Review: Batman: Brave and the Bold: Action League: Batman
Well, it took far longer than it should have, but Mattel and DC Comics have finally offered some competition to Hasbro and Marvel's Superhero Squad line. If you're not familiar with the Superhero Squad figures, I've got reviews here, here, and here, as well as a discussion about the scale here. But now things are a tad more complicated, because Mezco's gotten into the competition with BPRD Buddies figures from Hellboy II (reviewed here).
Unlike Hasbro's figures, the 'Action League' ones are getting packaged individually as well as in two packs and vehicle sets. I'm of the opinion that this is generally a good thing, because it allows you to buy a single figure and avoid winding up with, say, half a dozen versions of Wolverine on your shelf.
For the time being, the 'Action League' toys appear to be tied to Brave and the Bold. However, considering how stylized these are, that's more or less academic. These come off as miniaturized cartoon DC characters far more than they reflect the show... with one significant exception.
So far, the characters which have been released have mirrored the ones who appear on the show. Personally, I'm hoping that they deviate a bit and put out a Superman and Wonder Woman. Or maybe they'll get around to producing episodes with those characters - I wouldn't mind that one bit. After all, Brave and the Bold is an phenomenal show.
I've only seen these guys sold in a single comic book store in Manhattan, though Amazon has some up, as well.
Unlike Hasbro's figures, the 'Action League' ones are getting packaged individually as well as in two packs and vehicle sets. I'm of the opinion that this is generally a good thing, because it allows you to buy a single figure and avoid winding up with, say, half a dozen versions of Wolverine on your shelf.
For the time being, the 'Action League' toys appear to be tied to Brave and the Bold. However, considering how stylized these are, that's more or less academic. These come off as miniaturized cartoon DC characters far more than they reflect the show... with one significant exception.
So far, the characters which have been released have mirrored the ones who appear on the show. Personally, I'm hoping that they deviate a bit and put out a Superman and Wonder Woman. Or maybe they'll get around to producing episodes with those characters - I wouldn't mind that one bit. After all, Brave and the Bold is an phenomenal show.
I've only seen these guys sold in a single comic book store in Manhattan, though Amazon has some up, as well.
Appearance: 8/10
Overall, this is a great figure. It's a hair's breath from a nine, and, were it not for a couple of issues, a ten wouldn't have been out of reach.
The largest issue on the figure is the sculpting problem on the right side of Batman's body. You can see it in a few of the pictures if you look close: there's a crooked line going along Batman's chest and circling his shoulder. It's not too obtrusive from a few feet away, but up close it's hard to miss.
The second largest issue is small in comparison: the paint work is a little sloppy on the area of the mask where the blue and black overlaps. This issue is actually exaggerated by the camera, though: I barely noticed until I looked at the pictures. The other paint lines are much, much cleaner, by the way.
Finally - and I almost hate to bring this up - there's a bit of a molding line along the top of the mask and the the cape. Why don't I want to mention it? Because it forces me to say something negative about the cape, and - let me make sure I'm clear here - I LOVE this cape. This is thin, sturdy, sculpted plastic, which looks stunning without affecting the articulation on his arms.
In addition, I love most everything else. The expression looks great and the eyes are awesome. The nose has been painted blue on one side and left black on the other, an old comic shading technique that works wonderfully here. The chest symbol and belt are excellent, the oversized hands are very cool - especially the pointed bits underneath. I like the Batarang, as well, though I should mention the paint on the line separating it from his hand is poorly defined and sloppy.
There are just enough problems to drag it down to an eight, but that's still a solid score.
The largest issue on the figure is the sculpting problem on the right side of Batman's body. You can see it in a few of the pictures if you look close: there's a crooked line going along Batman's chest and circling his shoulder. It's not too obtrusive from a few feet away, but up close it's hard to miss.
The second largest issue is small in comparison: the paint work is a little sloppy on the area of the mask where the blue and black overlaps. This issue is actually exaggerated by the camera, though: I barely noticed until I looked at the pictures. The other paint lines are much, much cleaner, by the way.
Finally - and I almost hate to bring this up - there's a bit of a molding line along the top of the mask and the the cape. Why don't I want to mention it? Because it forces me to say something negative about the cape, and - let me make sure I'm clear here - I LOVE this cape. This is thin, sturdy, sculpted plastic, which looks stunning without affecting the articulation on his arms.
In addition, I love most everything else. The expression looks great and the eyes are awesome. The nose has been painted blue on one side and left black on the other, an old comic shading technique that works wonderfully here. The chest symbol and belt are excellent, the oversized hands are very cool - especially the pointed bits underneath. I like the Batarang, as well, though I should mention the paint on the line separating it from his hand is poorly defined and sloppy.
There are just enough problems to drag it down to an eight, but that's still a solid score.
