Batman Animated Ra's al Ghul

When the Batman Animated Ra's al Ghul action figure was first released I was conflicted. There had never before been a Ra's al Ghul action figure, so I figured I really needed him. But The Demon's Head action figure was clad in this non-canonical armor and not in his typical green suit with cape, so I didn't really like the look of the figure.

The need for a Ra's al Ghul ended up winning out, and I picked him up off the shelves and never regretted it. A later TRU four figure set did come out a few years later and it included a suited Ra's, so fortunately I do have a proper Ra's as well, but over the years this version has grown on me and I now think it's pretty great.

The armor isn't canon, but it isn't absurd or neon purple so I can dig it. He came with a cool sword and a lame projectile launcher, but the launcher is easily ignored and the sword is the right accessory to go along with an armored Ra's, ready for battle!

I believe the Demon helmet did appear in the cartoon, and it does look pretty menacing. I am a huge fan of masks/helmets for action figures when the work well with the figure, and this one does. In fact, even though I didn't like the armor, it was probably the helmet that pushed me back into the 'pro' camp for picking up this action figure. The helmet just looks too cool, fits snugly over Ra's head and can also...

...be flipped up to reveal Ra's stoic visage before he plunges that sword into the heart of his enemies.

While I prefer the later suited Ra's, I really love this al Ghul action figure and am happy that I got over my distaste of the armor back when I could pick him up off the toy store shelf.

There have been dozens of Ra's al Ghul action figures released over the years by now, but the first is probably still one of the best. It's also pretty amazing to think of how many Batman characters got their first toy release ever thanks to the Animated Series: Ra's, Harley Quinn, Clayface, Poison Ivy, Man-Bat, Talia, Alfred, James Gordon and the list probably goes on but that's all I can think of at this moment.

"And here...we...GO!"

That's right folks. There are only sixteen days until the theatrical release of The Dark Knight! Sixteen days!

I am so excited!

The movie is sure to be amazing. Everything I've seen so far is absolutely mind blowing. But there's still something missing. Something I haven't seen or heard about in the new film. Something important. Something hidden.

And sometimes, it's what hides in the shadows that poses the greatest threat.

There has of course been a lot of talk and excitement surrounding Heath Ledger as the Joker and Aaron Eckhart as Two-Face. There's even been much chatter about the return of Cilian Murphy as the Scarecrow.

All these villains, the mobsters and muggers, the jay-walkers and litterers, are sure to give Batman a hard time come July 18th. But remember, Batman Begins was as much about Bruce Wayne's inner struggle as it was about stopping crazed villains with his bitchin' gadgets.

And the biggest of players, the one who started it all, the one whose villainous motivations "created" Batman and served as the foil to which Batman was the response, was Ra's Al Ghul (as played by Liam Neeson.)

As a Bat-fan of many years' standing, I don't believe we've seen the last of Ra's Al Ghul. He is, after all, semi-immortal.

So in honor of the Demon's Head, today I will discuss the exclusive Ra's Al Ghul action figure from the Batman Animated Series: Shadows of Gotham City box set.



Ra's was originally released early in the animated series run, but had a completely different body sculpt. In that release he wore some sort of non-character-relevant hey-let's-just-sell-this-silly-action-figure to-dumb-kids armor if I remember correctly. It wasn't until this Shadows of Gotham City box set that he was released in a form that actually represented his animated look and comic book personality.

The set itself was actually designed around the release of the exclusive, never before seen Talia figure. So a better Ra's was a bonus!

I've had this set since it was released in 2001. Funny thing is, upon preparing for this article I realized that I had never even opened it before!



Ra's is a mix of the previously released Alfred's body, the early Ra's Al Ghul action figure's head, and a newly made cape. Quite the mish mash, but the figure turned out very nice. His cape is a bit rigid, but it looks good on him. This is how Ra's should look - regal, important, nicely dressed. He is, after all, a thinking man's villain.





While I fully expect Ra's to re-appear at some point in the Dark Knight movie (or at least to be alluded to for a big blow-out in the third installment,) I don't necessarily expect to see Talia. Talia is Ra's daughter - not immortal, but his only heir, and since she is not male she can only continue Ra's legacy if she marries one he feels is worthy, and gives birth to a son...Sheesh - it's a long story. If you want to know more about that crazy affair, go read a comic book.