Action Figure Barbecue: Action Figure Review: Deadshot (DC Classic) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

Today I'm jumping back in to take a look at another DC Multiverse figure from McFarlane Toys: Deadshot (DC Classic) from the most recent McFarlane Collector Edition series. This is the first set of McFarlane Collector Edition figures where I've picked up all three figures released (Deadshot, Batman: Year Two, and Adam Strange) but Deadshot was the first one I found at a Target. I've actually seen all of these guys in stores multiple times now, though I did get Batman online from BBTS and Adam Strange online from GameStop. This is the first figure of Deadshot/ Floyd Lawton that we've received from McFarlane Toys in the DC Multiverse line, so that's another major Batman villain checked off the list. This isn't the first appearance version of Deadshot from 1950 (where he wore a tuxedo, top hat, and domino mask) but is the version most familiar to comic fans from Detective Comics in 1977 where he escaped from prison and came back with a vengeance. If you're looking for a classic "Super Powers"/ style guide look for Deadshot, this is it. He's much brighter than I expected (at a glance I always think he's Negative Man for some reason) but he does look accurate to most of his comic book appearances from the late 1970s, 1980s, and into the 1990s. Ready to see if Deadshot hits the mark? Then join me after the break...

The Facts:

Height: 7 1/8ths inches

Articulation: Toe hinges, souble swivel hinged ankles, double hinged knees, 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: 6 swappable hands, 6 swappable wrist guns, collector card, and display stand.

Non-Scalper Price: $30 dollars

Comparison:

* Just for fun, here's a comparison of McFarlane's Deadshot and Mattel's DC Universe Classics Deadshot (right). This guy was part of the Chemo BAF series from 2009 and is definitely one of my favorite DCUC figures that was released. While I like the size and articulation of McFarlane's figure better, I do like that Mattel implemented some darker colors into their figure. It does look a bit better in person.

The Positives:

* Deadshot's costume during the 1970s and 1980s is really bright and bold for an assassin. Red, yellow, and white? McFarlane has done a good job with the figure, though, and everything looks very crisp and clean as most of the parts are molded in the appropriate color of plastic. That's the way to go with white and yellow, as those can get messy when paint is involved. There's a lot of sculpted detail here such as Floyd's unique chest and the little crosshairs on his belt. There's also some textured details down his arms and legs. Though they may be remnants left over from another figure who originally used these arms and legs, they don't look bad at all and add a bit more texture to the figure.

* Deadshot's portrait is pretty nondescript thanks to the mask he wears to hide his identity. You can see elements of his face under there, but you'd never be able to identify him. The left eye is simply white while the right eye is covered with an aiming device that is attached to his wrist mounted guns and offers all sorts of enhanced vision types.

* Here's a closer look at the crosshair on his belt (not a place I'd put a target of any kind) and the doodads hanging from his belt. I believe these hold the magazines for his custom wrist mounted guns.

* Deadshot's wrist-mounted guns are actually removable pieces that you can swap out. They fit onto a small peg on the forearm and stay in place quite well. They're small but are very accurate to the comic look this figure is based on. There are even some paint apps for the holes in the barrels.

* There are three sets of guns. The first set you just saw are plain but this set has a smaller firing effect molded as part of the barrel.

* The third set has a larger burst of flames coming out of the barrel. Perhaps Floyd's using automatic fire here?

* Deadshot hits the mark for me when it comes to articulation. He's quite excellent and looks pretty slick in various firing poses. He's a solid and sturdy toy, like most McFarlane figures these days and he's just a fun figure to pose and mess around with due to the different gun attachments. The articulation feels smooth and allows for some excellent posing. There's not much to interfere with his motion, either. About the only thing I would have liked to have seen were forearm swivels to allow for changing the angle of the guns a bit more.

* Deadshot comes with six swappable hands that pop off and pop back on with ease. There's a pair of trigger grips (which allow you to equip him with weapons from one of the McFarlane armory packs), a pair of pointing fingers (finger guns, baby!), and a pair of fists for regular poses or firing his wrist rifles.

* As is pretty standard with the line, a collectible card is included.

* You also get a disc stand to keep Deadshot upright in exaggerated firing poses. The McFarlane Collector Edition stands get a silver DC logo to differentiate them from the basic penny-stinkers in the line.

The Negatives:

* I like the figure a lot but I do think Deadshot could have benefitted from a bit of a wash on the white parts of his outfit or a slightly darker shade, just for appearances. That's more of a personal preference on my part than an accuracy issue, though.

I'm quite thrilled with how Deadshot turned out. It's a nice, classic take on the character and if it's the only Deadshot we ever get in the line, it's probably almost exactly what the majority of collectors wanted. I really like the method of swapping out the guns with different firing effects, too. It's a clever way to handle them. Sure, I'd love an alternate unmasked Floyd Lawton head or a separate rifle or other firearm for the figure, but it's tough to knock what McFarlane has delivered here. This is a Great and a 1/2 figure and knocks a must have off my list of Batman villains I want in the line. I'm still hoping McFarlane will still be able to release some figures through the DC Direct brand (Page Punchers, the Digital figures, etc.), but if McFarlane is wrapping up their time with the brand they're certainly making good use of the next year it seems.

I've reviewed a few other Deadshot/ Floyd Lawton figures on this site including the Mattel DC Comics Multiverse Deadshot, Deadshot from Arkham City, the MAFEX Suicide Squad Deadshot, the New 52 Suicide Squad Deadshot, and the DC Nano Metalfigs DC58 Deadshot and DC104 Deadshot.

For more DC Multiverse figures check out the following:

Aquaman (Flashpoint)
Arsenal (Titans)
Bane
Bane (The Dark Knight Trilogy)
Bane (Trench Coat) (The Dark Knight Rises)
Batcycle (The Flash)
Batgirl (Batman: Three Jokers) Jokerized

Batgirl Cassandra Cain (Batgirls)
Batman & Spawn

Batman (Batman 1989)

Batman (Batman Begins)
Batman (Batman Begins) Gold Label

Batman (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns) Jokerized