New Website!

Ladies and Gentlemen, it is though your feedback and your undying support that Batman Collection Ireland has been able to expand into something bigger and better than I could have ever imagined. I purchased the domain www.batmanreviews.com and designed a website that is much more user friendly then Batman Collection Ireland's blog could ever be. Please visit the new page and check it out as from now on, it will be the one-stop-shop for all your batman news and reviews! 

Many thanks for your unwavering support, 

-Ross. 

DC Super-Villains Joker Action Figure Review:

Hey, guys. It's been quiet here on the blog for a while so in case you may have missed our Facebook posts, check out the review of the DC Super-Villains Joker action figure below.

I'm currently working on upgrading Batman Collection Ireland to a bigger and better platform so stay tuned on the Batman Collection Ireland blog and Facebook page for more news!

The following video is copyright of Batman Collection Ireland, all rights reserved.

Justice League Dark: Zatanna Action Figure Review:

It's rare that I'll stray from the path and do a review of a character that is somewhat outside of the Batman universe, However, This Zatanna figure is certainly an exception. Zatanna is a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne and is an ally of Batman's in the Justice League.

I did this review through a youtube video which I'll embed below. Check it out and feel free to like, comment and subscribe. 

The photos and video featured in this article are copyright of Batman Collection Ireland, All rights Reserved.

Arkham Asylum: Harley Quinn Statue:

I recently purchased a stunning statue by DC Collectibles that is based off of the appearance of Harley Quinn in the award-winning and groundbreaking video-game Arkham Asylum. The current retail value of the piece is €125 which seems like a steep price, that is until you take into account the stunning detail that I'm going to discuss with you. 

The statue stands at 9.5" tall, which is the perfect size for a statue of it's depth and detail. It has been manufactured as a cold-cast porcelain statue and it is arguably the best work I have ever seen by sculptor Jonathan Matthews who really took no shortcuts on this eye-catching work. 

The paint work is immensely detailed, with nothing left overlooked. It has been painted in a black and white colour scale, aside from the red of Harley's clothing, lips, blush and in particular the dash of blood across her skirt which works to amp-up the contrast. The paintwork featured on this piece is so precise and so fine that even Harley's badge that she is wearing features legible print detailing that it belongs to Warden Sharp. Harley taking the cane and badge of the Arkham Asylum Warden actually occurred in the game, making this statue a 100% authentic representation of in-game events.

Many statues feature an excellent paintjob and sculpt, especially in today's world of collectibles. However, very few feature details such as real fabric fishnets and a clear plastic "crystal" atop the cane that is a part of the piece. Both of these features are boasted by this unbelievable work of art and the outstanding paintwork helps them to blend in and become much more subtle and eye-catching.

There is also a base that accompanies the statue, it is shaped in the shape of a bat, just like in the Arkham Asylum logo. It features a worn and cracked surface and it's textured look really polishes this statue off.

The bottom line is that this is one of the best, if not the best statue I have ever come across. For the price of €125 you get a display piece that will liven up any environment and it's a piece that holds true to the original flair that was depicted through the character of Harley Quinn in the first game in the Arkham Trilogy. 

The photos that accompany this blog post were taken by me and are copyright of Batman Collection Ireland.

Mafex: The Dark Knight Joker Figure:

I recently purchased The Joker figure from The Dark Knight movie line by a company called Mafex. The figure, although produced by Mafex, has been licensed by DC. I picked up this figure because I don't yet have a premium format figure based on Heath Ledgers role in The Dark Knight. The figure has only just been released here in Ireland, although I am aware it has been out for a number of months in the United States. 

The figure retails at €60, which is a pretty hefty sum of money for a singe figure. However, once you take a glance at what comes in the box and at the quality of the product, it soon becomes apparent just where your money has gone. The figure has been produced and manufactured by Medicom Toy Corporation and has been distributed in America and Europe by Diamond Comic Distributors.

The packaging is a huge letdown for me as there is a huge shine on the plastic window of the box, so you can only really appreciate this figure for what it is once it is out of the packaging. The figure and it's many accessories come slotted in a black plastic tray, which I am not fond of because the Joker's dark purple colour scheme makes some of the parts incredibly hard to see. 

