The Dark Knight Collection (Kenner) 1990-1991

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When Toy Biz lost the toy rights to the Batman franchise in 1990, Kenner gladly swooped back in and snatched them back up that same year. They hastily produced a short lived toy line loosely based on the blockbuster Batman move of 1989, called The Dark Knight Collection. The toy line was definitely rushed with Kenner releasing action figures based on exactly two characters, Batman and the Joker. There were also several vehicles, and a few roleplay accessories. The lack of different characters doomed this line from the start and was really just a stop gap until Batman Returns hit the theaters in 1992.

For more information about Kenner’s The Dark Knight Collection line, see bottom of page for a complete summary.

The Dark Knight Collection (1990): Wave One

For the debut of their Dark Knight Collection line, Kenner released seven new standard figures in 1990, and all but one were different variants of Batman, along with the Sky Escape Joker.

Bruce Wayne Batman (Quick Change)

Market Value:
Carded $40 – $60
Loose $20 – $28

Bruce Wayne Batman (Quick Change)
Accessories: Communicator, Cape, Chest Plate, Belt, Boots, Gloves
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Common – Easily found on the secondary market
Notes: We finally get a Michael Keaton based Bruce Wayne figure that Toy Biz never gave us! The likeness wasn’t half bad either. Bruce uses his communicator to get a call for help, then clicks the tuner to get a clear message. Bruce then changes into the Dark Knight by putting on the included cape, chest plate, belt, gloves and boots to answer the call and fight crime.

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Crime Attack Batman

Market Value:
Carded $50 – $75
Loose $22 – $30

Crime Attack Batman
Accessories: Attack Launcher, Batarang, Claw, Cloth Cape
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Moderate Difficulty – Takes some patience
Notes: Crime Attack Batman is one of many versions of the Dark Knight for this line. He comes with an Attack Launcher, Batarang, Claw and Cloth Cape. Simply snape the launcher onto either of the figure’s arms, then insert either the Batarang or Claw into the barrel. To fire, press down on the black button on the back of the launcher.

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Iron Winch Batman

Market Value:
Carded $35 – $50
Loose $18 – $25

Iron Winch Batman
Accessories: Batarang Winch, Cloth Cape
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Common – Easily found on the secondary market
Notes: Iron Winch Batman is the only Batman variant with him using the classic blue and gray outfit of old instead of the newer black. The Iron Winch slides onto his right arm and into his right hand. Pull the cord to the desired length and press the inside button to wrap the Batarang around the criminal or hook onto a ledge. Press outside button to reel it back in.

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Shadow Wing Batman

Market Value:
Carded $35 – $50
Loose $18 – $25

Shadow Wing Batman
Accessories: Bat Cuffs, Cloth Cape
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Common – Easily found on the secondary market
Notes: Shadow Wing Batman is another caped crusader variant for this line. Push his arms down to his side when not in flight mode, then release his arms for flight mode by squeezing his legs together. The Bat Cuff sits on either of Batman’s wrists, with the detachable head & tail sections can be wrapped around Joker’s arms.

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Sky Escape Joker

Market Value:
Carded $50 – $75
Loose $22 – $30

Sky Escape Joker
Accessories: Twirling Copter Pack, Propeller, Long Barreled Pistol
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Common – Easily found on the secondary market
Notes: The only other character we got for this series, aside from Batman, was the Joker. Even though the packaging featured a perfectly drawn Jack Nicholson Joker, the figure was more the standard Joker sculpt. When you assemble the copter pack, the blade turns by spinning the wheel on the pack. When you dip Joker’s head in ice-cold water, his face changes color, which was quite nifty.

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Tec-Shield Batman

Market Value:
Carded $25 – $40
Loose $12 – $18

Tec-Shield Batman
Accessories: Flight Pack, Cloth Cape
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Common – Easily found on the secondary market
Notes: Tec-Shield Batman uses his flight pack to snap onto his back, then activate it by pulling it down. When Batman lands safely, just push the thruster back in, along with his wings. The Tec-Shield Batman actually has a variant version, with the flight pack hose being painted black instead of the standard gold color.

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Wall-Scaler Batman

Market Value:
Carded $27 – $42
Loose $16 – $22

Wall-Scaler Batman
Accessories: Climbing Action Pack, Cloth Cape
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Common – Easily found on the secondary market
Notes: This version of the Dark Knight was Wall-Scaler Batman. This Batman featured him in a gray and black costume, which was a great look. Snap the climbing action pack onto his back and unwind the climbing cord. When you attach the top hook onto any surface with a lip, it pulls the figure up or across that surface, then wind the cord back into the pack for his next adventure.

