Sunday, February 17, 2019

Action Figure Review: Batman from DC Primal Age by Mattel

 Today we're checking out another figure from Funko's DC Primal Age toyline and this time it's the man whom everything seems to revolve around: Batman! Considering he already has a Batcave to chill out in and Ace the Bathound to ride around on, there's no doubt that Bruce is the star of the show. I'm really liking this line and while we've seen the preorders for the second series of figures I was kind of hoping we'd see evidence of a third series at Toy Fair 2019. While we've seen everyone featured in the very cool cartoon intro I really want this line to continue with more figues. The line definitely needs some more females (Catwoman, Poison Ivy, and Power Girl would be excellent choices), more magic based characters (Etrigan, Dr. Fate, and Zatanna), and Cyborg as well. Hopefully the line is a success and has a nice long lifespan. For now, the revamped first series figures are exclusive to Target. Let's check out the DC Primal Age Batman after the break...



 The Facts:

Height: 5 1/2 inches

Articulation: Balljointed hips, swivel waist, swivel shoulders, and a swivel neck.

Accessories: Sword, shield, and cape

Non-Scalper Price: $12 dollars
 The Positives:

* Batman might be one of the characters who differs the least from his typical comic book appearances (at least some of his older comic book appearances) but the little details such as the furry trunks and the He-Man like harness definitely sell the barbarian fantasy nature of the line while still looking Batman-ish enough to make this feel like a really good Elseworlds depiction of the Caped Crusader. The paintwork is quite nice and clean overall and definitely capture a nice balance of using some modern techniques while still feeling like a vintage toy.


* I love the utility belt. Again, it's a nice mixture between a swords and sorcery look and Batman's classic utility belt with the larger pouches. If you were going to play as Batman in Dungeons and Dragons, this is probably what you'd be wearing.


* The headsculpt is good and, for some reason, reminds me of something from Neal Adams' Batman Odyssey. That's a pretty out there book with excellent art and I can see this Batman rendered in that art style.
 * The Primal Age figures are definitely built in such a way as to look similar to a Masters of the Universe figure or any other similar barbarian fantasy figure from the 1980s, although the hip joints are more traditional ball joints rather than the rubber banded legs of the vintage MOTU figures. I know the Amazon releases of the DC Primal Age figures had some extremely widespread breakage issues with the hips but these newer releases feel very sturdy and well made.


* Batman's cape is another key element of the character's design that has been taken and just tweaked a little. Rather than a leather cape, Batman's cape is made out of a fur. Is it the fur of a blue creature or a blue dyed fur? Who knows?


* I love this sword. I've long been a fan of the Kenner Legends of Batman line and this feels like a sword design that could have come from that series. I mean, look at that blade? It's just so chunky and awesome looking. And that hilt? I dig it man, I dig it. It's incredible!



 * The shield is awesome, too. It's got a massive bat on it with lots of sword and sorcery styled flair. The gold color is perfect, too. This is another piece that's just aces.
 The Negatives:

* My only complaint here is that the paint on the handle, which looks great, scrapes off far too easily onto Batman's hands. I constantly find streaks of blue paint on Batman's hands, not unlike a justice obsessed, barbarian Tobias Funke.
  
  I really like this guy. He might not be everyone's cup of tea but I have no doubt he'll end up as the most popular DC Primal Age figure around (there's already a black and grey variant planned). He's a Great and a 1/2 figure and one heck of a fun toy to play with. The accessories are really cool, the design is excellent, and it's a swords and sorcery inspired Batman. What more could you want?





I've reviewed so many Batman figures that he has his own review archive. Check out the Dark Knight Gallery for more Batman reviews!

For more DC Primal Age reviews, check out the following:
Ace the Bathound
Aquaman
The Batcave
The Joker Beast
Mister Freeze "Ice Mode" 

3 comments:

  1. These look great.I may have to pay Target a visit at some point.

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  2. I can't help bu imagine the voice if this Barbarian Batman to be Diedrich Bader, the voice of Batman from Batman: The Brave and the Bold. It just fits, as later in the show, a caveman Batman appeared.

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    Replies
    1. I can see that! Also, imagine if the late, great Adam West had been able to voice this version of Batman, playing it 100% straight. That would have been amazing, too!

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