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Packaging - **
I think it's the EXP name that leaves me completely cold, since it seems
like such an out-of-place moniker on anything Batman related. It's
just so Power Rangers.
Sculpting - ***
The figure does match the show fairly well, although some might not consider
that a good thing.
The show has gone with a much more reptilian version of Croc, right down
to the tail being included. This is become a fairly hotly debated
issue - should Croc have a tail or shouldn't he? Of course, that all
depends on how they retcon his background.
This version actually looks a little Creature From The Black Lagoon, with
large webbed hands. He's modest enough to wear a jacket, but perv
enough to go sans pants.
There's not a ton of detail work here, but it does flow well with the
rest of the line and match the animation style. He does have his
trademark scarred eye, deeply cut through the left side of his face.
He stands great on his own too, which is always a big plus.
Paint - ***
There's not much in the way of paint, since both the body parts and the
jacket are molded in the appropriate colors. What that means though is
that they are shiny plastic, with a cheap appearing finish.
The painted eyes, teeth and scar are done in standard mass market style,
and the masking isn't too bad. There's a little bleed, but nothing
that will be surprising considering the price point and market.
Perhaps my biggest complaint about this figure is simply that he's so
dull. The dark greens just don't do much to make him stand out, on his
own or with the other recent green and brown releases. Thank God the
Joker still knows how to dress like a real super villain.
Articulation - **
There's cut shoulders, and a T hip joint. Oh, there's also a ball
jointed neck, which would normally get high marks from me, but due to the
angle of the neck and the design of the joint, it's not particularly
useful. This is pretty much standard 5 point articulation, and it
doesn't give him much in the way of posing. Clearly he needed
additional arm articulation, or at the very list cut wrists.
Accessories - Bupkis
Nada. Zippo. Zero. That's what poor old Croc comes
with. There's the tail of course, which snaps on to his hiney for the
cool action feature discussed in the next section, but c'mon - it's his
tail. That's not much of an accessory.
Action Feature - *
The action feature is a tail swiping movement. You turn a small dial
on his back, and his tail knocks his opponents off their feet.
Well, it does if they are standing within a half inch of his tail.
And don't stand up very well on their own. This is one of the weakest
action features I've seen in awhile, and the kid who opens it up expecting
something cool is going to be seriously disappointed.
Value - **
Seven bucks for a basic action figure with no accessories. This
isn't a deal, especially considering what you can get in the Marvel Legends
line for a buck more, tops. And considering this figure was $7 at Wal-mart,
that's about as cheap as you're going to find it.
Fun Factor - ***
If you ignore the lame-o tail action, this isn't a terrible action figure
for kids. If they're fans of the show, they'll appreciate the
likeness, and they'll find imaginative ways around the lack of
articulation. Kids are smart like that.
Things to watch out for -
Nothing at all.
Overall - **1/2
Considering how much has been done by Toybiz with the Marvel Legends,
Fantastic Four (cartoon) and Spider-man lines, it's a bit disappointing to
see Mattel stick with such cheap designs. They do match the show in
appearance, but the lack of articulation and accessories hurt what could be
a fun toy. And let's not forget the truly bad action feature - at
least Clayface could whomp on Batman.
SCORE RECAP:
Packaging - **1/2
Sculpt - ***
Paint - ***
Articulation - **
Accessories - Bupkis
Action Feature - *
Fun Factor - ***
Value - **
Overall - **1/2
Where to Buy -
These are currently hitting Walmart and Target.
Related Links:
I've been reviewing a fair number of The Batman figures:
- the most recent review covered the new Clayface.
- There's also the Riddler,
Firefly, the Penguin,
Bane and Man-bat,
the regular Batman,
Bruce Wayne, and Joker, and the 10"
rotocast version of Bats.
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