Harvey Bullock - B:TAS (DC Collectibles)

Harvey Bullock is a Gotham City Police Detective who does not appreciate Batman very much. He's often partnered with Renee Montoya.

Bullock appeared sporadically in comics but I know him best from Batman: The Animated Series where he's less corrupt and more inept.

He's the epitome of a rumpled plainclothes detective in the noir-ish 30's/90's world of animated Gotham City.

Zatanna - B:TAS (DC Collectibles)

When Bruce Wayne was in training to become Batman he studied under the great stage magician Zatara to learn the art of escapology. Using the alias "John Smith" he caught the eye of Zatara's daughter Zatanna which was all revealed in the excellent episode that bears her name. I feel like a broken record when talking about this line of figures because as usual Zatanna looks like she stepped off the screen but she can't really stay upright without her stand. She comes with her wand/cane, some alternate hands and the signed poster from the end of the episode. Zatanna is a regular stage magician in this episode and so her costume makes sense on that level. Every so often someone tries to give her a more "superheroic" costume but she inevitably reverts back to something resembling her original costume from 1964.

Holiday Joker - B:TAS (DC Collectibles)

Hailing from the second produced episode of Batman: the Animated Series and the first to feature the Joker we have the Clown Prince of Crime in the relaxed festive garb he wore hosting "Christmas with the Joker"

This figure is the 37th released in the combined B:TAS/The New Batman Adventures line. I have been very strict with myself about only collecting the B:TAS figures and I nearly passed up this Joker but snagged him on an impulse just before I moved this past summer. It being the holiday season I thought it most appropriate to spotlight this figure now. I also finally realised that I should use a different coloured background for figures that are lighter coloured but didn't have anything really handy besides the backing card.

Mad Hatter - B:TAS (DC Collectibles)

Jervis Tetch is obsessed with the works of Lewis Carroll and uses his mind-control technology to facilitate his crimes as the Mad Hatter. In the animated series he was voiced by Roddy McDowall. This Mad Hatter figure looks like he jumped right off the screen but his long coat basically nullifies his leg articulation. He comes with alternate hands, a crazy axe and some kind of control panel for mind control shenanigans. Also that creepy creepy grin.

Harley Quinn - B:TAS (DC Collectibles)

Definitely the most popular character created for Batman: the Animated Series, Harley Quinn made the jump into comics and is currently starring in her own series as well as being a member of the modern Suicide Squad. Unfortunately the powers that be decided to meddle with her practically perfect design and now she barely has a costume. But I digress...

Commissioner Gordon - B:TAS (DC Collectibles)

Batman's staunchest ally in the GCPD is Commissioner Gordon. The bespectacled leader of the Gotham Police is dressed in some snazzy threads that would look equally at home in the 1940's as the 1990's. I love his Astroboy-esque cowlick that would defy 3-D rendering but they managed to make it work. His overcoat is some sort of rubber that allows for a decent range of movement. Accessories are limited to the now standard alt-hands, a revolver, and a bullhorn.

The Penguin - B:TAS (DC Collectibles)

Oswald Cobblepot is the character whose design is most greatly influenced by "Batman Returns." The Penguin is slightly less gross in his animated form than Danny DeVito was in the film. But it's certainly a less colourful look than his comics counterpart. I'm solidly in the "B:TAS" camp as opposed to the "New Adventures" looks but the Penguin might be the one case where I prefer the redesign. The New Adventures cast Penguin as the semi-legitimate owner of the Iceberg Lounge, got rid of the funky flipper fingers, gave him a haircut and tossed him into a tuxedo. This figure is fun though the articulation is quite limited because of his rotundity.

Joker - B:TAS (DC Collectibles)

I don't think anyone can dispute that the Joker is Batman's greatest foe. The B:TAS version is one of the best depictions of the Joker largely due to Mark Hamill's outstanding voice work. This figure has the standard articulation for the line and comes with a pearl necklace, a telescope, a bubble helmet, an ice pick, and a comb. This figure captures the madness and frantic creepiness of the animated Joker design.

Catwoman - B:TAS (DC Collectibles)

Selina Kyle is Catwoman, one of Batman's most recognizable foes and one of the few that tries to get into his pants. Her animated series appearance takes the 1980's/Batman Returns catsuit but gives it a classic tweak. The black and grey are very reminiscent of the bat himself though her belt looks like she stole it from Black Widow's 1970s wardrobe. It's a sleek look that works quite well. Her leg articulation is not great as is typical with these figures but her arms and neck are good.

The Riddler - B:TAS (DC Collectibles)

E. Nygma is the Riddler and he has the best pun for a real name ever. This figure is great. He's got a smarmy grin and a slick simplified costume design. He comes with a cane, some alternate hands, and a rack of Wacko Toys.

Ra's al Ghul - B:TAS (DC Collectibles)

Ra's al Ghul, the Demon's Head is probably the most significant Bat-villain to come out of the 1970's. He antagonizes the "Detective" in several classic episodes of the animated series voiced by David Warner who gives the character a chilling nobility. My original plan was to only get Batman and Robin from this series but the Mask of the Phantasm 2-pack was too good of a way to get Batman plus another character I enjoyed as a child. This led to the door being nudged ajar for other characters from this series to trickle into my collection and the first had to be Ra's (regardless of how you pronounce his name).

Robin - B:TAS (DC Collectibles)

Robin the Boy Wonder has been Batman's sidekick since 1940 so his inclusion in Batman: the Animated Series was a must. For this take on Batman's world Dick Grayson is a teenager at the end of high school/beginning of university. His costume is based on the then-new Tim Drake version of Robin designed by Neal Adams and incorporating long-pants at least 20 years overdue. The original figure from the B:TAS line was a redeco of a Robin figure from the Batman Returns action figure line and thus sports an incongruous six pack of abs with his animated style head. This figure is more true to the actual animation model of Robin.

Phantasm - Mask of the Phantasm 2-pack (DC Collectibles)

The Phantasm is the main antagonist in the film Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, though the Joker gets some love too. The Phantasm is loosely based on the comics character The Reaper but their stories differ. Follow the link if you want 24 year old spoilers: http://dcau.wikia.com/wiki/Phantasm.
The design of the Phantasm is sleek and classic. I'm definitely glad I picked up this set.

Batman - Mask of the Phantasm 2-pack (DC Collectibles)

Everyone knows Batman. Not everyone knows that this is my favourite Batman. I was the perfect age when Batman: the Animated Series first graced the airwaves and it remains my idealized interpretation of the character.  In 1993 Batman: Mask of the Phantasm premiered in theatres as the first feature length DC Animated Film. I didn't see it in theatres but I do remember quite excitedly renting it on VHS at the first opportunity. When DC Collectibles started releasing figures based on B:TAS I resisted buying any as I hardly needed to buy more toys. However when I found this two-pack at my local comic shop I caved. It was just too much of a nostalgia storm to leave on the shelf.
These figures in general are excellent in their translation of the animated designs into three dimensions but their articulation is only alright (Though I may be spoiled by my S.H. Figuarts collection in that regard).