Action Figure Review: Mr. Freeze (Batman: Fighting the Frozen) from DC Page Punchers by McFarlane Toys/ DC Direct

 

   It has been so darn hot out lately that I figured it might be wise to beat the heat with a look at the DC Page Punchers Mr. Freeze. This guy is absolutely amazing and one of the coolest and craziest interpretations of Mr. Freeze ever released. A steampunk suited scientist who ends up travelling 16,000 years into the past, this version of Mr. Freeze is seriously geared up for keeping himself refrigerated, presuming that's what this incarnation of Dr. Victor Fries needs. This guy has just wowed me. In fact, this whole series of Batman: Fighting the Frozen Page Punchers is just one of the standout toy releases of the year. Ready for an amazingly cool figure? Then let's check this version of Mr. Fries out after the break...

The Facts:

Height: 7 1/4ths inches

Articulation: Hinged toes, swivel hinged ankles, swivel/hinge knees, swivel thighs, swivel/hinge hips, balljointed waist, swivel/hinge shoulders, swivel/ hinge elbows, swivel/ hinge wrists, and a barbell jointed head.

 

Accessories: Freeze ray w/ backpack, comic book, collector card, and display stand.

 

Non-Scalper Price: $25 dollars

The Positives:

* This take on Mr. Freeze is incredible! I love these Victorian era takes on the DC characters and I wish I had more of them to go along with my Gotham by Gaslight Batman and Amazonia Wonder Woman from DC Direct. Mr. Freeze brings to mind some past versions of the character, yes, but also things like the Big Daddys from Bioshock, 19th century diving outfits, and 1980s digital faces. He's a decent sized guy, probably largely helped by the bulky, padded suit. There are multiple textures on the outfit itself with leather straps holding everything together and keeping his various pieces of gear in place. I really dig the purple gloves, too. They don't tie in with anything else, but they're just very appealing and they remind me of the purple gloves from Batman's first appearance. 

* Rather than seeing his face, Mr. Freeze's helmet just reveals two glowing, round eyes, like a digital readout. In the comic the eyes do change a bit based on the situation and Freezes likely expression, but here they're frozen in one expression. They're painted on the helmet and are very smooth and shiny, as opposed to the helmet with looks like it's been pounded and shaped from metal. 

* Mr. Freeze has lots of gauges and thermometers on his suit, along with some places where ice is coming out of his suit (under the chest piece, above his shoulders, and out of his left glove. 

* Check out these shiny blue cylinders on Mr. Freeze's belt! I'm not sure if they're extra ammunition for his freeze ray or grenades of some sort, but they sure do look cool. 

* His boots are insane! Look at these things! They are absolutely monstrous. I believe these are what they used to call weasel stomping boots. 

* There's a backpack that attaches to Mr. Freeze's back and it is insane! There aren't any painted details but the sculpt is excellent. This thing has so many valves, gauges, tubes, and pulleys on it that it's a steampunk dream.

* I'm really glad that Warner Bros. has lightened up, allowing characters like Mr. Freeze, Captain Cold, and Heatwave to have their freeze rays and heat rays. Mr. Freeze's freeze cannon is pretty substantial and has some blue tanks on the other side, presumably filled with coolant.

* He might be big and bulky with fewer joints but Mr. Freeze still moves really well. His articulation is incredibly solid and durable and it flows nicely with his sculpt. The barbell joint for his head is also just crazy good. He has an insane amount of motion there, so he can look all around for the members of the Bat Clan. 

* The Page Punchers also come with collectible card sporting an image of the included comic cover. Since everyone gets a unique cover in this series (like in the Aquaman series), each card is unique. There's a short summary of Batman: Fighting the Frozen on the back, too.

* You also get a display stand, though Mr. Freeze is so big and bulky that he probably doesn't need it. 

* And here's the full size comic book of Batman: Fighting the Frozen with the cover artwork exclusive to this figure. It's a very cool steampunk meets caveman time travel story that ought to remind you of the older Elseworlds titles. 

   Batgirl was Epic. Batman was Epic. Mr. Freeze? Also Epic. Seriously, this series scratches me right where I itch. I love how different this Mr. Freeze is, especially compared to the primitive Bat Clan members. The sculpt is incredible and it's pretty amazing to get a full sized comic book and a figure that I'm assuming the Big 2 (Hasbro and Mattel) would consider a deluxe release for $25 bucks. This guy is amazing. I'm going to be getting around to reviewing Robin soon (he arrived later than the other figures) but no matter how he turns out, he DC Page Punchers line has definitely earned their keep this year.

 

   Looking for more of Mister Freeze/ Mr. Freeze, AKA Dr. Victor Fries? Then check out my reviews of the DC Multiverse Mister Freeze (Victor Fries), the DC Primal Age Mister Freeze and Ice Mode Mister Freeze, the 1/18th scale Mattel Multiverse Mr. Freeze from Arkham City, the Greg Capullo inspired Mr. Freeze from DC Collectibles, the DC23 Mr. Freeze from the Nano Metalfigs line, and the Gotham Mr. Freeze from Diamond Select Toys.

For more DC Page Punchers reviews check out the following:
Aquaman
Batgirl (Fighting the Frozen)
Batman (Fighting the Frozen)
Black Adam
The Flash
John Constantine
Supergirl (Injustice)