Out of the box, you are presented with a stunning figure which comes with eight different hands, a glock pistol, a knife, a handful of playing cards, a machine gun, an RPG, a different head and even a clear plastic display stand. Mafex really went above and beyond with the amount of extras they threw in with this set. The details on everything are exquisite, each piece included is accurate to Christopher Nolan's movie. The Joker even features a real chain coming out of his pocket, just like how it appeared in the movie. 

The paintwork is the best I have ever seen on a figure. In all my years, I have never seen a figure which features so many different washes, dry-brushings and colour depth. Just about every part of this figure can be taken apart to be repositioned. This is both good and bad considering it makes a stunning display piece, although sometimes when moving the figure around things can fall off, such as the arms.

The figure features so many points of articulation, the possibilities of posing are endless. It even features an ab-crunch in the torso, which is a feature rarely seen in DC licensed figures. This figure is number 5 in it's series and I can only presume more are being brought out, due to the overwhelming demand for the product and it's success. 

I also included a promotional video from my youtube channel for this review:

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The photos which accompany this blog post were taken by me and are copyright of Batman Collection Ireland. 

My Life With Batman:

My name is Ross Collie and I mentioned before that I had grown up with Batman all around me. Essentially, this post is an attempt to put that into some sort of perspective for you. My Dad has been collecting all things Batman all throughout his life and I think it's fair to say that I have also been bitten by the bat-bug.

Batman was always something I loved no matter what age I was. Mornings would be spent watching The Animated Series on television, Afternoons spent walking through the aisles of toy and comic shops in an attempt to find a figure which would be endlessly played with, and evenings would be spent setting up scenes and taking a look at what figures could and couldn't do.

I would purchase figures from all franchises, but there was a consistent trend in the amount of Batman products I would get. I loved Batman, and I quite clearly still do. I would bring a Batman Lunch box to playschool (The Irish equivalent of kindergarten), Read books on the world of Batman and all the while I would always have a Batman figure within arms reach.

I have always been mesmerised by my fathers interest in Batman, so it's no surprise that I have begun to continue his hobby which operates around  Batman products. Another thing I've always loved is writing. This blog, Batman Collection Ireland, Allows me to combine both my love for writing and my passion for Batman, to provide an accurate and interesting source for reviews, thoughts, opinions and guides.

Collecting Batman products has been a life-long journey for me, and thus my long history with the world of Batman gives me credentials that very few Batman reviewers can say that they have. I hope you enjoy the reviews I bring to the table on both old and new products alike.

The photos featured on this blog post are of me during various stages of my early childhood and are Copyright of Batman Collection Ireland.

Arkham Knight: Harley Quinn Figure: 

I recently posted about a statue of Harley Quinn based on artwork taken from the '90's (Bruce Timm's Animated Series). As a result, I thought I might tribute a post to the most current interpretation of the nurse-turned-psycho Harley Quinn. Arkham Knight is a Batman console game being released in the coming months and so a line of figures were brought out to accompany it. I picked up this Harley Quinn figure for €25.99, which wasn't too bad a price considering it was up to €30 in other retail locations! It's worth saying that shopping around in this industry can save you a serious amount of money in the long-run. 

The figure comes in a stunning display box which is pictured in the gallery at the end of this post. The box allows for an excellent view of the figure and displays all of her accessories accordingly. Harley has been sculpted here by Gentle Giant Studios, who are becoming more and more involved in sculpting figure line-ups for DC Collectibles. The unique thing about this figure is that it looks fantastic on display both in it's box and outside of it's box, and in my opinion, it trumps the packaging for all previous Arkham figures. 

Harley features 22 points of articulation, which is really quite impressive.  She stands 6.5 inches tall and does not come with a display base. (I used my own display base in the photo gallery). Her sculpt is remarkable, especially considering I was planning on not purchasing her due to how I thought the sculpt looked in the preview photos. The end-result figure looks far better than the prototypes ever did.

She comes with a pair of inter-changable hands which are really easy to put on and remove as you see fit, a baseball bat, a pistol, a detonator and also a jack-in-the-box bomb which features a head on a spring and also a turning handle. 

DC Collectibles and Gentle Giant Studios really went the extra mile with this figure, from the packaging right down to the copious amount of accessories, and thus I hope all of the others in the Arkham Knight line are of a similar quality. I would really recommend purchasing this figure, as it is a stunning piece for fans and collectors alike. 

