Ranking Every Batman: The Animated Series Action Figure

Over the years, I’ve dedicated countless words to expressing my deep affection for Batman: The Animated Series. There’s no need to reiterate its significance; it’s BTAS. We all understand its legacy. What truly matters today is the iconic Kenner action figure line that accompanied this groundbreaking show. Exploring these figures, especially the sought-after Batman The Animated Series Batman Action Figure variations, has been a fascinating journey.

When tackling these action figure ranking articles, I admit this particular line felt the most daunting. The sheer volume of pieces seemed overwhelming. However, diving into the details, I found immense joy reviewing this collection, perhaps more than any other toy line I’ve ranked so far. So, let’s cue up a favorite episode and delve into the best and worst of the Batman: The Animated Series toys.

Vehicles and Playsets Ranked

Ranking these vehicles and playsets is a matter of distinguishing between “good” and “great,” as none are truly terrible.

14. Ice Hammer
I wouldn’t hesitate to add the Ice Hammer vehicle to my collection, but compared to the others on this list, it lands at the bottom. It’s a decent piece, just slightly less compelling than the rest.

Kenner BTAS Mr. Freeze Ice Hammer vehicle

13. Electronic Crime Stalker
Its purpose is right there in the name: stalking crime, electronically. A functional, if straightforward, concept.

Kenner BTAS Electronic Crime Stalker vehicle front view

12. B.A.T.V.
That acronym is fantastic. Honestly, many vehicles in this lower tier feel like holdovers from ’80s lines like Masters of the Universe or G.I. Joe. They still possess a certain charm, and it would have been intriguing to see them incorporated into the cartoon.

Kenner BTAS B.A.T.V. vehicle with missile launcher

11. Hoverbat
While perhaps a bit over-designed for what should be a simple vehicle, the box art elevates it. Two-Face’s enraged expression juxtaposed with Batman’s look of mild annoyance is priceless.

Kenner BTAS Hoverbat vehicle with Batman figure inside

10. Bruce Wayne Street Jet
Comparing this to the Bruce Wayne Custom Coupe from the Batman Returns line reveals striking similarities – possibly even the same mold. Regardless, Bruce needs stylish transportation out of costume. Bonus points for the yellow shirt figure inclusion, though a mustard hue would have perfected it.

Kenner BTAS Bruce Wayne Street Jet vehicle convertible mode

9. Hydro Bat
The vehicle boasts a neat, compact design, and water-play capability is always a plus. However, the absolute highlight is the package art depicting Batman seemingly clinging on for dear life – pure, unintentional comedy.

Kenner BTAS Hydro Bat water vehicle with Batman figure

8. Bat-Signal Jet
Why wouldn’t Batman need a jet equipped with a Bat-Signal? Blinding criminals with a massive floodlight while zipping around on a rocket seems perfectly logical. More importantly, it looks like a fun toy.

Kenner BTAS Bat-Signal Jet vehicle with light feature

7. Aero Bat
Its compact design is appealing, but the masterstroke is the windshield painted with eyes, transforming the entire vehicle into a giant Batman face. Simply beautiful.

Kenner BTAS Aero Bat vehicle with bat-face design

6. Batcave Command Center
Playsets can be inconsistent, but this one is a clear winner. It features multiple levels, including facades for Wayne Manor and the Batcave, an exit for the Batmobile, and appears foldable for convenient storage. A solid addition to any collection.

Kenner BTAS Batcave Command Center playset overview

5. The Jokermobile
My only critique is its absence from the series, as this vehicle perfectly captures the Joker’s chaotic style. The launching smile missile is the pièce de résistance.

Kenner BTAS The Jokermobile vehicle with Joker face design

4. Robin Dragster
Another vehicle that didn’t grace the screen, though less character-specific than the Jokermobile. Its appeal is boosted by my fondness for Robin figures, which were notoriously difficult to find due to production issues.

Kenner BTAS Robin Dragster vehicle with red and green colors

3. Batmobile
Sleek, classic, and about as perfect a rendition of the animated Batmobile as one could ask for in toy form. While I personally prefer other Batmobile designs, this one is undeniably awesome and perfectly matches the show’s aesthetic.

Kenner BTAS Batmobile vehicle side profile, long black car

2. Batcycle
A great design, likely featuring pull-and-release action – far superior to ripcords. Simple, effective, and cool.

