Variant Plague. Batman just can't get a break.

[JustJack]

I already did a search to see if anyone had posted this yet...I found nothing. So, here it goes....

Hasbro produced a crap-load of dumb n' ugly Batman variants. And when Mattel got the license, we all squealed with joy....because Mattel makes good toys. But...now....

Mattel screwed it all up.

Batman Animated 2-Packs - March 2003
This case of 6 assorted five inch action figures 2-Packs includes: Batman vs. Catwoman, Batman and Robin, Batman vs. The Joker, and Batman and Nightwing.

Batman Series 1 Figures - May 2003
This case of 12 assorted action figures includes: HydroSuit Batman, Battle Armor Batman, Martial Arts Batman, Zipline Batman, and Skim Board Extreme Robin or Joker with Joke Gun. We will not know if this assortment includes Skin Board Extreme Robin or Joker with Joke Gun until it arrives.

Batman Figure 2-Packs - May 2003
Mattel introduces 5 Inch action figure 2-packs based upon Batman: The Animated Series! These articulated action figures come in packs of two and are for both the fan and the collector. This case of 6 assorted action figures includes: Batman and Superman, Batman and Robin

Batman Deluxe Figures - June 2003
This case of 6 assorted Deluxe action figures includes: Stealth Wing Armor Batman, Night Patrol Armor Batman, and another Deluxe Batman.

Batman Vehicles with Figures - June 2003
These vehicles and articulated action figures are for both the fan and the collector. This case of 4 assorted vehicles with action figures includes: Batman and Mini-Chopper, Batman and Batcycle.

Batman Micro Playsets - June 2003
Mattel introduces 5 Inch action figure Micro Playsets based upon Batman: The Animated Series! These micro playsets are for both the fan and the collector. This case of 6 assorted playsets includes the Batman Battle Set and the Joker Battle Set.

That's the pre-order assortment info via Entertainment Earth. MAYBE one Joker out of a 6-figure lineup. Either Joker or Robin...then 5 Batmen..........

Sweet Jebus I might cry.

[TimTwoFace]

Hmmm...I dunno, there are too many Batmen in that line-up, that's all I can say. I can appreciate variants as much as the next guy (provided that they make sense and don't involve horrendous colours), but enough is enough. We only have three villains on then way as far as I can see (Joker, Catwoman, and Two-Face, all paired up in 2-packs) and not too many hero variants, either.

Why don't these toy manufacturers ever get it right? Don't they realize it's the NON-variants that always sell out first? That's what it always seems like to me.

-Tim

[HelloKittyKat]

Originally posted by TimTwoFace
Why don't these toy manufacturers ever get it right? Don't they realize it's the NON-variants that always sell out first? That's what it always seems like to me.

-Tim

Actually, they are getting it right. Kids want Batman, Batman, and Batman, and maybe a bad guy to beat up.

[Terhwa]

Well I'll only start to worry when the Alfred line is released!

Tea making Alfred

Dusting the Batcave Alfred

and Scowling disapprovingly over Batman's shoulder Alfred. :)

[Bird Boy]

Originally posted by HelloKittyKat
Actually, they are getting it right. Kids want Batman, Batman, and Batman, and maybe a bad guy to beat up.

Exactly! Batman figures were a hot toy at Toys "R" Us and Wal Mart, and they did sell. Kids just wanted millions of Batmen for some reason...

Unfortunately, the hardcore Batman fans have to suffer through it as well..

I want a grown up line.. :p

-BB

[The Detective]

WHY! WHY! I have my Justice League Batman and that's enough. Just to get some villians I'll have to buy a bunch of sets that have Batman in them? I don't want five hundred Batmans! HYDRO SUIT BATMAN! What are they thinking?

[jm5150bc]

Originally posted by Terhwa
Well I'll only start to worry when the Alfred line is released!

Tea making Alfred

Dusting the Batcave Alfred

and Scowling disapprovingly over Batman's shoulder Alfred. :)

LOL !!!! Now those , I'd like to see !!!

Anyway, I can't say any of this makes me happy, but I can say that I will not buy any funky-outfitted / colored Batmen !!!! B:TAS Batman, TNBA Batman, Comic-Related Batman, all are A.O.K. by me. Different Artist's interpretations also welcome (how many times have I said that now :D !!)

