A New Batgirl Review: Batgirl (Batgirl of Burnside) from DC Comics Icons by DC Collectibles

 Today I'm looking at the last figure from 2016 I'm going to review before the end of January, which is when I'll be unveiling my picks for some of my favorite toys of 2016! (If you want to make your voice heard, head on over to Michael Crawford's MWCtoys.com and cast your vote in the People's Picks! I'm one of the judges for the 2016 Poppies, too!) My final 2016 product review is a figure I was anxious to finally get my hands on: Batgirl from DC Collectibles' excellent DC Comics Icons line. Based on her incredible new look in the Batgirl of Burnside storyline, this version of Babs sports what is quite possibly the coolest costume the character has ever worn. Heck, not only did DC Collectibles release a cool figure but they gave her her slick motorcycle, too! This release sneaked out at the end of the year and was well worth the wait. I had to wait a bit longer for mine to come in at my local comic shop, but it finally arrived last weak and I'm ready to review it! More bat-tastic action after the break...

 The Facts: Batgirl

Height: 5 3/4 inches

Articulation: Swivel/hinge hips, boot swivels, double hinged knees, balljointed hips with vertical hinged pegs, hinged abdomen, mid-torso balljoint, swivel/hinge shoulders, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/hinge wrists, and a double balljointed head.

Accessories: Two interchangeable portraits, two capes, 6 interchangeable hands, smartphone, grapnel gun, motorcycle, and a display base.

 The Facts: Batcycle

Height:4 1/8ths inches

Length: 7 3/4 inches

Designed by: Ivan Reis

Sculpted by: Paul Harding & Adam Ross

Non-Scalper Price: $55-$60 dollars

 The Positives:

* DC Collectibles is really doing an incredible job with DC Comics Icons. These are figures that feel as sturdy (if not sturdier) than anything released at mass market. Then articulation is better, too, and the joints work perfectly. They also blend quite nicely with the sculpt. This is perhaps the most well articulated Batgirl figure ever released.

* The sculpt is just perfect. While it captures the look of Babs Tarr's incredible art, it also manages to mesh seamlessly with other DC Icons releases. This is an incredible headsculpt with some really good paintwork. I also like how the hair drapes over the left shoulder. It's very similar to the artwork on the cover of volume 1 of Batgirl of Burnside.

 * The costume is just perfect. DC Collectibles uses new sculpts for this line (rather than relying on standardized bodies) and the build and fit of the suit looks perfectly. Remember, this isn't a skintight jumpsuit or form fitting armor; this is more akin to a leather jacket. The details and paintwork overall look excellent.

 * I'm always a fan of utility belts and Babs' looks great. I love the classic styled pouch on the right side and the smaller pouches on the left. This is a separate piece permanently attached around the waist, so it gives the illusion of "floating" without actually getting out of place.

* Oh, and those boots! I love these big, yellow boots! They're a great costume element, the color is perfect, and the laces are painted very neatly. Way cooler than the traditional gold boots with heels.

* Batgirl comes with 6 hands that can swap out easily and give her some different expressions. She has two fists, two gripping hands, a pistol grip right hand (for her grapnel gun), and a left hand to hold her smartphone.

* Here's something else cool that Batgirl has two of: Capes! She comes with a standard cape that hangs flat on her back and a windswept cape that flows out behind her while riding her motorcycle. They swap out really easily, stay in place securely, and look just fantastic on the figure.

* The last, but certainly not least, item Babs comes with which you can use to change up your look is an alternate portrait. The hair is windswept and she has a gleeful, content look on her face. This pairs with her flowing cape and really makes for a great look when paired with the motorcycle.

* To help her get around town when not using a motorcycle, Batgirl includes her grapnel gun. I like the funky, somewhat retro look. I'm also digging the different colors used on the main housing and the grapnel.

 * Barbara also includes her smartphone, useful for info gathering and selfie taking. The front is a basic black screen but the back actually has a little camera and light sculpted on it.

* The paintjob and sculpt on Babs' motorcycle is just fantastic. I love all of the different varieties of metallic purple used here to make this piece of equipment stand out! It's really very impressive in person.

* The detail on this bike is incredible. I know some folks weren't sure about the inclusion of a vehicle in this line, but it's hard to argue that DC Collectibles didn't put everything they had into this set. The engine and stuff really looks impressive and realistic.

* The tires are also rubbery and have excellently sculpted treads. They also really roll. Want to have Batgirl zoom around your house while you push her across the floor? Now you can!

* Besides just the cool purple paintjob, there are lots of other little paint touches as well. The break lights and buttons on the dash add some life to this piece.

 * What's really cool is that the motorcycle includes a stand. It looks like a somewhat worn down section of a Burnside street. Rather than just standing around, though, the tires fit snugly into the sculpted "zoom" effects. That's what I'm going to call them, anyways.

 * See? Slipping the tires in these makes the motorcycle look like it's actually in motion and "zooming" through the streets of Gotham. Or Burnside. Heck, anywhere you want, really. It's a very cool effect and keeps this standing up rather nicely.

 * The "zoom" effects are also hinged, allowing them to rotate left and right. This means you can pose Batgirl really riding this thing at some crazy angles.

 The Negatives:

* Look on the back of Batgirl's boot and you can see that it looks like a chunk of her boot has gone missing. This surely isn't a minor detail I have forgotten from the book right? It looks really odd, so I hope it's not intentional.

* Purple and yellow don't always place nice together when it comes to paint and, unfortunately, there are some paint splotches on the yellow parts. My Batgirl's right glove definitely has some problems!

 * Maybe it's me, but does anyone else think Batgirl's head should be able to tilt up a bit higher so she can see where she's going?

   

   This is just pure Epic. I really think DC Collectibles has put out one of the best releases of 2016 with this set. It's an excellent Batgirl figure in quite possibly the best costume Babs has ever worn, a really nicely designed motorcycle, and a great diorama-like base that ties things together. As someone who has a ton of Batgirl figures, I'm still tempted to say that this is quite possibly my favorite. Excellent work, DC Collectibles!








I've reviewed so many Batgirl collectibles that I've had to give Barbara Gordon her own archive! If you're looking for more DC Comics Icons figures, check out the following:

Batman (Last Rites)
Harley Quinn (No Man's Land)
The Joker (A Death in the Family)