If you're a hardcore Batman fan with disposable income, simply collecting graphic novels and DVDs isn't enough. What better way to show your love for the Caped Crusader than assembling a collection of statues and busts depicting the hero in all his three-dimensional glory? Luckily, with Batman being as popular as he is, there's been no shortage of high-end collectibles to choose from over the years.
As part of our ongoing celebration of Batman's 75th anniversary, we've decided to spotlight the 10 coolest Batman statues of all time. But first, a few ground rules. In the interest of narrowing down the pool of candidates, we limited our selections to statues and busts, not action figures, LEGO sets, and so forth. We also limited our choices to statues that feature Batman himself in some capacity, so statues featuring just characters like Joker, Catwoman, Batgirl, etc. were out of the running. And finally, this list includes only products that have been released and are officially licensed by DC.
With that in mind, check out our picks for the greatest Batman statues, and let us know what your favorites are in the comments section below.
10
Batman: The Animated Series - Batman Maquette
Released 2004
For all that Batman: The Animated Series is lauded as being one of the greatest (if not the greatest) interpretations of Batman, there have been surprisingly few collectibles geared towards capturing Bruce Timm's distinctive art style. Even fewer have been based on Timm's original character designs rather than the New Batman Adventures redesigns.
If you want a statue depicting Batman in all his 1992-era animated glory, look no further than this maquette from DC's Classic Animation Series line. The pose is a little plain, but that's kind of the point of a maquette. What matters is that Timm's design has been translated perfectly to 3D. This Batman is stoic, imposing, and a fitting homage to such a great animated series. Good luck finding one for anywhere close to the original price, though.
9
Batman: Black & White by Jock Statue
Released 2012
DC's Batman: Black and White line is dedicated to bringing various artistic interpretations of Batman to life with a unique, monotone approach. The statues are fairly small (roughly the same scale as DC's action figures), but they're also a heck of a lot cheaper than most other Batman collectibles.
Easily one of DC's finest efforts so far has been the Jock statue, based on the artist's collaboration with Scott Snyder for the "Black Mirror" storyline. The dynamic pose is a far cry from the usual crop of statues depicting Batman looming or getting ready to throw a Batarang. With the billowing cape and twisted grappling cable, there's a real sense of motion to this piece. It has a presence that goes above and beyond most of the B&W pieces. And it's always nice to see a statue depicting Dick Grayson as Batman for a change.
8
Hush: Batman and Catwoman Kiss Statue
Released 2014
Batman statues based on Jim Lee's artwork are nothing new at this point. But this most recent Hush statue is easily one of the best and most faithful to Lee's art. The statue is closely based on Lee's splash image depicting Batman and Catwoman's passionate kiss. Thanks to Tim Bruckner's top-notch sculpting, every fold of Batman's cape and bulge of his muscle has been faithfully translated to 3D form. Even the billowing fog of the Gotham night has been included.
It's tough to understand just how impressive this statue looks until you see it in person. The enormous base and the fact that you're essentially getting two statues in one help make the $250 price tag more palatable.
7
Detective Comics #38: Batman and Robin Statue
Released 2003
All of our picks so far have been devoted to more contemporary interpretations of Batman, but there have been some great retro-style statues as well. Perhaps none is better than this piece, which adapts the iconic cover to Detective Comics #38 and celebrates Robin's very first appearance.
In some ways, it's much more difficult to translate the work of Golden Age artists to 3D than it is more modern creators like Jim Lee, but Tim Bruckner delivered another winner with this sculpt. Bob Kane's cover is elegantly brought to life, and the image of Robin leaping onto the stage offers a striking design to add to your Batman collection. The various Robins aren't terribly well represented in statue form, but at least the Dynamic Duo have this piece to celebrate their partnership.
6
The Dark Knight Returns: Call to Arms Statue
Released 2013
As you might expect, several companies focused a lot of attention on The Dark Knight Returns-themed collectibles in 2012 and 2013 with the release of the two-part animated movie. But of all those pieces, it's hard to top DC's Call to Arms statue for presence and sheer novelty. How many other statues depict Batman atop a majestic steed?
The Call to Arms statue is easily one of the best attempts at capturing Frank Miller's distinctive art style. This Batman is grim, gritty, and bulging with muscle and sinew. But it's the horse that takes the piece to another level. It gives the piece mass, making it easily one of DC's larger Batman statues. And it tells a story of Batman charging into battle and rallying an army to save a powerless Gotham City.
The Dark Knight: Batman Life-Size Bust
Released 2013
We haven't been terribly impressed with the various statues and busts based on the live-action Batman films over the years. That's one area where collectors are better off focusing on high-end action figures from companies like Hot Toys and Enterbay rather than statues. But the one exception to date is this pricey but very impressive life-size bust from Hollywood Collectibles Group.
