Action Figure Review: Arsenal (Titans) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   Today I'm going to start a review miniseries of the recent Titans series of DC Multiverse figures from McFarlane Toys. Collect all four (Arsenal, Raven, Nightwing, and Donna Troy) and you can build a really cool Beast Boy figure. Nifty, right? I really like Roy Harper as a character and while this isn't one of my favorite outfit he has worn (I really liked his Young Justice and New 52 costumes), it's not terrible at all. It's still kind of a "too cool"/ frat boy kind of look, but it makes for a nice figure and fits the Rebirth era of Titans that the other figures in this set come from. Let's take a look at Arsenal after the break...

Action Figure Review: Shadow Weaver from Masterverse: Princess of Power by Mattel

 

   Who is ready for a Mastervers review? Today I'm checking out Shadow Weaver from the Princess of Power subset of Masterverse. When Shadow Weaver finally received her first action figure back in Masters of the Universe Classics it was such a big deal, and, while she's received quite a few figures since then, it's still pretty cool to see her in the line and at mainstream retail. She's actually part of series 8, which I reviewed most of earlier in the year, but it just took me longer to get my hands on her. Let's take a look at the Horde's Evil Mistress of Dark Magic after the break... 

Action Figure Review: Roboto from Masters of the Universe Origins by Mattel

 

   It's been over two years since I reviewed the original Masters of the Universe Origins Roboto figure based on the vintage toy but, since that one has become a bit scarce, Mattel has a new repaint out to recirculate the Heroic Mechanical Warrior. This time we've got a version of Roboto painted to look like some of his minicomic appearances where his coloring was different and his heart was more prominent. He's really just a repaint of the previous figure, sure, but he's pretty cool looking and he feels better mad than the previous Roboto. Let's take a look at Roboto after the break...

Action Figure Review: Hypno from Masters of the Universe Origins by Mattel

 

   It's been quite a bit since I last reviewed a new Masters of the Universe figure, hasn't it? There's been a lot of new and cool stuff released lately and while I'd love to review it all, to do so would be too overwhelming. Currently I'm focusing my reviewing efforts on figures of new characters or characters who haven't appeared in toy form that often. Today I'm checking out Hypno, one of the Sun-Man and the Rulers of the Sun crew. Hypno isn't just new to Masters of the Universe Origins but he's actually new to Sun-Man. Well, at least in figure form. In the 1980s he only existed as a prototype, so Mattel making him is probably a pretty big deal to the hardcore Sun-Man fans out there. Hypno is a Psychic Hypnotist with lots of powerful gear to supplement his mesmerizing voice. He's one of the good guys and adds some magical power to the Heroic Warriors. Ready to check Hypno out? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Indiana Jones with Adventure Backpack from Indiana Jones: Worlds of Adventure by Hasbro

 

   Raiders of the Lost Ark is probably my favorite movie (it's tied with Ghostbusters) and as a kid I loved all things Indiana Jones that I could my hands on. I had the Young Indiana Jones Chronicles trading cards and books, a book and record set of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and eventually the SNES video game. Unfortunately, I was too young to have picked up any of Kenner's Indiana Jones action figures (though I somehow had a Toht, who I still have) so various G.I. Joe figures had to made do. In 2008, when Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was released I avidly collected the 1/18th scaled line which sadly didn't last as long as I hoped. I'm very excited for the upcoming Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and while a new movie means new toys from Hasbro, I have to admit I'm a bit disappointed in their offerings as it all feels very half hearted, like toys they have to release to fulfill some kind of contractual obligation with Disney and Lucasfilm. I'd love some modern 1/18th scaled figures to supplement the 2008 line but those aren't in the cards; just some Retro Series figures (which I might actually pick up). Instead, we've got the 6 inch Adventure Series and the 2.5 inch Worlds of Adventure line. I don't currently plan on picking up any of the Adventure Series figures until Hasbro shows Mola Ram and Irina Spalko (unless I find them on clearance), so it might be awhile before I end up reviewing any of them. I did stumble upon this figure at my local bin store a few weeks back and, for $5 bucks, I decided to grab him. These are pretty similar to the Star Wars: Mission Fleet figures which remind me a lot of Mattel/ Fisher Price's Imaginext toys, and are definitely intended for kids. Today I'm checking out Indiana Jones with Adventure Backpack, a version of Indy without his jacket but with plenty of accessories. Let's check him out after the break...