Kenner BTAS Batcycle motorcycle toy side view

1. Batplane
My only minor issue is that “Batwing” sounds cooler. Otherwise, this vehicle rocks. I find its design even more appealing than the show’s Batmobile. It’s a perfect Bat-themed aircraft from every angle. Fantastic.

Kenner BTAS Batplane aircraft toy top view

Miniatures Ranked

This sub-line offered smaller-scale figures and vehicles.

12. Gotham City Police Helicopter
It really should have been a Police Blimp. Disappointing.

Kenner BTAS Miniatures Gotham City Police Helicopter

11. Bruce Wayne’s Car
As a Hot Wheels-style car, it might be more appealing. Within this line, surrounded by more dynamic characters and Bat-vehicles, it feels bland.

Kenner BTAS Miniatures Bruce Wayne's Car sedan model

10. Batman (Standing Tall)
A solid, decent-looking miniature Batman. However, it’s very basic compared to the more interesting sculpts in the mini-line.

Kenner BTAS Miniatures Batman Standing Tall figure

9. Catwoman
Her pose is more dynamic than Batman’s but feels slightly awkward. A hand-on-hip pose conveying confidence and danger would have been better. This looks more like a playful “rawr!”

Kenner BTAS Miniatures Catwoman figure in grey suit

8. Batcycle
Miniature motorcycle figures often look odd without riders, but the sleek design of the BTAS Batcycle overcomes this. It looks cool even riderless.

Kenner BTAS Miniatures Batcycle motorcycle toy

7. The Batmobile
Simple. Cool. Simply cool miniature representation.

Kenner BTAS Miniatures The Batmobile small scale vehicle

6. The Penguin
Short and squat, just as he should be. The umbrella accessory and fun sticker art add character.

Kenner BTAS Miniatures The Penguin figure with umbrella

5. Batboat
It’s strange that a larger Batboat toy wasn’t produced for the main line. Having this miniature version somewhat compensates for that omission.

Kenner BTAS Miniatures Batboat small scale watercraft

4. Robin
Confession: I bought this miniature on a whim from eBay recently. It boasts a nice pose and a great sticker design.

Kenner BTAS Miniatures Robin figure dynamic pose

3. Batplane
Looks great in miniature form and undoubtedly fun to swoosh around.

Kenner BTAS Miniatures Batplane small scale aircraft

2. The Joker
Vibrant colors and a dynamic sculpt perfectly capture the essence of the animated Joker.

Kenner BTAS Miniatures The Joker figure laughing pose

1. Batman (Crouched)
This version offers a much more interesting sculpt and pose than the standing miniature Batman. The sticker illustration is also excellent, making this the top pick for the miniatures.

Kenner BTAS Miniatures Batman crouched pose figure

Action Figures Ranked: 36-31

Now, onto the main event: the standard action figures. The lower rankings often feature repaints with unusual names and accessories.

36. Bola Trap Robin
Unsurprisingly, many lower-ranked figures are arbitrary repaints with odd accessories or designs. This Robin fits that description perfectly.

Kenner BTAS Bola Trap Robin action figure repaint

35. Cyber Gear Batman
Another strange repaint, looking marginally less cheap than the Bola Trap Robin. Only marginally.

Kenner BTAS Cyber Gear Batman action figure blue repaint

34. Glider Robin
The concept isn’t bad, and the glider pack itself is quite cool. However, the excessively bright colors detract from the overall figure.

Kenner BTAS Glider Robin action figure with large glider

33. Ninja Power Pack Batman and Robin
A decent idea hampered by execution. Actual ninja-inspired costumes would have improved this two-pack significantly. While the large shuriken accessories are a nice touch, the figures feel only tangentially related to the ninja theme. Still, getting two figures is a plus.

Kenner BTAS Ninja Power Pack Batman and Robin two-pack figures

32. Sky Dive Batman
Features a cool parachute accessory and a Batsuit color scheme reminiscent of a Dreamsicle. It could certainly be worse.

Kenner BTAS Sky Dive Batman action figure orange and white suit

31. Knight Star Batman
This figure improves upon the Ninja Power Pack by incorporating similar cool accessories with a slightly better Batman costume. The gold suit actually looks quite sharp.

Kenner BTAS Knight Star Batman action figure gold suit repaint

Action Figures Ranked: 30-21

Moving up, we find more figures with specific gimmicks or themes.

