Thursday, March 15, 2018

Action Figure Review: Clayface from DC Comics Multiverse by Mattel

  It has been a few weeks but I've finally reviewed all of the newest series of DC Comics Multiverse figures and have assembled the Collect & Connect figure: Clayface! Befitting Basil Karlo's roots as an actor, Clayface has had a starring role in the DC Rebirth Detective Comics series as part of the team Batman has assembled to protect Gotham. Detective Comics is easily one of the strongest books in DC Rebirth (easily in the top 5) which is actually very high praise as the majority of titles in Rebirth have been fantastic. While I definitely want Mattel to release some classic 1980s DC characters to fill in rosters in DC Universe Classics (Outsiders Katana, Geo-Force, and Halo would be great additions) I do like that Mattel seems to be focusing on current characters from the comics.Now that DC Collectibles seems largely uninterested in releasing anything current other than the same dozen characters or so, Mattel is offering up a pretty impressive character selection while also improving their product. They also seem to be focusing on some level of team building and it looks like they're working on adding to team Detective Comics, the Justice Legaue, and the Justice League of America currently. Clayface is an excellent choice for a build-a-figure, so let's check him out after the break...



The Facts:

Height: 8 1/2 inches

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

Accessories: None

Figures Needed to Complete Clayface: Batwoman (DC Rebirth), Jessica Cruz (DC Rebirth), Superman (DC Rebirth), Two-Face (All-Star Batman), and Martian Manhunter.
 The Positives:

* Clayface is a large build-a-figure and one of the best that Mattel has released in the Multiverse line. He has a very large statue and a very unique body type, adding some impressive looking mass and muscle to any team.

* The head sculpt is very impressive and looks rather fearsome. I love the small yellow eyes, the messed up teeth, and the prominent nostrils. Clayface has a very monstrous appearance that works whether you're using this version of Basil Karlo as a friend or foe of Batman in your collection.

* Another great feature of the figure is the opening mouth! Clayface's mouth can open up to reveal another inner row of sharp teeth. The sculpt and paintwork here is incredible and it really makes for a fun feature.

* Clayface's body is covered with a very interesting texture that definitely looks muddy and dirty. The paintwork isn't bad, either, and it adds a lot of texture and depth to the overall appearance of the figure.

* Clayface's articulation is good. Really good, in fact. Not only do his joints have a nice range of movement but he has joints that many other DC Comics Multiverse figures are missing such as the swivel/ hinge ankles and swivel/hinge wrists. He's quite fun to pose and looks awesome when interacting with regular sized figures.
 * Clayface's wrists detach quite easily, which is a good thing: Later on Mattel plans on releasing some additional hands (a blade and a spiked ball) along with two upcoming exclusive figures, Kid Flash and Beast Boy. While those were slated to be Toys 'R Us exclusives, some other retailer will most assuredly scoop them up or they will make up a mini-series like the Doctor Psycho series at the end of last year. It's nice to know that whenever they come out that the accessories will be easily swappable.
 The Negatives:

* The only problem I have with this figure is that his hip hinged are a bit weak, meaning that in some poses the figure tends to wilt. Usually this isn't the case but if you try to give Clayface a deeper stance or have his arms posed in more extreme ways he just may tip over. He's fairly top heavy with lighter, hollow legs.
   Clayface is a Great build-a-figure and definitely guaranteed to help sell this series (if Mattel can actually get these available at most retailers- other than the two Justice League exclusives my local Wally World hasn't stocked any new Multiverse figures since the King Shark series). It's a strong series overall and nearly every figure is easily top ten list material for next year. From my favorite to least favorite, I'd go with Batwoman, Clayface, Jessica Cruz, Two-Face, Martian Manhunter, and then Superman.
Overall this is a Great series of DC Comics Multiverse figures and probably the overall best series released since the line began in 2016. Mattel looks to have a solid year coming up and, with only the Aquaman film slated for release, hopefully we'll continue to see more excellent curretn comic based figures than we ever have before. Consider following Action Figure Barbecue.com to get the latest reviews on DC Comics Multiverse figures; I won't let you down!

If you're interested in more Clayface figures I've also reviewed the DC Collectibles Arkham City Clayface and the Imaginext Clayface that my daughter has since claimed as her own. Kids.

For more DC Comics Multiverse figures, check out the following:
Batgirl (The Batgirl of Burnside)
Batman (Batman: Zero Year)
Batman (DC Rebirth)
Batwing (DC Rebirth)
Batwoman (DC Rebirth)
Damian Wayne Robin (Robin War) 
Doctor Psycho (Collect & Connect figure)
Duke Thomas (We Are Robin)
Earth 23 Superman
The Flash: From Page to Screen
Jessica Cruz (DC Rebirth)
Jim Gordon Batman (Batman: Superheavy)
The Joker (Batman: Endgame)
Justice Buster
The Reaper (Batman: Year Two) 
Rookie (Collect & Connect figure)
Superman (DC Rebirth)
Two-Face (All-Star Batman)
Wonder Girl (Teen Titans)

Arrow
The Arrow

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Armored Batman (The Dark Knight Returns)
Batman
Batman & Superman (The Dark Knight Returns)
The Flash & The Atom (Batman: The Dark Knight Returns)
The Joker (The Dark Knight Returns) 
Mutant Leader (The Dark Knight Returns)
Robin (The Dark Knight Returns) 
Son of Batman
Wonder Woman

Batman v. Superman
Aquaman
Armored Batman
Bat Creature
Batman
Batman's Grapnel Blaster (Collect & Connect accessory) 
Batman Unmasked
Knightmare Batman
Lex Luthor
Superman 
Wonder Woman

DC's Legends of Tomorrow 
The Atom


The Flash
Reverse Flash (The Flash TV Series)

Justice League
Aquaman
Aquaman (Toys R Us Exclusive) 
Batman
Batman (Wal-Mart Exclusive) 
Cyborg
Cyborg (Wal-Mart Exclusive)
The Flash
Mera
Mother Boxes (Collect & Connect Accessory)
Parademon
Steppenwolf (Collect & Connect Figure)
Superman
Wonder Woman 

Suicide Squad
Batman
Boomerang
Croc (Build-a-Figure)
Deadshot
Diablo 
Harley Quinn (6 inch) 
Harley Quinn (12 inch)
Harley Quinn (Gold Dress)
Harley Quinn (Toys R Us Exclusive)
The Joker 
The Joker (Toys R Us Exclusive)
Katana
Rick Flag 

Superfriends
Aquaman
Batman 

Supergirl TV Series 
Martian Manhunter
Supergirl 

Wonder Woman
Ares
Diana of Themyscira
Menalippe
Queen Hippolyta
Steve Trevor 
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman (Toys 'R Us exclusive)

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