THE ANIMATED SERIES
"The Animated Series" is a dedicated action figure line produced by McFarlane Toys, directly capturing the characters, vehicles, and distinct art style of the DC Animated Universe (DCAU). Spanning both 7-inch scale DC Multiverse figures and a revived 6-inch scale DC Direct line, the collection celebrates the iconic visual legacy established by Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, and Eric Radomski.
Cronologia
Panoramica
McFarlane Toys' "The Animated Series" collectible line is a high-fidelity action figure range designed to replicate the signature art direction of the DC Animated Universe (DCAU).
Produced across two primary formats—the 7-inch scale DC Multiverse line and the 6-inch scale DC Direct x McFarlane Toys revival—the line serves as a comprehensive homage to the "Timmverse" era inaugurated by *Batman: The Animated Series* in 1992.
Targeting both long-time adult fans and modern action figure collectors, the line covers characters and vehicles across the DCAU timeline, including *Batman: The Animated Series*, *Superman: The Animated Series*, *The New Batman Adventures*, and *Batman Beyond*. McFarlane Toys acquired the master DC action figure license in 2020 and took over the manufacturing and distribution of legacy DC Direct molds in 2021/2022. By pairing dynamic cell-shaded sculpting with Build-A-Figure (BAF) waves, large-scale vehicles, and environment playsets, the product line delivers screen-accurate releases ranging from headline heroes to deep-cut rogue gallery villains.
Storia
The toyline launched in 2020 following McFarlane Toys' acquisition of the DC license. Initial offerings debuted under the 7-inch DC Multiverse banner, featuring cell-shaded dynamic figures of Batman, Superman, Green Lantern John Stewart, Flash, and Cyborg, followed in 2021 by a dedicated *Batman Beyond* wave featuring a Jokerbot Build-A-Figure.
A major pivot occurred in 2022 when McFarlane Toys assumed control of legacy DC Direct molds, launching the 6-inch DC Direct x McFarlane Toys line with *Batman: The Adventures Continue* cel-shaded figures and two-packs like *Mad Love*.
Starting in 2023, McFarlane introduced structured 6-inch Build-A-Figure (BAF) waves starting with Condiment King, alongside large-scale exclusives like the Target Batwing and Batcycle. Between 2024 and 2025, the series expanded rapidly across both BTAS and *The New Batman Adventures* (TNBA), introducing BAF waves for Lock-Up, Maxie Zeus, Bane, and Killer Croc, deluxe figures like Man-Bat and Clayface, and the McFarlane Store exclusive Batcave Playset. By 2026, the line expanded further with BAF waves for Officer Renee Montoya and Clock King, expression packs, Q-Fig releases, and 25th-anniversary *Batman Beyond* figures.
I PEZZI DI THE ANIMATED SERIES
Caratteristiche
* **Dual-Scale Offering**: Encompasses both 7-inch scale DC Multiverse figures and 6-inch scale DC Direct x McFarlane Toys figures. * **Animation Art Fidelity**: Faithfully converts the minimalist line art, stylized body proportions, and cell-shaded aesthetic of Bruce Timm, Eric Radomski, and DCAU animators into 3D sculpts.
* **Build-A-Figure (BAF) Wave System**: Multi-figure waves include individual bonus parts to construct oversized or specialized bonus characters, including Jokerbot, Condiment King, Lock-Up, Maxie Zeus, Bane, Killer Croc, Officer Renee Montoya, and Clock King (Temple Fugate). * **Material & Paint Finishes**: Durable molded PVC plastic featuring screen-accurate paint applications, cel-shaded contrast highlights, and limited Chase Platinum/Gold Label variants. * **Vehicle & Playset Compatibility**: Large-scale vehicles (Batwing, Batmobile, Jokermobile, Batcycle) and playsets (Batcave) specifically proportioned to fit 6-inch DCAU figures. * **Accessories & Expression Packs**: Releases feature character-specific gear (e.g., Joker's hyenas, anti-fire suits, weapons), alternate expressive head sculpts, and logo display stands.
Wave & Serie
* **2020 DC Multiverse 7-Inch Animated Wave**: Batman (*Batman: The Animated Series*), Superman (*Superman: The Animated Series*), Green Lantern John Stewart (*Justice League*), Animated Flash, Animated Cyborg. * **2021 DC Multiverse 7-Inch Batman Beyond Wave (Jokerbot BAF)**: Terry McGinnis (Batman Beyond), Batwoman (Elainna Grayson), Blight, Shriek, Inque as Batman Beyond, Jokerbot BAF. * **2022 DC Direct 6-Inch Relaunch**: *Batman: The Adventures Continue* Cel-Shaded Batman V2, Catwoman V2, The Batman Who Laughs; *Mad Love* 2-Pack (The Joker & Harley Quinn). * **2023 DC Direct 6-Inch BAF Wave 1 (Condiment King)**: Batman, Robin, Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze. * **2023 Exclusives & Multi-Packs**: Target Exclusive 4-Pack (Harvey Bullock, Harley Quinn, Joker, Batman), Target Exclusive Batcycle, Target Exclusive Alfred Pennyworth, Target Exclusive Batwing. * **2024 DC Direct 6-Inch BAF Wave 2 (Lock-Up)**: Batman, The Joker, The Riddler, Commissioner James Gordon. * **2024 DC Direct 6-Inch BAF Wave 3 (Maxie Zeus)**: Camo Batman, Christmas Joker, Batgirl, Two-Face.
