Saturday, July 8, 2017

Action Figure Review: Action Collection from DC Super Hero Girls by Mattel

 Mattel has quite a hit on it's hands with the DC Super Hero girls line and over the past few months they've been expanding the roster with more characters and action figures. Not only is DC Super Hero girls a fun property but it's also been a dream come true for the DC Comics loving father of a toddler. Between Imaginext and DC Super Girls, I've had a lot of help getting my kid into DC Comics. While my daughter is more drawn to the 12 inch figures, as a collector of most DC figures in the 1/12th scale I'm digging the more traditional Super Hero girls action figures quite a bit. I only bought a few of them last year but, when I saw the line expanding and this cool 6 pick for sale, I decided to bite. A few weeks ago I found this fairly new set on sale at Target for $39.99 (it's usually $50) and had to bite. Not only did it include a decent roster of the Super Hero Girls with new paintjobs but it also includes Beast Boy, the first male character in the line. Let's take a closer look at the Action Collection 6-pack after the break...



Batgirl
Height: 6 inches

Articulation: Boot swivels, swivel/hinge knees, swivel/hinge hips, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel/hinge elbows, swivel wrists, and a ball jointed head.

Accessories: Hood and Batpack.


 The Positives:

* Batgirl is one of the two characters in this set whose standard figure I've already reviewed, so for more details check out that previous review. While the previous figure featured a dark purple shirt and black pants, this one has light purple pants and a black shirt. It's not a crazy different look but it's a good repaint that legitimately seems like a costume Batgirl would wear.


 * Batgirl comes with two accessories: Her hood-like cowl and a bat wing adorned backpack. Both are pretty easy to remove and put back on the figure, although do be careful with the backpack straps.
 Beast Boy

Height: 5 3/4 inches

Articulation: Boot swivels, swivel/hinge knees, swivel/hinge hips, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel/hinge elbows, swivel wrists, and a ball jointed head.

Accessories: Pig minifigure

 The Positives:

* Garfield Logan is definitely the selling point of this set considering this is the only way to get him. Usually, it seems like female characters tend to be used as the "selling figure" in a multipack, so it makes sense that a male figure would be used in this line. This is a great headsculpt that captures Gar's mischievous nature. The paintwork is really fantastic here.


 * I'm also digging Beast Boy's stylish outfit. The black and purple blazer is very stylish and the t-shirt with a green paw print design gives a nice identifying mark to the character. You know, besides his bright green skin. I should also point out that Beast Boy is noticeably shorter than the rest of the figures in the line which fits the character perfectly.
 * Beast Boy has the same articulation as most other figures in the line. These are definitely action figures and they're packed with a fair amount of articulation. Certainly not as much as a DC Comics Multiverse or Marvel Legends figure, but certainly more than the 5 poa figures we're seeing dominate many kids lines these days. What's nice is that these are also solid, well constructed figures. None of the joints feel frail or fragile, which is important. These are made for being played with as rough as any other kid-oriented action figures.


 * As an extra, Beast Boy includes a minifigure of himself in the form of a pig. It's a cute inclusion and gives you a cool way to depict Beast Boy's shape-shifting powers.
 The Negatives:

* The only problem I have with this figure is the positioning of the tooth. It's simply painted on but it just looks a bit off. When I first saw it I thought it was an errant spot of white paint from Beast Boy's eyes. It is intentionally a tooth, though, but I think the positioning could be a bit better.
 Harley Quinn:

Height: 6 1/8ths inches tall

Articulation: Boot swivels, swivel hinge knees, swivel/hinge hips, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel/hinge elbows, swivel wrists, and a ball jointed head.

Accessories: Mallet.
 The Positives:


* Harley is the second figure whose standard version I've already reviewed. This figure is just a repaint of the original version but it is a nice repaint. The design of her outfit is the same but the reds, whites, and blacks are in different places. Oh, and the red and blue highlights in her pigtails are reversed.


* Harley includes the same mallet that the standard figure comes with. You're obviously going to want a mallet to display with Harley, so this is an obvious inclusion.
 The Negatives:

* I actually have a weird problem with Harley's head articulation. It's odd trying to turn her head; it feels like it wants to spring back into place whenever you turn it. I'm not sure what the problem is, but it's a bit frustrating.
 Katana:

Height: 5 7/8ths

Articulation: Boot swivels, swivel hinge knees, swivel/hinge hips, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel/hinge elbows, swivel wrists, and a ball jointed head.

Accessories: Katana sword


 The Positives:


* I really like Katana's design. I haven't picked up the standard Katana yet and, while I like that figure's paint scheme better, this one isn't bad at all. Her outfit is a pretty nice amalgam of multiple modern Katana appearances and captures the character's traditional style nicely.


* This is a very nice headsculpt. I love the neat, clean paintwork on Tatsu's mask and the red stripe in her hair.

 * Katana includes... a katana! I doubt she'd be able to carry this in the halls of DC Super Hero High, but it is a fitting accessory for the character. It's fairly basic, although the detailing on the hilt is nice.


* I like the inclusion of the sode on Katana's right arm. It fits the character and adds a bit more flair to the character without making her appearance too busy.
 The Negatives:


* The chest armor looks really cool, but it does have quite a few paint scuffs and bits of slop on it. Overall the quality control has been pretty excellent on this set, but this is the lone slip up that I can think of. 

* While most figures in this series have pretty decent articulation, Katana's leg movement is absolutely hindered by her kusazuri. If the plastic it was molded in were a bit more pliable, this wouldn't be much of a problem.
 Supergirl:

Height: 5 7/8ths

Articulation: Boot swivels, swivel hinge knees, swivel/hinge hips, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel/hinge elbows, swivel wrists, and a ball jointed head.

