Tuesday, March 10, 2026

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

 

   It should be no surprise to DC collectors that we're in the last year of McFarlane's time with the DC license. Well, at least with the main license for collector focused action figures; I think it's still likely that  we'll see some degree of DC merchandise from McFarlane Toys beyond 2026 through the DC Direct brand. The main DC Multiverse line should be going away so this year is really crucial to a lot of DC collectors as we're wanting to fill in particular gaps in our collections. While Mattel does have a collector line coming to stores next year, I think it's likely not going to be what most fans want: A modern take on DC Universe Classics with Marvel Legends styled articulation and character selection. Let's take the subject of today's review, Professor Pyg for example. How likely do you think it will be that Mattel would release a character like Professor Pyg? I'm not saying that Mattel would balk at the though since Professor Pyg is such a disturbing character but simply it doesn't seem likely that Mattel would be giving the DC Universe as much attention and depth as McFarlane has. Now, don't get me wrong, McFarlane started the line out as the Batman/ Superman/ Joker show, but over the past 5+ years the line has really gone deep and has built the most impressive roster of Batman heroes and villains that I can think of from any action figure line yet produced. The figures themselves have improved in some ways (character selection, sculpts) while remaining stagnant in other ways (articulation model, visible pins on joints). There has yet to have been a perfect DC line to date, but this one is a pretty solid one for folks wanting more modern takes on the characters (kudos to Mattel, still, for completing teams like the Metal Men, the Super Powers lineup, and a massive Kirbyverse roster). Professor is part of the most recent collector edition releases and there is a blood spattered Platinum variant available as well. I've seen him once or twice but passed as I just wanted this one for my display. Ready for one of Batman's most twisted and demented villains? With Batman's gallery of villains, that's saying something! Let's check out Lazlo Valentin, AKA Professor Pyg, after the break...



The Facts:

Height: 7 1/8ths inches

Articulation: Toe hinges, double swivel hinged ankles, swivel hinge knees, swivel/hinge hips, balljointed waist, balljointed mid-torso, swivel/hinge shoulders w/ ballsockets, swivel/ hinge elbows, double swivel/ hinge wrists, and a barbell jointed head.
 
Accessories: 4 swappable hands, drill, probe, cleaver, pliers, mallet, collector card, and display stand.
 
Non-Scalper Price: $35 dollars







The Positives:


* Professor Pyg is a pretty big fellow. He's not really crazy overweight or anything; he just seems like a big guy. I believe a good bit of the figure is reused from the Colin Farrell version of the Penguin from The Batman, though there seems to be plenty of new parts as well. Professor Pyg looks more like a butcher or a meat man than he does a surgeon, though the green gloves do scream surgeon, don't they? His soft goods apron is made from a vinyl material and he tops off his look with a neat red bowtie. It's a very disconcerting outfit with a mixture of "neat and tidy" presentation and the "demented" aspect of wearing a butcher's apron and a pig mask. 






* Professor Pyg's pig mask is pretty disturbing. Sometimes we see him wearing a mask that looks more cartoonish, like something purchased at a costume shop for a children's parts or a play of The Three Little Pigs, while other times he has a more rubbery, life-like pig mask. This one looks more cartoonish and caricatured, which really does look pretty cool. It's off-putting for sure, especially because of the all white pupils. All that's visible of Valentin's face are his teeth and chin. It's quite spooky. 






* The mask isn't removable but it does look like it's actually a mask over Valentin's face. From the back you can see the edge of the mask and his hair falling over the mask strap. 











* I mentioned earlier that Professor Pyg's apron is a soft goods piece but here's a closer look at it. It's vinyl with a leather-like texture that is looped around Pyg's neck and tied in the back. Theoretically you could remove it, but I wouldn't recommend it. It looks good on the figure and doesn't seem to be overly fragile but, again, I wouldn't advise removing it. The buttons are impressive little sculpts, though, and kind of neat. I don't know; I just find them to be satisfying little additions. 








* Professor Pyg's articulation is... well, it's pretty good. I have a couple complaints with the elbows and knees, but I'll get to those in a minute. For now, I do think this guy moves far better than you'd expect. I mean, does Professor Pyg really need to be taking crazy, dynamic poses? No, but you can kind of get him into some. Imagine some kid grabbing this guy off the shelf at Walmart and, not knowing who Professor Pyg is, making him the hero of all their adventures. Hey; it could happen! He's a solid, sturdy toy and the vinyl apron moves along with his torso movements pretty well. 







* I was surprised that Professor Pyg comes with swappable hands. You really just need him to hold his weird and sharp tools and instruments, but if you want him to punch in some noses he can do that, too. They swap pretty easily. 








* Professor Pyg comes with quite an assortment of tools so he can ply his wicked trade. They're a little bit pliable, but not gummy or anything, and they look nice with a metallic sheen. They might seem a bit small, but I think they're actually correctly sized considering most McFarlane accessories are oversized. There are plyers for plying, a cleaver for cleaving, a hammer for hammering, and a probe for probing. Ick.








* Hey! He also comes with a drill for drilling. This is a pretty good sculpt of a cordless drill with an attached battery pack on the bottom. This is an unusual accessory (remember the DC Direct Secret Files Black Mask that came with a drill?) and it's cool to have. Might also be a handy accessory for your custom Bob Vila action figure. 






* Like usual, you get a collectible card and a display stand. The card is cool, though why show Professor Pyg with a chainsaw when the figure doesn't come with one? 



* The stand is solid. We've seen them with every other release but I'm still glad to have them. I'm in favor of every figure coming with their own stand.




The Negatives:


* OK, remember those articulation issues I mentioned? Well, here they are. First, Professor Pyg can't even move his elbow 90 degrees. And it's not because his arms are so muscular or bulgy or whatever; it just looks like the upper part of his shirt hangs down too much. It seems like it could have easily been engineered to work better.



* What in the heck is going on with this.... knee? Leg? Ankle? Ham hock? Is that a ham hock? I guess I don't even know what a ham hock is other than something grandmothers put into beans. Is he missing his shins? You don't notice this from the front, but from the side the anatomy is weird. Listen, I'm not that picky about action figure anatomy usually but I do not know what is going on here. I didn't notice it until I started posing Professor Pyg but it's a really weird design.




      So... how's Professor Pyg? He's actually pretty Great. Yes, those articulation issues are annoying (or just weird) but overall I actually really like this guy and the positives far outweigh the negatives. The portrait is really good, the accessories are fitting and work well with the figure, and I like the overall design of the figure. Yes, there's some weird reuse, but I'm fine with it. I no longer have the Arkham Knight Professor Pyg and, looking back at my review of that figure, I like this one better. It's nice to see another member of Batman's rogues' gallery on the shelf. Has any other Batman line delivered as many of Gotham's worst as DC Multiverse?


Looking for more of Professor Pyg? I've also reviewed the DC Collectibles Batman: Arkham Knight Professor Pyg.

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




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