I just ordered this today (Batman only, not Wayne) with the 2016MAR $20 off code at Sideshow.
I've been looking for an "ultimate" Batman for some time, a Batman that really combines every element of the character that I enjoy, and I've been doing research for awhile. I sold off the '89 Batman because while it was cool and all, after awhile I started thinking it just wasn't "grim" and "menacing" enough--he just didn't look like enough of a badass. I had high hopes at first for the Arkham Batman, but after watching Clippeking's review I passed--the Arkham Bats is definitely menacing and grim, but the body is way too buff and his face looks pudgy. Also the suit looks like a nightmare to work with. Batman has to be lithe enough to move, he needs a body that's more like a gymnast than a wrestler. Finally, I hated the horns on the Arkham Batman's helmet--the length was fine but the way they lean in toward each other just looked wrong. Looking at the Arkham Batman figure, I thought to myself, "If only he had a cowl like Keaton's Batman did." Hmm.
When the Affleck Batman was announced I was torn--on the one hand the costume design looked good in the movie trailers, but on the other hand it was Ben Affleck. When I saw pics of the figure I crossed it off the list. Pot Belly Pajamas Batman will not be part of my collection. As for the armored version, I don't need an Iron-Batman. I need a Batman.
Then I gave Clipperking's review of the Returns Batman a look. I had been ignoring it as an option because I assumed it would be a copy of the 89 Batman with slightly different body armor, but I was wrong. The headsculpt is much better. It looks a smidgen less like Michael Keaton--95% to the original's 100%-- but that's okay, because I don't need a Michael Keaton Batman in particular, I need an "ultimate" Batman: one Batman figure on my shelf to represent the character in general next to all my other movie versions of superheroes. And the headsculpt on the Returns Batman brings something the 89 Batman never did, and Clipperking picked up on this immediately--it brings menace. This Batman wants to hurt you. He stands taller and he looks meaner. He's looking right at you and he's planning how to take you down.
So I'm happy now. And Batman is angry, as he should be.