Villains, supporting cast members, GCPD... Let's see those !!

Oh well... At least we'll get that awesome 12-inch Batman !!!

[HelloKittyKat]

Personally, even as a little kid I was upset some supporting characters from various properties were never made into figures. I was never one who bought countless Batman variations--maybe one or two from each line or so (although I had tons of Ninja Turtles. Go figure.)

[James]

Originally posted by Terhwa
Well I'll only start to worry when the Alfred line is released!

Tea making Alfred

Dusting the Batcave Alfred

and Scowling disapprovingly over Batman's shoulder Alfred. :)

Sad as it sounds - I'd want to get those! Alfred makes such a cool figure!!!

It was the same for the BB hasbro line - how many of those stupid neon or transparent Batmans did you see unsold in the shop? I only once sore a normal Bats and never again. Did I buy it? No... *smacks head against wall*

[DisneyBoy]

You can't blame yourself SJJ. I once had the chance to get one action figure while on vacation: Poison Ivy or Quick-change Dick Grayson. I chose Grayson, and while I love the figure, I've yet to find an Ivy, still in her package for less than 40$ Canadian. Ouch.

It really floors me that Mattel doesn't understand what we want. When I look at their Master of the Universe line, it clearly shows that they are trying to showcase a wide variety of characters and villains rather than just He-Man, He-Man and more He-Man! You'd think they'd get the drift and start off Batman on the right foot.

Any word on if the new Animated line with be 4 1/2 inches, or 5 like the Hasrbo line?

[The Detective]

I hope they are the same sixe as the JL figues so they look the right size displayed together. And I absoluetly refuse to buy any variants. I'll buy some of the villian sets but that's it.

[TimTwoFace]

I know kids love Batman and all the parents buy the Batmen for Christmas, birthdays, etc, because they think that they can't go wrong if they get their child a Batman figure. They might be really, really upset if they get a Robin, Nightwing, or dare I say...a BATGIRL figure. A girl!? Ew, yucky. :p

Seriously though, I remember back when the first lines came out. They got it right:

SERIES 1 (released in 1993 some time)
2 Batman variants, 1 Robin (all of which were decent)
Penguin
Two-Face
Riddler

SERIES 2
2 Batman variants
Joker
Catwoman
Scarecrow
Man-Bat

SERIES 3
2 figures, comprising of either Batman or Robin
Mr. Freeze
Poison Ivy
Clayface
Killer Croc

(Etc, etc)

They always brought out six at a time, and either 2 or 3 of them were Batman/Robin variants, and the remainder of the alotted six were villains and other supporting characters. MATTEL should follow this mold and satisfy everyone in doing so.

-Tim

[The Detective]

ARG! I've get to get a hold of those originals. The Penguin? Aaaa, those were the days.

[Terhwa]

Originally posted by SJJ
Sad as it sounds - I'd want to get those! Alfred makes such a cool figure!!!



ActuALLY WAY BACK I think there was one which came with a Bat Cave set but I'm not 100% on that.

they should do an Alfred figure for completion's sake, I mean if you can get a J Jonah Jameson figure that thumps his desk why not Tea making Alfred? Hell do a deluxe edition with a mop!

Commisioner Gordon and Bat Signal would be good.

And Harvey Bullock and Donuts :p j/k!

[The Detective]

Originally posted by Terhwa
ActuALLY WAY BACK I think there was one which came with a Bat Cave set but I'm not 100% on that.

they should do an Alfred figure for completion's sake, I mean if you can get a J Jonah Jameson figure that thumps his desk why not Tea making Alfred? Hell do a deluxe edition with a mop!

Commisioner Gordon and Bat Signal would be good.

And Harvey Bullock and Donuts :p j/k!
Yah, they did. In fact, Toys R Us still has. At lest mine does anyway. But it is $49. 99 and I'm not shelling out fifty bucks just for a Alfred fiugre.

[BrendaBat]

I actually prefer the "Kids Meal" Batman toys over everything else because, when I look at the store shelves, I always see a glow-in-the-dark Batman with a psycedelic yellow suit and a giant canon thing strapped to his arm :rolleyes:
Besides, the Kids Meals are the only place I've ever been able to find a Batgirl figure :p