30. Anti-Freeze Batman
This is one of those figures intrinsically linked to the line in my memory; I recall seeing it frequently in stores. While I never owned it, its appearance is familiar. The white color evokes “freeze,” and the red piping could suggest heating elements, loosely fitting the concept.

Kenner BTAS Anti-Freeze Batman action figure white and red suit

29. Lightning Strike Batman
Similar to Anti-Freeze Batman, this figure is memorable from the era. The ambiguity of the name – does Batman use lightning or get struck by it? – adds a layer of amusement, bumping it slightly higher.

Kenner BTAS Lightning Strike Batman action figure yellow repaint

28. High Wire Batman
This concept might have suited Robin better, given his circus background. Nevertheless, it features a cool accessory and play action, and the yellow highlights on the suit are surprisingly appealing.

Kenner BTAS High Wire Batman action figure with zip line accessory

27. Ground Assault Batman
The color scheme and the large bat-shaped chest plate are appealing. The generic glider/board accessory doesn’t add much, leaving the figure relatively nondescript otherwise.

Kenner BTAS Ground Assault Batman action figure grey and blue suit

26. Radar Scope Batman
Another cool suit design, featuring nice paneling on the limbs. The “radar” concept is implemented more creatively than simply attaching a large dish to his back, which is appreciated.

Kenner BTAS Radar Scope Batman action figure red and black suit

25. Dick Grayson Robin
This figure offers a good Dick Grayson sculpt but only an okay Robin. If the tunic snapped over the black shirt without the clunky attachments (radar dish on one shoulder, mask piece on the other), it could look sharp. The wrist-mounted Batarang launcher is a redeeming feature.

Kenner BTAS Dick Grayson Robin action figure civilian clothes with snap-on tunic

24. Infrared Batman
The deep red suit is striking, reminiscent of the Batman: The Movie poster aesthetic. The accessory is unremarkable, neither adding nor subtracting significant value.

Kenner BTAS Infrared Batman action figure deep red suit

23. Tornado Batman
The suit’s colors are fantastic, with silver and blue contrasting sharply against the black cowl, cape, boots, and gloves. The launcher accessory looks fun, though parts (disc, ripcord, launcher) seem destined to be lost.

Kenner BTAS Tornado Batman action figure silver and blue suit

22. Turbojet Batman
A good-looking Batman The Animated Series Batman Action Figure that stays relatively true to the show’s color scheme. The crisscrossing harnesses aren’t terrible, though a dark brown might have looked better. The jetpack accessory is fun, albeit a bit small.

Kenner BTAS Turbojet Batman action figure with jetpack

21. Ninja Robin
Not a bad Robin figure at all. The accessories align well with the ninja theme this time, and the “chopping arm action” is a fun feature. Without the black accents, it could almost pass for a standard Robin.

Kenner BTAS Ninja Robin action figure black and red repaint

Action Figures Ranked: 20-11

Entering the top 20, we encounter more core characters and some impressive Batman variants.

20. Bane
Yep. That’s definitely Bane. A solid representation of the character from the animated series.

Kenner BTAS Bane action figure bulky sculpt

19. Bruce Wayne
The idea of Bruce Wayne changing into this bulky Batman costume is amusing. The matching boots and leggings give it a pajama-like appearance, adding to the humor.

Kenner BTAS Bruce Wayne action figure with snap-on Batman armor

18. The Joker
Genuinely love the included gas mask, and the water-squirting gun is a classic Joker gag. Yet, something about the figure feels slightly plain or uninspired, despite these nice touches.

Kenner BTAS The Joker action figure with gas mask and water gun

17. Mech-Wing Batman
Features better strap colors against a shiny silver suit. The oversized wing pack is delightfully ridiculous and adds significant appeal.

Kenner BTAS Mech-Wing Batman action figure silver suit with large wings

16. The Riddler
Not a bad rendition of Nygma. While the question mark bazooka could use more color, the sheer joy of typing “question mark bazooka” balances it out.

Kenner BTAS The Riddler action figure green suit with question mark bazooka

15. Power Vision Batman
A great suit design combined with a cool light-up feature and a substantial backpack accessory. This figure neatly encapsulates many elements common throughout the line.

Kenner BTAS Power Vision Batman action figure with light-up chest symbol

14. Killer Croc
Plain and simple: Croc comes with a smaller croc accessory. The only potential improvement? Including a big rock accessory, naturally.

