edges ahead of the last three Batmans.
31. Rocketpak Batman: Reminds me of that scene in All-Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder where Bats clowns Hal Jordan. Who sucks. Eight stars.
30. Turbo Surge Batman: Neat sled. Costume looks like Batman should be blocking lanes for a work zone.
29. Piranha Blade Batman: If this actually shot blades made of piranhas it would be incredible. It doesn’t, so it’s merely awesome. Which is disappointing.
28. Pocket Punchers: A Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots set with Batman and Riddler. Nothing more, nothing less. Fitting that it's Riddler, as he has been scientifically proven to have the most punchable face of all Batman villains.
27. Air Assault Batman: That’s a pretty blue with nice white markings that make me think of a lovely afternoon. It does not make me think of Batman, no matter how much I wish it did.
26. Bola Trap Robin: Robin also helped clown Hal Jordan (who sucks) in that scene in All-Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder. Another reminder. Ten stars. No notes.
25. Sea Claw Batman: Also reminds me of that scene in All-Star Batman & Robin, the Boy Wonder where Bats clowns Hal Jordan. Who still sucks. Twelve stars.
24. Torpedo Batman: It is in fact Batman, but he is not, in fact, a torpedo. Nor is he a torpedo that is also Batman. Two stars.
23. Tri-Wing Batman: Nice colors on Batman can’t make up for the ridiculous tri-wing thing. Like a lot of these, a better accessory could have gone a long way.
22. Stealthwing Batman: I kind of dig the colors and overall look of Batman, and “stealthwing” isn’t the weirdest superlative these figures have been given. Why it’s this low, I don’t know, it’s just kind of there.
21. Pogo Stick Joker: Far as I can tell, the figure is the same as an earlier Joker, with new accessories. Said accessories are funny, if bland, and the different colors on the suit are the same. It's okay.
Figures and Vehicles 20-11
20. Ra's Al Ghul: I remember always seeing this guy in the toy aisle of grocery stores way back when, before I really knew who Ra's was. Honestly, it's not a bad figure, especially with that neat helmet, it just isn't super indicative of the kind of character Ra's actually is.
19. Bane: Again, the exact same Bane from the main Animated Series line, just in cheaper-looking packaging. Unlike the Joker, the accessories are the same, and the coloring and design aren't any different either, so I guess this has the advantage of allowing people to have another chance at getting Bane.
18. Paraglide Batman: The glider is cool, even if recycled from a Robin figure, and it makes sense with Batman. The red and black suit also look kind of cool together, they just don’t work with the blue glider.
17. Cycle Thruster Batman: Tarnished armor Batman wears a Transformer. A+.
16. Air Strike Robin: VR Trooper Robin also has a Transformer. A++.
15. Nightsphere: Is this the second time we’ve seen this? The third? It doesn’t matter. What does matter is it’s never been in the comics and isn’t as popular as the Batmobile and Batwing, and that’s terrible.
14. Vector Wing Batman: Another transforming accessory? Be still my heart. The chrome blues are nice and go well with the muted blue and gray too, even if the shininess is goofy. But good goofy.
13. Hover Jet Batman: The purple Batsuit looks great, the ridiculous double-headed Bat-staff looks amazing, and the bat-shaped hoverboard rules. I love him.
12. Super Sonic Batman: He looks like RoboCop. That’s more than enough to forgive the ugly red “techno-rocket backpack”.
11. Hydro Storm Robin: I own this. It makes no sense, it’s weird, and I don’t even know what that black blaster thing is supposed to be. Oh, and despite what the packaging promises, Robin can only lay flat and face down on the sled. It is amazing, I love it so much, and I’d buy it again.
Figures and Vehicles 10-1
10. Gotham City Micro Playset: Now this is a micro set you can set your watch to. Good characters, some fun accessories (love those money bags), a pop-up Batsignal, and a ton of play area. Plus it all folds up into a great, portable, even displayable Gotham bank facade.
9. Triple Attack Jet: It’s three jets in one, friends. Just imagine Batman rolling up in this to, like, Maxie Zeus committing an Olympus Crime. That’s three jets with which Batman can wreck Maxie and his Zeus Creus. Just imagine.
8. Wind Blitz Batgirl: For some reason, this was the first Batgirl figure released in any Animated Series line, I believe. There were plenty of Batsmans and Robins, yet Batgirl didn’t get a toy until the sequel line, and her costume doesn’t even match the one in the show. No matter, though, because despite the disrespect this is an excellent action figure. Her costume looks fantastic, with some really cool design elements, and the adaptable wind glider sled is really versatile. Plus, she has a firing disc launcher. Fantastic stuff.
7. Skycopter Batman: The best standalone Batman figure by a decent margin. The colors of the suit are great, and any accessory that makes me think of the WhirlyBat is aces. Aces, I say!
6. Rogues Gallery set: This is just eight previously released figures in a new box. It’s also eight excellent previously released figures in an incredibly clever new box, which can double as a GCPD headquarters and jail playset. That’s value money can’t buy.
...wait
5. The Joker: Is this the best animated Joker figure? Quite possibly. Great sculpt with the coat and hat, and two fun and very Joker-esque weapons. It’s simple, and simply great.
4. The Riddler Roto Chopper: What I said earlier about the WhirlyBat, taken to a Silver Age extreme. We need comics where the Riddler cruises around on a helicopter with blades that look like question marks. It will truly unify us as a country.
3. Batcycle: I said “standalone Batman” earlier because while there is a Batman here, I, uh, don’t think he can be removed. If you had the Batcycle, though, would you really want to? Especially if it had that rad paint job and “TURBO POWER!”
2. Mr. Freeze: Take away the accessories and this is a gorgeous Mr. Freeze figure that would rank this high anyway. Add in those sweet clear plastic accessories and you have a gorgeous Mr. Freeze figure who’s a little bit extra, which can be forgiven of a man desperately seeking to save his wife.
1. Harley Quinn: Remember when Harley Quinn was fun and actually an enjoyable character? Good times. Like Freeze, the figure itself just looks absolutely perfect. Harley has the advantage of being packaged with an amazing trick gun and boxing glove launcher that can actually punch. Just a great figure through and through, and without question the best of this line.
All images were obtained from Figure-Archive.net, unless otherwise noted.
