Ranking the Best and Worst of the Batman: The Animated Series Action Figure Line

Over the years, and even as recently as a few months ago, I’ve written so, so many words about how much I love Batman: The Animated Series. It’s widely regarded as a masterpiece of animation, shaping perceptions of the Caped Crusader for an entire generation. My passion for this iconic show is well-documented, and its impact on fans and the broader DC universe is undeniable. We all know BTAS and its legendary status in entertainment history. This deep connection to the series naturally extends to its merchandise, particularly the accompanying action figures.

Collection of Kenner Batman: The Animated Series action figures and vehicles displayed.

Approaching the task of ranking the Batman: The Animated Series action figure line felt daunting initially due to the sheer volume and variety of figures produced. It seemed like an immense undertaking to catalog and evaluate so many pieces from this beloved toy line. However, as I delved into the archive and revisited these nostalgic items, the process became surprisingly enjoyable. Looking over these figures, vehicles, and playsets, I found a renewed appreciation for the creativity and craftsmanship that went into them. It turned out to be one of the most fun toy lines I’ve ranked so far. So, settle in, perhaps cue up your favorite BTAS episode, and let’s take a deep dive into ranking the best and worst of the Batman: The Animated Series action figure collection. We’ll explore the range from vehicles to figures, evaluating their design, playability, and overall appeal within the context of the show.

Vehicles and Playsets

The vehicles and playsets for the Batman: The Animated Series action figure line offered fans a chance to recreate the dynamic world of Gotham City. While some were direct interpretations of iconic show elements, others were more imaginative creations for the toy aisle. None of these items are truly “awful,” rather this ranking moves from “good” to “great,” reflecting the generally high quality and fun factor of this category within the Batman The Animated Series Action Figure range.

14. Ice Hammer: While certainly not a bad vehicle, it finds itself at the bottom of this particular list. I’d gladly add an Ice Hammer to my collection, but compared to the other 13 entries, it’s slightly less appealing.

15. Electronic Crime Stalker: Perfect for those times when you need to electronically pursue justice through the streets of Gotham. Its design is functional but perhaps a bit generic compared to more specialized Bat-vehicles.

16. B.A.T.V.: Love the acronym! The first half of this list features vehicles that feel somewhat inspired by other popular 80s toy lines like Masters of the Universe or G.I. Joe. Despite this, they still possess a certain charm and I always wished we could have seen them featured in the actual cartoon series.

17. Hoverbat: Slightly over-designed for what should be a straightforward hovering craft. Its main appeal lies in the dynamic box art – Two-Face’s furious expression upon capture contrasting with Batman’s look of mild annoyance, as if stuck in traffic, is simply hilarious.

18. Bruce Wayne Street Jet: I keep comparing this to the Bruce Wayne Custom Coupe from the Batman Returns line. It’s hard to tell if they share the exact same mold or are just incredibly similar. Regardless, Bruce Wayne definitely needs a stylish ride when he’s out of costume. Bonus points for giving him a yellow shirt, though a slightly more mustard shade would have been perfect.

19. Hydro Bat: The vehicle boasts a neat, compact design, and its ability to be used in water is a definite plus for playability. My absolute favorite detail, however, is Batman’s look on the packaging – he seems to be holding on for dear life, totally not in control of this aquatic situation.

20. Bat-Signal Jet: “Why would Batman need a jet with a Batsignal on it?” you might ask. The better question is, why wouldn’t he? What could be a better crime-fighting strategy than soaring through the sky on a rocket and momentarily blinding your foes with a giant floodlight? Beyond the in-universe logic, it’s a fun-looking toy, which is ultimately what matters most for a Batman The Animated Series Action Figure vehicle.

21. Aero Bat: Another entry with a nice, compact design that appeals visually. The fact that the windshield has eyes painted on it, making the entire vehicle resemble a huge Batman face, is just brilliant design and adds a touch of whimsy characteristic of some toy lines.

