SEARCH      FEATURES    NEWSLETTER    EMAIL     HOME
Captain Toy/Michael's Review of the Week

Review of Icicle, Silver Banshee action figures
Public Enemies (DCUC)

Mattel
Date Published: 2009-10-23
Written By: Michael Crawford
Overall Average Rating: 2.75 out of 4

Please share with your friends!

Public Enemies Icicle action figure by Mattel

Dividing Bar

Dividing Bar

Introduction

Just last week I covered two of the first four figures in the Mattel Public Enemies line of action figures. I came across the rest of the wave shortly after, which includes Silver Banshee and Icicle. And as usual with Target exclusives, I've seen them all several times since. And yet, I can't find a DC Universe Classics Wave 10 Wal-mart exclusive to save my life. Think it has something to do with Wal-mart?

These figures include parts to make the larger Brimstone figure, but unlike past Mattel 'collect and connect' figures, you can't complete the BAF with one wave. You'll have to wait for the second wave of figures (with re-decoed Batman and Superman, as well as Major Force and Black Lightning) to get all the body parts. I suspect a lot of folks will only be picking these up for the BAF, and will find this latest development rather revoltin'.

You should be able to find these (along with the smaller DC Infinite Heroes Public Enemies exclusives) at most Targets right now. They run $13 a pop.

Public Enemies Silver Banshee action figure by Mattel

Dividing Bar

Packaging - ***
I like the colors and designs on these cards and bubbles, particularly the use of the brick wall as a backdrop. It's tougher to see Icicle because of the low hanging labels, but Banshee is pretty easy to check out on the peg.

Public Enemies Silver Banshee action figure by Mattel

Dividing Bar

Sculpting - Icicle ***1/2; Banshee ***
The Silver Banshee is an attractive female figure, with a nice head sculpt, very well done hair, and a good use of body parts from various other past DCUC releases. She's a big girl, but she'll fit in fine with the other 6" figures if you're so inclined.

Icicle uses the larger body, like the Public Enemies Superman and Batman, and he's even taller then they are. It works for the character though, and it gives you a large villain to add to the display. 

He does have a HUGE freakin' nose, a honker that would make Pinochio jealous, but it's pretty accurate to the character's representation in the flick. It looks a little weird, because it's a separate piece that is attached to his face, but I didn't have an issue with it.

In fact, I like Icicle much better than I had expected. He's no Mr. Freeze, but he's certainly better looking than the usual C class silly villain.

Public Enemies Icicle action figure by Mattel

Dividing Bar

Paint - **1/2
Neither figure has outstanding paint, with a number of sloppy quality issues.

Of the pair, I like Icicle better, but he does have some inconsistencies in the black body paint, as well as some chips and rub marks. The bluish tinted translucent sections look good, and gives the figure all its character.

Banshee has lots of fuzzy cut lines between the black and white colors, and the black on her nose looks fairly sloppy, even in person. 

Both Icicle and Banshee are the short packed figures in the case (with Batman and Superman doubled up), making it a bit tougher for you to be selective when it comes to paint, making these issues even more annoying.

Public Enemies Icicle action figure by Mattel

Dividing Bar

Articulation - Icicle ***; Banshee **
If you've been collecting or buying the DC Universe Classics, there's no surprises here.

Both figures have a ball jointed neck, but it works much better on Silver Banshee, even with her long hair and high collar. The ball jointed shoulders, pin elbows, cut wrists, ab crunch, cut waist, cut thighs, pin knees and pin ankles all work pretty much as expected, and the specially designed hinge/swivel hips work great.

Icicle lost a little on this score because of the neck joint restriction, but Banshee has issues around the quality of the pins in several joints, especially the knees. It doesn't help that the plastic used for the knees and knee pins is quite soft, and the interior bubble has her legs in a pose that tends to twist the knees, further weakening them over time. I had a very hard time getting her to stay upright, and even then the right knee was permanently deformed.

Public Enemies Silver Banshee action figure by Mattel

Dividing Bar

Accessories - **
The only saving grace here is the two legs of Brimstone. The only additional accessory is a small plastic display stand with a Public Enemies logo sticker on it.

If you're not looking to build Brimstone, your score here is going to be a hamster hair above nada.

Public Enemies Icicle action figure by Mattel

Dividing Bar

Dividing Bar

Fun Factor - ***1/2
While these have some issues - and are far too expensive for what you're getting - they're still pretty fun. For kids who enjoyed the movie, the figures will be a good bet. These two make for pretty decent villains for any kids into the overall DCUC line as well.

Value - **
At $13 each, you expect more out of even a mass market figure. The prices are rising on the DCUC line, and it's not going to be pretty.

Public Enemies Silver Banshee, Icicle action figure by Mattel

Dividing Bar

Things to Watch Out For -
You'll want to watch for paint while these are still on the pegs, and if you can, get a Banshee who's knees don't appear to be too warped.

Overall - Icicle ***; Banshee **1/2
None of the first four figures in the Public Enemies wave really wowed me, ending up pretty mediocre in most areas. If the paint work and knee pins were better on Banshee, she would have scored a little better, and both of them are simply too expensive for what you're getting, but they'll make a decent addition to the shelf.

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***
Sculpting - ***
Paint - **1/2
Articulation -  Icicle ***; Banshee **
Accessories - **
Fun Factor - ***1/2
Value - **
Overall - Icicle ***; Banshee **1/2

Public Enemies Silver Banshee, Icicle action figure by Mattel

Dividing Bar

Where to Buy 
These guys are a Target exclusive right now, and most Targets appear to be putting them out right now across the country. They also have DCIH sized exclusives for the movie, and they should be on the shelf in the same area of the aisle.

Related Links -
Other reviews include:

- last week I covered Batman and Superman out of this same series.

- DC Direct did their version of the comic book PE Batman.

- I also covered wave 4 of their Superman/Batman figures, also based on the art of Ed McGuiness.

You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.

Discussion:
Want to chat about this review?  Try out one of these terrific forums where I'll be discussing it!

Enjoyed this review? Be sure to head back to the main page to find thousands more just like it!

Dividing Bar

Dividing Bar

Please share with your friends!

Public Enemies Silver Banshee action figure by Mattel

Back to Main Page
This product was purchased for the review by the reviewer. Photos and text by Michael Crawford.

This page copyright 2000 - 2017, Michael Crawford. All rights reserved.