Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Action Figure Review: Lt. James Gordon (Batman: Year One Part 4) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   It sure is nice to finally have a standard, comic inspired Jim Gordon in McFarlane's DC Multiverse line. He's such an important character in most Batman stories and McFarlane Toys did a nice job with him, even though he's mostly a repaint. Ever since the Page Punchers John Constantine came out in 2022, collectors have speculated that his body would make a good base for a James Gordon figure. Many customizers have even made it happen, but now McFarlane has delivered an official release based on Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's classic Batman: Year One storyline. Batman: Year One Part 4, to be precise. I don't know why I think it's funny that McFarlane was that precise with this one, but it is. Like, they should have went ahead and said Batman: Year One Part 4 Issue #407, page 7, panel 3. Anyways, I'm really excited to have Gordon and this really is a pretty nice figure of the younger Lt. Gordon from that series. Most Gordon figures received over the years have been based on older versions of Gordon where he's the Police Commissioner or on his time as the GCPD Batman. It's nice to get a standard younger Gordon and, as McFarlane's time with the DC license seems to be coming to an end, I'm all the more thankful for every solid Gotham city hero and villain that we get. This is a Gold Label figure exclusive to Walmart and there is a greyscale version that's a Platinum as well. Let's take a look at Lt. James Gordon after the break...




The Facts:

Height: 7 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: Revolver, collector card, and display stand.
 
Non-Scalper Price: $25 dollars







The Positives:

* As I mentioned above, Jim Gordon is mostly a reuse of the earlier DC Page Punchers John Constantine with a different paintjob. Constantine dressed a bit shabby, so Jim's still sporting things like the end of his belt hanging down and his tie loose. He doesn't have a ripped knee in his pants (McFarlane changed that part out) but he still does have a small rip or scuff on his right thigh. The colors look good and I do think this isn't a bad look for Gordon. He definitely looks like he's dealing with one heck of a day while low on sleep and surviving on caffeine and cigarettes. 








* The portrait is really good and does capture the look of Gordon from Year One and most other depictions of a younger Gordon. His hair is red instead of grey and his mustache is bushy and manly. I dig it! Those thick glasses are also pretty impressive. They're a separate piece though they're permanently attached.











* I love the trench coat sculpt here. It's really detailed and has a really impressive paintjob with a dark wash that give it a very gritty appearance. Definitely the perfect garment for dealing with the dangerous streets of Gotham. 












* This is a really tiny detail, just a simple tiny hit of paint, but I do like that McFarlane added a wedding ring on to Jim's left hand. Jim's troubled marriage to Barbara Gordon (Barbara Kean/ Barbara Gordon, Sr.) is absolutely a central element of the story of Batman: Year One, so it's nice to see it referenced here.






*  Nothing much new to say here about the articulation. It's pretty standard for this line, which means its fairly good. These are really sturdy figures with a nice range of motion and some decent joints. McFarlane hasn't updated their articulation much since the line came out but it's consistent with other figures in the line. You're not getting two-handed firing poses or anything but he looks great in action or just standing around waiting for Batman.


* Jim's an old school kind of guy, so it makes sense that he's toting around an oversized wheel-gun. This revolver is probably just a generic design though it does remind me of something like a Smith & Wesson 629. It's a really nice revolver and while it's a bit large, Jim looks great holding it. In Gotham he definitely needs something with some stopping power, and this looks like it would deliver that.









* Gordon comes with a simple display stand and a collectible card with a comic image on the front and some character info on the back. 
The Negatives:


* My only real complaint here? Jim's necktie isn't painted at the collar. You can see where McFarlane Toys left it unpainted. They painted the tie on Constantine, so why not here?




   Jim Gordon isn't the most exciting figure released by McFarlane toys this year, but he's certainly not bad by any means. I actually really like the figure, though a couple more extras would have been nice. Heck, just another set of hands or a coffee cup would have been welcome. Still, it is nice to have him. I've seen him in stores a few times over the last few months and he seems to still be available on Walmart's website at retail price, so jump on him if you're still interested. He's a Good and a 1/2 figure and does fill a gap in the DC Multiverse line.






   If you're looking for more reviews of action figures of James "Jim" Gordon, check out the DC Collectibles Greg Capullo styled Commissioner Gordon and GCPD Batman, the Arkham Knight Commissioner Gordon, the Jada DC Nano Metalfigs Commissioner Gordon (DC20), and Mattel's DCComics Multiverse Jim Gordan Batman and the Rookie Collect & Connect figure.

For more DC Multiverse reviews check out the following:
Harley Quinn (The Suicide Squad)
Hugo Strange (Batman: Transference)



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1 comment:

  1. GIJigsawJuly 24, 2025 at 9:22 PM

    Cool figure. I just can't see anyone other than Gary Oldman as Gordon.

    ReplyDelete

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