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Batman Action Figures are manufactured by various Toy companies.


CAPTAIN ACTION


In 1966, the Ideal Toy Company launched a line of super hero Doll s called Captain Action in response to Hasbro's popular G.I. Joe line. The Captain Action doll came dressed with a Cloth super hero costume, hat, ray gun and sword, ready for kids to enjoy, but parents could also buy additional super hero Costume s that were sold separately. Kids could take Captain Action's costume off and replace it with one of several super hero costumes based on famous Comic Characters . A Batman costume was included in Captain Action's costume line.

In 1967, the Ideal Toy company released a partner doll for Captain Action, his youthful sidekick, Action Boy. Ideal Toy's released only three costumes for Action Boy to change into, one of them being Robin, Batman's partner.


MEGO


In 1972, The Mego Corporation released their own line of {Link without Title} character dolls called The World's Greatest Super Heroes. This line of 8" dolls featured many Batman characters, including Batman Robin, Catwoman and The Joker. Like Ideal Toy's Captain Action line, these figures featured cloth costumes that fans could remove. Unlike Ideal Toy's Captain Action line, however, the costumes came with the figure, and were not sold separately.

Realizing the success of the 8" line of dolls, and wanting to offer fans more for less, Mego Corp. released a smaller plastic line of action figures called Comic Action Heroes in 1975. These figures featured several Batman characters as well as other DC Comics characters. Later, in 1979, Mego re-released the line under the new name Pocket Super Heroes, a name that would return more than 20 years later as part of DC Direct's super hero line of figures (see below)


THE SUPER POWERS COLLECTION


In 1984, the figures for 3 years, ending production of the line before such rumored Batman character figures as Catwoman and Man-Bat were produced.

During its time on the market, however, the Super Powers Collection managed to release the first-ever 5" action figures of Batman, Robin, The Joker, The Penguin, and Mr. Freeze. Toy shelves also reserved space for an accurately styled Batmobile and a Batcopter that would later be reproduced in black & gold for The Dark Knight Collection of 1990 (see Kenner Film Figures).


TOY BIZ & KNOCK OFFS


Since Kenner had stopped production of DC Comics character figures in 1986 when the Super Powers line folded, DC Comics granted the license to the up and coming toy company, Toy Biz, in 1989. Toy Biz first produced figures for the Batman movie tie-in, then released other DC Comics character figures under the name DC Comics Super Heroes, a name that would later be used again by different companies (see below). The Flash TV series character received a tie-in figure from Toy Biz as well.

Also in 1989, the South American toy company Pacipa bought old Super Powers molds to create a line of DC Comics character figures called Super Amigos. Exclusive to South America, all of the figures were reproductions of Super Powers figures, but made with a low quality plastic and poor paint jobs. This collection also gave way to a Riddler action figure in the form of a repainted Green Lantern base sculpt. A rare piece, this figure is highly saught after by collectors.

Back in America, the Toy Biz {Link without Title} line brought some new figures to the shelves not previously featured in the Super Powers line including Two-Face and The Riddler. Like Pacipa's Super Amigos, the figures featured low quality, and the majority were slightly retooled reproductions of the Super Powers line from Kenner. DC Comics noticed the poor quality of the figures, and quickly canceled the license, awarding it back to Kenner.


KENNER FILM FIGURES


The same year that Toy Biz won and lost the rights to produce DC Comics figures, Kenner quickly regained the rights and produced a line of Batman movie figures, the first DC Comics character figures produced by Kenner in four years.

Kenner's Dark Knight Collection consisted of several versions of Batman, only distinct by their brooding paint jobs and unique accessories. A Quick-Change Bruce Wayne and two versions of the Joker made up the rest of the line in terms of figures. The Dark Knight Collection also boasted several vehicles including a Batmobile and Turbo Batwing as well as roleplaying toys.

Several items appeared in a Kenner Toy Action Guide with a scheduled release date of Fall 1991, including a Batcave Command Center and Gotham Dragster. But they wouldn't see the light of day until being retooled for production in the Batman Returns and Batman: The Animated Series collections.

Batman Returns hit theaters in 1992, and Kenner quickly released a second line of Batman movie figures. This line again included several versions of the same base sculpt as seen in the previous Dark Knight Collection. One of the more notable figures was Laser Batman with its retooled body sculpt pattern. And instead of creating a new, movie-accurate design, Batman Returns also reused the Penguin figure mold from Kenner's earlier Super Powers Collection.

A new Robin figure was introduced in the line however, even though the character was not in the movie. Based on his new, comic book design, Robin was the only character not actually in the film to get a figure.

In 1995, Batman Forever was released featuring Val Kilmer as the Dark Knight. Breaking away from the repetative base sculpt of the previous two movie collections, Kenner produced figures for this line using a wider range of fresh designs. Fans agree that the highlights from the Batman Forever collection included an electronic, light-up Batmobile, the Guardians of Gotham City 2-pack, and a 12" Ultimate Batman with display base.