22. Batcave Command Central: Playsets can often be hit or miss, but this one is definitely a hit. It offers multiple levels of play and features facades representing Wayne Manor, the Batcave, and the Batmobile exit. The fact that it appears to fold up for easy storage and transport is a huge practical advantage. This playset is a solid addition to any collection.

23. The Jokermobile: The only downside is that this fantastic vehicle never appeared in the actual series. It’s 100% something the Joker would drive – loud, ridiculous, and featuring a perfect launching smile missile. A truly inspired design for a villain’s ride. This level of creativity is part of what makes collecting batman the animated series action figure items so enjoyable.

24. Robin Dragster: Another cool vehicle that didn’t make it into the show, although it feels slightly less “on-brand” for Robin than the Jokermobile does for Joker. Mostly, I just really like Robin. This figure was also notoriously difficult to find back in the day, reportedly due to a tragic factory fire impacting production.

25. Batmobile: Sleek, classic, and instantly recognizable. This vehicle is about as perfect a representation of the Animated Series Batmobile as one could hope for in toy form. While I personally prefer other Batmobile designs slightly, this one is undeniably awesome and perfectly captures the show’s distinct aesthetic.

26. Batcycle: A great design for Batman’s two-wheeled transport. I’m fairly certain it featured pull-and-release action, which is always more satisfying than a ripcord. A solid vehicle choice for quick pursuits in Gotham.

27. Batplane: My only minor criticism is that “Batwing” sounds slightly cooler than “Batplane,” but that’s a trivial point. This vehicle absolutely rocks. I honestly might like its design even more than the show’s iconic Batmobile. It’s the perfect Bat-themed flying machine, looking fantastic from every angle. A superb example of a batman the animated series action figure vehicle.

Miniatures

The Miniatures line provided smaller, collectible versions of characters and vehicles from the show. These were often sold in blind bags or smaller packs, offering a different scale and play experience compared to the main action figures.

12. Gotham City Police Helicopter: Honestly, this should have been a Police Blimp. Missed opportunity. F-.

13. Bruce Wayne’s Car: If this were part of a Hot Wheels series or something similar, I might be more impressed. As an item within a toy line featuring much more dynamic vehicles and characters, it feels a bit bland and uninspired.

14. Batman (Standing Tall): A perfectly fine, good-looking miniature Batman. However, it’s very basic, especially when many of the other miniature figures offer more interesting poses or details.

15. Catwoman: Her pose is slightly better than the basic Batman’s, but it still feels a little awkward. A pose with her hand on her hip, exuding grace, confidence, and danger, would have been much preferred. This just looks like she’s saying “rawr!”
    
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16. Batcycle: Miniature motorcycle figures can sometimes look odd without a rider, but the Batcycle’s sleek design overcomes this. It looks cool even on its own.

17. The Batmobile: Simple. Cool. Simply cool. It captures the essence of the animated Batmobile effectively in a smaller scale.

18. The Penguin: Appropriately short and squat. The umbrella is a nice touch, and the fun sticker art adds character. It’s a good representation of the animated Penguin design.

19. Batboat: It’s strange that there wasn’t a larger Batboat toy in the main line, so having this included as a miniature somewhat compensates for that omission.

20. Robin: No joke, I impulsively bought this off eBay a few months ago when it popped up during a search for other items. It has a nice pose and a great sticker illustration, making it a charming miniature batman the animated series action figure representation of the Boy Wonder.

21. Batplane: Looks great and no doubt would have been fun to “fly” around during playtime. It captures the design of the larger Batplane well.

22. The Joker: Boasts great colors and a dynamic sculpt that truly feels like the Joker. The expressive pose and vibrant paint make this miniature stand out.
    
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23. Batman (Crouched): Simply a much better and more interesting sculpt and pose than the standard standing Batman miniature. I particularly love the illustration on the sticker art accompanying this figure. It captures a more dynamic and classic Batman stance.

Action Figures 36-31

The main action figure line is where the variety truly explodes, featuring multiple variations of heroes and villains, often with unique costumes, accessories, and action features. The lower end of this ranking tends to feature repaints or figures with somewhat arbitrary concepts.

