Many people believe the Dark Deco universe of Batman: The Animated Series to be the best depiction of the Dark Knight in any medium, with many hailing it as the best superhero cartoon ever made. In celebration of the series’s 30th anniversary in September, McFarlane Toys is releasing a new DC Multiverse BTAS figure. A revamped version of McFarlane’s Animated Batman figure from a few years ago, this Gold Label exclusive to New York Comic Con will be sold at Target. But this isn’t just a reissue of an old comic. This new version’s large light-up foundation is modelled after the last shot of the classic opening title sequence, in which Batman is revealed atop a massive skyscraper while the scene is illuminated by a single, perfectly timed lightning bolt.
The figure’s cape is flapping in the wind, much as in that iconic scene, and it features a cel-shaded painting to represent the deep shadows seen in the episode. The figure includes McFarlane’s typical base, a grapnel rifle, a Batarang, and a set of interchangeable hands.
Even better than the figure itself is the collector card, which is autographed by series co-creator Bruce Timm. An important contributor to BTAS’s legendary status is Timm. He not only directed the classic episodes “The Man Who Killed Batman,” “The Laughing Fish,” “Day of the Samurai,” and “Heart of Ice,” but he also designed all of the show’s characters. The latter helped the programme win its first Emmy and gave us Mr Freeze we know and love today by giving him a more human side.
Timm also directed the cult classic Batman: Mask of the Phantasm alongside the series’ other co-creator, Eric Radomski, in theatres. The film was a financial failure, yet many believe it to be the finest story ever told about Batman and a sad love story. This figurine is awesome for so many reasons, but especially because it’s a tribute to the show that revolutionised Batman’s persona. In many ways, BTAS transcended its comic status. BTAS took the greatest parts of Batman and built something that still seems distinctively new to this day, from its gorgeous animation to Shirley Walker’s unjustly neglected musical soundtrack to the faultless voice cast.
Despite the medium, the stories it presented were deep and profound. Then there’s Kevin Conroy, who’s been Batman for 30 years and whose superb voice performance hasn’t aged a bit. Watch a glimpse of the new 30th anniversary BTAS figure created by Todd McFarlane before you pre-order it on Target’s website for $49.99. This character will be available in two different iterations. One without Timm’s signature and one without. You can watch Batman: The Animated Series in its entirety on HBO Max right now as we wait for its release at New York Comic Con.