The Joker

The Joker

DC Icons - DC Collectibles

DC Multiverse - Mattel

We used to have DC Collectibles/Direct focusing on the artist/era specific figures, with Mattel taking on a general, more classic look with their DC Universe Classics.  Well, I guess times have changed, and DC wants to stay as current as possible, because here is a fairly recent comic interpretation of the Joker from the Endgame story.

I passed on this figure initially as I prefer classics and Mattel has given us the same old suit body time and time again.  But I saw this guy as a cheap, $5 Amazon add-on item, so why not? 

The head sculpt is pretty nice.  Good paint apps all around, especially with the teeth.  The hands are unique to this figure... strange and art specific.  As you can see, the pinky is made to put a smile on someone's face.  And if you can't find someone else, the figure comes with a removed face accessory!  Pretty ballsy there, Mattel!  You would never see this kind of thing with Marvel Legends.

I also recently picked up a DC Icons Joker figure from DC Collectibles.  These are generally priced anywhere from $20-25, but scored this one from Amazon for $16.  I was initially excited by the unveiling of this line, as Mattel stalled out on DC at the time and these would scratch that classics itch.  They were supposed to be in 6-inch scale, as opposed to DCC's standard 7, but they scale a bit small in comparison to other lines.  He's a bit short, but not too terrible... the overall presentation makes up for it.

Modeled after his look in the "Death in the Family" storyline, Joker is sporting a trench coat and hat this time around.  I wish he had an alternate, hatless head, but at lease he has a Tommy gun to go with the more old-time gangster look.  He also comes with a key accessory from those comics...a Robin-bashing crowbar!  He has some alternate hands to hold these or go closed-fisted with his right hand, but not his left.  Strange, as it would have been nice if he could hold both weapons at once or just the Tommy Gun with both hands.  Minor complaints since I got him for less than the standard price.  Other than that, I love the articulation and the paint.  He will most likely be my go-to Joker until a better representation comes around.