Batman & Bat-Pod is a real winner and a toy I think may have slipped by a lot of collectors radar.

The Movie Realization line is an off-shoot of the Super Imaginative Chogokin line by Bandai. Batman & Bat-Pod are seen in the latest silver screen adventure of , well... Batman. If you haven't seen The Dark Knight and want to avoid spoilers hit the back button as knowing what the Bat-Pod is spoils a very cool moment in the movie. You have been warned, for all the rest. Read on.

Based on a design sketch by Masakazu Katsura and was sculpted by Takayuki Takeya and came courtesy from Angolz.com. Let me say right up front - it's a real winner.

The package is large for an S.I.C./Movie Realization release coming in at 20 by 11 by 6 inches. It opens very much like a shoe box with the lid held in place by Velcro. The box front and inside lid features artwork by the concept artist, Masakazu Katsura the sculpt was based on.

Inside the figure, bike and accessories are neatly arranged in a vacuum formed tray. The annoying part is all of the little bits like spare hands, grappling gun, batarang, etc. Are all stored in the top lid held in place by tape. This doesn't really lend itself to easily storing the fiddly bits when not used as they tend to fall out when you try to take the top lid out. This is obviously not a big complaint but I do expect a well thought out design from Bandai at this point. Ah well, into the zip lock bag for these little bits.

When you free the figure and the bike from the package you notice the weight and heft of both pieces. But it was the bike that really surprised me, it's main frame is all die cast metal! But I get ahead of myself...

First, the Batman figure. The S.I.C. line generally reinvents the designs of the characters they choose to do in this series, giving them a more edgier design. It's almost akin to a McFarlane figure but without the disintegration those figures tend to suffer after a short period of handling. However Batman here is under the Movie Realization banner and while it is slightly re-imagined it looks very close to his later suit in The Dark Knight. With the only design choice I question being the red armor fiber showing through the chest plate.

Other than that it looks very sharp. It's a nice solid figure with tons of articulation, a staple of the S.I.C./Movie Realization franchise and “Bats” doesn't disappoint. With generous points of articulation everywhere an action figure fan would expect, the addition of double jointed elbows and knees allows for some excellent looking poses and allows the figure to really look like he is “riding” the bike.

The cape is formed plastic and that's fine by me as it looks good when he's riding the bike and still fairly dynamic in action poses by itself. Anything you could want to do with the figure pose-wise is pretty much possible and looks natural.

Now for the real star of this set, the Bat-Pod. So if you have read this far you do not care about spoilers or you have already seen The Dark Knight. You have been warned....

The Bat-Pod is an escape vehicle for the Tumbler (Batman's tank/batmobile from the first film, Batman Begins). It is the front wheel hub of the Tumbler converted into a motorcycle. This vehicle is involved in a very spectacular chase through Gotham City and is really a signature moment from The Dark Knight.

Well Bandai gives it the treatment it deserves in this release with the whole main frame being made of die-cast metal. It is a nice solid chunk of metal and feels like a solid toy, yes this could be used to commit manslaughter with. Seriously, it's that nice.

The free rolling wheels are made of rubber and not only do the wheels feature realistic tread they look worn in the middle from having been used on the Tumbler.

Paint detail is extraordinary with no detail spared, rust is painted around rivets, metal parts have scrapes and wear showing and overall the detailing makes the bike look very real.

The bike can be displayed standing but they do include a clear stand to keep the bike from rolling off your shelf. Bandai really did go above and beyond for this release.

Bottom line, it is a really nice action figure all by its self, combined with the Bat-Pod it's stellar! Action figure fans and Batman fans really do want to get this set. A piece like this really shows the difference between the American and Japanese toy markets and how they approach a famous, international character. While there there are plenty of nice domestic batman toys out there this Movie Realization release by Bandai is heads and shoulders above any of those releases.

While a toy at $75 is not cheap, it's a real steal for what this is. I got my Batman & Bat-Pod at Angolz.com and while they are showing as Sold Out as of this review. I have it on good authority they are trying to get another shipment in, if they do - grab a set. You will kick yourself later if you don't.

The toy is based on the Devilman 2004 live action/CGI film.

The toy is based on the Devilman 2004 live action/CGI film. Devilman was originally created by Go Nagai. You can see more of the movie at http://www.devilmanthemovie.jp/.

On to the toy.

It comes in a black, and very gothic window box, with church mosaic inspired designs. The box measures a cool 35 cm X 6.5 cm X 32 cm (l x w x h). The contents include the plastic tray that holds the toy, and a couple of inserts. One insert is made of a silver colored cardboard, with a tribal flame design, and acts as the background for the toy. The other insert is made of an acetate sheet, with the mosaic designs, and the Devilman label.

The Devilman toy itself is heavy for something made of plastic, and comes with a couple of accessories that include a replacement head with open mouth, two extra fists, a display stand, and of course, it's devil wing attachments.

Since this toy is based on the movie version of Devilman, it's very "prickly" because of the horns, claws, veins, and spines, but that only means that this toy has a great amount of detail on it.

I particularly loved the semi-translucent wings, and the bendy tail! They really add to the whole "beautifully creepy" look of the toy. It's nicely painted, and the semi-glossy finish, gives additional emphasis to the well etched details, like the veins on the wings, spines, and horns.

Sadly though, the Devilman toy is about 70% statue. It does has some decent articulation, particularly in the arms, but it's not enough to let you do some dynamic poses. Weight is one issue, and another is the use of a poor joint system.

The joints, especially on the knees, are very weak, and easily give way. With the upper body weight (even without the wings), a standing pose is hard to pull off without the toy falling over. The trick to making it stand, is to utilize the "Bendy Tail". The tail can be bent, and positioned to support the rear weight of the toy when posed.

One other saving grace for the pose-ability issue, is the fact that the stem of the display stand is made of metal. The stand can "clamp" on Devilman's waist, and keep him steady when doing some poses.

Overall, the Devilman: Movie Realization toy from Bandai is a mixed bag. Personally, I liked it, in spite of the joint and pose-ability issues. The superb detail, shelf presence, and overall look of the toy itself is more than enough for me to let the problems slide.

If you're a Devilman/Go Nagai fan, then it's for you. If you're just into weird, evil looking figures, then it's for you as well, but if you're looking for an action figure with G.I. Joe-ish articulation, I would stay away from this toy. This is definitely a display piece.