Review: The Dark Knight: Gotham City Thug
The original release of Mattel's six inch action figures for The Dark Knight included four figures: two Batmen (one masked and one unmasked), a joker, and... well... another guy. In addition to those highly demanded figures, Mattel produced the Bank robber who got squashed by the bus. At least, I think that's the one this is supposed to be.
Take a guess as to which one is left packing the shelves....
Well, Toys R Us has been doing their best to unload these guys, offering their remaining Dark Knight figures as two-for-the-price-of-one and, more recently, buy one, get TWO free. I felt bad at having only picked up the Joker, so I decided it was time to drop a few bucks. If you missed it, I reviewed Batman recently, and I did a review of the Joker long, long ago.
If you're interested in this guy, or any of the figures from this movie, now's the time to shop. Toys R Us is bending over backward trying to clear out their stock, so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a deal. I wouldn't be surprised if they aren't the only ones with more of these than they need.
Take a guess as to which one is left packing the shelves....
Well, Toys R Us has been doing their best to unload these guys, offering their remaining Dark Knight figures as two-for-the-price-of-one and, more recently, buy one, get TWO free. I felt bad at having only picked up the Joker, so I decided it was time to drop a few bucks. If you missed it, I reviewed Batman recently, and I did a review of the Joker long, long ago.
If you're interested in this guy, or any of the figures from this movie, now's the time to shop. Toys R Us is bending over backward trying to clear out their stock, so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a deal. I wouldn't be surprised if they aren't the only ones with more of these than they need.
Appearance and Construction: 5/10
It's taken me a while to figure out why this doesn't work, but I think I've finally got it. First, lets take a look piece by piece.
Up close, the head is actually fairly good: the paint effect looks good, and they've even added some fake cracks. They also did a good job with the back of the head, which shows the open mask, the elastic band, and the character's hair. Likewise, the outfit looks pretty good: each piece has individual sculpted folds to give the appearance of depth. The bolo tie also works, though I'd have preferred separate strings instead of having them sculpted together. The shoulder joints look a bit off, but that's a normal issue with coats.
In addition, suits are always a little weird around cut joints, because the sculpted creases only look good in one position. Again, this is one of those things you can't do much about, so there's no use complaining too much.
There are a few aspects that really shine. First of all, the hands are fantastic, with detailed biker gloves. The belt buckle looks almost realistic. Finally, the shoes - as well as the pant bottoms - are absolutely great.
So, in conclusion, everything is pretty good. Why the reduced score then?
Here's the thing: this is one of those rare cases where the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. The reason is simple: the head is too small. They've scaled it as if it's a real head, rather than a mask. So, ultimately, the figure looks like a guy with a really, really weird head, rather than someone wearing a mask. Compounding this problem, they've sculpted too much detail into the mask: it just doesn't work.
Like pretty much everything Mattel aims at collectors, this is a well made figure, so there's not going to be any problem on the construction side of things. Unfortunately, the miniaturized head drags the appearance into the mud. I'm going with a score of five.
Up close, the head is actually fairly good: the paint effect looks good, and they've even added some fake cracks. They also did a good job with the back of the head, which shows the open mask, the elastic band, and the character's hair. Likewise, the outfit looks pretty good: each piece has individual sculpted folds to give the appearance of depth. The bolo tie also works, though I'd have preferred separate strings instead of having them sculpted together. The shoulder joints look a bit off, but that's a normal issue with coats.
In addition, suits are always a little weird around cut joints, because the sculpted creases only look good in one position. Again, this is one of those things you can't do much about, so there's no use complaining too much.
There are a few aspects that really shine. First of all, the hands are fantastic, with detailed biker gloves. The belt buckle looks almost realistic. Finally, the shoes - as well as the pant bottoms - are absolutely great.
So, in conclusion, everything is pretty good. Why the reduced score then?
Here's the thing: this is one of those rare cases where the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. The reason is simple: the head is too small. They've scaled it as if it's a real head, rather than a mask. So, ultimately, the figure looks like a guy with a really, really weird head, rather than someone wearing a mask. Compounding this problem, they've sculpted too much detail into the mask: it just doesn't work.
Like pretty much everything Mattel aims at collectors, this is a well made figure, so there's not going to be any problem on the construction side of things. Unfortunately, the miniaturized head drags the appearance into the mud. I'm going with a score of five.
Packaging and Extras: -1
The packaging is fine if you're one of those collectors who keeps their toys sealed in mint condition forever. But I just can't get those cool poses I need for the reviews, so mine get opened. Also, I like to play with my toys, since toys... well... they're fun. Here's what you can expect to see staring back at you from the large bin of discounted toys:
Like Batman, the Thug comes with a mask scaled for an eighteen inch figure. Now, for me this was actually an enticement to pick up the figure. Why? Because I've got a DC Direct 13" Joker, and I figured it might fit (photo at bottom of the review).
