You remember that feeling. Sliding the disc into your console back in 2011, seeing the rain-slicked streets of a walled-off Gotham district, and hearing Kevin Conroy’s iconic growl. Batman: Arkham City didn't just change superhero games; it redefined what a licensed property could be. It was dark. It was gritty. It was perfect. Naturally, Funko eventually caught on, and the Batman Arkham City Funko Pop lineup became a lightning rod for fans who wanted to take a piece of that neon-gothic atmosphere home.
Collecting these things isn't just about plastic. It’s about the aesthetic shift. Before this wave, Batman Pops were mostly based on the "Blue and Grey" vintage look or the Dark Knight films. When the Arkham City figures dropped, we finally got that tactical, weathered, "I’ve been fighting for 12 hours straight" vibe.
The Sculpt That Changed Everything
Most people don't realize how much of a leap the Batman Arkham City Funko Pop was in terms of mold detail. If you look at the early "Blue Box" DC Pops, they’re basically just smooth cylinders with painted-on features. Boring. But the Batman from the Arkham City series? He’s got the gauntlet fins. He’s got the visible armor plating. Even his cowl has that distinct, slightly more aggressive ear shape that Rocksteady Studios pioneered.
It’s honestly impressive.
Funko captured the specific "detective vision" feel without even trying. The paint applications on the standard Batman (Model #52) moved away from the bright, primary colors of the comics. Instead, we got those muted charcoals and deep blacks. It’s a moody piece of desk decor. You’ve probably seen it on a thousand Twitch streamers' shelves, and there’s a reason it hasn't been replaced by newer versions from Arkham Knight or the more recent Suicide Squad game. It’s just the definitive "Modern Batman" look.
The Joker from this set is another story entirely. In the game, he’s dying. He’s got the Titan disease ravaging his body, his skin is peeling, and he looks like a walking corpse. Funko had a choice: make him cute or keep him accurate. They chose a middle ground that somehow works. They gave him those sickly lines around the eyes and that frantic, desperate grin that Mark Hamill voiced so perfectly.
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Why Value Is Exploding for Certain Figures
If you’re hunting for a Batman Arkham City Funko Pop today, you’re going to notice something frustrating. Prices are all over the place. Why? Because Funko didn't over-produce these the way they do with Stranger Things or Marvel pops today.
Take the Solomon Grundy over-sized Pop. He’s a beast. In the game, he’s a boss fight that haunts your nightmares in the basement of the Museum. As a figure, he’s heavier, sturdier, and significantly harder to find in mint condition. The box is huge, which means more surface area for those dreaded corner creases that collectors loathe.
Then you have the Catwoman.
She’s basically the holy grail of the core Arkham City set. Why? Because her design in that game was peak Selina Kyle—tactical goggles, the zipped-down suit, and the whip. For some reason, her production run felt shorter than Batman’s. If you find one with a clean window and no sun-bleaching on the purple accents, you’re looking at a serious investment.
- Batman (#52): The backbone of the collection. Common but essential.
- The Joker (#53): Often found with paint defects on the flower—check before buying.
- Harley Quinn (#54): Features her "Nurse" inspired outfit from the DLC and the main game's climax.
- Catwoman (#136): The hardest to track down at a reasonable price.
- Clayface: An absolute unit. One of the best "Large" Pops Funko has ever made.
Prices fluctuate based on "vaulted" status. Once Funko stops the presses, the secondary market on sites like eBay or Mercari takes over. It’s a supply and demand game, and right now, nostalgia for the Rocksteady era of games is at an all-time high.
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The Misconception About "Glow in the Dark" Variants
There is a lot of misinformation floating around about "chase" versions or special variants of the Batman Arkham City Funko Pop. Let's set the record straight. While there are dozens of Batman variants across the Funko universe, the Arkham City line is relatively tight.
You might see custom-painted versions or "glow" versions that look official but are actually high-end fan projects. Genuine vaulted pieces will have the specific "Arkham City" logo on the bottom of the box, not just a generic "DC Universe" header. Collectors often get burned by buying a Batman: Arkham Asylum pop thinking it's the City version. They look similar, but the Asylum Batman has a different belt and a slightly more "animated" feel. Know the difference before you drop $50 on a "rare" find that’s actually a common re-release.
The detail in the eyes is the giveaway. The Arkham City sculpt has a specific furrow in the brow that isn't present in the 1966 or comic-book versions. It’s that perpetual scowl.
How to Spot a Fake in 2026
It’s getting harder. Counterfeiters have gotten really good at replicating the boxes. For a high-value Batman Arkham City Funko Pop like Catwoman or the Joker, you need to look at the "Pop!" logo on the top left. On fakes, the dot pattern is often blurry or the gradient is slightly off-color.
Check the feet. Real Funko Pops have serial numbers printed or stamped on the bottom of the feet or the base of the neck. If that number doesn't match the one on the bottom of the box, you’ve got a problem. Also, the weight. Knock-offs often use a lighter, cheaper plastic that feels hollow. An Arkham City Batman should feel substantial. It’s a tank of a figure.
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Another thing: the box art. The purple and dark blue hues of the Arkham City branding are notoriously hard to print correctly. Fakes usually come out looking too "magenta" or way too dark, losing the detail of the city skyline in the background.
Displaying Your Gotham Collection
If you're going to collect these, don't just shove them in a dark corner. These figures were designed for lighting. Because of the matte finish on the Batman Arkham City Funko Pop suits, they look incredible under cool white LED strips. It mimics the clinical, cold light of the game’s environment.
Most serious collectors keep them "In Box" (IB), but honestly? The Arkham City line has some of the best 360-degree detailing. Looking at the back of Harley Quinn’s vest or the textures on Clayface’s "mud" skin is half the fun. If you go "Out of Box" (OOB), just make sure you keep them away from direct sunlight. That specific grey paint on Batman’s suit is prone to yellowing if it sits in a window for too long.
What’s Next for Arkham Collectors?
Is the line dead? Not necessarily. While Funko has moved on to other licenses, they frequently revisit "Greatest Hits." However, the original 2014-2015 runs of the Batman Arkham City Funko Pop remain the most desirable. They represent a specific moment in gaming history where the "Arkham-verse" was the undisputed king of the genre.
If you’re looking to start a collection now, don't try to buy them all at once. You’ll overpay. Start with the standard Batman. He’s the anchor. He’s the easiest to find and gives you a baseline for what the quality should look like. From there, move to the villains.
Actionable Steps for the Serious Collector:
- Verify the Box Art: Ensure the Arkham City logo is crisp and the character art matches the game’s 3D model, not the cartoon style.
- Check the Serial: Match the stamp on the figure's foot to the box's manufacturing date code (usually a sticker or an embossed stamp).
- Invest in Protectors: For Catwoman or the Joker, buy a 0.5mm plastic protector. The boxes for this specific line are known for "shelf wear" due to the dark ink showing every little scratch.
- Join the Community: Groups on Reddit or specific Funko forums often have members selling these at "cost plus shipping" rather than the inflated eBay prices.
- Watch the Feet: Some older Arkham pops have "lean" issues. If you’re buying OOB, ask for a photo of the figure standing on a flat surface to make sure it hasn't warped over time.
Collecting this specific set is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about celebrating a game that treated the Dark Knight with the respect he deserved. Whether they’re sitting on your desk or tucked away in a vault, these figures are a piece of gaming history.