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	Batman Toy Line: Identity Crisis Series 2 Manufacturer: DC Direct Meat and Potatoes; 4.5 Perks; 4.0 Homer Facor; 4.0
					Description: hot artist Michael Turner’s take on the Dark Knight Detective. The figure is based upon Michael Turner’s interpretation of Batman from his covers for the ‘Identity Crisis’ mini-series.  The figure is approximately 7” tall and is in the current black and gray costume.  The figure is a bit bulkier then most interpretations of Batman, has much longer ears and scallops.  The cape is also long enough so that it gathers a bit at Batman’s feet.  The end result is a figure that looks a bit more demonic then more recent versions of the character.  Batman comes with a small stand with the ‘Identity Crisis’ logo on it.
		Batman.  The Dark Knight.  The Caped Crusader.  The Demonic Guardian of Gotham.  A guy dressed as a flying rat.  Hey, we’ve all heard that joke from countless villains.  Let’s be honest, though, they do have a point.  IN THE SHADOWS, the suit is an amazing effect.  You’ve got that massive cape, the huge horns, the way he floats from spot to spot without making a noise... oh, that’ll mess with you big time.  But in broad daylight?  Um... well... ya know, suddenly you’re thinking ‘Adam West looked a little better in the suit.’  That’s the problem with making a Batman figure.  If you stick too much to the reality you get a guy in a flying rat suit.  Granted, VERY buff, well trained, able to kick your butt from one side of town to another even as you’re laughing at his suit.  Still... it’s a flying rat suit. So what do you do?  Frankly, you try NOT to make the figure that realistic.  You exaggerate the things that scare the crap outta people: the scowl, the cape, and the scallops.   (Those claw-things on his forearms finally have a name!  Bless Goyer and Nolan for that!)   Suddenly these aren’t just accessories.  They take this simple ‘rat’ and turn him into a demon from hell that will terrorize criminals.  Whether it’s the Dark Knight Detective piece (link) or the latest Vampire Batman figure (link) that’s when the figure finally gets it’s full due. The latest attempt to get that primal, almost super-natural look is from the incredible ‘Identity Crisis’ line.  DC Direct has taken the cover art by Michael Turner and created a figure meant to capture the fearful visage of the Dark Knight.  So is it worth the umpteenth version of Batman?  Well... it’s CLOSE. But... Meat and potatoes are so amazing in some ways, and so FRUSTRATING in other ways.  The sculpting is gorgeous.  When I first saw samples of this figure I cringed.  The face of Batman, because of the camera angles, looked very scrunched, as if he just bit into a bag of lemons.  Instead the figure just has the massive brow-ridge, a rather ticked-off look, and very large ears.  Perfect for that demonic look.  The musculature is nice and bulky, giving the figure a large, pumped-up appearance.  Oh, and the cape is beautiful!  No, it’s not as massive as it could be, but it’s extra-long and actually forms a little ‘lake’ of material at the base of the figure.  Ah, just like the cape did in ‘Batman – The Animated Series’!  The articulation is ‘eh’.  Good news is there are ball-and-socket joints in the shoulders, knees, elbows, and wrists.  This leads to nice combination of joints for poses.  Even the neck has a good range of motion.  However there are some surprising spots that aren’t that flexible.  For instance there is no mid-bicep joint.  Normally that isn’t a problem.  However the elbows are set so that Batman can only move his elbows to ‘hug’ someone.  Ok, ok, so he’s being a kinder, gentler Batman.  However, you CAN’T do cool fighting poses with that!  And there’s also no ball-and-socket joint in the hips.  Come on guys!   Give us a break!  If Microman figures (link) can be that flexible why not this figure! Accessories are ‘eh’.  Yes, it comes with a stand with the cool ‘Identity Crisis’ logo.   However, there’s nothing else.  How about a few batarangs?  Maybe a removable utility belt and cape?  Come on, throw us a bone here! Homer factor?  Oy... tough one.  If you’re a Batman fan, or you’re looking for figures with the same look from ‘IC’, this is well done.  BUT, if you’re looking for a butt-kicking Batman figure, well... In the end... it’s not a bad figure by any means.  I like Michael Turner’s interpretation on Batman.  Unfortunately it’s not anything groundbreaking either.   If you’re a Batman freak it’s worth the cash.  However if you’re looking for something to knock your socks off, your best bet is to get a Microman