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

When Mattel was in the heyday of their DC Universe Classics line it seemed like a possibility that they were going to get around to releasing all of the Charleston Comics characters which DC Comics acquired in 1985 and who Alan Moore originally planned to use in Watchmen. Mattel never got past half of them (The Question, Blue Beetle, and Captain Atom), though they did get to the full roster of the main Watchmen. Will McFarlane get any further or ever get to the Watchmen? They've done a film version of Peacemaker and a Super Powers figure, so they're a bit further than Mattel got. Old Vic Sage, AKA The Question, was the inspiration for Rorschach. Of course, Vic's been through a lot through the years. He's gone from an Objectivist detective to an individual with mystical Buddhist abilities to a government agent separate from the mystical Question. He's also even passed the mantle of the question to Detective Renee Montoya. Appearance wise, this is a pretty classic version of The Question and quite similar to the figure Mattel produced in 2010. This is one of McFarlane's Platinum figures, even though it oddly enough is a unique character rather than a repaint or variant. McFarlane Toys has been doing that more frequently this year, which sometime is quite frustrating, though I didn't have much trouble tracking The Question down. Ready to check out The Question? 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: Collector card and display stand.

Non-Scalper Price: $23 dollars

Comparison:

* I actually had The Question in hand for a month or more before I realized that he was the same figure as The Dark Knight Joker figures, just with a new head and missing the wallet chain. The Question (left) has a very bright, bold color scheme, and it makes the reuse rather unnoticeable. It's smart reuse in my book.

The Positives:

* I actually like this body for The Question more than I liked it for the Joker. It's really nice with different textures for the different parts of his outfit and the bright blue coat meshes well with the darker blue pants and vest and mustard yellow shirt. Sure, it's a fairly classic look for a detective, but the colors just scream classic comic color scheme. He really pops out on the shelf.

* The Question's pseudoderm mask gives him a blank, faceless appearance with limited facial features. Not only has McFarlane captured this well here but they've also added some shadow around the eyes (or where the eyes would be if he had them) to simulate shadow from his fedora. It looks really good, especially when standing on a shelf or in a photograph. It adds some mystery to the character, really giving him the look of a film noir detective keeping a low profile.

* For a figure wearing a dress shirt, a vest, and a trench coat, the Question doesn't look overly bulky at all. McFarlane did a good job of layering this guy, fudging what can't be seen and making what can be seen actual layers.

* This might be a reused body but there's nothing wrong with it. in fact, I think it's quite good, especially for a guy wearing multiple layers of clothing. He's just a lot of fun to pose in different ways where he's taking a dramatic pose like you'd expect from The Spirit or something. He's super durable, too. A kid could easily play with this guy and have a lot of fun. I wonder if we'll ever see this body used to make the Sandman?

* Included are the standard collectible card and the standard disc stand. They're nice extras and I'm always glad to have them with every release. I still wonder why McFarlane didn't use an image of the Spirit in his classic blue trench coat and suit here, but that's a pretty minor nit.

I really do like this figure. Is it weird that he's a Platinum? Yeah. I don't see the logic in making unique character chase figures. Repaints and variants are fine if you want to do "chase" figures, but unique characters just seem like odd choices. He's a good figure, though, but he is really light on extras. Other than the card and stand, he has nothing. No extra hands, no alternate Vic Sage head, no crumpled up looking pseudoderm mask, no wispy smoke effects. Surely McFarlane could have found something fun and creative to give him. he's a Good and a 1/2 figure, but awfully light on extras.

This is the first figure of Vic Sage/ The Question that I've reviewed. For more DC Multiverse reviews check out the following:

Aquaman (Flashpoint)
Arsenal (Titans)
Bane
Bane (The Dark Knight Trilogy)
Bane (Trench Coat) (The Dark Knight Rises)
Batcycle (The Flash)
Batgirl (Batman: Three Jokers) Jokerized