Action Figure Barbecue: Action Figure Review: The Joker- Bank Robber (The Dark Knight) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Action Figure Review: The Joker- Bank Robber (The Dark Knight) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

It's been... what, two days since I last reviewed an action figure of the Joker? Sounds like it's time for another Joker review then! Today I'm checking out the Bank Robber version of the Joker from McFarlane's DC Multiverse line. Like Bane in the trench coat, the Bank Robber Joker is a Gold Label figure that was exclusive to SDCC 2023 and McFarlane Toys Store after the show. Also like Bane, he's basically a simple rework of the standard Dark Knight Trilogy Joker figure released earlier this year in the Bane build-a-figure series. McFarlane Toys Store had the set of three figures for $90 (Trench Coat Bane, Bank Robber Joker, and Sonar Vision Joker) but the Bank Robber Joker himself has been selling for between $50 and $70 dollars, so I opted to just grab the full set. I absolutely love The Dark Knight (easily one of my top 10 movies) and I was excited to get this guy on my nicely growing McFarlane Batman movie shelf. Ready for another figure based on Heath Ledger's iconic performance as the Joker? Then join me after the break...

The Facts:

Height: 7 1/4ths inches

Articulation: Hinged toes, double swivel hinged ankles, double hinged knees, swivel/hinge hips, balljointed waist, balljointed mid torso, swivel/hinge shoulders w/ balljointed sockets, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/ hinge wrists, and a barbell jointed head..

Accessories: 2 swappable portraits, 4 swappable hands, collector card, and display stand.

Non-Scalper Price: $30 dollars

Comparison:

* The Bank Robber Joker is on the left while the standard Joker is on the right. I never got around to reviewing him, though I did review the Jokerized Joker repaint. These two guys largely share the same body though the Bank Robber Joker has a new torso overlay and a new alternate head with the clown mask on. The unmasked head is the same as the standard Joker figure.

The Positives:

* At a glance or simply looking at him on the shelf, this is a pretty accurate take on the Joker in the outfit he wears for the bank robbery at the beginning of The Dark Knight. The suit looks good, the colors are mostly right, and overall I just like the look of it. The shirt is a bit off, but I'll get to that in a minute.

* The main draw of this set is the clown mask wearing portrait and it doesn't disappoint. It looks excellent with an accurate paint job and a suitably distressed appearance. You can see the Joker's eyes if you look through the eyeholes carefully but most of the time they're hidden, which is accurate to his appearance in the film.

* The mask isn't removable but when you flip the portrait around you can see that the mask itself is a separate piece and the hair is sculpted to look pulled back and held down by the elastic band of the mask.

* The portrait is the same as the standard release of the Joker. It's not a bad sculpt. The paintwork isn't as strong as I'd hoped (it should probably look a bit more faded on his face makeup with more detail on his mouth and scars) but it's better than most other Joker figures that have been produced at this price point and it's still clearly recognizable as Heath's Joker. I do really like the eyes.

* The Joker's articulation is excellent. He's not a metahuman or anything but the Joker can still move freely and take plenty of cool poses. He's got a great range of motion and all of his joints work perfectly. Load him up with some weapons from one of the McFarlane weapons packs and you'll be really satisfied with his action poses, or just simple dramatic poses. He's really fun to mess around with and he's as durable as you'd expect.

* Four swappable hands are included. Two are pistol grips (useful for giving him weapons from the accessory packs) and the other two are fists.

* Also included are the standard collectible card and the standard disc stand. They're nice extras and I'm glad they're included here (trench coat Bane was missing his). The card shows off the clown mask sculpt.

The Negatives:

* My biggest problem (other than the lack of guns, which isn't McFarlane Toys' fault) is the shirt. It's just messy looking. Rather than really create a new torso for this figure, McFarlane simply created a new overlay. The shirt looks kind of gloppy and just doesn't capture the movie shirt properly. The jacket isn't a separate piece like on the standard Joker, either. It's all one piece.

I was really excited for this figure but he really turned out to be pretty average. If he'd been a standard release he'd actually be pretty swell but considering that he's a convention exclusive sold for $30 bucks instead of the usual $20-$22, he feels lacking. The heads are nice and I know guns are out of the questions (again, you can get them from the McFarlane accessory pack), but a space mask and the duffle bag would have been very welcome extras. He's a Good figure, but you'll have to accessorize him yourself.

Looking for more reviews of the Joker? Then check out The Joker's Funhouse for more Joker reviews!

For more DC Multiverse reviews check out the following: