Hot Toys CMS The Dark Knight Returns 1/6th Scale Collectible Figure

[histrionics]

Frank Miller's Dark Knight version of Batman is one that never really comes together well in a three-dimensional figure form*. There's always something off and it's because Miller's art was all over the place, with Batman's size/scale and proportions constantly changing throughout the Dark Knight pages. Miller was so into abstraction and expressionism at this point that consistency didn't matter as much as the raw energy of visual storytelling he could bring to the pages. That wasn't a bad thing in any way, and was in fact quite special to what made the Dark Knight so great. The whole thing was a mad mind-f***k of a trip from a writer/artist who had no restraints. If Batman's leg needed to be huge to convey a hard kick, then Miller would make it so. If Batman needed to be shown as an absolute beast, then Miller would fill a panel with Batman's shoulders. Whatever was needed to express the idea of the story, more than the traditional adherence to accuracy of anatomy.

I think this figure will look quite impressive, on a shelf, in a display, with other figures. If it's a large beast of a figure, like the Afleck Batman figures, then its mass and scale will surely be something. It really does have to dwarf other figures around it to feel like Miller's Dark Knight. If I have any criticism or suggestion, it's that this Dark Knight figure should be even wider and heftier, almost ridiculously stocky and blockish. It should almost be as wide as it is tall to approach Miller's mad vision of the character. Hot toys tends to do well with sculpts, tailoring and details, and they know how to pull a figure together nicely, so I have faith this will rock!

(* There have been a few figures that came close, like the Mafex Dark Knight and some statues that followed and closely emulated certain distinct panels of Miller's art, but for the most part there hasn't been a 1:6 articulated figure that nailed it. Well, it's probably hard to nail something that isn't fixed to begin with.)

 

[sj2106]

Quality control will likely be far superior to SSR so it's good value for my money.

They should be able to re-use the body for Superman but that probably depends on how this one sells.

A Hush license would be a dream. As well as Bats, the bat family, Superman and most of his rogues gallery. If I thought HT would go all in on comic figures like that I'd probably sell most of my movie based figures.

 

[Luisenigma1]

I'd be in also if they did a dan mora Batman. Though I do hope this means we finally get comic DC heroes. Wonder what this means for the Hono line.

 

[BoosterGold06]

 

[Luisenigma1]

Definitely getting this. I'm thinking the body isn't fully seamless but just around the torso and arms and legs have joints with padding. Or it can be a similar thing with how they did BvS Batman a padded suit.

 

[0tigadark0]

So basically all the reuse are for this figure:

Black adam torso and leg

Hono wolv's arm

BVS 2.0 neck piece

BVS 1.0 rifle

new iron-man's base


right....????

 

[dominishin]

Base also reuse.

 

[werewolf]

looks pretty good looking at it a day later. i wish they didnt paint the lips since in the comic they aren't colored in.

 

[Gipetto0812]

So basically all the reuse are for this figure:

Black adam torso and leg

Hono wolv's arm

BVS 2.0 neck piece

BVS 1.0 rifle

new iron-man's base


right....????

The torso muscles are different shapes than that of Black Adam’s. Also it’s just shaped padding adhered to the underside of the fabric to make up the muscles much like the BvS Batman figure as well as the Black Adam figure.

Legs could be from Black Adam though

Arms are not from the Hono Wolverine. You can see the elbow joint through the spandex in some of the photos

Neck piece is also not the same as Batfleck 2.0. The current main visible difference is that center of the clavicle/collarbone is sculpted on the TDKR neckpiece near the bottom center edge which is not present on the BvS 2.0

Rifle is basically the same to the BvS 1.0 but they removed the legs for the foldable stand and replaced it with the sling.

 

[Darth Meda]

Im just gonna say it. The SSR figures look way better with the proportions and sculpt

 

[Mondragon]

Wish they were also making the alter ego / Old-man Wayne [Pulpy Adventure/Doc Savage] Wayne, who reinvents himself again, from the final panel.
Can't remember who did that awesome custom.

to pair with...
Oldm-Man Logan ...

and Old-man DeLAVega...

