With around seventy variations of Batman in the Pop form, how can someone be expected to pick only one? Well, if you figure it out, let me know, because I couldn’t pick any less than ten. With that said, here are my top ten personal favorites to hopefully help you in narrowing down your own decision.
Honorable Mention: Batman
The Base Batman Pop was just too hard for me to fairly rank in this list. On one hand, it’s simplicity makes it a bit boring, but on the other, that same simplicity means it doesn’t represent any particular version of Batman, making it the purest of the Batman’s on this list. It’s what I like to call the nondenominational Batman. The perfect Batman for those who don’t want to pick favorites, but to just say, “I like Batman in general.”
#10: Scarecrow Impopster (Batman)
I know this one isn’t technically Batman as the pop doesn’t include Batman in the name, but it’s in the shape of Batman, so close enough. This one’s what I refer to a Gimmick Pop, a Pop based off an existing Pop, that’s only been changed slightly. I.E. an added prop, blood spattering, palette swaps, etc. Generally, I’m not a fan of Gimmick Pop’s, but I let this one slide for solely one reason, it’s cuteness. I mean come on, look at this pop and tell me it isn’t one of the cuter Pops you’ve seen? Personally, I actually like this Pop more than the next one, but due to this Pop’s status as a Gimmick Pop, I couldn’t place it any higher in good faith.
#09: Dark Knight Trilogy Batman
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of the Nolan Trilogy, well, at least the first two parts, but something about this Pop doesn’t work for me. It’s hard to put a finger on it, but something’s off with it. Maybe it’s because the pose isn’t any different than the normal ones, or maybe it’s because there’s not enough highlights to break up all that utter blackness. I know he’s the dark knight, but there is such a thing as too dark and brooding. Either way, it’s still a decently solid Pop, it just doesn’t hold up for me compared to others on this list.
#08: New 52 Batman
Honestly, for me this is just a better and more detailed version of the base Batman Pop. Not only is the Pop more interesting looking, but so is the box. The only drawback of this Pop being that if you’re not a fan of the New 52, you probably won’t want a Pop representing that version of Batman.
#07: Batman Beyond
I’m not going to lie; I was very biased on this Pop. I grew up watching Batman Beyond, in fact it was probably one of my first introductions to the world of Batman. For that reason alone, I knew this Pop would have to be on the list. And even though this is a cool Pop that captures the character of the Terry McGinnis Batman very well, the fact that he’s not The Batman, left me hesitant to have Terry any higher up. It’s still a very cool Batman Pop from a really great Batman series.
#06: Batman V. Superman Batman
I was somewhat surprised by my own choice to include this Pop considering how much I hated Batman V. Superman, but I realized that it would be unfair to exclude a Pop solely because I didn’t like the source material. That said, Ben Affleck as Batman was one of the only competently done things in that movie so there’s that. That combined with the pose and the fact that this is one of only two Batman Pops (the other being a variant of this) to hold a Batarang eventually sold me over. With how iconic of a weapon the Batarang is, I really am surprised to find it on so few Pops.
#05: Arkham Batman
While I was tempted to put the Arkham Knight Batman here, I actually felt that it had a bit too much going on. I know, crazy considering I’ve complained about Pops that were two simple before, but this Pop has just enough going on to keep it interesting, but not too much to feel cluttered. Not to mention this Batman represents the Arkham franchise as a whole, unlike the Arkham Knight one which is specific to only that game.
#04: Darkest Knight Batman
Essentially, this is merely a better version of the Blackest Knight Batman. The only real differences being that the colors have been slightly altered and the awesome new pose. Originally. I was considering putting the Golden Age Batman Pop here instead, but ultimately decided against it because I found him too similar to the base Batman. That and his purple gloves really bothered me. I know it comes from the comic, but it kind of ruins the Pop for me. Besides on top of having a cool zombie look. this Batman also sports a tattered looking cape that I found to be a small, but very appreciated extra detail. Also, if you haven’t yet read Blackest Night, you should.
#03: Surf’s Up Batman
Okay, I know what you’re thinking, “Isn’t that a Gimmick Pop?” Yes and no. While yes this Pop does come off as pretty gimmicky, I think the gimmick here ultimately ends up representing the 1960’s Batman better than any of the other Pops based off the show do. I think what most people remember today, when they think of the 1960’s TV Batman, is all the corny and silly things Batman did. Whether it be blowing up sharks with anti-shark spray or surfing with the Joker, this version of the 1960’s Batman does the best job of capturing the wackiness that we all know and love the show for. Personality to me, is one of the greatest things a Pop can convey and this Pop definitely has a lot of personality.
#02: Unmasked Armored Batman
This one was a seriously tough. I know I wanted a Batman from the The Dark Knight Returns series, but I was very torn between putting this one, the regular armored one, or the regular unarmored Batsuit one. I also even considered including the Batman V. Superman Armored Batman, but what eventually sold me over was the age of this Batman. Sure the Batman from Batman V. Superman is older than what we typically get, but this Batman is far older, close to sixty at the time he duked it out with Superman. Plus, this is one is one of only two Batman Pops that give us a look at the man under the hood. And honestly, seeing that not even old age can stop the Batman is beyond cool to me. That combined with some nicer box art than the Batman V. Superman one was what ultimately sold me over. I would still very much recommend the other Batman’s in the Returns series though. They’re all pretty awesome.
#01: Batman The Animated Series Batman
What can I say? The best version of Batman has the best Pop. I know this wasn’t the first Batman Pop to sport this pose, but it fits him the best. With his cape blowing in the wind, his chest puffed out, and that steely determination in his eyes, I don’t know what more you could want from a Batman Pop. This Pop is oozing with personality and it does one of the best jobs of matching its style to that of its source material. The little frown was, once again, a really nice added extra detail too.
So there’s my list. Agree? Disagree? Is there a Pop I missed or a Pop I should have excluded? Comment below your thoughts and let me know your favorite and least favorite Batman Pops.
Matt Norris