36. Bola Trap Robin: Unsurprisingly, many of the lowest-ranked figures are arbitrary repaints with bizarre names, accessories, or design choices. This one definitely fits that description, offering little beyond a color variation and a strange accessory.

37. Cyber Gear Batman: Another figure that feels a bit strange, though it looks marginally less cheap than Bola Trap Robin. The concept feels disconnected from the core animated series aesthetic.

38. Glider Robin: The core idea is sound, and the glider pack accessory is actually quite cool. However, the color scheme is just too outlandish and distracts from the design.

39. Ninja Power Pack Batman and Robin: Good idea, but the execution falls short. Dressing them in more recognizable ninja-inspired gear would have helped. The two huge shuriken accessories are neat, but otherwise, the connection to “ninja” feels tenuous. Still, a two-pack set is always a bonus for value.

40. Sky Dive Batman: Features a cool parachute accessory and a Batsuit color scheme that oddly makes me think of a Dreamsicle. It could definitely be worse, but it’s not a particularly memorable batman the animated series action figure.

41. Knight Star Batman: This figure utilizes some cool accessories from the Ninja Power Pack set and gives Batman a slightly better costume. The gold suit is surprisingly sharp-looking, I must admit.

Action Figures 30-21

Moving up the list, we find more interesting concepts and better executions, though many are still variations on Batman designed for specific play features or environments.

30. Anti-Freeze Batman: One of the figures that instantly comes to mind when I think of this line, likely because I saw it frequently in stores. While I never owned it, its concept is distinct. The design vaguely matches the idea, with white suggesting “freeze” and the red piping potentially implying heat generation to counter ice.

31. Lightning Strike Batman: Like Anti-Freeze Batman, this figure is memorable from the toy aisles. The name “Lightning Strike Batman” is amusingly ambiguous – does he wield lightning, or is he perpetually in danger of being struck by it? This humor edges it up one spot.

32. High Wire Batman: This concept might have made more sense for a Robin figure, given his circus background. It features a cool accessory and play action, and I find myself liking the yellow highlights on the suit more than expected.

33. Ground Assault Batman: I’m quite fond of the colors on this suit and the large, bat-shaped plate on his chest. The random glider/board accessory is somewhat generic, but the core figure design is solid.

34. Radar Scope Batman: Another figure with a cool suit design, featuring nice paneling details on the legs and arms. The figure is a bit more creative with the “radar” concept than just sticking a giant dish on his back, which is a plus.

35. Dick Grayson Robin: This works well as a Dick Grayson figure but is somewhat lackluster as a Robin. If the tunic was a snap-on over his black shirt and didn’t have the attached bits, it could look sharp. The silly radar dish on the shoulder and the clunky mask attachment drag it down. However, I do appreciate the wrist-mounted Batarang launcher accessory.

36. Infrared Batman: I love the look of the suit itself – the deep red feels like a nod to the Batman: The Movie poster, a comparison I seem to make often across different toy lines. The accessory is forgettable, neither adding nor detracting significantly from the figure’s appeal.

37. Tornado Batman: The colors of this suit are fantastic, with silver and blue contrasting nicely against the black cowl, cape, boots, and gloves. The launcher accessory looks fun, though I suspect the flying disc, ripcord, or launcher itself would be easily lost during play.

38. Turbojet Batman: A good-looking Batman figure that stays pretty faithful to the animated model’s colors. The criss-crossing harnesses and straps aren’t terrible, though a dark brown might have been preferable. The jetpack is a fun accessory, albeit a bit small.

39. Ninja Robin: This is a decent-looking Robin figure. The accessories fit the ninja theme better this time around, and the “chopping arm action” feature adds playability. It could almost pass for a standard Robin figure if not for the black accents incorporated into the design.

Action Figures 10-1

The top ten represents some of the strongest figures in the line, including iconic villains and well-executed Batman variations. Ranking these was incredibly difficult due to their overall quality and appeal.