Action Figure Review: The Signal Duke Thomas from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

  

 Back in 2017 I reviewed the We Are Robin version of Duke Thomas from Mattel's DC Comics Multiverse line. He was a cool figure but I was really looking forward to Duke as the Signal. Finally, about 5 1/2 years later, McFarlane Toys has delivered the Signal in DC Multiverse, and he's a stellar figure. It's always really exciting to add a new member of the Batfamily to the shelf as Batman, his allies, and his enemies are my main reasons for collecting this line. McFarlane did release Duke Thomas as Batman from Tales from the Dark Multiverse but that figure isn't recognizable Duke in the same way that this figure is. Ready to check out the Signal? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Mister Freeze (Victor Fries) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   Mr. Freeze started as a joke villain (Mr. Zero) in 1959 but he gained popularity due to his appearances in the 1966 Batman TV series and some serious depth and motivation due to his revised backstory in Batman: The Animated Series. Dr. Victor Fries isn't just one of Batman's deepest and most tragic adversaries but he's also ends up with some of the best action figures out there. I love Mr. Freeze toys and this is a great one. There's just something about the guy with his big armored suits, goggles, glass domes, and robotic aesthetic that makes him perfect for translating into plastic. This version of Mr. Freeze/ Mister Freeze doesn't really seem to be sourced from anywhere in particular; he's just a solid, standard comic version of the character. There was a Platinum version based on Freeze's Super Powers look released randomly through the McFarlane online store but that one was pretty much impossible to get. This one is still really nice, though, so let's check him out after the break...

Action Figure Review: Catwoman (Batman: Knightfall) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   So far as DC Multiverse figures go, this one is pretty significant to me as it's the figure that really caused me to start collecting this line. I've been watching McFarlane's DC Multiverse line since it started in 2020 and while I liked it, I didn't want another line that just came and went. Before 2020 McFarlane didn't have a great track record of sticking with licenses properties for too long. Before 2023 I had picked up a figure here or there, but it was when I saw the promotional images for this version of Ms. Selina Kyle, based on Jim Balent's artwork and the character's design through most of the 1990s, I decided that DC Multiverse was a line worth collecting. I love this version of Catwoman (probably my third favorite costume/ design) and I'm excited to finally be reviewing her. I've has her for well over a month but there's been so much cool stuff that it's taken me a bit to get to her. Ready to check out the Batman: Knightfall version of Catwoman? Then join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Beast Boy (Teen Titans) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

"Hey, mama!"

   OK, so to be fair the version of Beast Boy I'm most familiar with is the Teen Titans Go! since my daughter watches it a lot, but I've certainly read my share of his adventures in classics like The Doom Patrol and Teen Titans and in newer books like the Rebirth era Titans. No matter where you're familiar with him or whether you call him Beast Boy, Changeling, Menagerie, Garfield Logan definitely has a lot of personality. While the packaging just sources him to "Teen Titans" and uses a classic image of Beast Boy from the 1980s on the included collectible card, the figure really looks like Beast Boy from his self titled 2000 series. I mean, the hair is just spot on to to the cover of the first issue. Beast Boy is a Gold Label figure exclusive to Walmart and while I saw him in stores a few times when he first started showing up, now he seems to be a bit tougher to find. There's a Beast Boy collect to build figure in the current Titans series of figures, too, but that's a massive, modern version of the character while this version of Gar is definitely a more classic, recognizable take on the character. Let's see how Beast Boy turned out after the break...

Action Figure Review: Bane (The Dark Knight Trilogy) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   "Speak of the devil and he shall appear."

   Today I'm checking out the Bane collect to build figure from McFarlane Toys' The Dark Knight Trilogy series of DC Multiverse figures. Despite looking quite different from pretty much any other depiction of Bane that existed prior to 2012's The Dark Knight Rises, Tom Hardy's take on Bane focused on the intelligence, strength, and sheer will of the character. He also had some incredible quotes throughout the film and a voice that is just really fun to do. Seriously, every time I pick up this figure I start making the Bane voice.

"Do you feel in charge?"

"It would be extremely painful... for you."

"You think darkness is your ally."

Yeah, that's the stuff. I do wish McFarlane had gone with Bane with his coat on, but it seems like he might be destined for a Gold Label figure later this year (it's strongly rumored). Ready for a look at Gotham's reckoning? Pick up the pieces from Batman, the Joker, Scarecrow, and Two-Face, put them together, and join me after the break...

