30 amazing Batman costumes only seen on action figures

Batman is easily one of the most popular characters in action figure history, with several hundred different figures of him having been produced over the years. Unfortunately, he also - with the odd exception - has tended not to change his costume in especially dramatic ways, save for the occasional switch from grey to black, or the addition and subtraction of the famous yellow oval.

Despite this obvious handicap, his popularity in plastic form is such that toy manufacturers have never been shy in coming up with wild, inventive and frequently batshit mental alternative costumes to flog to unsuspecting parents the world over. Here, then, are thirty particular favourites of ours...
1. Aero Strike Batman


Gold costumes have been a popular variant ever since Kenner took over the Batman licence shortly after the 1989 movie - so much so that you could be forgiven for thinking that he actually wore gold in the comics. This figure is actually just a reissue of an earlier one called "Tec-Shield", but with a different accessory.

2. Arctic Batman


... while this, you'll note, is literally just a repainting of the above. Incidentally, I don't think I've ever read a story in which Batman goes to the Arctic, yet as sure as eggs is eggs, a new movie line will see the release of a new "polar" outfit.

3. Arsenal Cape Batman


I'm pretty sure Arsenal wear red and white, not orange and purple, but whatever, Bruce.

4. Lightning Strike Batman


"Batman, why have you got lightning bolts all over your costume?" "SHUT UP I JUST THINK THEY'RE NEAT OKAY"

5. Jungle Tracker Batman


Jungle camouflage: a vital tool in Batman's war against the criminals of... the Gotham army surplus store.
6. Laser Batman


Mmm... quilted.

7. Deep Dive Batman


Chosen over several other bright yellow '90s costumes by virtue of the completely superfluous extra detail that makes it look like Bruce bought this down a surf shop.

8. Fire Guard Batman


Because when you're rescuing people from a fire, it really helps if you... blend... in... with the fire?

9. Ice Blade Batman


In which Batman is transformed into a being of PURE ENERGY and has to wear a white containment suit. Wait... what?

10. Night Hunter Batman


"THE GOGGLES DO NOTHING!"
11. Disaster Control Batman


Batman is ACTUALLY WEARING HAZARD WARNING STRIPES.

12. Neon Armor Batman


There is a lot of neon in the Joel Schumacher Batman films. None of it, however, is on this so-called "neon" figure.

13. Battle Board Batman


The sad thing about this one, meanwhile, is that it could entirely feasibly have actually come from Batman & Robin.

14. Cyborg Batman


I know cyborgs were a big deal in the '90s, but you'd think Billionaire Bruce Wayne could have mustered up better than a crappy eye sight and a bit of metal on one of his legs.

15. Desert Knight Batman


Imagine being the kid who asked for a Batman figure for Christmas and then woke up to this thing.