A great big box of Funko goodness recently came to my door, and I’m working my way through it. Two of the choicest cuts in the box are the 1989 and 1997 Batman POP!s. For those of you ignorant of the cinematic history of the greatest fictional character on Earth, those years refer to Tim Burton’s Batman and Joel Schumacher’s Batman and Robin. So how do the POP!s do at capturing these two very different Batmans? Read on.
Keaton, or “I’m Batman”
What are some of the things that come to your mind when you think about the ’89 Batsuit? For me, the emblem on his chest comes first. It’s a lot like the most popular “yellow oval” from the comics, but it’s got some tweaks—most notably, that funky tail. Next, I’d say it’s probably the gold utility belt: really simple aesthetic, two capsule-looking features that don’t appear to serve any actual function, but nevertheless look pretty cool.
Those are the two biggest for me, and Funko nails them here. We also get a Batarang, some molded abs, and a cowl that is close enough (especially the indents at the top front of the head), though POP!ed-out enough to be a little less obvious. Overall, this is a great look, distinctly ’89, and well worth adding to your collection.
Clooney, or “Where have all the nipples gone?”
*THANKS TO SOME COMMENTERS, MY IGNORANCE HAS BEEN REVEALED. NO NIPPLES ON THE ICE SUIT IN THE FILM, EITHER. I REGRET THE ERROR, BUT NOT THE NIPPLES.
So what are the top two things you think about when you picture George Clooney’s Batsuit? If you said anything other than “nipples” or “massive codpiece,” then I’m putting you on notice: I know you’re a fraud, that you’ve never seen the film, and that you live 300 feet beneath the surface of the earth with all of the other moloids. [Update 3/31 11:56AM ET] Like me!
So, how does Funko do with these two prominent features? The codpiece is kinda-sorta there, though I would have loved to see a bit more commitment. But the nipples? WHERE THE HECK ARE THE NIPPLES? This cannot stand. I would be less alarmed if the POP! had arrived with no head than with no Batnips. This is a travesty. [Update 3/31 11:56 AM ET] I am a travesty. With nipples.
Yes, it has the color right. Yes, it has the crazy Bat-emblem more or less correct. But no nipples?
That’s just wrong. [Update 3/31 11:56 AM ET] Alternative explanation, I’m just wrong.
Overall
Absence of Clooney’s Batnipples notwithstanding, these are a pack of mighty fine film-based Batman POP!s. They hit the most significant notes (EXCEPT FOR THE NIPPLES), and they are undeniably the Batmans they aim to be (EXCEPT FOR CLOONEY WITH HIS MISSING NIPPLES). You can get these now from a variety of major retailers (IF YOU DON’T MIND NOT HAVING ANY NIPPLES). [Update 3/31 11:56 AM ET] Or if you want a film-accurate Ice Suit, because I was wrong about the nippers being on that one.
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