This bust offers a museum-worthy depiction of Christian Bale's Batman as he appeared in The Dark Knight. Every detail is spot-on, from the shape of his jaw to the intricate design of his armor. The bust even includes an alternate head so collectors can display Batman in his sonar mode. Even at original MSRP, this is easily one of the most expensive Batman pieces on the market. But if you have $800 to spend, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more stunning depiction of the Dark Knight Detective.
4
Batman ArtFX Statue
Released 2006
2012 re-release
As a counterpoint to the previous pick, there are statues geared towards the Batman fanatic who craves an eye-catching piece of sculpture but doesn't want to spend a lot of money. That demographic has become Kotobukiya's niche over the years. Their ArtFX line foregoes the traditional polystone material for a PVC plastic. Not only are these statues less fragile, they're also much cheaper.
2006 version
The Batman ArtFX statue is another piece based on the ever-popular Hush storyline andJim Lee's art style. The piece offers a fairly simple but elegant depiction of Batman gathering his torn cape about him. Originally released back in 2006, the statue received a few sculpting tweaks and a new (and vastly improved) paint job when it was re-released in 2012. Yes, the display base is pretty simple and no-frills, but considering that you can acquire a 1:6 scale Batman statue this well executed for $100 or less, it's a worthy trade-off.
3
Batman Premium Format Figure
Released 2013
Sideshow only recently acquired the DC license, so their lineup of DC heroes and villains is pretty sparse compared to their Marvel offerings. Unsurprisingly, they've chosen to focus heavily on the Batman franchise out of the gate. And their Batman Premium Format Figure certainly has what it takes to run with the greats.
Like most Premium Format Figures, this Batman is a mixed-media statue. He features a cloth costume over a powerfully sculpted body. The cape is fully sculpted, meanwhile, and its mass of billowing folds gives this statue incredible presence. The intricately detailed gargoyle base is also a work of art in its own right. The statue includes two swappable heads, plus an alternate hand holding a Batarang if you were lucky enough to snag the Sideshow-exclusive version.
The Batman Premium Format could almost claim the title of greatest Batman statue ever if not for a few annoying flaws. The tailoring on the costume could be a little tighter, and both heads depict Bats with an odd 5 o'clock shadow. Minor nitpicks, perhaps, but at $400, the statue should have been flawless. Fans will just have to settle for "really, really cool."
2006 version
At this point, the Batman: Black & White line has swelled to over 50 pieces, with no signs of the series slowing down. But we have yet to see any of these statues beat this early effort from 2006. Who would have thought Mike Mognola's art style would transition so well to 3D?
It's certainly a challenge to convert a style that hinges on heavy shadows and angular, almost abstract character designs from paper to statue. Sculptor Jonathan Matthews succeeded by giving this piece a woodcut feel. This statue has been chipped and gouged until it looks like a Mignola drawing come to life. The Black & White theme really becomes integral, as the stark shades of black and gray highlight the dramatic shapes. Matthews managed the unique accomplishment of making a 3D statue look like a 2D illustration.
2012 re-release
Because of its amazing execution, this statue has become one of the most rare Black & White pieces over the years. Even the 2012 re-release (which featured a modified and somewhat inferior paint scheme) is pretty difficult to track down these days. So if you ever find the opportunity to own this statue for a reasonable price, take it.
1
Classic Confrontations: Batman vs. Killer Croc Statue
Released 2009
2009 version
It's one thing to see a simple, elegant depiction of Batman standing on a rooftop and surveying his city, but sometimes you just want a statue featuring Batman in action and battling his fiercest villains. In that case, look no further than the Batman vs. Killer Croc diorama. It remains the Batman statue to end all Batman statues even five years after its original release.
The statue depicts a powerful clash between Batman and his reptilian foe. Croc is exploding out of the sewer, wrapped in Batman's rope, riddled with Batarangs, and in the midst of receiving a swift knee to the face. The finer details on this piece never cease to amaze. Whether it's the lovingly crafted scales on Croc's hide or the tears in Batman's costume that reveal the armored plating underneath, this really is a work of art.
2013 re-release
Between the statue's instant popularity and the fact that so many pieces were damaged in transit, the Batman vs. Killer Croc diorama quickly became one of the most expensive and sought-after DC statues out there. Until recently, it was common for eBay auctions to sell for upwards of $1000. Luckily, DC re-released the statue last year with a new paint scheme and a more reasonable price tag. But don't expect that price to remain lower forever.
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