Thursday, November 2, 2023

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

 



   If you're a Batman fan and collector like me, then you've probably been very happy with McFarlane Toys' DC Collectibles line. While the DC Universe as a whole is coming together very slowly (a standard comic Wonder Woman was just recently revealed well over 3 years into the line) McFarlane is definitely putting out lots of versions of Batman, the Batfamily, and Batman's rogues gallery. Usually we get figures in very specific appearances or from very specific storylines but this new version of the Riddler is a very classic Silver Age take on Mr. Edward Nygma/ Nashton. We've seen a few Batman villains get this treatment now and it's really quite welcome. While I prefer the look of the Riddler in a suit, the question mark adorned unitard is a pretty classic look for the character. Ready for a riddle from the Riddler? Then join me after the break...






The Facts:

Height: 7 1/8ths inches

Articulation: Hinged toes, double swivel hinged ankles, double hinged knees, thigh swivels, swivel/hinge hips, balljointed waist, balljointed mid torso, swivel/hinge shoulders w/ ballsockets, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, swivel/ hinge wrists, and a barbell jointed head.
 
Accessories: Cane, 8 swappable hands, 2 glove cuffs, collectible card, and display stand.
 
Non-Scalper Price: $20 dollars





The Positives:

* I don't know which body the Riddler uses specifically but he clearly uses a base body that's been used for other characters. While lots of comic characters wear very unique outfits, a good number of them simply wear flat bodysuits of some sort, only differentiated by colors, symbols, and various accoutrements. McFarlane is starting to reuse base bodies more frequently to put out more classic characters and, frankly, that's not a bad thing. The Riddler looks pretty classic. He's built, sure, but that's kind of what the Silver Age Riddler often looked like in comics. His suit is covered front and bac with question marks while his purple belt and gloves break up the bright green. The gloves cuffs are removable, but why take them off? 







* The portrait definitely doesn't look like a modern Riddler but it definitely resembles many Silver Age depictions of the character. He has the all white eyes behind a thin domino mask, some spiffy hair with a bit of blue highlight, and a cleft in his chin. He's definitely not the nerdy little guy he's sometimes shown to be in the past 30 years. He's buff and possibly somewhat of a looker! He kind of even feels like a tribute to the Super Powers version of the Riddler who was a Green Lantern repaint.





* The question marks on the Riddler's suit are all over the back as well. 


* Since he's wearing a simple unitard, the Riddler has a somewhat sleek form, and he's encumbered by anything impeding his articulation, so he can some pretty wild and erratic poses. Want him to move like Frank Gorshin or Jim Carrey? Have at it! He's sturdy, well articulated, and has a great range of motion. The multiple hands really allow you to add some flourish to his wild poses.



* Speaking of hands, the Riddler comes with eight different ones that can swap out easily! He's got a pair of grips, a pair of open handed hands (a very flat right hand and a gesturing left hand), a pair of fists, a right hand thumbs up, and a pointing left hand. Some of the more unique hands really add a lot to the figure, making him more versatile. 






* The Riddler also comes with his question mark shaped cane. It's nice and looks like it's made of metal with some detailing down the shaft. 















* You also get a collectible card of the Riddler and one of the standard plastic disc stands with the DC logo on it.

   Despite this not being my ideal Riddler comic based Riddler figure for the line (my first pick for a comic version of the Riddler would be something in the suit, perhaps from the New 52 or Hush), I do like this figure a lot. We don't have a lot of classic Batman villains in this style from McFarlane, so he's a bit of a loner, but I imagine we'll see more DC Classic sourced figures based on Silver Age looks or inspired by the Super Powers line. I definitely think this guy could appeal to folks wanting to reconstruct the Super Powers line in the McFarlane style (though I don't anticipate that really happening). The figure is good and the multiple hands definitely make him more fun. He comes with quite a few and the thumbs up, pointing finger, and flat palm are great for coming up with cool yet obnoxious poses. He's a Great and a 1/2 figure, especially considering he comes in under the $20 price point. I'll always pick up a Batman villain at that price point! 


    
If you're looking for more of the Riddler I've also reviewed the DC Multiverse The Riddler (Arkham City), Kenner Legends of Batman Riddler, the DC Collectibles Greg Capullo styled Riddler, Mattel's Classic TV Series Riddler, the Nano Metalfigs DC63 Riddler, and the Lego Riddler Chase building set.


For more DC Multiverse reviews check out the following:
Harley Quinn (The Suicide Squad)
Impulse (Flash War)
The Joker- Bank Robber (The Dark Knight)
The Joker (The Dark Knight Rises) Jokerized
The Joker (Infinite Frontier)
The Joker- Sonar Vision (The Dark Knight)
Justice Buster (Batman: Endgame)
Kalibak (The Darkseid War)
Man-Bat (DC Rebirth)
Mister Freeze (Victor Fries)
Nekron (Blackest Night)
Nightwing (Titans)
Project Superman (Flashpoint)
Raven (Titans)
The Riddler (Arkham City)
Scarecrow (The Dark Knight Trilogy)
The Signal Duke Thomas
Superman (Black Adam) Black & White Accent Edition
Superman (Superman: Lois and Clark)
Superman Vs. Doomsday
Two-Face (The Dark Knight Trilogy)
Two-Face as Batman (Batman: Reborn)
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