Batman and Son: Batman

Based on the best-selling BATMAN series storyline: BATMAN and SON, art by Andy Kubert, written by Grant Morrison.

This Batman figure stands at 6.75″ and features multiple points of articulation and a base.

Release Fall 2007
MSRP 11.99USD
Available online or via your local comic shop

I’ve not paid that much attention to the Bat-books of late, or at least since Grant Morrison took over, although I couldn’t really tell you why. I flipped through a TPB of Batman and Son at a Barnes & Nobles, or my local comic shop maybe, so I get the general idea of what it’s about. It’s kind of silly, but I guess that could be said for just about everything regarding Batman anyways, yeah?

Where the comic didn’t keep my interest though, the news that DC Direct would be releasing figures based on the designs by Andy Kubert did. Kubert’s Batman is powerful, imposing, stocky, menacing and majestic all at once. And once I saw the promo images for the line, I knew I’d at least be grabbing Bats here, if not anyone else.

The packaging is nice enough, featuring Batman as drawn by Kubert in the book, but a bit plain other than that. On the other side, the usual pics of other figures from the line, as well as all the catch-phrases and storyline info etc. What was interesting, and welcome, was that the sculptor for the figure was listed as well. I love the idea that nowadays people can not only follow comics by the work of their favorite artists, but also follow toys made by their favorite sculptors. I’ve seen sculptor info listed on a few DC Direct figures lately, as well as some other lines - not to mention all the various “name” vinyl toy-makers on the scene too. Hopefully it’s a trend that will continue too, as I think it would really only be a good thing for the toy industry overall if there was a race to get the “it” sculptor to work on your line, right?

Out of the packaging, Batman here stands impressive indeed. And the sculpt by Jonathan Matthews is immediately something to, pardon the pun, marvel at. The muscles tense, the floating and flowing cape features a ton of detail and almost looks like the insanity of it would actually work in a real-life environment too. Coming in just under 7 inches tall, and with a good weight, this guy looks great.

Sadly, looking good is about all he does do though. Batman here comes with no accessories (other than a “bat logo” base to stand on), or even any open hands to hold some with if he did. The range of motion is sparse, when the solicit states Batman has “multiple points of articulation“, they’re being generous. 12 points of articulation total, but because of some issues with the mold, it feels like less. Batman can extend his arms out away from his body at the shoulder about 30 degrees, can move his arms forward and backward, his legs forward and back, bend at the knees and elbows, rotate at the forearms, and move his head about 360 degrees. However, because the default stance is of such a tense and signature style, even bending at the knees is basically rendered moot since the ankles don’t rotate or are able to compensate for any other positions than standing straight. The cape, although made of a floppy rubber/latex, can support some of the weight to do different poses, but it only can sustain so much before it folds over and Batman FALLS DOWN.

As you can see in the pics above, unless Batman is standing straight up, his feet don’t really properly touch the ground at all, which seems like a problem that could have been easily enough solved with some kind of joint in the ankles. Shame too, as you’d be able to double the posability of this guy easily with just 2 more points. As it is, the legs being able to move really doesn’t offer anything in terms of poses, since he pretty much can’t hold any of them anyways. And because of the default stance, again, Batman just ends up looking bow-legged and awkward in any other poses. Although the utility belt does a pretty good job of hindering the range of motion on the legs anyways, once the legs come up to a certain height (around 30-40 degrees).

The arms don’t offer much more in the range of use either as he can only bend at the elbow, he couldn’t scratch his nose if he wanted, let alone reach into his utility belt if he needed to. If the shoulder had another joint, again, articulation would go through the roof with this guy. Instead, Batman just looks like he wants to get into a boxing ring with anyone who happens to walk by…

All of this ultimately leads up to a rather disappointing action figure, leaving the beauty of this guy all in the details. The sculpt is really amazing and fully captures the style and design elements it intended - if I was Andy Kubert I’d be using this for photo reference when I got too lazy to actually pencil a book, it’s just that good. The details in the utility belt, the creases in the suit, the soles of the boots, the paint apps, and the head sculpt especially, really make this a great thing to look at. Maybe not so great for kids to play with, and certainly not much more than a trinket to put on a shelf or computer desk, and occasionally look over at. It’s unfortunate, because had DC Direct put just a little more work into this guy, and maybe a few accessories for Bats to hold onto, this could have been a really great toy.

Instead, it’s just a pretty cool little Batman statue, that can also move its arms. Kinda.