Friday, November 21, 2025

Action Figure Review: Sandman (Wesley Dodds: The Sandman) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   While most of who I'm still waiting for from McFarlane Toys as the clock is running down on their time with the DC license are Batman villains who still have yet to be made or who need definitive classic editions, I still also have a few more of DC's more mystical characters/pulp heroes/ Justice League Dark members that I still want from the line. You know, characters like Madame Xanadu, Enchantress, a classic Etrigan, Zatanna, Black Orchid, and Phantom Stranger. They all look great together on a shelf and I'm eager to get as many as I can from McFarlane before Mattel takes over. I picked up Sandman back in October during a trip to Target and I was pretty pleased to find him. He's a Target exclusive and, since they've been running a decent amount of in-store deals using Target Circle, I think I got a nice discount on him as I was also picking up a few Marvel Legends on the same day. Remember last December when I reviewed The Question and said "I wonder if we'll ever see this body used to make the Sandman?" 
   Well, I guess I was right! Of course, I'm pretty sure McFarlane gives most of this body to anyone wearing a suit and a jacket, don't they? While Mattel released a classic version of Wesley Dodds' Sandman in DC Universe Classics back in 2011, this is a more recent take on the character from the 2023 comic books series. Ready to check out the Sandman? Then join me after the break...

  


The Facts:

Height: 7 1/4ths inches

Articulation: Hinged toes, double swivel hinged ankles, double hinged knees, swivel/hinge hips, balljointed waist, balljointed mid torso, swivel/hinge shoulders w/ balljointed sockets, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/ hinge wrists, and a barbell jointed head..
 
Accessories: Gas gun, collector card and display stand.
 
Non-Scalper Price: $28 dollars






Comparison:


* Here's a quick comparison shot of Sandman (left) and the Question (right). They do share the same body except for the vest piece under the jacket. Sandman's vest has some leather straps across his torso while the Question just has a plain vest.  







The Positives:

* This is a rather impressive looking figure. Yes, the body is largely reused, but it's a pretty cool looking figure on its own and a neat version of the Sandman. Rather than wearing a green suit like the more classic version of Wesley Dodds, this take has green trousers, a black vest, and a more traditional leather trench coat. The jacket is made from a softer material with a little flexibility and there's a great paint effect to make the coat look a bit worn and battered, like quality brown leather that's seen some action. I've been wanting to cosplay as the classic green suited Sandman for a few years now but this version might even be more fun. 








* I dig the look of gasmasks and I'm always pretty excited when an action figure comes with one. This one is quite creepy ("Are you my mummy?") with a very long filtration cartridge hanging down. It looks like it's black leather and the eyes seem to be reflective rather than transparent. It looks like there's flames reflected off of them! The hat also looks to be made of leather with the same paint job as the jacket, giving off a worn and weathered appearance. 








* I really like the look of the paint effects on the coat and how the suited body doesn't look overly thick or ridiculous. I know the articulation on the line hasn't been updated in years but the design of the suited bodies looks really good without seeming overly padded or anything. 











* Like I said last year, this might be a reused body (I know the Heath Ledger Joker figures used this body), but there's nothing wrong with it. I still think it's quite good, especially for a guy wearing multiple layers of clothing. Yes, McFarlane hasn't updated the articulation on these figures much over the past five years, so you still have the huge pins on elbow and knee joints, but Sandman is sturdy and still a lot of fun to pose, especially with his gas gun and trench coat making him look extra dramatic. 




* Speaking of Sandman's gas gun, here it is. It's pretty cool! This is a different take built on a classic revolver body with a larger barrel for holding the various sleeping gas cartridges. It's nice to be able to get firearms and weapons like this in DC Multiverse again as the Sandman would be lost without it. 









* McFarlane nearly always includes a display stand and a collectible card with each release. The card is a neat little collectible with art from the 2023 book while the stand has the DC "bullet" logo that they're using again. 







   While I do like this figure and am thrilled to have a new Sandman, with the recent price increase he's a bit underwhelming. Yeah, other companies are increasing their prices but they're also at least including more extras and revised/ updated articulation. Sandman would have been awesome with a wisp of gas to put in the barrel of his gas gun or a removable gas mask. Heck, even some swappable hands. He's fairly basic, though without a lot of extras. He's still a Good figure, but mainly for folks wanting to build their JSA or who are already fans of the classic character.




Looking for more of the Sandman/ Wesley Dodds? I've also reviewed the Mattel DC Universe Classics Sandman. 

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



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