Ten Awesome Kenner Batman Action Figures of the Nineties
If last year’s Power Attack Batman action figure series (Amazon.com search*, at Entertainment Earth*) did only one thing it’s to make me better appreciate the strange, colorful versions of the various Batman action figures that have been released over the years. And as I was again flipping through the DC Comics Action Figure Archive* I started to really remember just how many — and how many fun — Batman figures Kenner released during the 1990s.
That led to this post, which basically required me to explore the web and the book and to stare at Batman action figures. So this was fun to create, even if it was a bit of a challenge to work it down to ten figures. Enjoy, and for more see my DC Comics Action Figure Archive reading post for thoughts on the book which inspired this post.
1994, Legends of Batman
Kenner’s Legends of Batman collection in 1994 included five-inch comic book adaptations of of the Dark Knight and his foes, the majority of which were based on DC Comics’ series of alternate-reality “Elseworlds.”
They’re not the greatest sculpts of the nineties, but the Legends of Batman action figures do include a few great concepts and come closer to the “Elseworld’s” books than anything we had seen up to that point. The DC Direct action figures that followed were definitely superior designs, but that doesn’t stop these from being fun Batman toys.
- Dark Rider Batman, Rearing Battle Stallion – Check out that costume and the horse! To be honest, it’s the horse that really got this design onto the list; Batman needs more rides and this bulky beast of burden qualifies as a great toy.
- Dark Warrior Batman – I can’t explain the accessories, but the helmet and coloring of this Batman action figure grab my eye and make me think it would be worth the effort to track one down for my collection.
- Long Bow Batman – He’s no Green Arrow, but the Long Bow Batman looks to me like he’s ready to shoot arrows off of anything. And yes, I’m blending myths there. It happens.
1997, Legends of the Dark Knight
Set in a “twisted parallel Gotham City where the criminals are unimaginably deadly and in total control,” LODK action figures featured Neural Suit and Responsive Camouflage technologies for the Dynamic Duo.
Out of all of Kenner’s Batman lines of the nineties I can admit that this is the one I could see myself setting off to collect. Not only are the Batman figures in the line incredible but there are also some great villains like Scarecrow, Clayface, and Man-Bat. See the Batman YTB archive for a look at the entire series.
- Assault Gauntlet Batman – Not only are those bright yellow gauntlets cool as hell, but the yellow snake-like appendage running down Batman’s spine looks fantastic! What’s the reason for that spine-piece on the figure? Hell if I know, but I love the look.
- Dark Knight Detective Batman – Okay, this is definitely the one toy on this list I have got to track down, if only because the colors are perfect and that cape is amazing. The DC Comics Action Figure Archive* says this only has five points of articulation . . . but that is all you need when you’ve got that cape!
- Lava Fury Batman – This Batman action figure looks like a design Mattel should look to for inspiration . . . actually, the design looks like one they studied when they started work on the Power Attack Batman series. Regardless of what happens next, this is one Batman that will always look neat to my eyes.
- Shatter Blade Batman – As I look closer at the Legends of the Dark Knight series I think more and more that I missed out on something fun by not grabbing everything in this line when it was first in stores. The mechanical, hard-edged blades on the cape are silly, yes, but the entire design is so remarkable I can accept the goofiness and smile at the design.
- Spline Cape Batman – Batman in gold with mechanical wingcapething. My work is done here and I need say no more why this toy made it on the list.
1998, Batman: Knight Force Ninjas
Capitalizing on Batman’s martial arts prowess, Hasbro’s Batman: Knight Force Ninja line sported the Dark Knight, Robin, Azrael, and several villains with fighting features and breakaway ninja combat accessories.
I won’t deny that it sounds like a ridiculous premise for a Batman toy line — ninjas? really? — but after reviewing the toys I can admit that there are some excellent concepts hiding in the series. I’ve chosen two for this list of ten toys, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look at the line at the Batman YTB . . . including a repaint of the Batmobile from the Legends of the Dark Knight series.
- Arsenal Cape Batman – I chose this figure both because of the colors — I love the bright colors over the dark body — and because of how the weapons snap into the wing-like cape. It’s so stupid that it’s awesome!
- Thunder Kick Batman – I’m a sucker for neons, especially greens, and the helmet design looks great. It’s not a Batman everyone will love, but if you’ve been collecting the Power Attack Batman line then I think you’ll appreciate this figure.
Closing Thoughts
I know we’ve all poked fun at the weirdly-colored Batmen and insane concepts in the past, but I think when we stop and look at Batman action figures as playthings and not as adaptations of the comic character we can all see why toy companies make so many unusual Batman action figures. And looking over Kenner’s work of the nineties I can say that their designers were inventive, had a great eye for what made the character fun, and did some fantastic work . . . especially considering what we knew of and expected from action figures at that time.
I doubt we’ll ever see Batman toys like Kenner was making when they held the license in the nineties, and while Mattel’s Power Attack Batman line has a lot going for it the line just can’t compare to some of the ideas that Kenner gave us. Thanks, Kenner, for making Batman way more than he ever was before you touched the character.
Related articles
- Kenner’s “Legends of Batman” 1995 Toy Commercial (battlegrip.com)
- Spotted Online – Twin Blades Batman Review at Dork Dimension (battlegrip.com)
- Spotted Online – Legends of Batman Batmobile Review at 3B’s Toy Hive (battlegrip.com)
I love this, awesome job.
@T-Rav – Thanks! I figured the special week needed at least one list of ten figures. I just hope this doesn’t lead to an increase in eBay prices before I grab one or two of the figures for myself.
Very nice job!
No Street Luge Batman 😉
One of my favorite Batman figures was Tec-Shield Batman from the Dark Knight collection, he had a golden suit. It was rad.
@Matthew M – Thank you!
@PrfktTear – I considered a “ten worst” post, but in the end thought this one would be more fun.
I just bought Dark Warrior Batman at Heroes Con in Charlotte for $2. I’ll probably get around to reviewing him in the Action Figure Time Machine in the next couple weeks.
I personally like the fencing Batman from the Legends of Batman line.
@Barbecue17 – $2 sounds like a great price! Can’t wait to see your review.
Dark Knight Detective Batman was my default Batman for years. Still holds up! But I wonder why I like the long ears on this one, and not on the Injustice figure. Kelley Jones, I guess.
@googum – Kelley Jones Batman was always awesome. As said elsewhere, DC needs to bring back Elseworlds and more Kelley Jones. And more Sam Keith Batman while we’re at it!