Batman 2022 [DC Defender Version DC01 Legendary Batman Assemble]

When Robert Pattinson was announced to play Batman in 2022's The Batman, I wasn't thrilled. For the record, I've been a pretty good sport about live-action Batman movie actors, and for the most part I've enjoyed each one. Then that trailer came out and sold me on him and the moody film. So when I finally got my hands on one of the Blokees Defender Class Batman blind boxes, I was pretty happy to find that version of the Caped Crusader inside.

Admittedly, at this point Blokees can do no wrong in my eyes, I'm a huge fan of the Defender Version scale, and I gravitate toward Batman movies over comics. Basically, I genuinely like everything I'm about to talk about instead of faking it for clicks. So yeah, genuine enjoyment of the subject matter. Something alien in today's sponsored content hellscape.

Blokees' specific visual style works with Batman in a fun way. Take something so grimdark and make it a little cute.

Like kawaii metal. Defender Version amps up that idea, leaving you with something insanely adorable and badass at the same time. It's somehow an upgrade, oddly enough.

Assembly is pretty much standard Defender Version, though the back half of his upper torso was a full-body piece rather than a separate segment, as is often the case with the Transformers Defender kits. Those tend to have more accessories, however, while Batman has a cape and a batarang. Which... considering the cape covers his back, you'd think they could have gotten away with the partially covering segment anyway, since the cape would cover it regardless. To me, that's another example of Blokees' quality, while other companies might have just left it open or partially obscured. Not bad for only $5.

That batarang I mentioned is a little big for his body, which is pretty comical. At nearly the size of his arm, I can imagine Batman trying to run after a criminal across a rooftop, only for the thing hanging off his belt to trip him. Or he tries to throw it and just hits himself in the head. Knocking the batshit out of himself, holding his head, cursing, and getting pissed off.

No gravely scary Batman voice, either. Full-on temper tantrum Bruce Wayne.

Regardless of how realistic it isn't, it does look pretty cool. Just this big bat he's holding. When the insanely great Imaginext Power Rangers toys were out, I often marveled at the comically oversized weapons. There was just something so neat about seeing them against the figure. It's a visual that you either get or don't.

Another point of appreciation is the detailing. Batman often wears a black costume in the movies, and it looks great, but more modern versions have him sporting visible body armor, combat boots, and other tactical gear. It paints a more realistic portrayal of a character whose superpower is being a billionaire with issues. Of course, they add various details to the costume to keep it visually interesting, and that's definitely the case with the 2022 Batman costume. Once again, Blokees puts those details into the sculpt, something they could have literally skipped right over.

Considering the number of similarly dressed Batmen in this series, the fact that they all have mostly original parts for each kit is remarkable. I say mostly because things like thighs, upper arms, hands, and so on are reused, which is understandable.

Ultimately, this is an excellent introduction to the Batman Defender Version Blokees kits for me. I'll definitely be getting more, as I absolutely want that 1989 Michael Keaton Batman and even the Dark Knight Returns flavored Ben Affleck version. (I liked Batfleck.)

This is another series that the Defender Class lends itself to perfectly, and I'm absolutely enthralled with Blokees entirely at this point.

Happily.

*edit* the video before whatever made them stop working for this post is here.