Batman: The Animated Series Kenner

Staying with the Batman theme is this look at Kenner's 1992-1998 range of figures  based on the highly acclaimed TV series Batman: The animated series which aired throughout the 90's and still today remains a bench mark for animated shows  based on popular comic book characters. The show took its cue from Tim Burton's 1989 Batman movie  and stayed with the sombre and dark tone but without feeling like a carbon copy or direct spin off. Sharp animation and inspired vocal performances  accompany brilliant character designs and moving story lines (some of which are borrowed directly from Batman's 50 odd years of comics history)

Kenner was quick to supply a vast range of action figures modelled after the shows varied villains and do-gooders much like the company had for the two Batman movies prior.
Here we look at some of those figures from the original BTAS range and subsequent "New Batman adventures " range respectively:



THE JOKER: Easily  Batman's most iconic adversary The Joker has had many animated incarnations however it is the Batman: the animated series  that first managed to master the balance between comical jester and maniacal murderer! With inspired vocal performance from the unlikely  mouth of Mark Hamill this version of the clown prince of crime ranks high amongst my favourites!

Produced during the later run of the animated series before its eventual re-branding this (one of many versions) is the best on offer, depicting the Joker in his trench coat and armed with a Tommy Gun and Joker Bomb (best accessory ever!)



HARLEY QUINN The biggest legacy of the animated series was the creation of Harley here, the Joker's one and only henchwoman/girlfriend who was inaugurated into the comic book series itself shortly after her  highly praised appearance




This figure released in the same wave as Machine gun Joker and comes equipped with Knock-out punch weapon and over sized Bang Gun! She also has one of the most screen accurate sculpts and is easily one of the more sort after and best figures in the line!   



TWO-FACE: When district attorney Harvey Deny is scared on the left side of his face and evil is unleashed in the form of Two-face who determines the fate of his victims via a coin toss BTAS again brings to live another famed Batman Villain with aplomb and this action figure incarnation is still one of the finest around!

Two-face comes equipped with this "Fire/Safe" missile launching weapon and coin medallion a more straightforward firearm like the one he uses in the series would have been a far better choice of accessory I feel

MR FREEZE: Portrayed mainly as A fairly gimmicky character before BTAS gave him a tragic backstory and eerie presence in what is undoubtedly the most popular version of the character to date and this figure perfectly represents his animated counterpart!

Mr freeze wouldn't be complete without his trusty Ice-ray and this version fires an icicle and can also be filled with water!

BANE: arriving late on the Batman comic scene and making only one or two appearances  in the BTAS series! his look was adjusted very little from his initial comic book appearance and is represented very accurately  here in this figure!

 Bane is quite imposing in his action figure form and towers above the majority of the figures in this line a lever on the back releases his arms when poised above his head to enable a throwing action where by placing the girder he is supplied with in his hands it can be launched at opponents!

 MAD HATTER: One of the best additions to Kenner's Batman  Line came later in the series when the show/branding was renamed "The new Batman adventures". Though the Mad Hatter (AKA Jervis Tetch) was redesigned drastically for the new show, as was the case with most of the characters, it was his previous incarnation that was chosen for this release
Its a very attractive figure indeed and is one of the better character likenesses ...






Batman the Animated series remains one of the finest interpretations of the Batman mythos and Kenner's action figure line complimented the show perfectly and continue to be hugely popular with collectors of both Batman and 90's action figures! The entire list of figures available for The Animated series, The adventures of Batman and robin  and new Batman adventures can be found bellow:


Batman the Animated series
Series 1:
-combat belt Batman
- Turbojet Batman
-Robin
-The Riddler
-The Penguin
-Two-Face


Series 2:
-Infrared Batman
-Skydive Batman
-Bruce Wayne
-Joker
-Man-Bat
-Catwoman
-Ninja Robin
-Scarecrow


Series 3:
-Lightning strike Batman
-Knight star Batman
-Anti-freeze Batman
-Dick Grayson/Robin
-Clayface
-Killer Croc
-poison Ivy
-Mr Freeze


Series 4:
-Cyber gear Batman
-Radar scope Batman
-Glider Robin
-Bane


-Ninja power pack Batman & Robin (2-pack)


-Ultimate Batman (15")


Vehicles:
-Batmobile
-Batcycle
-Bat-Signal jet
-B.A.T.V
-Aero Bat
-BatPlane
-Crime stalker
-Hydro Bat
-Hover Bat
-Ice hammer
-Street jet
-Robin Dragster
-Jokermobile


play sets:
-Batcave command centre




The Adventures of Batman & Robin
Series 1:
-Hover jet Batman
- Rocketpak Batman
-Paraglide Batman
-Bola trap Robin
-Bane (re-packaged)
-Ra's Al Ghul
-Pogo stick Joker


Series 2:
-Harley Quinn
-Machine Gun Joker


Vehicles:
-Nightsphere


Duo force
Series 1:
-Turbo serge Batman
-Vector wing Batman
-Air strike Robin
-Mr.Freeze


Series 2:
-Cycle Thruster Batman
-Hydro Storm Robin
-Wind Blitz Batgirl
-Roto chopper Riddler


The New Batman Adventures:
Series 1:
-Detective Batman
-Street Strike Batman
-Knight Glider Batman
-Undercover Bruce Wayne
-Crime Fighter Robin
-Crime Solver Nightwing
-Force shield Nightwing
-The Mad Hatter
-Creeper
-Wild card Joker

(deluxe figures)
-Silver defender Batman
-Hydro Jet Nightwing


Multipacks:
-Batman/Robin/Alfred/Clayface
-Knight force hero collection
-Arkham asylum  escape
-Gotham city enforcement team
-superheroes vs. super villains
-Worlds finest Batman and Superman
-Batman vs. Two-Face


12" Figures:
-Batman
-Robin
-Nightwing
-Batgirl
-Joker
-Harley Quinn


Play sets:
-Gotham City Bank
-Joker's Toxic Lab