The Dark Knight Collection (1991): Wave Two

Kenner released three more figures for the second wave of the Dark Knight Collection in 1991, with two more Batman variants (Powerwing Batman & Thunderwhip Batman). There was also a second version of the Joker with Knock-Out Joker.

Knock-Out Joker

Market Value:
Carded $110 – $140
Loose $50 – $75

Knock-Out Joker
Accessories: Bazooka Weapon, Gag Gun with “Pow” Flag
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Moderate Difficulty – Takes some patience
Notes: This version of the Joker is called Knock-Out Joker. He comes with a bazooka looking weapon and a gag gun with a “pow” flag that is attached. The bazooka only fits in Joker’s left hand and is fired when you squeeze the back of it to release the punch. This version of Joker is much tougher to find than the Sky Escape from wave one.

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Powerwing Batman

Market Value:
Carded $50 – $75
Loose $22 – $30

Powerwing Batman
Accessories: Batman Glider, Launching Missile, Cloth Cape
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Hard to Find – Occasionally Listed
Notes: The Powerwing Batman comes with a bat shaped glider that launches a missile. Simply snap Batman’s feet into the glider’s stirrups to set him up. To fire the missile, just squeeze his legs together while on the glider. It also has a suction cup that allows it to stick onto a flat smooth surface.

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Thunderwhip Batman

Market Value:
Carded $50 – $75
Loose $22 – $30

Thunderwhip Batman
Accessories: Star Shield, Batarang Whip
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Hard to Find – Occasionally Listed
Notes: The Thunderwhip Batman comes with two different weapons, a star shield and Batarang whip. Place either one in his right hand, then use the wheel on his back to spin the weapons around. This is a tough figure to find on the secondary market and was re-issued with the Batman Returns line with pink accessories instead of the black color.

The Dark Knight Collection (1990): Deluxe Figures

In addition to the standard figures, Kenner released three new Deluxe figures with the first wave of Dark Knight toys in 1990, with Blast Shield Batman, Claw Climber Batman and Night Glider Batman. These figures came boxed to hold their more elaborate and larger accessories.

Blast Shield Batman

Market Value:
Boxed $35 – $50
Loose $15 – $22

Blast Shield Batman
Accessories: Dual Missile Launcher, Launching Missiles, Blast Shield, Cloth Cape
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Common – Easily found on the secondary market
Notes: The Deluxe Blast Shield Batman comes decked out in his “Bullet Proof Iridium Suit”. The missile launcher snaps together with the blast shield and neck harness. Insert the missiles into both launchers and press down on button to fire.

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Claw Climber Batman

Market Value:
Boxed $30 – $45
Loose $10 – $15

Claw Climber Batman
Accessories: Claw Climber, Launching Missile, Cloth Cape
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Common – Easily found on the secondary market
Notes: The Deluxe Claw Climber Batman comes decked out in his “Fire Proof Cobalt Suit”. Just snap the claw climber onto Batman’s waist. The missile inserts into the top of the climber and locks into place. It fires by pressing on a side lever.

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Night Glider Batman

Boxed Value:
Boxed $35 – $50
Loose $15 – $22

Night Glider Batman
Accessories: Giant Bat Glider, Grappling Capture Hook, Cloth Cape
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Less Common – Appears less often
Notes: The Deluxe Night Glider Batman comes in his “Steelguard Suit” which blocks radiation. It comes with a giant bat glider that snaps onto his back with wings that move. There is also a grappling hook or capture hook that can be lowered to grab up bad guys.

The Dark Knight Collection (1990): Accessories

In addition to the figures and vehicles, Kenner also released a few roleplay accessories for their Dark Knight Collection line in 1990, with the Batman Armor Set, Batarang Blaster, Sonic Neutralizer and a Batman Crime Control Set.

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The Dark Knight Collection (1990): Playsets

Kenner did not release any large scale playset for their Dark Knight Collection line, but a Bat Cave Compound set was planned. It was later released with the Batman Returns line in 1992.

The Dark Knight Collection (1990): Vehicles

There were several awesome vehicles released for the Dark Knight Collection line from 1990, with the Joker Cycle, Bat Cycle, Batjet, Bola Bullet, Strike Wing, and Batmobile from wave one, along with three more from wave two (Batcopter, Sky Blade, Turbojet Batwing).

