Review: DC Universe Classics Man-Bat
I don't think Man-Bat is anyone's favorite Batman villain, but he fills an important niche in the Dark Knight's rogues gallery. He's not the only monster the Caped Crusader fights on a regular basis, but he's one of the more visually interesting ones.
While technically a creation of science, Man-Bat hearkens back to the horror-movie origins of Batman. He's an inhuman creature; part vampire, part werewolf, all tied together with an origin that's part Jekyll and Hyde and part Frankenstein's monster. And, on some level, he's the legend of the Batman made real: a horrible monstrosity that swoops from the night sky to feast on those active in Gotham after dark.
In comics and animation, I tend to like or dislike Man-Bat in proportion to how well he's drawn. His Dr. Jeckyll/Mr. Hyde story has always left me a little bored: after all, Two-Face does it better. But there's an opportunity for some great fight scenes here, which the animated series in particular made great use of back in the nineties.
When I first heard that Mattel was releasing the figure in wave 10, I kind of shrugged. Like I said: not my favorite character. Then I saw some pictures of the figure, and my tone changed. Character aside, this looked to be one of the more interesting figures they'd put out in a while.
I should probably mention a few things about Man-Bat here. First up, he's a Walmart exclusive, so don't expect to stumble across him in Toys R Us. Second, he's sort of been released before. The same sculpt was released as a convention exclusive a few years back. I don't have that figure, but you can find pictures online easily enough.
While technically a creation of science, Man-Bat hearkens back to the horror-movie origins of Batman. He's an inhuman creature; part vampire, part werewolf, all tied together with an origin that's part Jekyll and Hyde and part Frankenstein's monster. And, on some level, he's the legend of the Batman made real: a horrible monstrosity that swoops from the night sky to feast on those active in Gotham after dark.
In comics and animation, I tend to like or dislike Man-Bat in proportion to how well he's drawn. His Dr. Jeckyll/Mr. Hyde story has always left me a little bored: after all, Two-Face does it better. But there's an opportunity for some great fight scenes here, which the animated series in particular made great use of back in the nineties.
When I first heard that Mattel was releasing the figure in wave 10, I kind of shrugged. Like I said: not my favorite character. Then I saw some pictures of the figure, and my tone changed. Character aside, this looked to be one of the more interesting figures they'd put out in a while.
I should probably mention a few things about Man-Bat here. First up, he's a Walmart exclusive, so don't expect to stumble across him in Toys R Us. Second, he's sort of been released before. The same sculpt was released as a convention exclusive a few years back. I don't have that figure, but you can find pictures online easily enough.
Appearance and Construction: 9/10
I have plenty of minor complaints and notes, but nothing I'm going to say can change the fact that this is an awesome piece. The strongest aspect here is the sculpt. This is a figure containing no shortage of texture. Though there are a few spots on the chest which look a little toyish, the overall effect is extremely impressive. What's more, there weren't a lot of corners cut when sculpting.
The wings and the feet are particularly impressive, offering a monstrous appearance that differs from the rest of the line. The wings are slightly translucent and contain detailed veins.
Man-Bat is weakest in the paint, a point that becomes clearer when you compare him to photos of the earlier release. While I'm happier with this version (I'd rather a brown Man-Bat than a white one, personally), it's clear more effort was taken there. This version lacks paint on the veins in his wings, and the overall wash is less impressive. In addition, the earlier release looks to have had more detailed shading on the pants, one area where this one comes up short.
The wings and the feet are particularly impressive, offering a monstrous appearance that differs from the rest of the line. The wings are slightly translucent and contain detailed veins.
Man-Bat is weakest in the paint, a point that becomes clearer when you compare him to photos of the earlier release. While I'm happier with this version (I'd rather a brown Man-Bat than a white one, personally), it's clear more effort was taken there. This version lacks paint on the veins in his wings, and the overall wash is less impressive. In addition, the earlier release looks to have had more detailed shading on the pants, one area where this one comes up short.
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The head looks fantastic, though I'd have liked some paint detail in the ears and maybe a tad more on the nose. Still, he's got a great expression that, like all great monsters, is equal parts horrific and sad. In addition, the paint work on the teeth and tongue works well enough. And the overall shape of the head is perfect.
