Top 13 Kenner BTAS Figures

[Earth 2 Chris]

My latest article for 13th Dimension is an anniversary tribute to BTAS, looking at Kenner's best figures from their wonderful toy line.

Special thanks to our own Dwayne Pinkney for the photographic inspiration!

https://13thdimension.com/the-top-13-batman-the-animated-series-figures-ranked/

[Werewolf]

Terrific toyline with one major flaw.

There was like a bajillion often downright bizarre looking Batman variants in the line and only ONE figure that actually looked like he did in the cartoon and to top it off, it was ridiculously hard to find. Absolutely nonsensical decision on Kenner's part to not keep the figure in production over the course of the line or just reissue the figure with different accessories. Then there was also the odd decision of giving the Joker a light blue skin tone.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Yeah, they should have kept the standard Batman available, but that's the folly of many toylines, which I've never understood. One reason I picked Trenchcoat Joker is he actually has a white face, which is a plus.

[palitoy]

This is making me terribly nostalgic and, at the same time, feel awfully old. BTAS premiered when I was in college, I really adored it and the toys at the time.

Kenner did a beautiful job on these.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Yeah, I was a senior in high school when the show debuted, so I know that feeling. I didn't mention it in the article, but I was working at the local Walmart as a stockman, and got to open the cases as they came in. I was ethical and only took two of each at most. I never tried to scalp any of them either. But it made it easier to collect the first frew waves before I went off to college!

I kind of feel like BTAS is Kenner's last great toyline in many ways. Their other, later Batman efforts were fun, and I kind of love Total Justice for its ridiculous 90s EXTREME aesthetic, but BTAS was the last line where you could see the quality narrative throughline from SMDM through Star Wars, Super Powers, M.A.S.K., Real Ghostbusters, Dark Knight Collection, etc.

[PNGwynne]

I collected these right after college, loved them and never really stopped collecting. And I agree, BTAS was Kenner's swan-song.

The variants were ridiculous, but the core figures were magical. I regret that Brave and the Bold never got such lavish treatment.

[PNGwynne]

In regards to your list--the first Mignola Mr. Freeze is not only my favorite version of the character, but one of my favorite episodes. I was so excited to get that figure back then!

BTAS made Victor Fries a compelling B-list rogue, not a gimmicky D-list knock-off of Capt. Cold.

[Werewolf]

I regret that Brave and the Bold never got such lavish treatment.

Oh, yeah, that was a great cartoon and deserved way better figures than Mattel did.

I kind of have to admit, I actually enjoy Brave and the Bold more now than BTAS. BTAS started out great but the follow ups got way too dark and joyless for my tastes. Brave and the Bold was pure fun.

[KeithRosenberg]

Congratulations on your article!

[scott metzger]

Yeah, Kenner/Hasbro never really reached this level again. Gargoyles came close, but some of the main figures suffered from their action gimmick (looking at you, No Neck Brooklyn). Yes, there was a definite case of Crisis on Infinite Technicolor Batmen, but we still got a major portion of the heroes and villains from the show, captured really well for the most part.

[The Batman Professor]

Happy to say, I have all of them both loose and MOC.

I would put Retro Batman (Mask of Phantasm card) at the number one position, tied with Combat Belt.

[Earth 2 Chris]

^ I have most both loose and MOC, but a few I only found at the time so I kept them MOC.

I love the Retro Batman too. That's why I put him as a runner-up. The shiny metal suit kind of disqualified him, to make my decision easier.