B is also for Batman: The Brave and the Bold / Stealth Strike "Gear Up" BATMAN by Mattel

When it comes to Mattel DC toy action figures in Singapore, it is practically non-existent :( You will be hard pressed to find the Mattel DC Justice League and Justice League Unlimited figures, or Mattel's The Batman action figures or even Batman: The Brave and the Bold action figures. Singapore is the world's most barren and desolate place as far as Mattel DC action figures are concerned. Toy stores in Singapore carry Ben 10 toy figures by the truck loads, along with Power Rangers, Star Wars, Transformers as well as Disney and Marvel action figures (Toy Story, Cars, Avengers and whatever new film that comes out in the cinemas) but DC action figures based on the animated television series cannot be found anywhere!

So imagine my surprise when I came across a few of these Mattel "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" toy action figures recently in Toys R Us. However, these have been repackaged as "Batman Stealth Strike" action figures although clearly these action figures carry on the design used on the original Mattel "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" toy action figures with the distinctive hexagonal holes on the back, shoulders, elbows and lower legs. The holes are used to attach the accessories to the character's body for more play value. It is obvious that Mattel is trying to sell these off under a new line since the show's cancellation.

Batman: The Brave and the Bold is an American animated television series based in part on the DC Comics series The Brave and the Bold which features two or more super heroes coming together to solve a crime or foil a super villain. As the title suggests, the cartoon focuses on Batman's regular "team-ups" with various heroes similar to the most well-known version of the original comic book series. The series premiered on November 14, 2008 on Cartoon Network in the United States, and ended on November 18, 2011. [source: wiki]


This is the Mattel Year 2011 DC Batman "The Brave and The Bold" Stealth Strike Series 5-Inch Tall Action Figure - GEAR UP BATMAN with Removable Mask and Sword (X1255)

A brief description: Gotham City is in chaos! The Riddler has created a blackout, plunging the city into darkness while he causes mayhem in the streets. Now Batman must use his stealth masks, armor, and vehicles to navigate the dark alleyways and battle the dangerous villain. It's time to gear up for a Stealth Strike attack!

I bought this Mattel DC Batman "The Brave and The Bold" Stealth Strike GEAR UP BATMAN 5-Inch Tall Action Figure because I always like to see the man behind the mask – Bruce wayne :)

Bruce Wayne is just a normal man in a costume with gadgets a plenty plus a skill set he acquired that makes him extraordinary. Although he has no superhuman powers, he is considered one of the world's smartest men and greatest fighters. His physical prowess and technical ingenuity make him an incredibly dangerous opponent.

I always like to see how each artist in each of the different series interpret Bruce Wayne as a cartoon character. Seeing this Mattel Stealth Strike "Gear Up" Batman figure with Bruce Wayne's head sculpt and the separate / removable Bat cowl which transforms Bruce into Batman clinched it for me :)

Put on the removable mask / Bat cowl and you have BATMAN! All 5 inches of the Dark Knight!

In Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008–2011), Batman wears a slightly modified version of the blue and gray suit worn during the Silver Age comics (1960s–70s). According to the show's creators, this was deliberately done to invoke a less dark and violent depiction of Batman following the release of The Dark Knight.

I like the cloth cape over the plastic ones. Here you can see the hexagonal hole on his back for attaching his accessories.

To be honest, I wasn't very excited about the hexagonal holes on his shoulders, elbows and lower legs. It makes the figures look more like robots than humans especially since the attachments can be fixed onto the body. Great for play value as a toy but not as authentic as an action figure / superhero.

Overall, I can still live with the odd hexagonal holes at the sides because if the figure is viewed directly from the front or slightly from a side angle, you can almost NOT see the holes.

Scroll down for close-up pictures of the removable mask / Bat cowl with the distinctive 1960s comic book look / styling. What can I say? I LIKE it :)

Batman's alter ego of billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne did not appear as an adult during the "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" series in situations where Batman was unmasked. His face was kept hidden until the season 2 episode "Chill of the Night!" when Batman finally confronts Joe Chill. From this episode onwards, whenever Bruce Wayne appears, his face is no longer silhouetted (as in "The Knights of Tomorrow"). [source: wiki]

And here's the Mattel DC Batman "The Brave and The Bold" Stealth Strike Series 5-Inch Tall GEAR UP BATMAN with his Mask and Sword.

Here's how Brave and the Bold Stealth Strike Batman can attach the sword to his body / person by carrying it on his back like a swordsman

For an in-depth look at every (Significant) Bat-Suit ever created, check out the Batman Info-graphic I posted on my toy blog HERE (35 different Batman costumes / Bat-suits are shown, detailing when they appeared on Batman's time-line)