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10. Two-Face: The top 10 features a strong presence of villains, making the selection process challenging. As a figure, Two-Face looks excellent, capturing his distinct animated design. What holds him back slightly is his accessory, which, while somewhat fun, is incredibly odd and random for the character. Giving him a more characteristic accessory like a Tommy gun would have significantly boosted his ranking, but he remains a respectable number 10 as is.

Battle Helmet Batman action figure with helmet accessory.

9. Battle Helmet Batman: Although the bluish tint of the suit isn’t perfectly screen-accurate, I think it looks stellar on this figure. With a more compelling accessory, this could potentially be the best Batman figure in the entire line, even considering it was a mail-away exclusive toy.

10. Catwoman: The slightly awkward pose and somewhat silly cat claw accessories are minor drawbacks. Overall, she looks great, comes with her signature whip, and even includes a little cat accessory. It’s a solid representation of the animated Catwoman.

Mr. Freeze action figure with helmet and large water squirting gun accessory.

7. Mr. Freeze: Features a fantastic sculpt that captures the character’s tragic design. The water squirting accessory is an inspired choice for Mr. Freeze’s powers. My only wish is that he also included a smaller, more screen-accurate freeze gun alongside the larger one.

8. The Penguin: Similar to Mr. Freeze, the Penguin’s sculpt is fantastic and the concept behind his accessory is clever. My only change would be to include a regular umbrella accessory in addition to the launcher device. This is, however, the smallest of nitpicks for a great figure.

Man-Bat action figure with articulated wings and included string accessory.

5. Man-Bat: The rankings become incredibly difficult at this point as we reach the top tier of batman the animated series action figure quality. Man-Bat’s concept is simple but effective – he’s a man who transforms into a bat. The figure requires little embellishment. Including a length of string with hooks to suspend him in the air is a great idea for display or play, and I particularly appreciate the detailed sculpting on his wings and face.

6. Scarecrow: This figure perfectly embodies how a BTAS Scarecrow figure should look. His face might be a slight blend of his different appearances in the show, but this minor discrepancy is acceptable considering he had a few design variations. It’s literally my only small complaint about an otherwise superb figure.
   
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Combat Belt Batman action figure displaying his utility belt and grappling hook accessory.

3. Combat Belt Batman: The figures in the top three are practically interchangeable in terms of their excellence. This Batman figure boasts a perfect suit design, comes loaded with cool accessories including a grappling hook, and features a clean, classic paint application. I honestly cannot think of a single aspect I would change about this outstanding batman the animated series action figure.

4. Robin: Just like Combat Belt Batman, the Robin figure is perfect as is. It features a fantastic sculpt and gorgeous colors that pop. I particularly love the look of his hair and his confident smile. The glider accessory is large, bright, and adds a ton of fun play potential. This is truly a great Robin figure, capturing the spirit of the character from the animated series.
   
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Clayface action figure in his large, malleable form, featuring a firing mace hand.

1. Clayface: Old Matt Hagen in his monstrous form is big, lumpy, and wonderfully gross, exactly as he should be. The sculpt is excellent, capturing his shifting, clay-like nature. The firing mace hand is simply an awesome accessory that enhances his villainous appeal. While as kids we might have naturally gravitated more towards the hero figures, as adults, there’s a greater appreciation for a truly well-made villain figure, especially one as cool and visually striking as this Clayface batman the animated series action figure.

The Batman: The Animated Series toy line holds a special place in the hearts of many fans, offering a tangible connection to a show that defined a generation’s view of Batman. Ranking these figures, from the vehicles and miniatures to the core action figures, highlighted the creativity and breadth of the line. While some entries were clearly better than others, the overall collection represents a fantastic array of collectibles that captured the distinctive art style and characters of BTAS. Re-evaluating them was a joyous trip down memory lane, affirming the line’s status as a high point in action figure history.

All images were obtained from Figure-Archive.net, unless otherwise noted.