Friday, January 5, 2024

Wrapping Up 2023: Scarecrow (The Dark Knight Rises) Jokerized from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 



   Some people hate the Jokerized DC Multiverse variants with the passion of a thousand suns, but there are some of them I really like. Today I'm checking out the Jokerized Scarecrow based on the Scarecrow figure from the Dark Knight Trilogy series. This guy is completely a McFarlane Toys repaint creation and not based on any prior concept I'm aware of and while it's quite bizarre, it's also very cool and just eerily unsetting. This guy is part of a Target exclusive Build-a-Figure series which features all Jokerized repaints of the Dark Knight Trilogy series figures, so if you want a Jokerized Bane this is the way to get him. Ready to check out a really creep version of the Scarecrow? Then join me after the break...






The Facts:

Height: 7 1/4ths 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/ ballsocket base, swivel/hinge elbows, swivel/ hinge wrists, and a barbell jointed head..
 
Accessories: Four swappable hands, 2 arms for the Bane build-a-figure, collector card, and display stand.
 
Non-Scalper Price: $25 dollars







The Positives:



* The basic figure is the same as the standard Batman Begins Scarecrow, so he's decked out in the tatters of the straitjacket he was wearing in the film's climax, now torn and looking like some sort of frightening robe. Underneath the tattered straitjacket he's wearing a suit. A purple suit. Yes, the colors are wild here with green edges on the straitjacket and lots of unusual paint applications.
 

* Jonathan Crane's mask is darker this time around, a more yellowish-tan, the noose around his neck is a darker tan, and he has a Joker face painted over where his normal masked face would be. It's very sloppy and haphazard, befitting the Dark Knight Trilogy's version of the Joker, and even the eyes underneath the mask are crimson red. This is a really impressive look and it works quite well as an unusual variant. 





* "Why So Serious?" is also slathered across the Scarecrow's tattered straightjacket, just above a blood red smiley face. It's very reminiscent of the images from the advertising campaign for The Dark Knight. I really like this. It's kind of fun to try and come up with some sort of weird circumstance where the Scarecrow would be teaming up with the Joker. Or maybe they're at war with one another? 












* Underneath the robe is a very bright purple suit that is very Joker. The pants are a it lighter than the jacket, which seems like a stylistic choice. 





* Not only does the back of the straitjacket have lots of straps and such but it also has green paint smeared all over the bottom edge and the sleeves. It's quite striking. This is definitely a figure where the weird, Jokerized color scheme just works perfectly. 













* If you want some options for the Scarecrow, he  comes with an extra pair of hands. There is a right handed fist, a gesturing right hand, and a pair of pistol grips.


* While the robe-like straightjacket does flow down to Scarecrow's feet, it really doesn't hinder his articulation much at all. Yeah, he won't be popping jumps and flips like Nightwing, but overall he's about as articulated as any other figure in the line. The elbows are swivel/hinge joints instead of double hinges with a bicep swivel, but that helps to keep the look of the billowing sleeves so they flow properly. While the robe covers most of the torso, there still seem to be balljoints for the waist and mid-torso, too




* As always, McFarlane Toys includes a display 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. 










* A collectible card is also included with an image of the Scarecrow from the film on the front and a bio on the back. Well, an image from the film with some Joker scribbles on it now. The bio on the back doesn't really seem at all specific to Batman Begins, though, and could easily just be a generic Scarecrow bio from almost any comic. Oddly enough, the figure is sourced to The Dark Knight Rises. Yeah, Scarecrow appeared in that movie but this image isn't from there.  


* Like standard Dark Knight Trilogy Scarecrow, this version comes with the arms for the Bane buildable figure. Not the hands; just the arms. This is a Jokerized Bane, but the arms really aren't too different except for the green on Bane's right forearm.


The Negatives:


* It's quite tough to get the Scarecrow's hands off if you want to swap hands. They're kind of recessed in the straitjacket sleeves, so it's hard to get a good grip when swapping them.


* The knees on Scarecrow are a very different color from the rest of his pants. That's not a style choice like his jacket being a different shade is; that's just a weird production issue. I know the knees are probably a different hardness of plastic, but still you'd hope they could come out the same color. 


   The Jokerized Scarecrow is a really strange figure but there's something about it that's just very unsettling and menacing. While many of the Jokerized variants are a bit superfluous, this guy actually feels like it offers something new to the Scarecrow's design, or at least makes an interesting Joker variant or goon. He'll look really good on my Joker shelf, especially due to the bright, bold colors. I'm not too impressed with the Jokerized Bane himself (he's a weird character to Jokerize) but the Scarecrow is a Great figure and one I'm definitely glad I picked up. 





   If you're looking for more of the Scarecrow, AKA Jonathan Crane, I've also reviewed the DC Multiverse Scarecrow (The Dark Knight Trilogy), Twister Strike Scarecrow from Kenner's Legends of the Dark Knight toyline, the Funko DC Primal Age Scarecrow, the Arkham Asylum Breakout Lego set which included Scarecrow, the Arkham Knight Scarecrow, the DC Nano Metalfigs Scarecrow (DC96), and the HeroClix Yellow Lantern Scarecrow.

   If you're looking for more of the Joker himself check out my Joker Archive: The Joker's Funhouse!

For more DC Multiverse reviews check out the following:
Harley Quinn (The Suicide Squad)
Impulse (Flash War)
The Joker- Bank Robber (The Dark Knight)
The Joker (The Dark Knight Rises) Jokerized
The Joker (Infinite Frontier)
The Joker- Sonar Vision (The Dark Knight)
Justice Buster (Batman: Endgame)
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)
The Riddler (DC Classic)
Robin- Tim Drake (Robin: Reborn)
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)










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2 comments:

  1. GIJigsawJanuary 6, 2024 at 11:01 AM

    This is really cool!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbecue17January 9, 2024 at 10:24 AM

      It's definitely the coolest of the figures from this series, I think. It just works really well.

      Delete

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