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MORE Batman figures? You're probably thinking 'We don't need no more stinkin' Batman figures!' Well, considering you're reading this from a Batman fan, you are sooooooo wrong, you can ALWAYS use more cool Batman figures. No, I'm not talking about 'Net-launching, stealth-armor wearing Batman'. These aren't your run-of-the-mill, over-produced pieces coming from Takara.
A bit of history here. When Hasbro owned the Batman license, they didn't let ANYONE else do Batman figures. Even with DC Direct creating gorgeous pieces, DC couldn't make their own Batman toys. Well, Hasbro dropped the license and when Mattel picked it up, DC has the discretion to pass on the license to OTHER manufacturers. So now there are a ton o' options for the Bat-fanatic; figures based on 'Hush', figures from 'Kingdom Come', 'First Appearances', it goes on and on. And remember, this means OTHER MANUFACTURERS can jump on the bandwagon... like toy designers in Japan! Aaaaaahhhhhhhh, NOW you get it.
Takara, the creators of Micro Man/The Micronauts jumped on the opportunity to come out with a Batman piece. Yes, there's a Retro Version out already, but this new two-pack with Batgirl is based on the Silver Age Dark Knight and it'll be available through specialty shops in the US! Sweeeeeeeet! Why do we need an umpteenth Batman figure? Aren't the pieces we have good enough? Remember, I said toy designers in Japan... as in the Land of Gundam... yes, you can start drooling, folks.
All right, The bad news is the sculpt isn't like the stuff you get from Kaiyodo; no super-detailed musculature. This is based on the Silver Age incarnation, so the rippling musculature is out. Still pretty cool sculpt, though. Ah, but the articulation... oh my. Think Marvel Legends accept the figure is less then 5" tall. Remember all those incredible joints in the Micronauts pieces? Oh yeah! And then there are accessories! Bata-rang, respirator, a grappling-line gun, and a multitude of hands!
Is this the Ultimate Batman? Not quite. Like I said, the sculpt could certainly use more detail, and a 6" figure would that much articulation would rock! Just the same, this is one heck of a figure. Sweeeeet!