Friday, May 12, 2023

Action Figure Review: Beast Boy (Teen Titans) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

"Hey, mama!"

   OK, so to be fair the version of Beast Boy I'm most familiar with is the Teen Titans Go! since my daughter watches it a lot, but I've certainly read my share of his adventures in classics like The Doom Patrol and Teen Titans and in newer books like the Rebirth era Titans. No matter where you're familiar with him or whether you call him Beast Boy, Changeling, Menagerie, Garfield Logan definitely has a lot of personality. While the packaging just sources him to "Teen Titans" and uses a classic image of Beast Boy from the 1980s on the included collectible card, the figure really looks like Beast Boy from his self titled 2000 series. I mean, the hair is just spot on to to the cover of the first issue. Beast Boy is a Gold Label figure exclusive to Walmart and while I saw him in stores a few times when he first started showing up, now he seems to be a bit tougher to find. There's a Beast Boy collect to build figure in the current Titans series of figures, too, but that's a massive, modern version of the character while this version of Gar is definitely a more classic, recognizable take on the character. Let's see how Beast Boy turned out after the break...






The Facts:

Height: 7 1/8ths inches

Articulation: Hinged toes, double swivel hinged ankles, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, swivel/hinge hips, balljointed waist, balljointed mid torso, swivel/hinge shoulders w/ ballsockets, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, double swivel/ hinge wrists, and a barbell jointed neck.
 
Accessories: Eagle form, collector card, and display stand.
 
Non-Scalper Price: $20 dollars






The Positives:

* Beast Boy is decked out in the red and white outfit that he originally wore when he played Lt. Tork in the the television series Space Trek: 2022. It's a little different, but it's clear that Gar decided to adopt the design, especially when he uses the name Changeling. While most DC Multiverse figures have had fully unique sculpts thus far, Beast Boy definitely has a more basic body, similar to what you'd see in a line like Marvel Legends. It seems now that we're getting more classic versions of characters we'll probably see more standard, reused bodies since the original costumes seemed pretty standard without a lot of embellishments. The paint is clean and the design looks just fine. 


* I like the portrait of Gar here. It's youthful, but he's clearly not a kid. He's sporting the shorter hair he sometimes has and doesn't really have any animal features to his appearance other than being green and having pointy ears. He looks a bit sly, definitely like he's up to something. I'm digging the mischievous grin. 



* I have no complaint's about Beast Boy's articulation. I really like the articulation on most DC Multiverse figures from McFarlane Toys and Gar uses a terrific base body. These figures are solid, sturdy, and they have a pretty good range of motion. Even the waist piece works nicely here as it fits with the outfit he's wearing. 


* There have actually been quite a few Beast Boy action figures made over the years and at least one other (Mattel's DC Universe Classics Beast Boy) has come with a falcon. Those Falcons reused the Masters of the Universe Classics Zoar and Screeech bodies, but this one is all new. It's a cool green falcon with a translucent look to it. There's even some paint to bring out all of the feathery details while still keeping the falcon green. 



*  I'm still thrilled that McFarlane includes a stand with each of their releases these days. It's just a simple disc stand with the DC logo on it but it works well and keeps the figure standing upright in most poses.







* The image of "The Changeling" on this collectible card is taken from 1982's Tales of the New Teen Titans, so it's a very classic image of Beast Boy. The costume is right but the hair is different from the included figure.

   Beast Boy is a pretty cool figure. Maybe not the most exciting figure out there, but a solid, fairly classic version of the character. While I really like the super stylized and story specific Batman-centric figures in this line, I do like that we're getting more and more kind of standard, classic versions, too. It's starting to feel like this line is catering to more and more fans and there's a lot of great stuff to be had. Beast Boy is a Great figure and should complement the Titans series nicely (which I'll be reviewing soon!).




   

   Whether you call him Changeling, Beast Boy, Boy Beast, or any of his other monikers and nicknames, I've reviewed a few other figures of him!  Check out the DC Comics Multiverse Beast Boy, the DC Super Hero Girls Beast Boy from the action collection 6-pack, and the Beast Boy mini from the Teen Titans Go! To the Movies line.

No comments:

Post a Comment

What'chu talkin' 'bout?