Re: Hot Toys – MMS 293 & 294 Batman Returns: Batman and Bruce Wayne (Keaton) Set
I bet this figure was developed and finished up around 2012, which would explain it's basic nature and similarity to the DX 09. Why it would take them 3 additional years to finally get it out there is beyond me. Still, I do love it though, I think the sculpt of the cowl and body suit is perfect. It doesn't look like a mixed medium figure on the shelf, it looks like a carved statue or something.
There's a lot of factors contributing to this being a boring release and I think that comes down to options. Like a-dev and myself have stated numerous times, this Batman really needed an angry and smiling mouth for variety. They could have pushed the envelope a tiny bit more in terms of a less restrictive body. The solid boots after having perfect ankle rockers with the DX 09 Keaton, Reeve Superman and Bale figures is kinda inexcusable. Then there's the coup de grace, the lack of glider and a mediocre Bruce Wayne sculpt. It reminds me of the Police Shootout T-800 Hot Toys did. It's in no way a bad figure, but after years of anticipation, it ended up being a "meh" release with too many shortcuts. If these had come out a few years ago, I don't think we'd all be as critical. They had a lot of time to get this right. That's why I'm so thankful for the Battle Damaged Robocop and Murphy set. I don't know what lit a fire under their ass to knock that one out of the park, but I'm glad they did.
Also, maybe I'm wrong here, but I think this would seem a little less boring with a ****ing Catwoman and Penguin displayed alongside him. I'm glad we got him, but no Catwoman and Penguin is a misfire, especially when you think back to 2011 when they released Batman and Joker on the same exact day, back to back, side to side. They blew it here.
