Hot Toys’ 89 Batman: The Battle for the Best
Michael Keaton is Back
The excitement around Hot Toys’ 89 Batman has reached new heights just days after the new trailer for the DC Universe film, “The Flash,” was broadcast during Super bowl LVII. The trailer showcased the return of Michael Keaton as the 89 Batman, which prompted Hot Toys to unveil their updated 89 Keaton Batman figure prototype just days later. In addition to the figure, they also revealed pictures of the Batmobile from the same film and a new massive gargoyle display, which will be included with the deluxe version of the figure.
Collectors of 1/6 figures had been eagerly awaiting this release since the news of Keaton’s involvement in the film broke back in 2021. However, delays in the release of the film, along with issues with the lead actors’ off-camera behavior, and the rebuilding of DC studios within Warner Brothers Discovery, left many uncertain about the film’s future. But with James Gunn at the helm as of November 2022, Warner Brothers decided to move forward with the production, despite the controversy surrounding Ezra Miller.
Some Hero’s Endure
The look of Batman in the Tim Burton film, even after decades since its original release, and many iterations since those original films, has arguably remained the “classic” look of the character. As some fans would argue the figure revealed is not wearing the exact suit from “The Flash,” no one can argue that this isn’t the classic look, they’ve come to appreciate. Now it is not surprising that Hot Toys chose to announce the release this week, amidst all the excitement surrounding the upcoming film. However this isn’t the first time they’ve released this figure. Batman 89 DX09 was originally released back in 2009 and was the 9th figure released under the DX line (which typically includes more accessories and features than their standard figures). So as this is technically a 2.0, we’ll have to take a closer look and see what has been changed and what it will come with.
Released with the photos of the prototype, Hot Toys shared the following information about the new figure: Here’s a full list of the features announced:
- Newly designed Batman head
- separate rolling eyeballs
- interchangeable lower faces
- Specialized body and suit
- new body, highlighting Batman’s muscular form
- newly designed Batsuit, better mimicking the materials appearance in the film
- Accessories:
- grapple gun
- gauntlet with line launcher
- rope attached Batarang
- ninja stars
- smoke capsules
- white heel shoe
- Batmobile remote
- bomb timer
- punch gear
Deluxe Version:
The deluxe version comes with everything previously mentioned as well as a massive display stand featuring a reproduction of the stone gargoyle on the ruined church that plays a crucial role in the film’s finale. The gargoyle display stand which is just over 17-inches tall and is highly detailed with sculpted bricks and wooden beams and even features a spinning gargoyle.
Hot Toys’ 89 Batman retails for $279 for Collectors Edition and $345 for the Deluxe and is available for preorder at Sideshow.
Images From Sideshow Collectibles
89 Batmobile
That’s right, not only did Hot Toys reveal images of their 89 Batman, they also revealed they’ll be reissuing the 89 Batmobile. Originally released in 2012 under its Movie Masterpiece line, the 1/6th scale vehicles was priced around $700 and included a “dust-cover” accessory that mimicked the shields seen in the film. It does not appear that this release will include the cover from the original release. However as this is a centerpiece kind of collectible, I’m not sure how many owners of the original release chose to hide the vehicle under the large piece of plastic. Maybe they made the right choice to not reissue the shield. Lets look into what this reissue does include.
Hot Toys 89 Batmobile Features:
- slide-open canopy door
- head and taillights
- jet engine
- dashboard panel with LED light up function
- rotatable wheels
- gadgets
- side-mounted batdisc launchers
- machine guns
- grappling hooks
- shinbreakers
- rotary base to recreate scene in the Batcave
Hot Toys’ 89 Batmobile retails for $715 is available for preorder at Sideshow.
Images from Sideshow Collectibles
Wait… Another 89 Batmobile?
That’s right, this most recent news from Hot Toys comes just weeks after another 1/6 scale vehicle maker, Jazzinc Dioramas, announced preorders for their first run of this iconic vehicle. On January 24th, the company’s founder, Joost, announced they would be opening up preorders for their ‘Signature Limited Edition’ of the 89 Batmobile which he boasts will come complete with their “obsessive dedication to accuracy and detail.” As there is some debate in the 1/6 community whether or not Hot Toys version is the correct scale and many have suggested that it is indeed a bit too small. There are other discrepancy’s among fans as well regarding the curve of the fins, the shape of the lights, the size of the windows, the length of the ‘nose’ cone as well as the air intake on the roof. Now all of these issues are compounded with the fact that there are several variations of the original model as seen in the film. Jazzinc claims they have done the appropriate research and have gone over the original source materials provided by fellow collectors and they will be offering the “definitive” version of this vehicle. Lets look at what features they have in-store for their 89 Batmobile.
The Jazzinc Batmobile features:
- correctly scaled and sized 1/6 scale 1989 Batmobile
- officially licensed by Warner Bros/DC Comics
- light-up features on interior and exterior
- smoke and engine sound effects
- remote control for lights, smoke and sound effects.
- accessories:
- grappling hook
- 2 Browning machine guns
- Bat-Discs
- opening cockpit with detailed interior
- rotating, rubber tires
- connected front steering wheels
- fully assembled, painted and weathered
- signed and numbered Limited Edition Signature Plate.
Jazzinc’s 89 Batmobile Limited Signature Edition retails for $1499 and is available for preorder direct on their webstore.
Images by Jazzinc Dioramas
In conclusion, If you’re a fan of the 89 Batman franchise the future has never looked brighter. With Hot Toys’ updated 89 Keaton Batman figure and Batmobile and a competing Batmobile by Jazzinc, the testament to the timeless appeal of the iconic superhero and his ride will forever be known as a true classic. Now in 2023 decades after the original release fans can now expect the highest level of detail and accuracy to be delivered and the closest representation of the character they love to eventually find its way off the big screen and onto their shelves. So clear the way, Keaton is back!