Or this guy, all crossed over

...from yet another universe timeline,...

 

[AlanJG1]

Wish they were also making the alter ego / Old-man Wayne [Pulpy Adventure/Doc Savage] Wayne, who reinvents himself again, from the final panel.
Can't remember who did that awesome custom.

I also would have purchased old (final panel) Bruce.

It would have at least been nice for Hot Toys to include an unmasked head with this Batman since they decided not to release it through HONO.

 

[Gipetto0812]

I also would have purchased old (final panel) Bruce.

It would have at least been nice for Hot Toys to include an unmasked head with this Batman since they decided not to release it through HONO.

Knowing HT, the Bruce sculpt will come with the blue suit version down the road

 

[shadows]

I wouldn’t buy this but I’d get the armored version if it was better value than this.

 

[Gipetto0812]

I wouldn’t buy this but I’d get the armored version if it was better value than this.

Be prepared for it to be diecast and cost as much as the Armored BvS Batman 2.0

 

[Luisenigma1]

Exclusive blue variant with oval bat emblem and boot holster with grapple gun. Plus the leg pouch will probably be an option then we'll get a full Battle Damage version later on and of course armored Batman to go with Superman.

 

[batfan08]

Echoing what a lot of folks have already said: while this wouldn't have been my first choice for a comic-based Batman (mostly because there's already a number of pretty high quality 3rd party versions available), I'm just glad that the floodgates (hopefully) have opened for comic book Batman figures. Neal Adams, Jim Lee Hush, Capullo N52, Year One, etc.

Honestly, this actually gives me quite a bit of hope that we might see Alex Ross or Timmverse things. The fact that they went with one that has been so heavily promoted by third party bootleggers makes me feel like they might be starting with what they perceive as the safe bets. SSR just did an Neal Adams Bats, too, didn’t they?

 

[AlanJG1]

Here is a secret base video:

 

[Rotfish]

Frank Miller's Dark Knight version of Batman is one that never really comes together well in a three-dimensional figure form*. There's always something off and it's because Miller's art was all over the place, with Batman's size/scale and proportions constantly changing throughout the Dark Knight pages. Miller was so into abstraction and expressionism at this point that consistency didn't matter as much as the raw energy of visual storytelling he could bring to the pages. That wasn't a bad thing in any way, and was in fact quite special to what made the Dark Knight so great. The whole thing was a mad mind-f***k of a trip from a writer/artist who had no restraints. If Batman's leg needed to be huge to convey a hard kick, then Miller would make it so. If Batman needed to be shown as an absolute beast, then Miller would fill a panel with Batman's shoulders. Whatever was needed to express the idea of the story, more than the traditional adherence to accuracy of anatomy.

I think this figure will look quite impressive, on a shelf, in a display, with other figures. If it's a large beast of a figure, like the Afleck Batman figures, then its mass and scale will surely be something. It really does have to dwarf other figures around it to feel like Miller's Dark Knight. If I have any criticism or suggestion, it's that this Dark Knight figure should be even wider and heftier, almost ridiculously stocky and blockish. It should almost be as wide as it is tall to approach Miller's mad vision of the character. Hot toys tends to do well with sculpts, tailoring and details, and they know how to pull a figure together nicely, so I have faith this will rock!

(* There have been a few figures that came close, like the Mafex Dark Knight and some statues that followed and closely emulated certain distinct panels of Miller's art, but for the most part there hasn't been a 1:6 articulated figure that nailed it. Well, it's probably hard to nail something that isn't fixed to begin with.)

My favorite take on Miller Bats has been Prime 1's TDKR 1/3 statue. Still nowhere near as blocky as he appears in the panels, but he looks properly beastly nonetheless. Love their headsculpts, too.

In figure form, he always comes out looking deformed. Jointed bodies give him a weird silhouette and seamless bodies make him look gooey and rotund. Add to that the fabric suit which stretches and hides muscle definition and you wind up with a toyish-looking blob.

 

[slynger]

The P1 piece is good. I think HT should’ve included the battle-worn Bruce portrait.