I also want to call attention to the mane on the figure's back. It's evocative of werewolf designs, and it looks fantastic. I've got no complaints about how this was put together or what he's made out of. Man-Bat has contains different consistencies of plastic for various parts of his body: rubbery ears and mane, sturdy legs and torso, and membrane-like wings. It gives him a complex look that makes him seem larger than life. |
That ties into the last point I want to discuss, which also explains why, despite all of my whining, I'm still giving this a nine. This figure is designed brilliantly. This is going to come up again when we get to Play and Display, but it also ties in here: this is, simply put, a marvel of toy planning and execution that's a joy to behold.
Packaging and Extras: ----
The packaging is the same as it's been all along. I suppose we're all ready for a new design, but who really cares? My motto's always been, "toys go on the shelf, trash goes in the trash can."
As always, if you need a refresher on who Man-Bat is, the back provides a biography that was obviously written by someone who knew what they were talking about. Hey, Man-Bat's refined his formula and retains his identity? He fights with Batman now? Guess I've been out of the comic shop too long.
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Man-Bat comes with one accessory: the severed arm of some guy he killed that Man-Bat's carrying around in case he gets hungry. I kid, of course. Man-Bat's a tough cookie, but he's no match for Imperiex, who's one of the DC Universe's many galactic warlords who wants to destroy the Earth, because it's the linchpin of the multi-verse or something. Anyway, it's a good arm, and thanks to Beast Boy, I've got a pair. That said, I've got no plans to get the other figures in this series, and I don't really need an Imperiex in my collection. |
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That said, I almost gave Man-Bat a bonus point here. While I normally don't consider something like this sufficient, Man-Bat starts out a decent deal on his own: he towers over most figures already. Still, at fifteen bucks, he should come with something. So there you go.
Play and Display: +2
Man-Bat, while technically a DC Universe Classics figure, isn't made with all of the same joints. Presumably, this is because he's just too big for the same lower body joints to work.
Honestly, there is a joint I miss, but it's not the one I expected to. First, let's talk about what the figure has. You've got you're (barely) ball-jointed head, ball-jointed shoulders and (surprisingly) wrists, a hinged stomach, pins in the elbows, knees, and ankles (well, upper ankles), and cut biceps and waist.
The standard hips are missing here, as they were with Black Canary. I expected that to hurt, but in this case I don't miss them. While the joints are invaluable with most DC Universe Classics figures, this time they wouldn't help much. The joints this could use are the cuts missing from his upper legs. If I end up wiring this guy up in a flying pose, their absence is going to hurt.
Honestly, there is a joint I miss, but it's not the one I expected to. First, let's talk about what the figure has. You've got you're (barely) ball-jointed head, ball-jointed shoulders and (surprisingly) wrists, a hinged stomach, pins in the elbows, knees, and ankles (well, upper ankles), and cut biceps and waist.
The standard hips are missing here, as they were with Black Canary. I expected that to hurt, but in this case I don't miss them. While the joints are invaluable with most DC Universe Classics figures, this time they wouldn't help much. The joints this could use are the cuts missing from his upper legs. If I end up wiring this guy up in a flying pose, their absence is going to hurt.
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The lower legs feature what really amounts to an extra knee. If any of these joints had been too loose, the figure just wouldn't have worked. Fortunately, they're all sturdy, and as a result you get some dynamic posing options. There was clearly some thought put into how these would work and stand. The added ball-joints on the wrists don't permit a huge range of motion, but they give you some extra options without interrupting the sculpt. The balance here is good, as well, allowing Man-Bat several different poses. You can also use the wings for added support, just be aware they'll bend over time. |
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The combination of balance and the pins in the leg are worth a bonus point, and the arm/wings are worth another.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 10+/10
Ultimately, Man-Bat almost fits in better with DC Direct's offerings than Mattel's. DC Universe Classics figures still have a little ways to go in terms of paint, but they're closing the gap faster than DC Direct is catching up on articulation.
Mattel has put together a fantastic toy here. This ranks beside the best figures in this line even as it towers over them. While he's not quite as large as a build-a-figure, he's in their ballpark. Batman's no small figure, and Man-Bat towers over him in the photo below.
This was actually a Christmas gift, so I didn't have to go drop fifteen or so bucks myself. That said, he's worth it. This figure is big enough and complex enough to warrant the price, even without much in the way of accessories.
Mattel has put together a fantastic toy here. This ranks beside the best figures in this line even as it towers over them. While he's not quite as large as a build-a-figure, he's in their ballpark. Batman's no small figure, and Man-Bat towers over him in the photo below.
This was actually a Christmas gift, so I didn't have to go drop fifteen or so bucks myself. That said, he's worth it. This figure is big enough and complex enough to warrant the price, even without much in the way of accessories.
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