The photos which are included in this post were taken by me.

Custom Painted Statues: 

Quite often, statues are sold with no paint applied to them. These statues are generally a flat grey colour, or are of whatever colour the material they are made from naturally is. These statues are also generally made from a mould, using materials such as resin, porcelain and also a really wide variety of plastics. 

Many people enjoy the D.I.Y aspect of painting these pieces themselves, however, many people also hire painters on commission to make their piece unique and unlike any other that is available on the market through a stunning paint-job. 

The quality of these works vary hugely from painter to painter (as you can see in the photos which accompany this post) and because of this, so does the price you must pay to get the results you want. 

The Two-Face statue which is pictured in this post is a stunning example of such a work and whilst it is not considered an official DC statue, it shows off a stunning portrayal of the character none-the-less. There are many different textures to be seen on the statue, such as the marble floor and textile suit.

On the other hand, we have the Batman statue (also pictured), which is heavily based on the artwork of comic book artist Frank Miller. This statue shows a very flat coat of paint, with no form of layering. The details are lacking in comparison to Two-Face, and even the paint is beginning to flake in certain parts which is from being hastily applied. The difference in standard is huge, thus why most statue painters use acrylic type paints on their works for best results. 

I advise you to have a look at a painters past works before you even consider asking them to paint a piece for you, as commission painting is a costly arrangement, and you want to make sure you are getting the best standard for your money.

(For those unsure as to who Two-Face is, he is a villain who is at constant battle with Batman. He makes each of his decisions by flipping his coin and deciding accordingly. He is obsessed with things being "fair", thus why he utilises a coin which offers a 50/50 chance.) 

The Photos Which Accompany This Blog Post Were Taken By Me. 

Trailer: For Future Posts: 

The following is a trailer taken from my youtube channel for some upcoming blog posts. I took all of the pictures which are featured here and I am responsible for the design and layout of said photos. 

I recommend turning up your screen quality in the bottom right-hand corner whilst viewing the video, as it enables superior clarity in terms of photo quality.

Batman Black & White: Harley Quinn Statue: 

Today I purchased the Harley Quinn statue from the Batman Black & White statue line. As the title would suggest, the entire statue is portrayed in a really high quality black and white colour scheme. 

This statue is cold-casted in porcelain and the sculpt itself is based on the Harley Quinn portrayal from the 1990's show: Batman: The Animated Series. 

I previously discussed a line of  action figures which were based on the show and how they really bring the work of Bruce Timm to life, well let me tell you that this statue does the same job, except the quality standard is tenfold. 

The statue itself was sculpted by Jonathan Matthews, who is well known within the Batman community for his stunning replications of famous works in the physical form. 

The statue measures approximately 7.25" high from it's base to it's head and is a stunning interpretation of Harley Quinn in the statue medium. 

My statue is the second edition as opposed to the first edition, for which the only real difference is a different colour on it's base and a slightly lighter grey used in the colouring of the statue. First edition sold out in stores long ago, and second edition is being snapped up here in Ireland and it was only released here as of this morning. 

The statue comes in three pieces, which just push together and are really stable and sturdy once properly connected. The pieces comprise of her base stand, her puff of smoke (which goes into the top of her gun), and then her herself. 

The statue is retailing for €93 which is by no measure a small price to pay, however, when you take into account the stunning craftsmanship that went into making this sculpture possible, the price becomes reasonably understandable. According to the box, the statue was manufactured in China.

There are many other statues in this line,  take for instance the Batman statue which is sculpted based on the art of Brian Bolland.

For those of you who may not be familiar with Harley Quinn, she is essentially the Joker's right-hand woman and is one of Batman's biggest enemies. 

I thought it may be useful to include the statement made by DC Collectibles on the back of the packaging of this statue in order to aid in your understanding of Harley Quinn: 

"The fun-loving, psychotic, Arkham Asylum doctor-turned-inmate Harley Quinn joins the best-selling Batman Black & White line with this eye-catching statue, designed by award-winning animator, artist and producer Bruce Timm!" - DC Collectibles.

The photos which accompany this blog post were taken by me.

