The Bat-Raptor

The Bat-Raptor

DC Multiverse - McFarlane Toys

The most exciting thing about McFarlane taking on DC Comics, is his promise to deliver scale vehicles.  The inclusion of the Bat-Raptor was most welcome here in his first wave of figures.  It may be a funky choice as far as aesthetics go, but it doesn't break the bank for the consumer or merchandiser.  It looks great, even if it is bare-bones and should fit my 6-inch figures just fine.

Like Hellbat armor Batman, this vehicle is mostly black, but varies in application from flat to shiny.  This adds a little more visual variety and helps some of its lines and curves stand out.  There is also some very nice silver weathering where appropriate.

The engine/thruster area also features some silver weathering with a touch of dirty gold.  The same goes for the underside.

The interior has a lot of nice sculpted details in the seat and console area.  As this was made for slightly larger figures, you should have no trouble fitting Mattel figures in the seat, cape and all.

Big, heavy, rubber tires for the win!  One of the biggest complaints about toys of this size is that most have hollow plastic wheels.  This is definitely a rarity and adds more realism to the overall look as well as weight to the vehicle.

The Raptor isn't as long but just a hair wider than Mattel's Batman Missions Batmobile...which may replace it as my default Bat-transport for the foreseeable future.  The real test was fitting it into the garage area of the Batman V Superman Batcave playset.  Like a glove!

It may not have any action features (save for the extending front wheel), sound effects, or lights, but for $30 this is a solid first outing for McFarlane.  I really hope these sell well so we get more gadgets.  My Batcave is in desperate need of water transportation, Todd!

Joker and Poison Ivy

Joker and Poison Ivy

DC Multiverse Originals - Mattel

There’s a new Joker movie out, and while we’re waiting for another Halloween where the streets are flooded with insufferable Mister J. costumes, here’s a classic take.  Like the recent Killer Croc wave, Mattel is bringing us more Batman 80th anniversary treats as part of it’s farewell tour.  And look, Poison Ivy was apparently freed from her Mattycollector hostage deal to be able to join the party!

The Matty version was the all-green, shoe-less, modern take...I think popularized by Jim Lee’s run on the books?  Maybe the re-vamped look on Batman: The Animated Series?  Anyway, that figure was great, but part of the lame subscription service.  (Thank goodness for EBay sellers in China!)   This one has a more human look and all the same articulation of Multiverse’s improved female sculpt.  While some prefer a smaller, pixie-like Ivy, this one works and is definitely true to the “classics” moniker.  She features a crossbow (repainted from another Matty hostage, Huntress) and some flexible plastic vine to coils up her arm and leg.

Some weirdos don’t think the head sculpt is “attractive” enough for Ivy.  Ehhh...that’s a debate one shouldn’t be having about little plastic dolls.  One thing I will say about the head is watch out for sloppy paint apps.  I have seen eyes, eyebrows, and lips being hit and miss from picture to picture.  Quality control has always been here and there with Mattel...I didn’t notice that the one I picked up had a lower leg assembled backwards at the knee.  A quick fix with some hot water, an exacto knife, and a dab of glue.  

Joker uses the same body sculpt as the new Alfred figure.  It’s fantastic on both, though the tails on the jacket should be different on this one: longer and more separated.  They modified the front of the jacket to accommodate a removable lapel flower:  one standard, the other with a removable acid effect.  The acid is hollowed on one side, so will need to be rotated to maintain the illusion with different poses.  This effect, well, the whole figure in general, is a throwback to the Toy Biz 1989 figure.

He doesn’t come with a hat, but they must have spent the plastic on the addition to the cane.  The gold jester skull looks great, and is a welcome variant from the other Jokers over the years.  I honestly expected to see a reused accessory here.

"Where does he get those wonderful toys?"

"Wait til they get a load a me!"

New Jokercopter part of the cheaper Batman Missions line.

The head sculpt is definitely “classic”, though might not fit with most Mattel Batman displays.  Again, a nod to Toy Biz, maybe even the Kenner Super Powers takes.  It also kinda resembles a mix of Joker depictions from the 70s and 80s.  A decent middle-ground, Neil Adams/Jim Aparo look to go with the earlier Dick Sprang.  I dig it, though I may still experiment with head swaps...the near perfect body is too tempting not to do so.  I may also repaint his left eyebrow, which somehow missed the sculpted plastic by that much.  Oh, Mattel!

These are, so far, Target exclusives.  Did I mention how much I hate the Target in my town?  Target in general?  I paid $8 over retail to get Joker.  Worth it in wasted gas and frustration.  Of course, a week later, visiting a neighboring town’s far superior Target, I see him and the whole wave...smile, darn ya, smile....

Mr. Freeze

Mr. Freeze

Batman Missions True-Moves

Mattel - 12-inch figure

Mr. Freeze has been a tough one to track down.  Quite a cold case, if you will.  Ba-dum-ching!  He was a late assortment refresh pack-in that I have only seen once on the shelves so far.  In fact, I picked up the one and only one I have seen.  He's been on Amazon for some time, but priced at $20 or more.  Too rich for my blood, but I might have caved if I had not been lucky enough to nab him.

The design on the suit is fantastic.  Lots of mech-tech sculpting, buckles, and straps.  And the color scheme...black, silver, and blue never looked so good!  The only thing that might have made it better would be some white, cold-frosting effects...especially on the base of the dome.  

Oh, it was a complete shock that the dome is removable.  Does that qualify as an accessory?  Maybe not, but Mr. Freeze has a gun!  Oh, wait...it's molded to his hand!  Wah-wah.  So close to perfection, but not a deal breaker.  Still loving these big, cheap Batman dolls!  As I mentioned before, they sport a decent amount of articulation for $10 and the comic book designs set them apart from all the movie garbage on the shelves.  Great for kids and collectors alike...unless you're a lame articulation snob.  Chill out!