Target eventually released their own series of exclusive Batman Forever action figures. These were simply repainted figures from the original line and came on a newly styled cardback.

The final Batman film of the '90s, Batman & Robin would not cease without its own line of action figures. Contrary to previous movie figure lines, 1997's Batman & Robin showcased a wholesome variety of Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy variations as well as two Bane figures.

Kenner managed to pull off a reasonable effort despite a dull Batmobile and increasingly zany figure accessories. Its hero/villain 2-packs became a hallmark as did its impressive 12" Ultimate figures. In contrast, the film itself bombed at the box office, temporarily haulting the Batman film franchise.


ANIMATED ERA


Shortly after the 1992 premiere of , Kenner produced a line of figures based on the new cartoon. Like the previous two Batman movie lines, this line included several versions of Batman, but also included multiple versions of Robin and new villains including Clayface, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy and others.

In 1993, another Batman movie was released, an animated feature film called Batman: Mask of the Phantasm. Kenner produced Mask of the Phantasm figures using old Batman: T.A.S. molds and only a few new sculpts such as Jet Pack Joker and Phantasm, whom featured a removable hood.

As time went by, Kenner's Batman: T.A.S. line began losing steam, so Kenner retooled some of their figures, releasing Batman: T.A.S.: Crime Squad. This line had several Batman variations, but only included one Robin figure, and no villain figures.

Later, Kenner renamed this line The Adventures of Batman & Robin, releasing several figures that were not released as part of the Batman: T.A.S. line, the most famous being a Harley Quinn figure, based on the popular animated series character.

Like Batman: T.A.S., The Adventures of Batman & Robin line started to lose steam as well, so Kenner released The Adventures of Batman & Robin: D.U.O. Force. Despite its introduction of a Batgirl figure, the collection primarily featured repaints of old molds with new accessories and quickly folded.


LEGENDS OF BATMAN


In 1994, Kenner released a whole new line of Batman action figures which included all new sculpts instead of reused molds of old figures. The Legends of Batman line of figures included several Elseworlds versions of Batman, but also included true to comic versions of several Batman characters including Knightfall Batman, Knightquest Batman, Nightwing, The Joker, Catwoman and The Riddler. This line never gained popularity, though, and was cancelled soon after it's debut. Several years later, WB Stores bought the rights to sell exclusive repainted sculpts of the Legends of Batman line of figures.

After the failed Legends of Batman line, Kenner gave the Elseworlds version of Batman figures one last shot by releasing Legends of the Dark Knight. Based on the popular comic of the same name, Legends of the Dark Knight featured all Elseworlds versions of Batman and other characters. The only character figures in this line to stay true to their comic images were Dark Knight Detetive Batman and Man-Bat. Like Legends of Batman, this line never gained popularity, and was quickly cancelled. Later, a few unproduced figures from this line were offered as online exclusives.


THE DC UNIVERSE


Also in 1994, Kenner moved away from their focus on DC's Batman, and released a Superman comic character line called Superman: The Man of Steel. This line featured several popular characters from the Superman comics, but also included several two-packs which featured Batman and Superman together. Two of the Superman/Batman figures later turned up as mail-away exclusives in the Batman: Total Justice line of figures (see below)

In 1996, Kenner started production on a new line of DC Comics character figures. This line, like Legends of Batman and Legends of the Dark Knight, featured all new sculpts of popular DC Comics characters. To appeal to buyers, Kenner produced the line under the high selling Batman title, calling the line Batman Total Justice. This line featured Batman, Robin and The Huntress, but also included other DC Comics characters including Superman, Green Lantern, The Flash and others.

Even though this was the first line of DC Comics character figures released by Kenner since the Super Powers line of figures folded 10 years earlier, fans were not happy with the line. The figure's posed sculpts and weird "Fractal Armor" accessories made fans unhappy. Wanting more articulation and less gimmick, fans abandoned the Total Justice line, and Kenner stopped production after only 14 figures were released.

Two years later, the Hasbro toy company produced the same figures included in the Total Justice line, but this time released them under the name JLA (a tie-in with the popular comic title). Several of the unproduced Total Justice figures were produced in this line, but no new Batman related characters were included.


THE BATMAN UNIVERSE


In 1998, Kenner produced a new line of Batman figures called Knight Force Ninjas. This line, like Legends of Batman and Legends of the Dark Knight, featured all new sculpts of Batman in an Elseworld where Batman and Robin were ninjas. The only two figures worth remembering in this line were the first ever Azrael figure, and a new Killer Croc figure.

As Hasbro {Link without Title} bought out Kenner, a new line of action figures were produced by Hasbro based on the new animated series, The New Batman Adventures. This line featured new sculpts based on the new animated series from the WB network. The first Creeper and Mad Hatter figure were included in this line.

After the first line of figures were released, The New Batman Adventures line took on the sub title Mission Masters. This line featured new Riddler and Mr. Freeze sculpts.

The second Mission Masters line featured repaints of old Batman: T.A.S. figures, including The Joker.