Batman The Animated Series: Figure Line:

Anybody who's lived through the 1990's will most likely have come in contact with Batman: The Animated Series in some way shape or form. It was one of the biggest hits in terms of cartoon success, and that title still stands to this day, even after all the years that have passed.

The show played a huge part in the daily lives of children and adults alike, who would tune in to watch episode after episode, with batman being voiced by the legendary Kevin Conroy.

The cartoon was dark, gritty, and was most certainly film-noir, which was unlike any cartoon of it's time. The cartoon then ran off into "The New Adventures" and other such spinoffs, all of which were also very successful.

DC have had a huge success with products related to The Animated Series, so it only makes sense for them to bring out  a line of bigger and better figures, to recapture the imaginations of those kids who have now grown up.

The line itself is massive, with five figures currently released in Ireland, and over fifteen others already announced as soon to come. I'll be focusing this review on the Batman figure from his "New Adventures" portrayal, but also included are photographs of the rest of the line currently released.

I have one of the Batman figures loose for this review, and one in the box, I highly suggest keeping them in the box as one day they will hopefully become valuable!

The figure itself is impressive, Bruce Timm being the man behind the cartoons drawings, and this figure really brings his sketches to life, especially considering they are beautifully crafted in 6" scale. The packaging is impressive, allowing all aspects of the figure to be appreciated. The figure is very articulated, although it's hard to pose as it's true to Timm's drawings, meaning the figure boasts massive shoulders, and tiny toothpick-like ankles.

Many complaints were issued to DC about paint quality and breakages, but I was very impressed with my batch and no defects are noticeable even under the closest of scrutiny. DC have also promised to make amends to these issues, but as I keep 90% of my figures in their box, it makes no difference to me. They plan on doing it by changing the plastic used for the joints in the future waves to something more sturdy.

The figure features an impressive amount of accessories which include a batarang, grapple hook, a multitude of interchangeable hands, a spare cape and also a beautiful display stand.

The figure was manufactured in Guandong, China and the figure was sculpted by Irene Matar, whose sculpt is right on the money.

These figures are retailing for €25 give or take, provided you buy them in a local comic establishment, because the internet is full of sellers looking to make a quick buck.

For nostalgic purposes, I thought I might include the original animated series intro, I pulled the youtube link for it and embedded it in this post. Thus the video belongs to it's respective owner/s. 

The photos which accompany this blog post were taken by me. 

Batman Arkham Origins: Batman Figure:

This figure retails for roughly €25.99, depending on where you purchase it, making it much less damaging to your wallet then some of the other pieces in my collection. I have never seen a Batman figure by DC with such an amazing sculpt detail for such a reasonable price. 

The figure is based on the 2013 critically-acclaimed videogame 'Arkham Origins', and this figure looks like it jumped straight out of your television screen. Each detail is accurate and fitting with the game, and the figures features 29 points of articulation making it so much more appealing to Batman fans and collectors alike. 

This Batman figure is one of the most recent additions to my collection and it's relevant to all followers of the current day caped crusader, thus why I posted it as my first blog post.

It's rare I remove a figure from it's packaging, but the sculpt of this figure is really something else and it would be a crime not to. *Subtle pun unintended*

If you can still find this figure at a local store, I'd recommend picking it up as it's becoming increasingly hard to find and for the bones of €26, you get a figure which pays attention to details as small as the stubble on the exposed part of Batman's face. 

The figure is manufactured in Guandong, China for DC Collectibles, whose warehouse is located in Runcorn, UK. This portrayal of Batman was sculpted by Gentle Giant Studios, which is no surprise, as they are known for their fantastic sculpts as-of-late.

The photos which accompany this blog post were taken by me.

Introduction To My Collection: 

Hello, Everyone! My name is Ross.

Over the coming days and weeks, I hope to be posting some photos of Batman products alongside comments and reviews about them, so that you may too, be able to appreciate both the spectacular craftsmanship that goes into manufacturing these products, but also so that you can get a glimpse at some really cool stuff.

I have been surrounded by Batman related things since an early age, from watching the cartoons to visiting the toy shop. I've grown up watching the 1990's television series "Batman The Animated Series", which encouraged me from a young age to become an enthusiast of all things Batman.

I hope you enjoy reading about and seeing some of the stuff that interests me, and that you will love it as much as I do! 

Ross.