Accessories: Cape
 The Positives:


 * Supergirl is another character whose standard figure I never picked up. She's also a repaint although she sticks to using the same primary colors as most members of the Superman family. The yellow skirt isn't my favorite look, but it's not bad by any means. I'm also digging the clean paintwork on the outfit and the "S" emblem.


* This is a nice rendition of Kara. I think that if you just looked at this headsculpt, you'd easily know who this is. The sculpt is nice and the paintwork clean. What more can you ask for?


 * Supergirl includes her cape as an accessory. It easily fits over her shoulders and plugs into her back to keep it securely in place.


* Supergirl has excellent articulation, the same as most other figures in the line. She's fun to pose and play with, particularly because of her open left hand. It makes for great flying poses!


 * I'm also digging Kara's sky blue high tops. Not only is the paintwork pretty nice but, if you look closely, you can see the "S" logos on the sides.
 Wonder Woman:


Height: 6 1/8ths

Articulation: Boot swivels, swivel hinge knees, swivel/hinge hips, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel/hinge elbows, swivel wrists, and a ball jointed head.

Accessories: Lasso of Truth
 The Positives:


* Wonder Woman is also a repaint, this time the only difference being a swap between the red and the blue on Diana's costume. I love the character design here and, since I don't own the standard figure, she's new to me. The armored collar/ shoulder armor is really cool, as are the traditional elements such as her tiara and her bracers.

 * Here's another great headsculpt in this line. yeah, they're a bit stylized, but I love the mixture between a traditional superhero design and a modern girl's toyline. It's a great stylistic blend that definitely makes for some great looking toys. This is one of those toys that I have to keep track of, as my daughter has ran off with it a few times. Pro-Tip: My daughter's favorite hiding place is stowing stuff away under the couch in her room!


* The design of having a column of stars flowing down the legs of her pants is a really cool one. I love the translation of Wonder Woman's traditional briefs into this kid-centric line. My daughter dressed up like Wonder Woman for the Charlotte Heroes Con and, had I seen this design element prior to going, I would have tried to replicate this on her costume in some way.

* Wonder Woman is also sporting some cool winged boots. Rather than the Sandals of Hermes, the Super Hero Girls Wonder Woman is sporting the Boots of Hermes! They look cool and fit the character, so I'm all for them!


* Wonder Woman also has great articulation. While these figures are made for play rather than for posing, they definitely do a nice job of catering to a wide audience of action figure lovers.


* Wonder Woman's accessory is her iconic Lasso of Truth and this might be the best action figure version of it to date. It's sculpted so that it can actually be used to wrap around another character while Diana is holding on to it.


* Not only does the lasso look great but it also can be stored on Diana's belt. You can kind of coil the lasso a bit and then have it Wonder Woman carry it into battle on her hip.
  You know what? For $40-$50 dollars this is a great set. You get 6 very good action figures, all with accessories and unique paintjobs for less than $10 bucks a pop. Whether you're a DC collector or are buying this gift for a kid that loves the DC Super Heroes, this is very much a value (something that's tough to say about most action figure purchases these days). It's a Great set that should automatically give you a collection right away. Hopefully Mattel continues to add new characters to the line and lets the incredible roster grow!


While I haven't reviewed any other action figures of Supergirl or Beast Boy, I have reviewed other action figures of the rest of the characters in this set.

I've reviewed so many Batgirl and Harley Quinn collectibles that both characters have their own review indexes: Check out My Batgirl Collection and The Harley Quinndex!

  If you're looking for more Wonder Woman stuff I have reviewed a few other Wonder Woman products including the TRU exclusive Wonder Woman, cloaked Mattel movie Wonder Woman and movie Diana of Themyscira, Kotobukiya's Bishoujo Armored Wonder Woman, the New 52 Wonder Woman versus Katana 2-pack, the Gal Gadot inspired Wonder Woman from Mattel's DC Comics Multiverse: BvS line, the Bombshells action figure Wonder Woman, the Lil Bombshells Wonder Woman, and a set of Batgirl and Wonder Woman Magnetic Salt & Pepper Shakers.

For Katana, I've reviewed the DC Collectibles New 52 2-pack Wonder Woman versus Katana, the Multiverse Suicide Squad Katana,and the DC Comics Lil Bombshells Katana. 

For more DC Super Hero Girls figures, check out the following:

DC Super Hero Girls by Mattel (2016)
6 inch line
Batgirl
Harley Quinn
Poison Ivy
13 inch line
Batgirl
Batgirl (Training Outfit)

8 comments:

  1. I do like this one too. I am a big fan of these big character sets since I got the TOY BIZ LOTR's Fellowship of the Rings NINE PACK for Christmas by my Father. I also have the 5 character Return of the King set. Good stuff. I love me those super hero girls and a still upset that they had not Batgirls at my McDonald's during their promotion. We were hip deep in Bubble Bee figure, however.

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    1. The LOTR line had some great multipacks. They did make you rebuy figues a few times, though, but they had some marvelous releases. I have a nearly complete collection and I still love them!

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  2. Next time sow the box before you rip into it like a Monkey on a cupcake.

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    1. Haha! Yeah, the box was probably long gone by the time I got around to reviewing this one. I typically only review the box when it's something really special or intended to be kept (like with Mezco One:12 Collective figures or SDCC exclusives.

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  3. My girls have all the DC Superhero girl figures already. Hopefully they will release the Beast Boy toy as a single figure so we don't have to spend the money for figures we already have!

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    1. It's a pretty cool line. My 4 year old (just had a birthday!) loves the bigger dolls. I'm collecting the smaller ones while she picks up the larger ones. So far we're making the system work!

      It is a bummer for folks only wanting Beast Boy to have to rebuy these figures. At least, though, they're all repainted, so they aren't exactly the same.

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