Review: DCU Classics Deathstroke

Over the past few weeks we've been working our way through wave 3 of Mattel's DC Universe Classics figures.  I've already reviewed Nightwing, Robin, Green Lantern, and Sinestro.  Overall, these have been excellent, with Sinestro being the one exception: he was only good.

That brings us to Deathstroke: The Terminator, a.k.a. Slade Wilson.  As any fan of the Teen Titans knows, Slade has been the most enduring of the Titans' antagonists, troubling the team again and again over the years.

There are two versions of Deathstroke available: the normal version (reviewed below), and the 'unmasked' variant.  I chose the masked versions because, well... he was all they had and I was anxious to complete Grundy.  To be perfectly honest, if I'd had a choice, I'd have gone with the unmasked: he's a little cooler in my opinion.

Appearance: 8 out of 10

I have a suspicion that if I'd have gotten the unmasked version, I'd be giving him a nine or even a perfect ten here.  I've seen the pictures, and they are good.  As it is, I almost gave him a nine.  The figure is stunning, with Slade's armor sculpted and painted beautifully.  If it weren't for the head, this would look like a DC Direct figure with Mattel articulation.

But the head drags him down.  This isn't to say it's a bad head: it's actually quite good.  I particularly like the straps flowing in the wind behind him.  It's just a little too simple when compared to the rest of the figure, and the contrast is visible.  It wouldn't be a big deal at all if they hadn't done such a good job on the rest of him.

I can't say enough about the sculpting on his costume: this is top-notch work that's well above what you'd expect from something sold in the mass market.  From the bands to the boots, Mattel has gone above and beyond here.

I'm giving Deathstroke an 8 out of 10, and I'll be honest: that's harsh.  I'd probably have gone up to nine... if it weren't for the fact that he's about to get more points than I know what to do with.

Packaging and Extras: +3

The packaging is made from purified fossil fuels fused into a clear coating and attached to a sheet of pressed pulp.  It's just like the others in this line, which is to say nice enough to admire, tear open, then throw away.  If you want to keep him in his original packaging, though, you'll be happy enough with the... you know what?  If you don't pull him free and put him on your shelf, there's something seriously wrong with you: this is one toy that NEEDS to be displayed.

Deathstroke, like every figure in this line, comes with a piece of Solomon Grundy, in this case, you get his right arm.

Deathstroke also comes with everything but the kitchen sink.  I assume he was going to come with a kitchen sink, but he probably destroyed it (he's a violent man, after all).

You get - let me take a breath - a handgun, a sword, an assault rifle, a staff, and an ammo belt.  He can hold any of the weapons in either hand or... and this is really cool... he can wear each and every accessory.  The sword goes in its sheath, the sidearm in its holster, the staff straps into the back of the gun belt, and the assault rifle straps to his back, using a REMOVABLE strap.

Yes, Deathstroke's rifle has its own accessory.

Some of the accessories are better than others: I really like his sword and handgun, while the rifle looks a little cheap up close.  The staff is bent but otherwise fine, and the ammo belt is a bit cheesy.

Now, could they have given us more?  Sure.  They could have given us changeable heads instead of variants, and

they might have given us a base, and I suppose they could have given Deathstroke EVEN MORE weapons....

But this is a nice haul.  I'm going to give Deathstroke an unprecedented 3 points for the piece of Grundy and the pile of accessories.

Play and Display: +1

Well, you've got options.

Of course, you can just pose Deathstroke with everything attached to his person, but that looks silly.  It doesn't look like he should be able to stand with all that, and the fact he can is a testament to the balance on these figures.

I'd recommend removing either the assault rifle or the ammo belt and staff.  He looks fine with one of these on his back, but both is a bit much.

After that, play.

Do you want him wielding the staff, so he can battle Robin one-on-one?  Would you prefer have him holding his sidearm?  Or maybe holster the gun, sheath the sword, and have him holding the rifle, ready to go nuts.

There are many, many possibilities.  Here's the tip of the iceberg:

I do want to mention that he doesn't always grasp his weapons as tightly as you might wish: his grip is a little weak, so some of his accessories slide around.  Also - and this isn't a complaint, mind you - his sheath and holster look better when the weapons are in them than out.  I can't fault this, though, because I love the overall design.

For the wide range of options and the articulation we've come to know and love from this line, I'm giving Deathstroke an extra point.  I could easily justify giving him more than that... but he really doesn't need it.

Price Tag and Final Analysis: 10+ out of 10

Deathstroke ran me fourteen dollars, though (hopefully) you'll be able to find him for less.  If you like the character, he's well worth the cash.

Me?  I don't really care about Deathstroke that much: I just wanted Grundy.  I don't have anything against Deathstroke, and I think he's a cool villain - I'm happy to have on the shelf battling Robin - but he's far from my favorite character.

I bring this up because I feel like I should explain why he's not my favorite figure in this line - he's clearly the best.  And his score reflects that.  Deathstroke gets a 10+, because we don't give out twelves.

Well, that's it for Wave 3.  Except... it's not.  I've reviewed the five figures you can buy, but there's one more: the one you make.  So join us next time when we take a look at Solomon Grundy.

You got a complaint?  Take it up with Deathstroke.  All other comments can be made at my blog.