Here we have TDKR Batman in-hand. This isn't the first time I reviewed this mold, though given my preference for wired capes, there is no need to turn back after owning this version. Much like the cover recreation released online, Batman has been retooled to ditch the rubberized cape, but we go a step further and retool the chest so we can accommodate the oval logo. This was before he ditched it in favor of the black, ovalless emblem more famously associated with the story. I'll get into why this should have been done sooner, but I love how well it pop on this kind of color scheme. Apart from that, he has the same grappling hook accessory good for one pose and 3 pairs of hands. Articulation is generally the same as with all other DC Multiverse figures, but he is unique for having thigh swivels more traditionally found on other toys as well as single jointed elbows with rotation at said joints instead of bicep rotation.
For a bat-comparison, here he is with Cowardly Lot and Batzarro. Now why would I bring in CL, you may ask? It's because despite TDKR partially inspiring Batman v Superman, I always felt that the Cowardly Lot version of the character looked more like a comic version of Batfleck than the one iteration who came before either. And as for Batzarro, I'll always commend McFarlane for painting the inside of the cape and giving him his upside down belt, but I and so many others never liked how lazy that upside-logo looks just stamped over the original TDKR logo. And that's making me wonder why we suddenly have the retooled torso when that was something we could have had much sooner. I remember when there were "McFarlanizations" that people mentioned when Todd deviated from the costumes, but this would have been the opportunity for him to poke fun of that complaint by using it in a way that would be fit Batzarro's half-assed nature. You're a comic legend for nearly 40 years, my brother in Christ; take advantage of your artistic license so we don't have to hear the excuse of cost-cutting when this new Fatman proves otherwise. Oh and if you want to know about the history of the TDKR mold, watch my review on the Bizarro/Batzarro set here.
Up next is Jean-Paul Valley's version of Batman. Aka Azrael Batman (or AzBat for short), this was the design JPV used when he started changing his ways of fighting crime after Bruce Wayne was temporarily out of commission thanks to the Back-Breaking Bane. This brief successor took things further than Bruce, both thanks to his belief that Batman's rules are outdated as well as the brainwashing he experienced as Azrael before this upbringing. Eventually, Jean-Paul would step down after his battle against Bruce Wayne, and the Batman title returned to its original owner. As for the figure, I'm so happy to own this in far superior colors than the original version. Not only that, but this non-BruceBat design has always been my favorite. Between how jagged and extreme he visually is, on top of the metallic colors for the blue, silver, and gold, this is what I call a true step-up when it comes to repaints. Granted, I wish he came this way the whole time, but better late than never without stupid scalpers ruining everything. I will agree than his legs are skinnier than the rest of him, but that could stem from the upper body being much bulkier in comparison. I am split on the cape remaining unchanged; while it at least prevents any sculpt discrepancies, seeing other figures released previously with modified capes would have been cool. One other complaint may be that the abs and the grey could use a wash, but they are at least textured.
His head sculpt is more covered up than Batman's, and it was one of my favorite aspects of this design with how sleek and deadly Azbat came off without a visible mouth, not to mention the red eyes that stand out from the blue of this mask. Makes him more badass despite his less than ideal nature clashing with Bruce's. Articulation is closer to the standard DC Multiverse affair, but keep in mind that the chest armor and gauntlets may limit some posing. No accessories are included, which sucks even to this day since alternate hands would have been fine.
For prior versions of this mold, we have the original in brighter colors and the Gold Label version in black and gold. I know some may like brighter blue Batmen, but this always felt too close to a Super Powers what-if, and for a suit made to mostly be armor, I'll always prefer the recent version. The black and gold version looks even more badass, if a bit closer to Black Panther. Then again, some people would probably confuse BP for the DC dude if they never heard of him until Civil War was made as a movie. Also, he came with a stand that had my preferred Batman logo, at least the font used for general merch in the 2000s (notably Lego Batman).
And this is the modified version of his armor used in Knightquest and Knightsend. The blue was used briefly before the red took over as Azrael grew more rogue. The upper body has been modified to accommodate these scythe-looking blades instead of a cape, and the head is more helmet like than before. We also have a Kenner tribute in black armor with a red bodysuit.
