January 1997

Well folks, I'd first like to say Happy New Year and all that jazz. Batman stuff is hitting the pegs like crazy and last month's "contest" had a ton of reaction. In other words, time's a-wasting and here we go with the TIRADE!

HOLY MARKET SATURATION BATMAN!

More Bat product! The boys at Kenner have thrown some great new action figures our way, so Batfans rejoice! First and foremost, the latest batch of Legends figures are out in full force, and are now known as the Dark Knight line. Simply put, the influence of Todd McFarlane toys has now fully permeated the Kenner toy molds. The eye-catching line is highlighted by two nefarious villains looking unbelievably cool: Twister Strike Scarecrow and Lethal Impact Bane (a very hairy Bane). Also included are three Batmen: Spline Cape, Neural Claw and Assault Gauntlet. We can't forget Dive Claw Robin, who looks styling with his veiny wings. Pick these suckers up while you can. In addition, the long awaited Batman VS Catwoman two-pack has arrived, and this special two pack is a Toy R Us exclusive. Otherwise, there has been a huge influx of series 5 figures into toy stores after Christmas. Ras Al Ghul and Pogo Stick Joker can easily be found, and Legends figures like the Joker are also popping up everywhere. Excellent second series figures like Bruce Wayne and Sky Dive Batman are also showing up at Kaybees...and at 4.99 to boot! I also highly recommend the Nightsphere vehicle. Fun!

RUMORS, RUMORS, BLEAGH:

So is Kenner going to correct the "black eye" Supermen or not? I keep hearing that the change is on the way....but nothing's happened just yet. For now, I'm going to dismiss the nonsense since the buzz is dying down. Fact is, variations or not, the Superman line is impressive and the quick change Superman is neat with a capital "N".

MAIL AWAY MADNESS:

The exclusive mail-away Total Justice Batman and Superman have started shipping. They are nice-looking figures to be sure.

THE CONTEST:

About time, huh? The votes have been collected and the tally has been made. Big thanks to everyone who participated and the following addresses belong to winners of A FREE BATMAN VILLAIN!! (allow 3-5 weeks for delivery, I ain't no Superman): wallacef@netmail.lancompany.com, tiegspet@selkirk.csrv.nidc.edu, MatthewTie@aol.com, DShaw27626@aol.com, GRIMMJIM@aol.com, Lathanalas@aol.com. Congrats ye bums! :) And now the top ten most wanted DC figures:

1) Wonder Woman (Big no-brainer)

2 - 5) (tie) Tempest (hey, why not?)
Green Arrow (the Ollie version, of course)
Supergirl (there ya go)
Blue Beetle (right on)

6 -7) (tie)Starman (Jack Knight...I'd buy it in quantity!)
Lobo (Yesss Bastich!)

8) Nightwing (with new costume)

9) Impulse (with large feet!)

10) (tie) Black Manta (no comment here)
Ventriliquist (how cool would a little scarface be?)
Parallax (of course!)

Also mentioned: Sentinel, Bat Mite (that would rock..), A bendy Plastic Man, Commisioner Gordon, A Frank Miller Batman (how about an Alan Moore Joker?), Wildcat, Jonah Hex with mean guns, Alfred (good idea!), Shazam, the Spectre (how about a translucent green figure?), a non-animated series Manbat (heck yeah! how about a Kelley Jones line of action figures?), and also getting a bunch of votes - Batgirl. Of course, we all know that the bat boys wised up and are delivering one to us very soon, so it doesn't appear on the top ten. I'll be back with a market report next month. Until then...question: are we not men? answer: we are action figures.

Column by Eitan Shapiro

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