Review: DC Direct 13 Inch Black Canary
You can't get them all this way, but it's shocking how many of the DC Direct 13 inch figures can be found on clearance for less than thirty bucks. This is the fifth in my collection, along with Dream, The Joker, Bizarro, and the Green Lantern Corps figure.
And, speaking of collections, this isn't the first Black Canary we've looked at. I reviewed the DC Universe Classics six inch figure here, the DC Infinite Heroes 3 and 3/4ths one here, and Lindsay reviewed the 12 inch Barbie figure here. For the record, we've also got one of the JLU 4 inch figures around here somewhere, but she predates the site and never got reviewed.
I'm pretty sure the only character more heavily reviewed at The Clearance Bin is Batman.
It's not that we're completely in love with Black Canary: it just that she's a good character with a tendency to remain on the shelves. In this case, those shelves are more metaphorical: I ordered her online from Big Bad Toy Store, which is fast becoming my favorite online retailer.
And, speaking of collections, this isn't the first Black Canary we've looked at. I reviewed the DC Universe Classics six inch figure here, the DC Infinite Heroes 3 and 3/4ths one here, and Lindsay reviewed the 12 inch Barbie figure here. For the record, we've also got one of the JLU 4 inch figures around here somewhere, but she predates the site and never got reviewed.
I'm pretty sure the only character more heavily reviewed at The Clearance Bin is Batman.
It's not that we're completely in love with Black Canary: it just that she's a good character with a tendency to remain on the shelves. In this case, those shelves are more metaphorical: I ordered her online from Big Bad Toy Store, which is fast becoming my favorite online retailer.
Appearance and Construction: 6/10
There's a lot to like - even love - about this figure, especially when compared to the Barbie released by Mattel. Before we get into all that, though, I want to address DC Direct about an issue. Excuse me while I climb onto this soapbox.
Right. You know those guys who have never been around a woman and are simply obsessed with huge breasts, regardless of the context? Yeah, those guys are mostly in high school, and they can't afford these toys. These are mainly purchased by grown-up collectors. While I'm sure there are a few collectors who base their buying on whether a female character's chest represents 25% of her volume, I can't help but think they're likely in the minority here. Most of us, male or female (yes, women, like my wife, buy toys, too, and often seek out female characters when they're not gratuitously depicted), want action figures that look GOOD. There's a degree of subjectivity in determining what looks good, of course, but a good rule of thumb is not to inflate the breasts to the point where the jacket looks comically undersized and doesn't sit right.
Also, the chest is sculpted in a soft, squishy plastic. This doesn't effect the figure's quality, but it kind of disturbs me.
On the other hand, her head sculpt - at least the "normal" one - looks pretty good, and most of the costuming is well done. The belt is a separate piece, and the boots are excellent. The fishnets are good, though the joints are of course visible underneath. There are some issues with the costume clashing with the figure around the hips (in addition to the aforementioned chest), but I'm willing to give them a pass here since some of these issues are intrinsic to the character design.
I'm going to hit the score a little hard, due to the coat and over-sized chest. It's one thing to make a character well endowed, but this crosses a line. And, considering that these wound up on clearance for a fraction of their retail price, it seems that the audience DC Direct was trying to pander to wasn't amused.
Right. You know those guys who have never been around a woman and are simply obsessed with huge breasts, regardless of the context? Yeah, those guys are mostly in high school, and they can't afford these toys. These are mainly purchased by grown-up collectors. While I'm sure there are a few collectors who base their buying on whether a female character's chest represents 25% of her volume, I can't help but think they're likely in the minority here. Most of us, male or female (yes, women, like my wife, buy toys, too, and often seek out female characters when they're not gratuitously depicted), want action figures that look GOOD. There's a degree of subjectivity in determining what looks good, of course, but a good rule of thumb is not to inflate the breasts to the point where the jacket looks comically undersized and doesn't sit right.
Also, the chest is sculpted in a soft, squishy plastic. This doesn't effect the figure's quality, but it kind of disturbs me.
On the other hand, her head sculpt - at least the "normal" one - looks pretty good, and most of the costuming is well done. The belt is a separate piece, and the boots are excellent. The fishnets are good, though the joints are of course visible underneath. There are some issues with the costume clashing with the figure around the hips (in addition to the aforementioned chest), but I'm willing to give them a pass here since some of these issues are intrinsic to the character design.
I'm going to hit the score a little hard, due to the coat and over-sized chest. It's one thing to make a character well endowed, but this crosses a line. And, considering that these wound up on clearance for a fraction of their retail price, it seems that the audience DC Direct was trying to pander to wasn't amused.
Packaging and Extras: +1
Black Canary comes in a similar box to most of the earlier DC Direct figure. As before, it opens like a book, so you can see the figure before buying. Assuming, of course, you're not just ordering her online.
Yeah, I'll admit that picture makes me want the thirteen inch Green Arrow, too. Pity I haven't seen him anywhere near this cheap. While I like the picture inside, the front and back are kind of dull. I bet they glued her coat down to get that picture on the front.
