Review: DC Universe Classics Hawkman
So, after all that, I broke down and bought a Hawkman.
For those of you new to the site who have no idea what I'm talking about, I recently reviewed a DC Universe Classics Hawkgirl, where I gave a lengthy explanation for why Hawkman has never appealed to me. I won't go into the whole thing here, but the truncated version of this: he looks far too much like an 80's cartoon character for my taste (and, yes, I realize his design predates He-Man by a good forty years).
Hawkman has been out for a while: I actually did consider buying back when I picked up Killer Moth, but decided I didn't want to spend seventeen bucks on a character I'm not crazy about.
Then I stumbled across him at a store a few blocks from my house, where he was selling for $13. I took a look at the figure itself, and decided Hawkgirl could use a friend.
DC Universe Classics figures are produced by Mattel, which, coincidentally, produces He-Man action figures, as well.
For those of you new to the site who have no idea what I'm talking about, I recently reviewed a DC Universe Classics Hawkgirl, where I gave a lengthy explanation for why Hawkman has never appealed to me. I won't go into the whole thing here, but the truncated version of this: he looks far too much like an 80's cartoon character for my taste (and, yes, I realize his design predates He-Man by a good forty years).
Hawkman has been out for a while: I actually did consider buying back when I picked up Killer Moth, but decided I didn't want to spend seventeen bucks on a character I'm not crazy about.
Then I stumbled across him at a store a few blocks from my house, where he was selling for $13. I took a look at the figure itself, and decided Hawkgirl could use a friend.
DC Universe Classics figures are produced by Mattel, which, coincidentally, produces He-Man action figures, as well.
Appearance: 8/10
In some ways, Hawkman is a little better than Hawkgirl, though there's one aspect where his wife wins out. My largest complaint about Hawkman - the reason he's an 8 and not a 9 - is that they used a shiny plastic for his skin. When Mattel created Hawkgirl, they either used a less flashy plastic or went over it with some paint (honestly, I can't tell which). Side by side, it's a notable improvement.
I also need to mention another issue with Hawkman that was, at least in part, corrected with his wife. While I mentioned that the look of the hinge connecting Hawkgirl's wings to her body was far from perfect, it's a lot better than Hawkman's, who has one part of the hinge skin-colored and one part gray. While it's not a huge issue, it certainly makes him look even more like a toy.
Now that we've gotten that out of the way, lets move on to what's good. First of all, there's the head sculpt, which is more or less as close to perfect as I can imagine. Both the jaw and mask are absolutely awesome.
In fact, the sculpting is first rate all over. While I'm not a fan of his Power of Grayskull physique, the work is beyond reproach. Likewise, the wings are just as good as Hawkgirl's, which is to say great.
The chest straps are well made, too, as is the hawk symbol on his chest. His sheath also looks good, while still being tucked away enough that it's not intrusive.
Like I said before, if they'd complimented the sculpt with some paint to tone down the shiny plastic, this category would be an easy nine.
I also need to mention another issue with Hawkman that was, at least in part, corrected with his wife. While I mentioned that the look of the hinge connecting Hawkgirl's wings to her body was far from perfect, it's a lot better than Hawkman's, who has one part of the hinge skin-colored and one part gray. While it's not a huge issue, it certainly makes him look even more like a toy.
Now that we've gotten that out of the way, lets move on to what's good. First of all, there's the head sculpt, which is more or less as close to perfect as I can imagine. Both the jaw and mask are absolutely awesome.
In fact, the sculpting is first rate all over. While I'm not a fan of his Power of Grayskull physique, the work is beyond reproach. Likewise, the wings are just as good as Hawkgirl's, which is to say great.
The chest straps are well made, too, as is the hawk symbol on his chest. His sheath also looks good, while still being tucked away enough that it's not intrusive.
Like I said before, if they'd complimented the sculpt with some paint to tone down the shiny plastic, this category would be an easy nine.
Packaging and Extras: +2
The packaging, at least on the outside, is exactly what you'd expect: there's not a lot of variation in the look of these packs. Not that I'm complaining, mind you: they seem to keep the figures safe, and they look fine.
