Batman (2003 toy line)

In 2003, DC rewarded the rights to produce Batman, Superman, and Justice League/Justice League Unlimited figures to Mattel. Mattel, who took over production from Hasbro, released their first original comic-style toy line, Batman, in 2003, and it lasted until summer 2005.

Overview
These 6" figures featured around ten points of articulation: swivel neck, waist, gloves and hips, hinged knees, and ball jointed shoulders. The only exceptions are the Robin figure, which lost waist articulation, and the Superman figure who was released in a two-pack with Batman and had new hinged elbows and ankles.

History
The line was released in comic stores in April 2003 and later at mass market retailers in September. The shipment for each wave included: Batman (re-released in later waves), a sidekick (either Robin or Nightwing), a villain, and three variants.

Collectors praised Zipline Batman (the regular version) and the three initial villains: Joker, Mr. Freeze and Killer Croc, though some collectors found that the villains were the hardest to find figures and that the variants were plentiful.

Overseas Exclusives
In 2005, Mattel shipped the final two villains, Bane and Scarecrow, along with new Batman figures overseas. Mattel attempted plans to ship them to specialty retailers in the US, but the idea never panned out. Fans were mostly disappointed because these figures (Bane, Scarecrow, Attack Armor Batman and Batsignal Batman) had much higher articulation than earlier figures, and Batsignal Batman came with a detailed, functional Batsignal that was not accessible to US collectors.

Revival/DC Superheroes
After Christmas 2005, Mattel released Batsignal Batman (without the Batsignal accessory), Bane, Scarecrow, and re-released Killer Croc in the US mass market under the new toy line DC Super Heroes. Batman had the accessories that came with the San Diego Comic Con '03 Batman figure, a rubber cape (from the SDCC '04 exclusive), and a new paint application. Bane had open hands and some variant figures came with Osito, his teddy bear. Killer Croc came with a new head sculpt, a new paint job, no tail, and his shirt was removed. Scarecrow no longer featured his action feature, a "twist and strike" waist that springs back to center when it turns to the side and release.

SDCC Exclusives
The line had two San Diego Comic Con exclusives: one in 2003 and one in 2004.

2003
The Batman figure was based on the art of Neal Adams. This figure was a retooled Zipline Batman with a new belt, a thicker cape (blue on the outside and black on the inside), a Silver Age accurate paint application, and three accessories: a Batarang, Grapple Gun, and handcuffs.

2004
This exclusive Batman figure featured Batman in the act of removing his cowl and had two chase variants. The figure featured new arms and head and was painted to match Zipline Batman. The first variant was Batman with a fully removed cowl. The second was a battle damaged version of that figure. All three figures had a black rubber cape.