Black Canary comes with a decent selection of accessories, though she's missing one major extra.
She comes with a stand, which is similar to the ones that came with my other DC Direct figures. Hers, however, tilts to allow some added poses. Unfortunately, mine won't lock in place on the pole, which makes it a bit unstable. She comes with an extra set of hands, as well. These are actually vastly superior to the fists she's wearing in the package. The nails on the open hand look fantastic. |
Something seems off about the alternate head sculpt. They're going for her canary cry, but it just doesn't look right. I mentioned that there was a missing extra, and this is where it fits in. Some kind of clip-on clear plastic sonic waves might have sold the illusion. Without this, the screaming head isn't all that useful.
Regardless, both heads come with a snap-on mask similar to the one Green Lantern had. They work beautifully, with one important addendum: make sure you want it on before you add it. The paint from the mask will come off on her face, so, if you pose her with it, you're pretty much committing to leaving it on. This wasn't a big deal for me - I like my superheroes to look like superheroes - but it would have been good to know beforehand.
Despite the issues, I felt like the added head, extra hands, and semi-removable masks were enough to warrant a bonus point.
Regardless, both heads come with a snap-on mask similar to the one Green Lantern had. They work beautifully, with one important addendum: make sure you want it on before you add it. The paint from the mask will come off on her face, so, if you pose her with it, you're pretty much committing to leaving it on. This wasn't a big deal for me - I like my superheroes to look like superheroes - but it would have been good to know beforehand.
Despite the issues, I felt like the added head, extra hands, and semi-removable masks were enough to warrant a bonus point.
Play and Display: ----
You get the joints you're used to in this scale: double-pin knees and elbows, pins on the ankles (I think - the boots render this moot), hinge in the abs, cuts in the waist, upper legs, ankles, upper arms, and wrists, and ball joints on the shoulders, hips, and head. You're not getting much movement out of the head, of course, thanks to the hair, but that's pretty much to be expected from female figures with sculpted hair at this point.
The waist and ab joints also tend to revert due to the costume, but - again - that's hardly a surprise. The larger issue for me, which I was a bit disappointed about, was the lack of pin joint on the wrists. The crazy martial arts options are a bit limited with only cuts. On the other hand, the tilting stand clip opens up side kicks and the like.
In addition, the accessories discussed above - the extra head, hands, and masks - all open up added possibilities. Really, it's hard to imagine not using the open hands and normal head, but the others parts are there if you want them. And I expect collectors will be split between those using the mask and those leaving it off.
Ultimately, I consider this category a wash. On a smaller figure, anywhere near this level of articulation would mean some serious bonus points, but larger figures are held to a higher standard.
The waist and ab joints also tend to revert due to the costume, but - again - that's hardly a surprise. The larger issue for me, which I was a bit disappointed about, was the lack of pin joint on the wrists. The crazy martial arts options are a bit limited with only cuts. On the other hand, the tilting stand clip opens up side kicks and the like.
In addition, the accessories discussed above - the extra head, hands, and masks - all open up added possibilities. Really, it's hard to imagine not using the open hands and normal head, but the others parts are there if you want them. And I expect collectors will be split between those using the mask and those leaving it off.
Ultimately, I consider this category a wash. On a smaller figure, anywhere near this level of articulation would mean some serious bonus points, but larger figures are held to a higher standard.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 7/10
I paid $20.99 for this figure, plus shipping, which wasn't too bad (she shipped with a box of other toys: I paid $11.89 for shipping on an order totaling $50.43). So... I got a good deal. Actually, I got a great deal. This is a good figure; far superior to the Barbie version we've got on our shelf. You might think that would go without saying, but I actually think our Barbie Supergirl is comparable in quality to the DC Direct figure.
Despite being a good figure, she's a far canary cry from being worth $90. DC Direct really needs to improve their costuming work if they want to compete in the high end market. As it is, these figures just keep falling through the cracks and winding up in my collection (not that I'm complaining, mind you - I've paid about the same amount for my entire collection of five figures that the Sandman figure was originally retailing for).
Even the costuming issues wouldn't seem major if they hadn't given her such an absurd bust. I'm not even going to get into issues about objectifying women - from a purely aesthetic standpoint, it makes her look ridiculous.
Despite being a good figure, she's a far canary cry from being worth $90. DC Direct really needs to improve their costuming work if they want to compete in the high end market. As it is, these figures just keep falling through the cracks and winding up in my collection (not that I'm complaining, mind you - I've paid about the same amount for my entire collection of five figures that the Sandman figure was originally retailing for).
Even the costuming issues wouldn't seem major if they hadn't given her such an absurd bust. I'm not even going to get into issues about objectifying women - from a purely aesthetic standpoint, it makes her look ridiculous.
Like mother, like daughter: Canary's a second generation superhero, after all. Speaking of superheroes, isn't it time to plug my blog, where I sometimes discuss superheroes?