Review: DCU Classics Sinestro
We've already looked at the first three figures in wave 3 of Mattel's DC Universe Classics line. If you need to catch up, here you go:
Nightwing
Robin
Green Lantern
Now that we've gotten through the good guys, it's time to turn our attention to their adversaries.
Last time we looked at Hal Jordan, the greatest of the Green Lanterns. Today, we turn to a fallen Lantern, Sinestro, who wields a yellow ring driven by fear.
There are actually two versions of Sinestro: a "classic" version and a "modern" one. I picked up the modern outfit for two reasons: first, I like it a little better. Second, it was the only one they had.
Appearance: 7
Sinestro's good, but I'm sorry to say he's not as good as the other figures. First of all, he's a little short. Now, like most comic characters, Sinestro is as tall as the artist chooses to make him. I think there might be some precedence for creating a short version, in fact (though I'm not entirely sure). But the "modern" look has Sinestro at least as tall as Jordan, and this figure doesn't reflect that.
Next up, there are some paint issues. Sinestro has some stray marks and scrapes which drag him down a bit further. And, like I've noted before, he doesn't have a lot of sculpting outside of his face.
This isn't to say it's all bad. Sinestro's head sculpt, like all of them in this wave, is very good. In addition, his face has something the others are lacking: paint! It's just a light wash, but it makes a real difference.
In addition, his costume is nicely painted. Take a look at his arm band: I wish it was sculpted, but even as it is, it sure looks nice.
I'm giving Sinestro a seven out of ten. The two factors that really drag him down are the paint marks and his size.
Packaging and Extras: ----
Okay, I'm being tough. I know, I know: I've been handing out points in the category like candy at Halloween. But, for reasons I'll get to in a minute, I just can't bring myself to reward Sinestro.
First, we need to look at the packaging:
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Isn't it pretty?
Now that the packaging's in the trash, lets discuss Sinestro's extras. You get Grundy's right leg and Sinestro's yellow lantern.
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reward it. Sinestro's is just a molded yellow lantern. It's nice, mind you, but it just doesn't add as much to the figure. I'm glad it was included (I'd probably be deducting if it was missing), but, even with the leg, it's just shy of being cool enough to tack on a bonus point.
Play and Display: +1
Sinestro has a nice range of movement, though not as nice as Jordan's. What's more, there are two issues that I need to address.
The first is his chest joint, which typically allows these figures to stick out their chest of hunch over. When this joint works, it's a nice addition, giving you the potential to really make these guys stand out. Here, however, the joint looks like it was installed wrong or something. I can bend Sinestro over backwards, but I can't do much that's useful. I should add that this is the same joint that really lets Green Lantern shine. Forget my next complaint: the difference in this category is due to this joint.
But I'm also a little irritated by his waist. It isn't that there's a problem with the joint, per se: it works fine and all, but there is an issue with its placement. The joint overlaps Sinestro's costume, so when you turn him, the bottom part goes one way while the top goes the other. Not an ideal situation.
Still, despite these setbacks, the basic articulation of the DC Universe Classics gets Sinestro one extra point.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 8/10
I've commented in the past that the price tag on these guys - $10 or $11 - is somewhat fictitious. That was certainly the case here: I paid $14 for Sinestro, along with the rest of the wave.
But I'd be surprised if these didn't start appearing in Toys R Us and other retailers. Even with his short size and lack of extras, Sinestro is worth the money... IF you're building Grundy.
Otherwise, it's hard to make the case this money couldn't be put to better use.
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