Here he is with No Man's Land Batman for a 90s comparison. While the Knightfall version is out there and is more appropriate for a comparison, I prefer this one for the colors and the head sculpt. Plus a non plastic cape is better but it sucks I had to wire it myself. Some people have come up with mods to swap the forearms so the normal costume Batman can wear the AzBat gauntlets, but keep in mind you will need to knock out some pins to make that mod I found online look convincing. Thankfully, these two versions of AzBats and Batman proper color match very well.
And finally, we have New 52 Batman. This figure is a decent enough retool of the Rebirth version of Batman, and while it's not the first time McFarlane brought this suit design in the line, it is one of the weakest versions he made. Firstly, the figure has nowhere near the same level of armored layering as the suit proper, and it doesn't help that the light shade of grey used isn't that fitting for the New 52 aesthetic either. Second, being a retool of the Rebirth version shouldn't mean he can keep the gauntlets and boots from that version if they aren't entirely accurate to begin with. And while he has a wired cape, we break trend with the materials being different from what we usually get with Batman figures; actual cloth comparable to Superman's capes rather than the more ribbon-like material Batman capes are associated with. Maybe that was to fit better with the glider, but it's still an odd decision from McFarlane compared to the norm. Also, like New 52 Superman, the logo is a tampograph and not embossed. While I prefer my characters in the pre-2010s designs for the most part, this still looks undercooked for a New 52 design.
Head sculpts it okay, but far from my favorite one under the line. While I prefer the NML or Hush head designs, for example, this one is serviceable enough for anyone who likes this era of DC. At least the mouth isn't painted crooked on mine. Articulation is the same as usual, but he has his grapnel hook and Batarang first belonging to the original Rebirth Batman version of this buck, and they stay in his hands so-so.
For prior uses, we got the original Rebirth Batman made sometime around 2021 iirc, with a deco more appropriate for this figure while the scale is undersized somewhat. He was given a brighter color scheme and less paint for the belt in a 3-pack with a Megafig Clayface and a Batwoman figure that DarkSpider David thought was a retool of a Mattel version, which is one of the dumbest things he could ever theorize when this is nothing like Hasbro using ToyBiz molds in the first few waves of Marvel Legends under their ownership. A blue version with more hands and an unmasked head (seen on the Gold Label version tying in with the Rebirth Batmobile) was made for the McFarlane Digital subline. I believe this one was retooled to be slightly taller.
We also got a Frostbite version, which is cast in clear plastic and is part of a subline dedicated to making figures look like ice sculptures. The Rebirth version adds a wired cape and the same accessories as the Digital one, but the logo is now tampographed. The unmasked head is once again okay for what it is, but I wouldn't say it's my favorite version of the character. I think the Red Sun Superman head looks more like Bruce Wayne than this one does.
For anyone wondering about why I said there was a better version, this is the Bat-Glider version with a flight stand as well as a city skyline backdrop to help with the display potential. The darker grey and gold belt also help him look a bit better than the one we have here, but next to the New 52 version of Superman, I guess the positives are the wired cape and his suit not entirely being smoothened?
Overall, AzBats easily wins the best mantle of the wave, even if he isn't retooled or comes with accessories. That deco and being more widely available helps him immensely. TDKR Batman is also the best version of his mold, but I still have to question why it took this repaint to have a retooled chest where a different logo can be applied when Batzarro could have come with that benefit. New 52 Batman is okay for what he is, yet there is a far better version with a glider, and even then, I recommend New 52/Rebirth the least in general.
Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (AzBats)
⭐⭐⭐ and a half out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (TDKR)
⭐⭐ and a half out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (New 52)
Oh and for anyone wondering, no plans for Golden Age Batman for just how hard he is to get as a GameStop Red Platinum, and I don't care too much about Deadman Batman even though he makes me think of Ben Affleck playing both Batman and Daredevil. I just want to be done collecting but hopefully the end of McFarlane's license will go on a high note.
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