To move away from The New Batman Adventures line, Kenner/Hasbro released the third and fourth Mission Masers lines under the title Batman. Included were figures from Batman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, Kenner's Superman Adventures line, and some Batman Beyond (see below) figures. Also included was a new comic style Bruce Wayne/Batman figure and an animated style insect body Mr. Freeze.

Later, Hasbro released several Batman: T.A.S., The Adventures of Batman and Robin, and The New Batman Adventures repaints with the new Spectrum of the Bat action figure line.

Hasbro also released a new line of figures based on the new WB Batman cartoon Batman Beyond. This line, like all Batman lines in the past, featured many versions of Batman, but only a few villains and no supporting characters.

Later, Hasbro released Batman Beyond: Bat-Links. Unlike Hasbro's earlier Batman Beyond toy line, this line was not based on the popular cartoon series, but had an Elseworlds computer theme.

A Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker movie tie-in line of figures were produced which included several The New Batman Adventures figures as well as Batman Beyond Figures.

Returning to the comic roots of Kenner's Super Powers line, Hasbro released a new line of 7" figures called DC Super Heroes. Unlike the earlier Toy Biz line by the same name, this line featured new sculpts with great detail. Only one line of figures were released, though, and they were very hard to find. The reason for the short life of a great line that had many possibilities remains unclear.

Hasbro also produced several Mego like dolls in the DC Super Hero line.


DC DIRECT


To please fans and collectors who wanted better figures, not just repaints, DC Comics started production on their own line of action figures. These highly articulated figures, based on popular DC Comics characters, feature many Batman characters, and also feature storyline inspired character figures including Elseworld figures.

DC Direct also released a new line of Pocket Super Heroes, mini action figures that kids could put in their pocket. The Pocket Super Heroes come in boxed sets, including a Batman boxed set featuring Batman, Bruce Wayne, Robin, Alfred Pennyworth, Catwoman and Two-Face.


BATMAN AROUND THE WORLD


To please fans around the globe, DC Comics gave a license to Japanese toy company Yamato to produce a line of Batman action figures. These figures were only released in Japan in 2003, but DC Direct released the same figures in America in 2004. Later, another Japanese toy company, Takara, created a new line of Batman action figures called Microman. Featuring more articulation than the Yamato line, these figures also saw their American debut in 2004.


THE END & THE BEGINNING




In 2003, Mattel won the rights to produce Batman and other DC Comics character figures from Hasbro. Before losing control, Hasbro released their final sets of Batman animated figures. Most figures were featured in two packs, and were store exclusives. K-Mart, Wal-Mart[http://www.wal-mart.com and Toys 'r' Us released these figures before Mattel took over production.

After Hasbro's line faded, Mattel quickly produced their own line of retooled Batman animated figures to tide fans over until they could release all new figure lines. Some figures were new sculpts, some were just repaints of old Kenner/Hasbro sculpts.

After the quickly released animated line faded, Mattel released a new Batman animated line based on WB's new animated series, The Batman. The Batman line of figures featured all new sculpts and more articulation than past animated lines. After several waves of figures hit toy shelves, Mattel renamed the line The Batman: EXP. The EXP (EXtreme Power) hero figures come with a weapon that, when a power battery is connected and turned, reveals an "extreme power" feature.

Mattel also released a line of figures based on the hit movie Batman Begins .

Realizing that fans wanted better figures based on their favorite comic characters, like the Toy Biz line Marvel Legends, Mattel released a new line of comic styled Batman figures featuring all new sculpts and weapons. The new Batman figures were taller than previously released Batman figures, and featured more articulation. Fans loved the lines, but it quickly faded before the release of new figures, including Bane and Scarecrow figures. These two figures never made it to America, but were released overseas.

American fans would get the chance to own the Bane and Scarecrow figures, however, just not as part of the Batman line. After the Batman line folded, Mattel announced the upcoming release of DC Comics character figures called DC Super Heroes. Unlike Toy Biz's earlier line of poor quality figures by the same name, these new figures were just what DC Comic character fans were waiting for. The first line of figures included Batman, Killer Croc, Bane and Scarecrow figures. Unused molds from Mattel's Batman line would be used in later DC Super Heroes waves of figures, Mattel's answer to Toy Biz's Marvel Legends line.

Returning to the animated line, Cartoon Network's popular cartoon series, Justice League, also got their own line of figures produced by Mattel. The Justice League line features several Batman figures. Later, the line was renamed Justice League Unlimited, in order to keep up with changes made to the cartoon series.

In 2006, Mattel released several of the Justice League Unlimited figures under the name DC Super Heroes: Justice League Unlimited. These animated DC Super Heroes were released at the same time as the comic styled DC Super Heroes line of figures.


TITANS


Around the same time as Mattel took over production of Batman and DC Comics character figures, Bandai released their own line of figures based on the Cartoon Network 's animated series '' Teen Titans ''. Teen Titans: Go! features several Robin figures of different sizes. Batman however, has no place within the cartoon or action figure collection.


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