Action Figure Review: Batman (Knightfall) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   There are a lot of great Batman stories. Dozens. Heck, probably hundreds. Even you try to start picking the best of the best, well, the list just gets longer and longer as you think of more. And more just keep coming. What's my favorite? I'm honestly going to say that it's Knightfall. Right now I'm enjoying the privilege of rereading Knightfall with my daughter and we're having a blast (we're currently on Knightquest: The Crusade- vol 2). She's around the same age as I was when the story was originally released and while I certainly wasn't be to keep up with every issue, I remember very much following what was happening through random issues and the series being discussed in magazines and such. If you're going to read the series, pick up the 25th Anniversary editions published from 2018-2019 as they cover the story from Vengeance of Bane to the Troika storyline, ending with Vengeance of Bane II. Now, all that is just a preface to say that I'm really excited for this Knghtfall version of Batman. Personally, McFarlane Toys could just keep releasing Knightfalland Hush related figures from now on and I'd be OK. Well, maybe some from Night of the Owls, the Rebirth Detective Comics, and Batman Eternal as well.... Let's take a look at this fantastic Jim Aparo inspired Batman 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 head. 

Accessories: 4 Swappable hands, batarang, collector card, and display stand. 

Non-Scalper Price: $20 dollars

The Positives:

* This Knightfall of Batman looks really, really nice. Jim Aparo drew Batman frequently in the 1980s and early 1990s, so this Batman works for many significant works from that era, like A Death in the Family. The sculpt is excellent with Batman looking fit and muscular under a fitted costume, but not massive and not all armored up. This is a very classic Batman and feels like it might suit fans wanting a Super Powers inspired Batman as well. The light grey suit is definitely jarring compared to more modern takes on Batman, but I think it's correct. Could be a bit darker, but it shouldn't be much. The capsule utility belt it just really sharp looking, too. 

* The headsculpt is excellent. Grim and serious, but not over the top angry or anguished, this is a very definitive and recognizable take on Batman from the late 1980s and early 1990s. I love the shape of the cowl and those piercing, whited out eyes. 

* Check out that classic bat emblem. Not only is it just beautiful to look at but it's also a sculpted element. Listen, that might seem like a small thing but it just really helps to make the figure that much better. 

* This version of Batman has long wrist spikes that are perfectly neat and straight. They look fantastic!

* The cape is good. It's a sculpted plastic cape that's just a bit flexible with a nice hang to it. It looks just right and billow outs just a bit to Batman' right. Not overly dramatic, but just enough to add a bit of flair to a pose.

* He's solid and sturdy, like most McFarlane figures these days, and he's really fun to pose and mess around with. The articulation is great. If you've had any other McFarlane Batman figures you probably won't be too surprised, but you ought to be quite pleased. The articulation feels smooth and allows for some excellent posing. 

* Bruce comes with two pair of hands: A pair of fists for punching out the escaped inmates of Arkham Asylum and a pair of standard grips for holding on to whatever batgadgets he need. 

* This is a great batarang. Simple, classic, and matching Batman's costume. I love it. 

* You get a collectible card and display stand included here, both of which are always appreciated. The collectible card features Batman taking on Mad Hatter while the simple black display stand keeps your figure secure on the shelf. 

   In my book, McFarlane is knocking it out of the park with their Batman releases. Yes, I know they're building the mainstream DC Universe roster of characters quite slowly and they definitely are starting to release a lot of exclusive repaints but, wow, they are killing it with Batman. This is an incredible, definitive Jim Aparo Batman in my book and a pretty good 1970s-1990s Batman overall. I'd still love to see a Neal Adams take, too. This is just an Epic figure, available at a very reasonable price, from one of the greatest Batman stories ever told. It's kind of tough not to recommend this one, though I'd also like to see a good (not phoned in) battle damaged variant with a new Bane. 


   I have reviewed so many figures of Bruce Wayne/ Batman that he has his own review archive. Check out the Dark Knight Gallery for all of my Batman and Bruce Wayne reviews. 

For more DC Multiverse reviews check out the following:

Aquaman (Flashpoint)
Arsenal (Titans)
Bane
Bane (The Dark Knight Trilogy)
Batcycle (The Flash)
Batman (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns) Jokerized
Batman (DC vs Vampires)
Batman (The Flash)-- Keaton
Batman (Hush)
Batman Duke Thomas (Tales from the Dark Multiverse)
The Batman Who Laughs with Sky Tyrant Wings (Dark Knights: Metal)
Batwing (Batman Inc.)
Batwoman Unmasked (Batman Beyond)
Beast Boy (Teen Titans)
Beast Boy (Titans)
Catwoman (Batman: Knightfall)

Deadman (DC Rebirth)
Donna Troy (Titans)
Earth-2 Batman (Batman: Arkham Knight)
The Flash (DC Rebirth) Black & White Accent Edition
The Flash (Flashpoint)
The Flash Jay Garrick (Jay Garrick: The Flash Age)
Fulcum Abominus (Dark Knights: Metal)
Gladiator Batman (Dark Knights: Metal)
Grifter (Infinite Frontier)

Harley Quinn (The Suicide Squad)
Impulse (Flash War)
The Joker (Infinite Frontier)
Kalibak (The Darkseid War)
Man-Bat (DC Rebirth)
Mister Freeze (Victor Fries)
Nekron (Blackest Night)
Nightwing (Titans)
Project Superman (Flashpoint)
Raven (Titans)
The Riddler (Arkham City)
Scarecrow (The Dark Knight Trilogy)
The Signal Duke Thomas
Superman (Black Adam) Black & White Accent Edition
Superman (Superman: Lois and Clark)
Superman Vs. Doomsday
Two-Face (The Dark Knight Trilogy)
Two-Face as Batman (Batman: Reborn)