* **2024 The New Batman Adventures Waves 1 & 2**: Two-Face, Batgirl, Nightwing, Catwoman, The Joker (with Hyenas), Gold Label Jokermobile, Gold Label Batmobile, Amazon Exclusive 3-Pack (Poison Ivy, Live Wire, Supergirl). * **2025 DC Direct 6-Inch BAF Wave 4 (Bane)**: Bruce Wayne (Target Excl.), Phantasm, H.A.R.D.A.C., Poison Ivy. * **2025 DC Direct 6-Inch BAF Wave 5 (Killer Croc)**: Jonah Hex (Target Excl.), Classic Batman, Grey Ghost, Ra's al Ghul. * **2025 TNBA Waves 3, 4 & 5**: Firefly, The Creeper, Anti-Fire Suit Batman, Blue & Gray Batman, Scarecrow, Riddler, Etrigan, Mr. Freeze. * **2025 Deluxe Figures & Playsets**: Deluxe Man-Bat (Walmart Excl.), Deluxe Clayface (Best Buy Excl.), The Batcave Playset (McFarlane Store Excl.). * **2026 DC Direct 6-Inch BAF Wave 6 (Officer Renee Montoya)**: Dick Grayson / Robin, Talia al Ghul, Detective Harvey Bullock, Ventriloquist & Scarface. * **2026 DC Direct 6-Inch BAF Wave 7 (Clock King / Temple Fugate)**: Batman (with alternate expressive heads), The Joker, Mad Hatter (Jervis Tetch), Zatanna. * **2026 Expressions, Q-Fig & Specialty Offerings**: *Batman: The Animated Series* Expressions Pack (with Chase Platinum variants), *Batman: The Animated Series* Q-Fig Series 1 (Two-Face, Poison Ivy, Clayface, The Riddler, The Penguin, Man-Bat, Mr. Freeze), Super Friends 6-Inch Wave 5, Todd's Mods (Plastic Man, The Penguin), Batman Beyond 25th Anniversary (Gold Label & Translucent Maskless Terry McGinnis).
Pezzi Iconici
* **Target Exclusive Batwing (2023)**: A massive 6-inch scale vehicle centerpieces that represents one of the largest physical releases in the DC Direct x McFarlane collection. * **Condiment King Build-A-Figure (2023)**: The inaugural 6-inch BAF completed figure that turned an obscure fan-favorite animated villain into a coveted line milestone. * **The Batcave Playset (2025)**: A McFarlane Store Exclusive display environment built specifically to showcase full 6-inch DCAU figure collections.
* **Deluxe Clayface & Man-Bat (2025)**: Retailer-exclusive oversized figures capturing the massive physical scale and animated sculpt accuracy of Gotham's largest monsters. * **Phantasm (2025 Bane BAF Wave)**: The long-awaited 6-inch figure directly adapting Andrea Beaumont from the 1993 theatrical film *Batman: Mask of the Phantasm*. * **Gold Label Batmobile & Jokermobile (2024)**: Highly sought-after iconic vehicle releases scaled precisely to seat 6-inch DCAU figures. * **Batman Beyond 25th Anniversary Gold Label & Translucent Variants (2026)**: Collector-grade variant releases honoring the 25th anniversary of Terry McGinnis' DCAU debut.
Collezionismo
Collecting McFarlane Toys' "The Animated Series" line offers a uniquely strong proposition for DC enthusiasts, uniting 1990s animated nostalgia with modern manufacturing distribution. The line caters to two distinct collector profiles: 7-inch DC Multiverse fans seeking standalone cell-shaded animated figures, and 6-inch DC Direct purists building complete DCAU roster displays complete with vehicles and playsets.
Secondary market value trends show strong demand for limited store exclusives—such as the Target Exclusive Batwing, Batcycle, and 4-Pack sets—as well as McFarlane Store exclusives like the Batcave Playset. The Build-A-Figure (BAF) model serves as a major driver for completionist collectors, as acquiring full four-figure waves is required to construct exclusive oversized figures like Condiment King, Bane, Killer Croc, and Lock-Up. Furthermore, Chase Platinum variants and Gold Label vehicle releases consistently hold strong resale value, cementing the line as both a faithful visual tribute to Bruce Timm's artwork and a popular series on the primary and secondary action figure markets.
Curiosità
* During early development, *Batman: The Animated Series* was officially titled simply "Batman"; the official subtitle first appeared in Fox Kids TV commercials before being adopted by toy lines. * Voice actor Clive Revill originally voiced Alfred Pennyworth for the first three episodes of *Batman: The Animated Series* before Efrem Zimbalist Jr. took over the role for the remainder of the show.
* Harley Quinn (Harleen Quinzel) was created specifically for *Batman: The Animated Series* in 1992 by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm before being integrated into mainstream DC Comics. * McFarlane Toys directly resurrected and continued discontinued figure molds originally produced by DC Direct after taking over distribution in 2021/2022. * The 2023 Condiment King wave marked the first time the joke villain received a full 6-inch Build-A-Figure release across a main action figure wave.
