DC SuperHero Dolls Collection: Series 1: Catwoman and Supergirl
I came across these in a Walgreens and picked them up out of curiosity. They're about 4 inches tall, with limited articulation and those "sleepy eyes" that close when they're laying down. I've never heard of them, and the only company on the box other than DC is "The Marketing Store."
However these came to be, I'm glad to see superheroes getting marketed to girls. Years ago, you could walk into a Toys R Us and find plenty of Barbies dressed as Marvel and DC heroes, but - with the notable exception of the recent Adam West line - there hasn't been much recently.
There are two other figures in this line, as well - Batgirl and Wonder Woman. I'd have picked them up if they'd been available, but no such luck. I'll have to keep my eyes open the next time I'm in a Walgreens.
However these came to be, I'm glad to see superheroes getting marketed to girls. Years ago, you could walk into a Toys R Us and find plenty of Barbies dressed as Marvel and DC heroes, but - with the notable exception of the recent Adam West line - there hasn't been much recently.
There are two other figures in this line, as well - Batgirl and Wonder Woman. I'd have picked them up if they'd been available, but no such luck. I'll have to keep my eyes open the next time I'm in a Walgreens.
Appearance and Construction:
Catwoman: 7/10
Supergirl: 5/10
The dolls look fine, but certainly aren't spectacular. They seem cheaply made (but that's appropriate given the price).
Between the two, I far prefer the Catwoman. The pictures are perhaps overly generous, but the shape of the base figure's mouth looks wrong without a mask. For what it's worth, I do like Supegirl's hair.
The outfits are mostly part of the sculpt and paint, as opposed to separate pieces (the exceptions being the aforementioned mask and googles on Catwoman and Supergirl's cape - I'll discuss these in the "extras" section. Once again, I think the design on Catwoman was a little better than Supergirl, but both turned out pretty well.
Again, nothing here looks great, but - all things considered - they looks decent enough.
Between the two, I far prefer the Catwoman. The pictures are perhaps overly generous, but the shape of the base figure's mouth looks wrong without a mask. For what it's worth, I do like Supegirl's hair.
The outfits are mostly part of the sculpt and paint, as opposed to separate pieces (the exceptions being the aforementioned mask and googles on Catwoman and Supergirl's cape - I'll discuss these in the "extras" section. Once again, I think the design on Catwoman was a little better than Supergirl, but both turned out pretty well.
Again, nothing here looks great, but - all things considered - they looks decent enough.
Packaging and Extras:
Catwoman: +1
Supergirl: --
Nothing special here: these came in fairly generic packages advertising the figures' modest features (I'm not sure I'd describe them as "posable" - more on that in moment.) The fonts and designs are all character appropriate, and they look good in package.
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For what it's worth, the backs have solid, age-appropriate bios for the characters. Nothing spectacular, but it's always nice to see a little effort.
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Supergirl doesn't have much in terms of "extras." Her cape is removable, thanks to a velcro clasp, so you could certainly display her without it (not that anyone would want to, but I suppose it's nice having options).
Catwoman fares quite a bit better. Her mask and googles are both removable, and potentially usable for other figures. These figures have comically oversized heads, so these might fit some 12 inch figures. Don't get your hopes up, though: they're too small for Monster High and a touch too big for Barbie, but I suspect there's a match out there. Catwoman also comes with a whip, but it's nothing special. It's a sculpted loop of plastic. It's a bit disappointing, but still better than nothing - how many 6 inch Catwomen has Mattel given us that didn't even include this? I'm giving her an extra point for the versatility of the mask and goggles and the whip. At this price, I'm grateful to get anything. |
Play and Display: --
There's really not much to say here. I've already mentioned the removable pieces. The figures do have some limited articulation, but it's the bare minimum. They have three joints each: cuts at the shoulders and neck.
The hair is rooted, so I suppose you could style it, if you're so inclined.
They also have an action feature, though it's so startlingly out of place, I can only assume it was only included because the company making these wound up with a warehouse full of the base. These have "sleepy-eyes", which close when the dolls are lying down. Fortunately, it only seems to work when they're on their back, so Supergirl can fly with her eyes open.
I do have one minor compliment in this section: when I saw these in their packages, I never expected they'd be able to stand. But, as you can see, they're balanced well enough to stay up for at least a few minutes.
The hair is rooted, so I suppose you could style it, if you're so inclined.
They also have an action feature, though it's so startlingly out of place, I can only assume it was only included because the company making these wound up with a warehouse full of the base. These have "sleepy-eyes", which close when the dolls are lying down. Fortunately, it only seems to work when they're on their back, so Supergirl can fly with her eyes open.
I do have one minor compliment in this section: when I saw these in their packages, I never expected they'd be able to stand. But, as you can see, they're balanced well enough to stay up for at least a few minutes.
Price Tag and Final Analysis:
Catwoman: 8/10
Supergirl: 5/10
The best part of these - by far - is the price. These were $3.99 each, which places them on par with Polly Pockets and blind-packed Lego mini-figures. Given their size, that's a pretty good bargain.
These certainly aren't great dolls. But, like I said at the start, it's great seeing Superheroes being sold to girls again. I'm going to have to keep my eyes open for the other two I'm missing - I'm really hoping to find the Batgirl.
It's worth noting that, should I find all four, I'll get them for less than a single six-inch action figure from Mattel.
It's a strange world, isn't it?
These certainly aren't great dolls. But, like I said at the start, it's great seeing Superheroes being sold to girls again. I'm going to have to keep my eyes open for the other two I'm missing - I'm really hoping to find the Batgirl.
It's worth noting that, should I find all four, I'll get them for less than a single six-inch action figure from Mattel.
It's a strange world, isn't it?
