The Batman and Batcycle sixth scale action figure set are the latest Movie Masterpiece releases by Hot Toys, taken from the imminent The Flash (2023) movie. Check out this impressively detailed celebration of Ben Affleck’s Batman, now available to pre-order from Sideshow Collectibles.
We’re coming out of the era of DCEU movies that have jumpstarted the DC cinematic universe before James Gunn’s God and Monsters chapter of projects. Taking a different route to Marvel Studios’ juggernaut of continuity (which always runs the risk of alienating newcomers), instead, we had the just a loose sense that all these movies, while independent, existed in the same universe and through it all, Ben Affleck was our Batman.
With the upcoming release of the multiverse-hopping The Flash, all the talk has been of Michael Keaton’s return as Bruce Wayne, but we shouldn’t overlook that not only does Affleck return, but it’s set to be his penultimate appearance as the Dark Knight. Last year, Affleck publicly announced his retirement from the role before filming the supporting appearances in both The Flash and the upcoming Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023).
While we’re not expecting him to have a huge part in The Flash, the trailer shows Affleck as Bruce Wayne providing sage advice to Barry Allen about the dangers of time travel. More excitingly, however, (sorry, I’m a sucker for the big action moments) we also see Affleck’s Batman tearing up the streets on his monstrous Batcycle, and it’s this moment that Hot Toys have seized upon in their tribute to the actor and the character.
For Director Zack Snyder’s Batman movies Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017), the Batsuit was a more traditional muscle-suit with the stocky appearance of Frank Miller’s Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (1986). For The Flash, we have layers of armor that might befit a traditional knight, layers that make for an intricately detailed high-end action figure.
From the three versions of lower face, as well as rolling eyeballs, hidden joints and the multiple accessories, this figure has all bases covered, and you’ll be relieved to know that the cape is wire fabric for tailored dynamic posing.
Then there’s that awesome Batcycle, looking like the younger sibling of the big-wheeled, heavily armored Batmobile that appeared in the Justice League movie. With weathered paintwork that matches Batman’s costume, this Batcycle replica measures 56.5cm in length and features LED light-up head and taillights. With adjustable handlebar rotating rubber wheels, the vehicle also comes with an attachable vehicle ramming accessory.
Both items are sold separately, so you have my sympathies if you were only planning to order one of them!
Ben Affleck’s appearance in The Flash is important, not just as a multiple Batman gimmick, but to counterbalance the appearance of Batman from Earth-789. Affleck’s Batman is the grounding base level from which we can jump to other versions of the character. In a recent interview for The Hollywood Reporter Affleck provided a comment about the movie that was both intriguing and initially concerning:
Yeah, I did finally figure out how to play that character [Batman], and I nailed it in The Flash. For the five minutes I’m there, it’s really great.
So we can expect Ben Affleck’s most assured performance as Bruce Wayne, but also one which is apparently brief. Personally, I think that Affleck is downplaying his part in the film, maybe as a glib joke, or maybe to level expectations. The final trailer for The Flash sees him in the Batcave, on the street at night, jumping through an explosion as Batman, and of course burning rubber on the Batcycle. If that all happens in just five minutes, I’m bringing a seatbelt for this movie.
Either way, it looks set to be an awesome swansong, and this Batman and Batcycle sixth scale action figure set is a fitting homage to the occasion.
The Batman and Batcycle sixth scale action figure set is available to pre-order from Sideshow Collectibles.
Batman and Batcycle Product details:
“Worlds are colliding in The Flash when Barry Allen uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to alter the events of the past. On this top-speed journey, he meets an alternate-universe version of Batman in the next evolution of Batsuit too! How exciting!
Exploring a multiverse of DC Comics heroes and gadgets in The Flash movie, Sideshow and Hot Toys proudly present the Batman and Batcycle Sixth Scale Figure Set to expand on The Flash collectible series!
The highly-detailed Batman collectible figure features a newly developed cowled head with separate rolling eyeballs and three interchangeable lower faces that capture different expressions, an extra cowled head with separate rolling eyeballs and seamless neck joint; also a specialized body highlighting his muscular physique. The screen-accurate Batman outfit in silver-grey scheme embellished with distinct texture shows signs of weathering, comes with adjustable armors around the chest and foot, a sculpted utility belt in metallic gold and wired fabric cape; detailed weapons including a grapple device, Batarangs. and a specially designed LED lighted display stand with Batman logo.
Based on the exciting vehicle seen in The Flash trailer, the one-sixth scale Batcycle Sixth Scale Accessory is recreated with extreme precision and fine painting applications, measures 56.5cm in length, features LED light-up function design (USB power operated) on head and tail lights, adjustable-degree handlebar and wheels, rotatable rubber wheels given a realistic tread pattern, an attachable vehicle ramming accessory, also highly-accurate mechanical details showcased on the side-mounted weapons, engine, frame, and exhaust, comes with display bases.”
Images and Press Release Courtesy of Sideshow Collectibles