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Actually, there are several variant masks out there, in case someone wants to pick up the whole set. But seriously folks.... I actually think the mask is a little MORE useful to most collectors that the over sized Batman mask that came with the Caped Crusader. This is the kind of thing the Joker would have decorating his hideout, so it could be used in that capacity. And, like anything a Bat-villain would have, it could also fit in with a batcave setup in just about any scale. You also get... wait for it... your VERY OWN GOTHAM CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT EVIDENCE BAG. Yes, now you complete the set with this cheap plastic bag, which is identical to the ones that came with Batman and the Joker. Lucky you. Like Batman, the thug's hands are posed for combat. His left hand is sculpted to hold a gun, while his right is ready to grip a knife. |
Too bad he comes with neither. Honestly, I toyed with a -2 here, because a figure this generic really has a greater expectation to come equipped. In the end, I decided I was being harsh enough with the appearance, so I cut him a break. Besides, I do like that giant clown mask.
Play and Display: +1
In terms of articulation, you're getting the basic Mattel package: ball jointed shoulders and neck; cut wrists, biceps, and legs; pin elbows, knees, ankles, and mid-section; swiveling waist above the belt; and, finally, that magic waist joints that gives you the range of ball joints with the appearance of a T-style joint.
Of these, most everything works as well as it usually does, with one notable exception. The ankles are greatly limited by the bottom of the pants. When I first saw them, I assumed that there'd be issues getting him to balance. I assumed wrong. I've had no trouble getting the thug to stand in several poses, even holding his accessories above.
Other than that, the head's range of motion is fairly limited, but I don't really see that as a huge deal. That huge pin in the midsection gives you a lot of control over the character's pose and balance, so that's a plus. Also, this character lends himself well to poses where he's cowering in fear or pain, something Mattel's excellent articulation is effective at mimicking.
So, kudos Mattel: you've earned that bonus point once again. If it weren't for the absurd lack of weapons, you might have gotten a +2 with the posing options those opened up.
Of these, most everything works as well as it usually does, with one notable exception. The ankles are greatly limited by the bottom of the pants. When I first saw them, I assumed that there'd be issues getting him to balance. I assumed wrong. I've had no trouble getting the thug to stand in several poses, even holding his accessories above.
Other than that, the head's range of motion is fairly limited, but I don't really see that as a huge deal. That huge pin in the midsection gives you a lot of control over the character's pose and balance, so that's a plus. Also, this character lends himself well to poses where he's cowering in fear or pain, something Mattel's excellent articulation is effective at mimicking.
So, kudos Mattel: you've earned that bonus point once again. If it weren't for the absurd lack of weapons, you might have gotten a +2 with the posing options those opened up.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 5/10
This isn't a bad figure, exactly; he's just not a great figure. I suspect I'm being a little harder, because this isn't really a character so much as a generic thug. There's a sense here that this guy was released to wring cash from completists who want the variant mask accessories (I don't know how many there are, but I think I saw at least four) and from parents who buy this thinking they're getting their kid the Joker. If they really wanted to produce something for collectors, they should have given us a Gordon or Alfred.
Considering how many of these haven't sold, I guess it didn't work out so well. I really have a hard time imagining anyone buying multiples for the variant masks: if they had made variant FIGURES wearing different masks, it might be different. As it is, the variants give you a choice of which accessory you want. That worked for me, because it let me try and guess which might fit my 13" Joker. Turns out, I guessed pretty well.
Anyway, if you can get one of these for four or five bucks and you have a reason to want one, they're not too bad. I don't know if I can endorse him for much more than that, though. Fortunately, with the number of these things that got made last year, I doubt you'll need to spend more.
Considering how many of these haven't sold, I guess it didn't work out so well. I really have a hard time imagining anyone buying multiples for the variant masks: if they had made variant FIGURES wearing different masks, it might be different. As it is, the variants give you a choice of which accessory you want. That worked for me, because it let me try and guess which might fit my 13" Joker. Turns out, I guessed pretty well.
Anyway, if you can get one of these for four or five bucks and you have a reason to want one, they're not too bad. I don't know if I can endorse him for much more than that, though. Fortunately, with the number of these things that got made last year, I doubt you'll need to spend more.
See? Fits right on. If you've got some free time, why not head over to my blog, The Middle Room. I've got it all: movie reviews, geek talk, and... uh... okay; maybe I don't have it all. But who needs more than that? Oh, and speaking of the Joker, it looks like he's downsizing:
The moral of the story is, when you hear the Joker's hiring, DON'T CALL HIM. Oh, and here's what I think the goon SHOULD have come with. I don't think it's asking too much:
