Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Action Figure Review: The Joker from DC Comics Multiverse: Suicide Squad by Mattel

Yesterday I reviewed Captain Boomerang and today I'm looking at another figure from Mattel's DC Comics Multiverse: Suicide Squad line: The Joker! I really liked Jared Leto's portrayal of the Joker in Suicide Squad and I've been waiting for an action figure that does the character justice. I reviewed the Toys R Us exclusive Joker near the end of July and now, around two months later, I'm finally getting around to reviewing the regular release. This is an outfit that the Joker wears in the film although I don't think it's his most memorable look. Still, any Joker look is pretty interesting, right? Let's take a closer look at the Joker after the break...



 The Facts:

Height: 6 1/4 inches

Articulation: Swivel/hinge ankles, hinged knees, swivel thighs, H-hinged hips, swivel waist, mid-torso hinge, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel biceps, swivel/hinge elbows, swivel wrists, and a balljointed head.

Accessories: Cane, removable coat, and Collect & Connect figure Killer Croc's right leg.

Non-Scalper Price: $20 dollars
 The Positives:

* The Joker's tattoos look really good. I was checking these out compared to some images from the making of Suicide Squad book and I think Mattel nailed them. They're great and I only regret that Mattel didn't give us a pure shirtless Joker.


* Check out that crazy hand tattoo! I love it. While the Joker lacks the ability to truly hold it up this his mouth (he needs some double jointed elbows for that) the paint work on this tattoo is really quite impressive.

* The Joker is wearing some Arkham Asylum branded pants that he escaped from jail with in this outfit and, being a huge Batman fan, I just can't help but love this detail. The print is clean and these really do look like something from an institutional setting. Neat detail.

* While it drives me absolutely nuts that Mattel continues to split build-a-figures over two waves that ship at different times, I'm still excited about building Croc and adding him to the lineup. At this point the only figure I'm missing is Katana and thus I'm missing Croc's head and waist.


* The Joker comes with a cane. It's simple, but I'll take it. It looks good with him and works to help add some pizazz to any number of poses.
 The Negatives:

* After really getting invested in Hasbro's excellent Marvel Legends offerings I've become more disappointed with what Mattel's offering. Not only is the Joker less articulated than almost any Marvel Legends figure but some of his articulation just doesn't work. His ankles are useless as are his knees. The joints seem to tight and limited to even get a pose. Lame, Mattel.
 * Here's the thing with this figure: Opening it, I think I'd really rather have a shirtless Joker with all of his cool tattoos on display. Yeah, the jacket is removable, but only the chest part: The arms will still be covered by big purple sleeves. I really think Mattel should have considered something more like the removable jackets they've done on some of their wrestling figures. They ain't perfect but they're much better than a half removable jacket.


* This face just doesn't scream Jared Leto to me. It's just....odd. I could almost see the likeness in the Toys R Us exclusive figure but here? Nope. The paint work on the lips, teeth, and tattoos is good but the hairline is a mess. Ugghh...
 I have to say it: This guy is just  an Eh 1/2 figure. I mean, he's really, really just not that impressive. Considering that the Joker is such an iconic villain you'd really think that Mattel would have tried to put out at least one figure that knocked out socks off. Well, they didn't. I'm frustrated, too. While I still need to pick up Katana (she actually looks pretty good and I need to finish Croc), as I'm looking back at the Suicide Squad toys I'm definitely feeling like they're a very mixed bag. It's interesting to me that Mattel goes all out on 100% new sculpts sometimes but has articulation on the figures that just doesn't function properly. I mean, the Joker's knees and ankles really and truly just do not work. The joints are too close together and obstructed by the sculpt of the paints. Unless you're building Croc or are a hardcore Joker collector, this guy can be safely avoided.
I've reviewed tons of Joker figures, including:

I've reviewed plenty of other Joker toys including the Toys R Us exclusive Suicide Squad Joker, the Lego Arkham Asylum set with a orange suited Joker, the Arkham Asylum Clayface with a Joker head, the Arkham Origins The Joker and The Joker as Red Hood, Copperhead, & Deathstroke (Unmasked) Action Figure 3-Pack, Mattel's Batman TV Series The Joker, the Batman Power Attack "Attack in the Box" The Joker, the MAFEX Heath Ledger inspired The Joker No.005 and Bank Robber Joker, Mattel's Multiverse The Joker from Batman: Endgame, the Imaginext The Joker and The Joker & Harley Quinn, Kenner's The Laughing Man Joker and Laughing Gas Joker, and DC Collectibles' New 52 The Joker.

I've reviewed plenty of other DC Comics Multiverse figures as well:

DC Comics Multiverse (6 inches) by Mattel (2016)
Armored Batman (The Dark Knight Returns)
The Arrow
Batman from Zero Year
Earth 23 Superman
The Joker from Batman: Endgame
Justice Buster
Reverse Flash (The Flash TV Series)

DC Comics Multiverse: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns by Mattel (2016)
Batman
Son of Batman

DC Comics Multiverse: Batman v. Superman by Mattel (2016)
Aquaman
Armored Batman
Bat Creature
Batman
Batman's Grapnel Blaster (Collect & Connect accessory) 
Batman Unmasked
Knightmare Batman
Lex Luthor
Superman 
Wonder Woman

DC Comics Multiverse: Suicide Squad by Mattel (2016)
Batman
Deadshot
Diablo 
Harley Quinn (6 inch) 
Harley Quinn (12 inch)
Harley Quinn (Gold Dress)
Harley Quinn (Toys R Us Exclusive)
The Joker (Toys R Us Exclusive)
Rick Flag  

2 comments:

  1. We really want to Like this new version of the Joker...
    Great post, good Sir.

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    Replies
    1. I think that Jared Leto really did do something different and interesting with the character. I'm quite curious to see where he goes with this portrayal. I like it and look forward to seeing this Joker in a starring role.

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