Kenner BTAS Killer Croc action figure large green sculpt

13. Poison Ivy
A strong character design with an inherent gimmick doesn’t necessarily need excessive frills. Poison Ivy works well with just her crossbow. However, the inclusion of a giant piranha plant bazooka proves that sometimes, extra frills are welcome.

Kenner BTAS Poison Ivy action figure green outfit with plant bazooka

12. Rapid Attack Batman
Features a great grapple launcher accessory and a nice color scheme. Simple, effective, and doesn’t need anything more.

Kenner BTAS Rapid Attack Batman action figure blue and grey suit with grapple launcher

11. Ultimate Batman
Even after the batteries inevitably die, rendering the light-up eyes and Bat-symbol inert, this remains a stunning, no-frills batman the animated series batman action figure. Hard to beat that essential quality.

Kenner BTAS Ultimate Batman action figure light-up features

Action Figures Ranked: 10-1

The absolute best of the line, featuring iconic characters and definitive figure renditions.

10. Two-Face
The top 10 is dominated by villains, and ordering them was challenging. As a figure, Two-Face looks excellent. His accessory, while looking somewhat fun, is incredibly odd and random, preventing a higher ranking. A simple Tommy gun would have elevated him significantly.

9. Battle Helmet Batman
Although the suit’s bluish hue deviates slightly from the show, it looks stellar. This mail-away exclusive might have been the best Batman figure in the line if paired with a better accessory.

Kenner BTAS Battle Helmet Batman action figure mail-away exclusive

8. Catwoman
Minor drawbacks include the slightly awkward pose and somewhat silly cat claw accessories. Otherwise, she looks great, comes with her signature whip, and even includes a small cat figurine. A solid figure overall.

7. Mr. Freeze
Features a great sculpt all around. The water-squirting accessory is inspired, perfectly fitting the character. A smaller, more screen-accurate freeze gun included as well would have made it perfect.

Kenner BTAS Mr. Freeze action figure clear dome helmet

6. The Penguin
Like Mr. Freeze, the sculpt is fantastic, and the accessory concept is clever. The only desired addition would be a standard, non-launching umbrella. Again, a minor nitpick for an otherwise excellent figure.

5. Man-Bat
Deciding the top rankings becomes incredibly difficult here. Man-Bat doesn’t require much embellishment – he’s a man who transforms into a bat. The inclusion of a string with hooks for aerial suspension is a brilliant touch. The sculpting, particularly on the wings and face, is superb.

Kenner BTAS Man-Bat action figure large wingspan

4. Scarecrow
This figure perfectly embodies the BTAS Scarecrow design. The face might be slightly off, perhaps blending his two distinct looks from the show, but that’s the only minor quibble. Given his evolving appearance in the series, a slightly unique figure still feels appropriate.

3. Combat Belt Batman
The top three figures are virtually interchangeable in quality. This batman the animated series batman action figure boasts a perfect suit sculpt, numerous cool accessories fitting the “combat belt” theme, and a clean, classic paint job. Honestly, there isn’t a single aspect I would change.

Kenner BTAS Combat Belt Batman action figure classic suit with accessories

2. Robin
Matching the excellence of Combat Belt Batman, this Robin figure is perfect as is. It features a fantastic sculpt, gorgeous colors true to the show, and captures his look perfectly, down to the hair and smile. The large, bright glider accessory adds significant play value. A truly great Robin figure.

1. Clayface
Taking the top spot is Matt Hagen himself. This Clayface figure is appropriately big, lumpy, and slightly grotesque. The sculpt is excellent, and the firing mace hand feature is undeniably awesome. While hero figures often hold childhood appeal, adult collectors can truly appreciate a well-executed villain figure, especially one as cool as this Clayface.

Kenner BTAS Clayface action figure large brown sculpt with mace hand

Conclusion

Ranking the Kenner Batman: The Animated Series line reveals a collection filled with creativity, iconic representations, and yes, some odd repaints. From the fantastic Batplane and essential Combat Belt Batman action figure to the wonderfully sculpted villains like Clayface and Scarecrow, the highs are incredibly high. Even the lower-ranked figures and vehicles often possess a certain charm or amusing gimmick. This line remains a beloved part of Batman and action figure history, capturing the groundbreaking aesthetic of the show while providing countless hours of play potential. Whether you’re a long-time fan or discovering them anew, these figures hold a special place in the legacy of the Dark Knight.

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