The Batman Bruce-to-Batman action figure

Today we jump in the Wayback Machine and set the dial for that far-off year of 2004. The world as we know it was about to change as Batman was getting set to Begin on the big screen, and on the small screen fanboys were shocked to see a new Batman cartoon that had nothing whatsoever to do with the universally applauded Bruce Timm Universe.

In retrospect the new animated direction the Batman took in, well, The Batman, wasn't all that bad, but it suffered from having to follow what is inarguably the greatest animated Batman incarnation in the history of the medium.

Regardless of anyone's opinion of the show, The Batman had one hell of a showing; it lasted five seasons (two more than the far superior in every way Batman: The Brave and the Bold) and had tons of action figures and other merchandise to support it for the show's entire run (I still use a The Batman thermos to carry along my workday oatmeal daily.)

I have quite a few The Batman action figures (including an Azrael inspired Batman, Killer Moth, Poison Ivy, Scarface/Ventriloquist, and even a SpaghettiOs promotional Batman) but I did not own the Bruce Wayne-to-Batman until today, when I found him at the Flea Market for $3 - mint on card!

I'm not usually a fan of these types of figures - they generally come across as bulky and awkward and you end up having a mild-mannered-citizen figure dressed in some ridiculous get-up and a bunch of extra pieces laying about. But it was Batman, and mint on card, and three bucks, so I couldn't walk away this time.

As Bruce Wayne, the figure isn't too bad. He of course is wearing a ridiculous leotard of some sort, but you could envision him working out in the batcave or something I suppose. He isn't attending any WayneTech board meetings like this, I can assure you.

His costume parts are better than I expected; the gloves, belt and boots are made of a harder plastic, like any accessory might be made of, and snap into place snugly. You can still see Bruce's hands through the gloves, but the costume parts don't come across as utterly oversized.

The cowl is a softer rubber but fits snugly over Bruce's head and looks like something out of a Frank Miller Batman story. All parts work well with the style of the figure and really do look good on him.

The batarang, well it's pretty massive. It's more like a bat-Sword or something. But Batman grips it well and it could be far worse.

The back of the package shows you all the stuff you get. I am impressed that the utility belt is a separate piece and I'm surprised at how well it fits on the figure.

It's bitter-sweet seeing these old card-backs. Often I see stuff and wish I could go back in time and tell myself to grab it off the shelf! Fortunately I do have that Batmobile and that Joker too, I can live without the dive suit Batman.

That's some nice artwork there.

The blue-on-black may not be canonical, but it looks pretty good on this Batman and helps him to stand out amongst all the other Batmen I have around here.

Pretty much every photoshoot I do these days immediately turns into playtime with my Intern. I'm learning to set up and shoot fast, because you never know when Dr. Porkchop might show up to throw Batman in jail.

See what I mean!

Batman had to deputize Robin-Tortoise, Robin-Tiger, Robin-Lamb and Robin-Pig in order to escape Dr. Porkchop's clutches.  The beer? Well, what pairs better with porkchops? HAW HAW HAW!