Packaging and Extras: ----
First up, the packaging. Simple, elegant, and square: has the box ever truly been improved upon? I think not:
I really like the minimalism here: Mattel is trusting the figure to sell itself. Granted, it is a bit reminiscent of the packaging used for Christmas ornaments, but who cares?
I did raise an eyebrow at the '3+' icon in the upper right corner. Apparently, someone at Mattel thinks these appeal to kids. I think they're nuts: collectors might grab these up, but three year olds will probably want the larger figures. More to chew on, after all.
When I first saw pictures of these online, I'd hoped that the Batarang was an accessory, but no such luck: it's part of the sculpt. I'm not deducting anything for missing accessories, but that might be a bit generous of me. I'm a little unclear what the suggested retail price is, but I've seen these going for quite a bit online. If these cost too much, there should really be something else included; probably a second figure. More on this later.
I did raise an eyebrow at the '3+' icon in the upper right corner. Apparently, someone at Mattel thinks these appeal to kids. I think they're nuts: collectors might grab these up, but three year olds will probably want the larger figures. More to chew on, after all.
When I first saw pictures of these online, I'd hoped that the Batarang was an accessory, but no such luck: it's part of the sculpt. I'm not deducting anything for missing accessories, but that might be a bit generous of me. I'm a little unclear what the suggested retail price is, but I've seen these going for quite a bit online. If these cost too much, there should really be something else included; probably a second figure. More on this later.
Play and Display: +1
Fortunately, scale and concept weren't the only things borrowed by Mattel from Hasbro. They've also used a similar level of articulation, and, as is often the case when Mattel follows in their competitor's footsteps, they've improved it in at least one respect.
Batman has four points of articulation: shoulders, neck, and waist. And all of these feel very tight and sturdy. Unlike some of my Superhero Squad figures, who have gaps in some joints, I have no complaints about Batman's.
That isn't to say there aren't some joints I wanted that I didn't get. The most obvious is the wrists: the gloves looked like they were joints, but no such luck. Similarly, there could have been cut joints where the legs attach to the waist. Those could have opened up some other posing options, but Mattel left them off.
Still, the joints they provided open up some good posing options, so, like I did with the Superhero Squad and BPRD Buddies figures, I'm handing over a bonus point.
Batman has four points of articulation: shoulders, neck, and waist. And all of these feel very tight and sturdy. Unlike some of my Superhero Squad figures, who have gaps in some joints, I have no complaints about Batman's.
That isn't to say there aren't some joints I wanted that I didn't get. The most obvious is the wrists: the gloves looked like they were joints, but no such luck. Similarly, there could have been cut joints where the legs attach to the waist. Those could have opened up some other posing options, but Mattel left them off.
Still, the joints they provided open up some good posing options, so, like I did with the Superhero Squad and BPRD Buddies figures, I'm handing over a bonus point.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 9/10
Until now, this review's been almost entirely positive. Sure, there were some minor issues with that line in the shoulder and the paint could have been a little better, but, overall, this is a really good figure.
Here's where the other shoe falls.
I picked this guy up for five bucks, the amount I was paying for a two pack of Marvel Superhero Squad figures a few years back (sure, now they're eight, but still). That said, I picked this up at a comic shop, where prices can be inflated. Since then, I've also located this guy on Amazon.
He's seven there.
Okay, this is still early in these toy's life cycle, so there's certainly hope that those prices aren't going to stick. Really, we won't know what these are worth until they hit Target and Toys R Us, and I haven't seen them there yet. But even Toys R Us has seen some alarming price increases recently, so that may or may not help.
I'm of the opinion that this toy is worth $3.50; $4.00 at a stretch. I like the line and wouldn't mind having more "Action League" figures, but I won't be buying many at five dollars and up. If they're really seven or more, then we've got a serious problem. Remember at the start when I said I liked getting these individually? Yeah, that assumes they cost LESS than a two-pack.
Here's where the other shoe falls.
I picked this guy up for five bucks, the amount I was paying for a two pack of Marvel Superhero Squad figures a few years back (sure, now they're eight, but still). That said, I picked this up at a comic shop, where prices can be inflated. Since then, I've also located this guy on Amazon.
He's seven there.
Okay, this is still early in these toy's life cycle, so there's certainly hope that those prices aren't going to stick. Really, we won't know what these are worth until they hit Target and Toys R Us, and I haven't seen them there yet. But even Toys R Us has seen some alarming price increases recently, so that may or may not help.
I'm of the opinion that this toy is worth $3.50; $4.00 at a stretch. I like the line and wouldn't mind having more "Action League" figures, but I won't be buying many at five dollars and up. If they're really seven or more, then we've got a serious problem. Remember at the start when I said I liked getting these individually? Yeah, that assumes they cost LESS than a two-pack.
If you liked the review, you might want to stop by my blog, The Middle Room, a place for the geek in all of us. Particularly those of us who collect toys and watch a lot of movies.
