Review: DC Universe Classics: Shark
When I first heard they were making a Shark action figure, I thought it was hilarious. Sure, I know Shark: he's an obscure Batman villain who teams up with a couple other guys in animal masks. Together they're the Terrible Trio, a team of... of....
Wait a minute. I don't recognize that costume.
The back of the package corrected my mistake: this is a DIFFERENT Shark. Actually, this is an ACTUAL Shark, mutated by radiation and given psychic, psionic, and most likely psycho-therapeutic superpowers. He battles Green Lantern. Oh, right. That Shark.
Never heard of him.
At any rate, I didn't buy Shark for Shark: I got him for Kilowog's leg. Yes, Mattel has found a build a figure that myself (and many other collectors) found too enticing to pass up, and I joined the crowds who dropped the money to get a complete set.
Even so, I've got him, so I might as well review him.
Wait a minute. I don't recognize that costume.
The back of the package corrected my mistake: this is a DIFFERENT Shark. Actually, this is an ACTUAL Shark, mutated by radiation and given psychic, psionic, and most likely psycho-therapeutic superpowers. He battles Green Lantern. Oh, right. That Shark.
Never heard of him.
At any rate, I didn't buy Shark for Shark: I got him for Kilowog's leg. Yes, Mattel has found a build a figure that myself (and many other collectors) found too enticing to pass up, and I joined the crowds who dropped the money to get a complete set.
Even so, I've got him, so I might as well review him.
Appearance and Construction: 7/10
You know almost every other DC Universe Classics figure I've reviewed? Yeah. This guy's the complete opposite.
Usually, the head is near perfect, while the body is cheap and toyish. This time, I really like the body. Sure, it's still got a few issues, and there are some much larger questions about the version of the character they made... but we'll get to that in a minute.
First, I just want to look at the figure and ignore the character he's based on. The purple bodysuit looks fantastic: the colors are vivid and eye-catching. The fins on Shark are a tad rounded, but what do you expect for something getting sold at Toys R Us? If they were pointed, some kid would have put his eye out, and the impending lawsuit would have cut into Mattel's absurdly high profit margins on this line. And no one wants that.
Then there's the head. Where the begin? Divorced from the body, it wouldn't be so bad: there's some good sculpting here, but it's far from the Horsemen's best. The wrinkles and folds are great, but the fin on his noggin just doesn't work like the others do. There's also something awkward about the shape of his mouth. Then again, I'm not sure how you prevent that on a man-shark.
Usually, the head is near perfect, while the body is cheap and toyish. This time, I really like the body. Sure, it's still got a few issues, and there are some much larger questions about the version of the character they made... but we'll get to that in a minute.
First, I just want to look at the figure and ignore the character he's based on. The purple bodysuit looks fantastic: the colors are vivid and eye-catching. The fins on Shark are a tad rounded, but what do you expect for something getting sold at Toys R Us? If they were pointed, some kid would have put his eye out, and the impending lawsuit would have cut into Mattel's absurdly high profit margins on this line. And no one wants that.
Then there's the head. Where the begin? Divorced from the body, it wouldn't be so bad: there's some good sculpting here, but it's far from the Horsemen's best. The wrinkles and folds are great, but the fin on his noggin just doesn't work like the others do. There's also something awkward about the shape of his mouth. Then again, I'm not sure how you prevent that on a man-shark.
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The paint work on the face and mouth is spotty. Some areas look good, while others just look like plastic. The teeth work from some angles and not from others. The real problem with the figure isn't with the head or the body but rather the transition between the two. When I initially thought this was some iteration of the Batman villain, I thought it was fine. Why? Because that guy is supposed to be wearing a large, ridiculous rubber mask. This, on the other hand, is supposed to be his head. I did some image searches before writing this, and, to be fair, the early depictions of the character kind of look like this. He has a shark's head stuck on a human body. Turns out that didn't work all that well in two-dimensions, either. Why then do this character at all? If they really wanted to make a Shark figure, why not hold off and do the modern version as a build-a-figure? He looks, well... kind of like a giant were-shark. |
Packaging and Extras: -1
Just counting the days until I get to stop talking about the same packaging over and over again. Wave 12, you can't get here soon enough:
There's nothing wrong with the packaging, of course, unless you hate orange. Shark is posed swimming, and Mattel even molded some bubbles into the plastic tray around him. Nice touch.
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The back of the package provides an explanation of who the character is. These are always welcome; this time more so than usual since I've never heard of him. The only extra Shark comes with is the right leg of Kilowog. If you're not planning on building the character, I guess you could always give it to Shark as a snack. At eleven bucks, I'd call it a day, but Shark is nowhere near a nice enough figure to command a fifteen dollar price tag without something else included. What should they have included? I have no idea. I'm guessing tossing in some bloody body parts might have resulted in Walmart canceling their order. Anyway, at this price point I have to deduct a point. |
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Play and Display: +1
Most of this won't be much of a surprise, though I'm pleased to report there was one unexpected piece of good news.
You've got ball-jointed shoulders and head, the hinged hips that work like ball joints, pin jointed elbows, knees, and ankles, hinged abs, and cut joints on the upper legs, waist, wrists, and biceps.
You know that ball joint on the head? Well, this time it kind of works. Not exceptionally well, mind you, but for once you can get some up and down movement in addition to the side to side. It only works when Shark is looking forward, but after so many toys without it, it's good to see some articulation returning there.
The one disappointment is in the jaw. I know it would have taken some work, but I'd have loved to have an opening and closing mouth.
The bonus is mainly for the design on the body. Sure, this is the same thing we've been getting for several years now, but it's still one of the best articulated six-inch bodies out there.
You've got ball-jointed shoulders and head, the hinged hips that work like ball joints, pin jointed elbows, knees, and ankles, hinged abs, and cut joints on the upper legs, waist, wrists, and biceps.
You know that ball joint on the head? Well, this time it kind of works. Not exceptionally well, mind you, but for once you can get some up and down movement in addition to the side to side. It only works when Shark is looking forward, but after so many toys without it, it's good to see some articulation returning there.
The one disappointment is in the jaw. I know it would have taken some work, but I'd have loved to have an opening and closing mouth.
The bonus is mainly for the design on the body. Sure, this is the same thing we've been getting for several years now, but it's still one of the best articulated six-inch bodies out there.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 7/10
With toys like this I usually say that the only people who are going to care are fans of the character. But I'm not really sure Shark has many fans.
Kilowog, on the other hand, does, and you're not building your own unless you shell out an extra fifteen bucks for Shark here. I think it's pretty obvious that Shark isn't worth that kind of cash. He's not a bad figure, but he's certainly neither one of the better DC Universe Classics figures nor one of the more important characters.
I could be wrong, but I sort of expect these to stay on some shelves and eventually hit clearance. If you're dying to complete your Kilowog, I wouldn't bet on that prediction, but if you're torn on whether you need another generic villain, you might want to wait a few months and see what happens.
Kilowog, on the other hand, does, and you're not building your own unless you shell out an extra fifteen bucks for Shark here. I think it's pretty obvious that Shark isn't worth that kind of cash. He's not a bad figure, but he's certainly neither one of the better DC Universe Classics figures nor one of the more important characters.
I could be wrong, but I sort of expect these to stay on some shelves and eventually hit clearance. If you're dying to complete your Kilowog, I wouldn't bet on that prediction, but if you're torn on whether you need another generic villain, you might want to wait a few months and see what happens.
Looking for a way to waste more time? I've got a blog, a bunch of fiction, and even a novel you can buy.