When you start trying to free Hawkman, it becomes apparent that he's packed in a little differently. Mattel used the method they use when packing characters with capes, pushing the soft capes through a hole, so they're behind the character.
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This might be a good strategy for keeping him in place, but digging Hawkman out took effort. Rather than risk breaking his solid wings, I turned to a pair of sturdy scissors. I suggest you do the same. As you can probably guess from the bonus, you're getting a lot of extras here. Hawkman comes with a mace, larger than his wife's, but blunted rather than spiked. He also has a sword, which looks good and slides into the sheath on his back. |
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For defense, Hawkman comes with a shield, containing his trademarked symbol. It looks quite good, even with the "snap on" clip on back. Unfortunately, if you use the shield you risk discoloring Hawkman's arm: mine already has a small mark.
To get you to dish out the cash for more figures, Mattel likes to include part of a larger figure. In this case, you get one of Kalibak's arms. Since I've already got the head and torso, I have to admit I'm tempted to head over to Ebay and see what the rest would run me. |
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I came close to giving Hawkman 3 bonus points here, like I did for Deathstroke. While he doesn't have quite the assortment Deathstroke came with, in some ways the overall quality of Hawkman's are better. Still, Kalibak looks to be a hair less impressive than Grundy, so that's going to be the determining factor.
Play and Display: +2
There are very few problems here, so I'll start with them. The largest issue, as far I'm concerned, is with his right hand. While his left is sculpted to hold weapons, his right is clenched into a fist. If you're a bigger fan of the character than I am, let me know if he's left-handed in the comics and I'm being unfair. Otherwise, it's an odd choice for a character who has two weapons: I'd have liked the option of displaying him holding the mace in one hand and the sword in the other.
The only other issues I can raise are so minor I shouldn't bother. But this is the internet and the internet is for complaining (contrary to what you may have heard from some puppets with their minds in the gutter). Here's what I have: the right leg's articulation is slightly hindered by the sheath on Hawkman's back and the head can't look as far up as you might like.
Take that last comment about the head with a grain of salt though: it's still ball-jointed, and, unlike Hawkgirl's, you can get a nice range of motion.
The only other issues I can raise are so minor I shouldn't bother. But this is the internet and the internet is for complaining (contrary to what you may have heard from some puppets with their minds in the gutter). Here's what I have: the right leg's articulation is slightly hindered by the sheath on Hawkman's back and the head can't look as far up as you might like.
Take that last comment about the head with a grain of salt though: it's still ball-jointed, and, unlike Hawkgirl's, you can get a nice range of motion.
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All of the joints on mine work well; nothing feels loose or problematic. The wings are the same as the ones reused for Hawkgirl, so it's no surprise these work as well as they do.
The accessories all work well, and thanks to his sheath, he can hold the mace, wear the shield, and have the sword on him at the same time. What's more, he can do this naturally. But we haven't even gotten to the good part yet: Hawkman has excellent balance. Yes, surprisingly, those gigantic wings don't prevent him from standing in a variety of poses. This doesn't really help me that much, since I'll probably have him flying, but it's impressive nonetheless. Taken together, a single bonus point doesn't do him justice. Therefore, I'm giving him two. Keep in mind that very few figures get a +2 here. But this is the rare figure that works as a toy and a statue. When collectors talk about what toys "should be," this is what they're referring to. |
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Price Tag and Final Analysis: 10+/10
If you're a fan of the character, paying sixteen bucks or more for this figure would probably have been worth it. Since I'm indifferent, thirteen was really my limit. But I have to admit, Hawkman is one of the best figures I've gotten from this line. Looking at him as objectively as I'm able, I can understand spending some money on this one.
I'm used to getting toys in this line, but this might be a step up. I wish they'd pour this kind of effort into the characters I like.
I'm used to getting toys in this line, but this might be a step up. I wish they'd pour this kind of effort into the characters I like.
Think you're a geek, huh? Well then, you should stop by my blog, The Middle Room, where you'll feel right at home.