Wave One

Batcycle

Market Value:
Boxed $35 – $50
Loose $12 – $18

Batcycle
Accessories: Rapid Action Rocket
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Common – Easily found on secondary market

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Batjet

Market Value:
Boxed $38 – $53
Loose $15 – $22

Batjet
Accessories: Blast-Off Missile, Spring Action Wings, Opening Cockpit
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Common – Easily found on secondary market

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Batmobile

Market Value:
Boxed $400 – $500
Loose $150 – $225

Batmobile
Accessories: Launching Turbo Missile, Pop-Out Exhaust Flame, Opening Cockpit
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Hard to Find – Occasionally Listed

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Bola Bullet

Market Value:
Boxed $35 – $50
Loose $15 – $22

Bola Bullet
Accessories: Launching Bola Snare
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Less Common – Appears less often

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Joker Cycle (The)

Market Value:
Boxed $35 – $50
Loose $15 – $22

Joker Cycle (The)
Accessories: Firing Joker Mask
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Common – Easily found on secondary market

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Strike Wing

Market Value:
Boxed $45 – $65
Loose $19 – $26

Strike Wing
Accessories: Firing Heat Seeking Missile, Launcher, Adjustable Wings
Years Released: 1990
Difficulty To Find: Hard to Find – Occasionally Listed

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Wave Two

Batcopter

Market Value:
Boxed $70 – $95
Loose $25 – $40

Batcopter
Accessories: Launching Missile Cone, Capture Winch, Criminal Spinner, Opening Cockpit
Years Released: 1991
Difficulty To Find: Moderate Difficulty – Takes some patience

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Sky Blade (European Exclusive)

Market Value:
Boxed $900 – $1,200
Loose $110 – $150

Sky Blade (European Exclusive)
Accessories: Propeller, Copter, Adjustable Wings
Years Released: 1991
Difficulty To Find: Rare – Rarely seen in any condition

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Turbo Jet Batwing

Market Value:
Boxed $400 – $500
Loose $80 – $110

Turbo Jet Batwing
Accessories: Two Firing Missiles, Street Racer Mode, Turbo Glider Mode, Opening Cockpit, Detachable Wings
Years Released: 1991
Difficulty To Find: Hard to Find – Occasionally Listed

When Toy Biz lost the toy rights to the Batman franchise in 1990, Kenner gladly swooped back in and snatched them back up that same year. They hastily produced a short lived toy line loosely based on the blockbuster Batman move of 1989, called The Dark Knight Collection. The toy line was definitely rushed with Kenner releasing action figures based on exactly two characters, Batman and the Joker. There were also several vehicles, and a few roleplay accessories. The lack of different characters doomed this line from the start and was really just a stop gap until Batman Returns hit the theaters in 1992.

Kenner was certainly not new to making Batman action figures, since they released the Super Powers Collection from 1984-1986, and they certainly went big on the Batman variants for the Dark Knight Collection. With the Batman movie being the king of the big screen in 1989, Kenner moved quickly with two waves of eight different Batman variants and two Joker figures. For the Caped Crusader, there was Bruce Wayne Batman, Crime Attack Batman, Iron Winch Batman, Shadow Wing Batman, Tec-Shield Batman, Wall Scaler Batman, Powerwing Batman and Thunderwhip Batman. For Joker, there was Sky Escape Joker and Knock-Out Joker. In addition, there were three Deluxe Batman variants, a few roleplay accessories and nine vehicles (Batcycle, Batjet, Joker Cycle, Batmobile, Bola Bullet, Strike Wing, Batcopter, Turbo Jet Batwing and the European released Sky Blade.

The packaging for Kenner’s The Dark Knight Collection toy line was actually very nice with some fun graphics and coloring. Each figure was on a traditional blister card, with the figure on the right of the bubble and their accessories on the left. The Dark Knight Collection logo was centered at the top of the card, with a photo of the included character to the left of it. Since Batman and Joker were the only characters released, all Batman figures had the same photo, with the same for Joker. The name of each character was directly below the iconic Bat Symbol. There was a small action photo to the right of each card showing what the figure’s action feature was. Each card back featured all of that wave’s figures and accessories, along with photos of each action feature the figure had. Overall, the Dark Knight Collection toy line was a nice effort by Kenner but the lack of character selection limited its life span.