Wednesday, June 7, 2023

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

 


   It's been a bit since a comic based figure of Nightwing was newly available in the DC Multiverse line (there was a Gotham Knights videogame version last year) so his inclusion in this set makes perfect sense: Dick Grayson is a key member of the Titans, he's a popular character, and he's a member of the Bat-Family. He's going to sell for sure. There have been some good Nightwing figures in the line previously (I own a couple of them) but this one has one really weird detail: He doesn't come with his escrima sticks, his signature weapon. Furthermore, he doesn't even have gripping hands, so he can't even hold a set of escrima sticks borrowed from another figure. That's a weird choice, right? Nightwing being available in the line is a solid choice but the figure does suffer from some weird decisions. Let's check out this Titans version of Nightwing after the break...


The Facts:

Height: 7 inches

Articulation: Hinged toes, double hinged knees, swivel thighs, swivel/hinge hips, balljointed waist, balljointed mid torso, swivel/hinge shoulders w/ ballsockets, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, double swivel/ hinge wrists, and a ball jointed neck.
 
Accessories: Torso for Beast Boy build-a-figure, display stand, and collectible card.
 
Non-Scalper Price: $25 dollars

Comparison:

* On the left is this Titans version of Nightwing while on the right is the Nightwing figure from the Batman Family 5-Pack. Size wise, I think this one is a bit better. He's slim and not crazy tall like the 5-pack one, who just looks a bit older than this figure. Of course, that figure has the escrima sticks, so I'm not getting rid of him anytime soon. No shared parts, though, and two different designs. 

The Positives:

* The first Nightwing figure I ever owned was Crime Solver Nightwing from The New Batman Adventures and, man, I loved that guy. This figure still captures what I love about that Kenner version: He's sleek and clad in just such a cool costume that you can't help but love him. From a visual standpoint, this Nightwing really works. There's not a ton of detail on his outfit (I think he actually shares parts with the Jonathan Kent Superman figure) but the logos on his chest and back are separate pieces and there are some cool little flourishes like the blue stripes that go all the way down to his gloves and the blue lining the soles of his boots. 



* The portrait is quite good as well, capturing Dick Grayson's good looks and somewhat cocky attitude, particularly when he's in combat. Just check out that smirk. His hair has a touch of purple highlight to it and the strands hanging in front of his face are actually individual strands hanging down, not strands sculpted onto his face. 


* Dick is very sleek and encumbered by anything impeding his articulation, so he can move like the acrobat he is. Using the included stand I was even able to balance him in a cool kicking position. He's sturdy, well articulated, and has a great range of motion. A flight stand would have been a cool extra to really show off Nightwing's athletic abilities, but maybe you can swipe one from someone else. 


* I'm always glad that McFarlane includes a stand with each of their releases these days. It's just a simple disc stand with the DC logo on it but it works well and keeps the figure standing upright in most poses.






* A collectible card is also included with the figure sporting an image from a comic. It's similar to this outfit, though the boots are different and Nightwing is sporting his escrima sticks. 





* Interestingly, Nightwing comes with the largest piece of the Beast Boy build-a-figure: The torso. That's unusual, isn't it? Since these are all evenly packed in a case, though, I guess it doesn't matter too much. He's also the simplest and doesn't have any accessories, so I guess it makes sense. 







The Negatives:

* First, I'm considering the lack of gripping hands and escrima sticks as a negative. I honestly can't think of the last time that a Nightwing figure didn't come with his escrima sticks. 

* Also, the diaper crotch on this guy is a bit off. It's not horrible but it feels like it goes up too high. 






    Man, I hate to say it but this Nightwing leaves me kind of cold. I mean, he's not an absolutely awful figure, but no escrima stands or hands for holding another set just really makes him feel kind of pointless. Yeah, I like the look of the figure for the most part, but he feels just half complete. The diaper crotch on this one isn't helping, either. I really bought this guy because of the Beast Boy Torso, which I imagine is why most other people are picking him up, too. Usually Nightwing action figures are just really fun, but this one's a bit of a dud. I'm giving him an Eh and a 1/2.




 
   If you're looking for more reviews of Dick Grayson as Robin, Batman, or Nightwing, I've also reviewed at Mattel's DC Comics Multiverse Dick Grayson Batman, the Lego Batman: Man-Bat Attack which includes Nightwing, the Kenner Legends of Batman Nightwing, the DC Icons Hush Nightwing, the New 52 Nightwing, the McFarlane Super Powers Nightwing, the Jada Nano Metalfigs DC103 Nightwing, and Robin from the Teen Titans Go! To the Movies line.

For more DC Multiverse reviews check out the following:
Harley Quinn (The Suicide Squad)
The Joker (Infinite Frontier)
Kalibak (The Darkseid War)
Man-Bat (DC Rebirth)
Mister Freeze (Victor Fries)
Nekron (Blackest Night)
The Riddler (Arkham City)
Scarecrow (The Dark Knight Trilogy)
The Signal Duke Thomas
Two-Face (The Dark Knight Trilogy)









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1 comment:

  1. Barbecue17June 12, 2023 at 12:39 PM

    I know, right? Every other Nightwing in the line has come with his escrima sticks, so I'm not sure why this decisions was made. It seems like such a weird cost cutting measure if that was the case.

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