I am making it a point to reduce my penchant for procrastination, so since the DC Signature Series just wrapped up with the release of Damien Wayne, it seems like the right time to get this DC Universe Classics Archive up and running. While he was not the first figure in the line (according to the numbering), Batman is a good character to start us off.
Here is how it is going to work: once a week from now until the foreseeable future, I am going to complete an entry for a DCUC/DC Signature Series figure for the purposes of archiving the entire line here at the site in a consistent format. It is ambitious, and it will certainly take some time given the sheer amount of figures released in the Mattel lines utilizing the Four Horsemen designs, but now that the line has gone into the sunset, we have nothing but time to get this done. Additionally, at some point during this year, we will have a landing page for the DCUC (and Marvel Legends) Archive, so everything will be in one spot with organization based on series and individual figure numbers.
That means we are going in order, but that will start with the next entry. I know that Orion was technically the first numbered figure in the first series, but Bats is (arguably) the anchor for the entire DC Universe, so we will get us started off with some solid brand recognition. We will have Orion next, then be on track with the Penguin for the rest of the line’s run* — you get the idea. I am going to keep these mostly fact-based, but if there are some historical anecdotes (that I can remember at this point), I will share those as well. If you are looking for a comprehensive look at the line as a (almost) whole, please check out our DCUC Retrospective. Also, I am an “opener,” so many figures will NOT included packaged picture. Sorry.
*PLEASE NOTE: We will eventually circle up with a rundown of the unique DC Superheroes figures that did not show up in the DCUC line, but since the latter is the real “granddaddy” of DC lines, we are putting our focus here first.
Vital Statistics
Figure: Classic Detective Batman
Company: Mattel
Design: Four Horsemen Studios
Order: DC Universe Classics Series 1, Figure 2
Release: 2007 (December)
Collect & Connect Piece: RIGHT ARM of Rex Mason (Metamorpho)
Accessories: Batarang, Grappling Gun
Scale: 1:12
MSRP: $9.99
Variant: N/A
Articulation
- Ball-Joint Head
- Neck Peg
- Ball-Joint Shoulder (x2)
- Biceps Swivel (x2)
- Elbow Hinge (x2)
- Wrist Twist (x2)
- Abdominal Hinge
- Waist Twist
- Hip Hinge (x2)
- Hip Cut (x2)
- Thigh Swivel (x2)
- Knee Hinge (x2)
- Ankle Hinge (x2)
TOTAL: 22 Points of Articulation
Background Information
DC Universe Classics was the DC action figure line that collectors had been waiting for. Since the outset of Marvel Legends, collectors had been looking for a complimentary line for all of the DC Universe counterparts, and Mattel (the DC Master License holder) finally delivered. While it took some time to gain access to the entire DC stable, DCUC Series 1 was the first offering that gave us non-Batman and Superman characters in this new 1:12 scale with super articulation. Mattel enlisted the services of the Four Horsemen Design Studio, and that team handled the design, sculpts, prototyping, and paint masters for the entire run of the line.
Classic Detective Batman was placed in the first “anchor” slot in the line, and while the figure would be the topic of debate for various reasons (including the black paint on the mask), it remained the standard and only Batman figure released under the DCUC banner for over a year. DCUC as a line also took several cues from the classic Super Powers action-figure line, and that influence was apparent right from the start in everything from character selection to style. “Classic Detective” was used a moniker that hearkened back to Batman’s Silver/Bronze Age look, that also coincides with the Super Powers design.
DCUC was, for the most part, built around two primary base male bodies, and Batman was constructed on the larger and more muscular of the two. Going forward, this Batman figure will be used to demonstrate the scale association of the line for all future characters.
After Words
Though it seems fashionable to hate on this line a bit now, DCUC remains one of my favorite action figure lines of all time. I collected the line in completion and I still have my collection proudly displayed. The Classic Detective Batman really set the pace for expectations for the future of the line, and for the most part, characters were captured in their most iconic looks. This is the Batman that existed for most of my childhood, and while I grew to prefer a more modern look for the character (dark blue with solid black chest symbol), I still love this look for Bats, and it is very important to both the comic book and toy worlds.
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