Action Figure Review: Two-Face (The Dark Knight Trilogy) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   I'm not planning to review all of the figures from McFarlane's The Dark Knight Trilogy series of figures as I've reviewed so many Batman and Joker figures lately that I don't want to make things stale. I haven't reviewed any Two-Face figures recently, though, so I definitely want to check out this figure based on Aaron Eckhart's portrayal of Harvey Dent in 2008's The Dark Knight. Having watched the film again recently with my daughter (it was her first time seeing it), I was again impressed by how good it is and how wonderful of  job the entire cast does. Harvey Dent's character arc is just so tragic and heartbreaking in the film! Once he becomes Two-Face, he's an excellent villain who just adds another layer to the complexity of the film. This series contains the pieces for a build-a-figure of Bane, so there's a lot here for fans of Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy. This is also the first Two-Face figure in McFarlane's DC Multiverse line, so that's kind of appeling, too. Let's flip on over to the review, after the break...

Action Figure Review: Scarecrow (The Dark Knight Trilogy) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   A month or two ago my wife and I finally had the chance to show our daughter (shout out to Umbreon 13!) Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. We haven't watched The Dark Knight Rises yet, but she really enjoyed the first two films in the Christopher Nolan Dark Knight Trilogy. Who didn't, right? Yeah, I'm sure there are some folks out there who don't like the movies but, overwhelmingly, the Nolan trilogy, particularly The Dark Knight, has become one of the most revered film franchises of the 2000s thus far. While high end companies like MAFEX and Hot Toys have continued to put out product based on the films, it's been awhile since action figures from those films have been available at regular retail. That's probably part of the reason for the excitement over the release of this series of figures in DC Multiverse. Mattel's DC Movie Masters from the Dark Knight trilogy were quite popular from 2008 to 2012, but it's been at least 10 years since those were available on store shelves. Mattel did a pretty decent job with the character selection, though at the time the figures were criticized for being a bit undersized compared to the DC Universe Classics line and DC Direct's offerings, so they kind of had to exist on their own.
   It's doubtful McFarlane will ever go as deep as Mattel did when the films were new, but we do have a nice set of four figures and one build-a-figure covering Christian Bale's Batman and his main villains, with the exception of Ra's al Ghul. Catwoman is definitely noticeably absent, too, possibly due to the prevalence of Catwoman figures from The Batman still on store shelves. Today I'm starting things off with a look at Scarecrow, AKA Dr. Jonathan Crane. Rewatching the movies again recently, I'm still impressed by how intense the Scarecrow is in the films. My daughter kept stating that she actually though Cillian Murphy as Dr. Crane was creepier than the Scarecrow, which might be true. He played the part really well! Let's take a look at the DC Multiverse version of Scarecrow, based on his outfit worn during the final of the film. Get ready for a scare after the break...

Action Figure Review: The Riddler (Arkham City) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   The Arkham series of videogames presents one of my favorite depictions of the Batman universe and I loved collecting the DC Direct/ DC Collectibles figures based on those games. Unfortunately, those lines haven't aged all that well. They're all still impressive looking figures, though, and it's unlikely we'll ever see characters like Anarky, Professor Pyg, Mad Hatter, and Copperhead again. Still, the figures haven't aged well as the DC Direct figures from earlier in the line are largely static while many of the DC Collectibles figures are prone to breakage due to the clear plastic used for the joints. I've actually been selling off a large number of my DC Direct/ DC Collectibles figures and using the money to build up my DC Multiverse collection, as the McFarlane figures are both really well articulated and extremely durable. The Riddler from Arkham City is one of the newer releases in this line and another figure I scooped up back in March during a crazy GameStop sale. The Riddler's riddles and taunting voice appeared in the original Batman: Arkham Asylum, but it wasn't until 2011's Batman: Arkham City that he first appeared. That's the game this figure is based on, so let's take a look at the Riddler after the break...

Action Figure Review: Kalibak (The Darkseid War) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

 

   I'm a big fan of the New Gods and the appearance of Kalibak has me pretty excited at the prospect of getting more of them in McFarlane Toys' DC Multiverse line. While Mattel never got around to Granny Goodness in DC Universe Classics and the accompanying lines, overall they did a great job of filling out the New Gods roster in that line. DC Direct did a cool set, too, though I only ever owned their version of Orion. The New Gods characters just always look fantastic and even when they're based on an updated version of Jack Kirby's designs, they still just have a look to them that captures  the pure and frenetic energy of Kirby's art. This version of Kalibak is based his appearance from The Darkseid War, a major, year-long Justice League event by Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok. Whether you're a reader of the newer comics or love the classic character of Kalibak (prior to his death in Final Crisis), there's a lot of coolness here. Let's check out this Megafig after the break...