Hot Toys John Blake and Jim Gordon with Bat-Signal review

I was going to build a poker table this summer, but now constructing a miniature GCPD building seems more in line with what I really need in this house! Sideshow Collectibles was kind enough to send Batman News a sample of the new John Blake and Jim Gordon with Bat-Signal by Hot Toys and I’m eager to show you all what these pieces have to offer.

Credits

John Blake Sixth Scale Figure Artists:

• Yong Kyum, Kim (Head Sculpt)
• Hong (Head Paint)
• Kojun (Head Art Direction)

Jim Gordon Sixth Scale Figure Artists:

• K.A. Kim (Head Sculpt)
• Hong (Head Paint)
• Kojun (Head Art Direction)

Unboxing

The box itself has a nice presentation, what with the moody black and white photo of all three toys together and that attractive copper border. It’s a huge box and inside is an equally large piece of artwork featuring that spectacular shot of the Bat-Signal in the night’s sky from The Dark Knight’s “You got more chance of winning the Powerball than running into him!” scene.

Behind the interior artwork are the toys encased in plastic. As you can see, there are a variety of accessories and the signal will require a few minutes of assembly, but lets talk about the cops first.

The John Blake Sixth Scale Figure

The sculpt of both figures is remarkably lifelike, but I found Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s likeness to be the most impressive. The way they’ve captured every feature and perfectly painted his skin and hair is truly astounding, and like all Hot Toys, if you angle them toward the light just right their eyes look almost wet.

Blake wears quite a few layers and they’re all accurate to what you saw on the screen. The collar reads GCPD, he has all of his patches, badge, nametag, etc. etc. The buttons on his shirt and jacket could very well be delicate, however since the packaging did include a small packet of extras you can glue on in case of an accident. Also included is a handsome belt with functioning pockets for the flashlight, handgun, clips (with visible bullets), radio, and cuffs. The cuffs are just like those that came with the ’66 Robin, but they’ve been painted a shimmering silver. It’s also worth mentioning that the radio fastens nicely to the shoulder of Blake’s uniform. You’ll also receive a collection of interchangeable hands designed for holding each of these accessories and weapons.

(A complete list of all clothes, weapons, and accessories included with each character can be found by clicking the spoiler tag following their respective blurb)

The Jim Gordon Sixth Scale Figure

Gordon is almost exactly like the SWAT edition that Hot Toys released for The Dark Knight, but here he’s seen wearing his usual work attire, is painted to look a little more weathered, and he’s equipped with different accessories like files and folders (they’re tiny, but surprisingly legible) regarding an anonymous vigilante– you’ll have to borrow Blake’s gun, unfortunately. The files he’s holding and the clothes Gordon is wearing can be seen in The Dark Knight Rises’ closing montage, however Gordon’s hair was noticeably longer than this in The Dark Knight Rises. Part of me wishes that the designers had also included the scarf that Gordon wore through most of the film, but that garment is absent here. I love the authentic look of this figure, his versatile articulation, and the level of detail put into every thread of clothing. As a kid, I always wanted a Gordon and an Alfred toy, but they just didn’t exist back then so it definitely makes me happy too finally have a Commissioner to call on the Batman. However, while appearing flawless at a glance, there is one glaring mistake that any Bat-fan will surely notice about this toy: the stand.

Like Blake, Gordon comes with a stand that features The Dark Knight Rises title and logo printed on its base, plus a nameplate. Unfortunately, Hot Toys apparently cut corners and used the same nameplate design they employed for the SWAT figure from The Dark Knight. What’s the problem with that? We get a Dark Knight Rises stand that reads “Lt. Jim Gordon” when Jimbo hasn’t been a lieutenant since Joker clapped his hands in the MCU lockup. The nameplate should read “Commissioner” to reflect the rank Gordon held in The Dark Knight Rises.

1/6th Scale Bat-Signal

While our two officers certainly showcase the famous Hot Toys quality and are sure to make fans gasp in awe, the item with the most wow-factor here is definitely the Bat-Signal. This thing is incredibly cool and surprisingly powerful. Hot Toys has absolutely proven themselves when it comes to creating lifelike miniaturized people, and it turns out that they can deliver the same breathtaking artistry with pop culture’s most famous searchlight.

It’s exactly like what you saw in the films, right down to its weather patina and bolted base (only this one is skid- and scratch-resistant to preserve your tabletop). The swiveling signal turns a complete 360 degrees and can be adjusted to point all the way up at 90 degrees if you’d rather illuminate the ceiling rather than the walls. It’s powered by an ultra-bright LED light that switches on manually with a hidden switch or remotely with an included control adorned with The Dark Knight Rises logo. However, the remote is rather wimpy and you need to be aiming at the signal from just the right angle to get a response. Assembly is easy and the remote comes with its own battery, but unfortunately you’ll have to buy your own AAA batteries for the signal itself (which is kind of insulting for a $400 collectible).

This is a must-own piece for collectors of any of the Nolan figures, but it looks just as awesome with any other Batman-themed display or all by itself on your office desk or as a conversation piece added among your living room furniture.

• Approximately 25 cm tall
• Specially painted with distress effects
• LED light-up function with remote control
• 360° rotatable base

Overall

If you have a Hot Toys Batman or any other valued Batman figures on display in your home or office, having a functioning Bat-Signal takes your showcase to a whole new level. If you have the coin for it, then you can buy this three-piece set without any regrets. Each item looks exactly like its real-life counterpart from sculpt to paint to movie-accurate clothing. This set is expected to ship in August, but you can pre-order now. Just head over to Sideshow Collectibles by clicking HERE. A two-piece set featuring only Blake and the Bat-Signal is also available for $279.99.