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Sculpting - **
The only thing saving this sculpting score is the fact that the re-used
figures are all classic sculpts. While this is the same Batman, Joker
and Scarecrow you have seen before (this is one of the funky, aquatic Batmen
I believe), those sculpts don't count enough toward the overall score to
raise it very far.
Batgirl is the big deal here,
as is made clear by the box. "NEW DESIGN!" it screams, but
the design is awful. I have no idea when she joined the Bat School
Cheerleaders, but this pose is horrendous. One hand on her hip, the
other arm straight with a fist, and that angle in the hips - she must have
just yelled "GO TEAM!"
There are lots of great poses
for Batgirl, and this isn't even in the same ball park with them. The
physicality of the sculpt itself isn't bad - the body proportions, the
detailing - but it's not a pose that fits the character, and with such an
in-articulated figure that's a crucial aspect of the sculpting.
Paint - *
Again, this score is predominately based on the new figure - that is why
you're buying this set, right?
Scarecrow has some slightly new
colors, but nothing extreme. The same with Batman and Joker, but even
their paint ops are less than adequate. Joker had small spots of paint
all over his face, and Batman's face paint was clumpy.
But Batgirl is shocking in her
lack of quality. The face is particularly awful, with sloppy lines
everywhere, thick clumping in spots, missing paint in other spots, uneven
white on her teeth, and in general one of the worst paint jobs I've seen in
ages. Hasbro is definitely doing this on the cheap, putting these out
with as low of cost as humanly possible, and it shows.
Oh, and let's not even mention
why they decided that her nose shouldn't be covered by the cowl, or that I
hate the blue cowl and cape over the black.
Articulation - **
The reissued figures are no surprises, with neck shoulder and hips.
Scarecrow also has the cut joint on his left arm to allow for his scythe
twirling action.
Batgirl is takes a step back
with neck, shoulders and waist, similar to Talia. However, with the
hair and cape, the neck is pretty useless, the waist serves little purpose,
and the left shoulder doesn't give you many options with the bent arm/hand
on hip sculpt. So that means she can hold her right fist in the air,
or down by her side. Whoop.
Accessories - **
Well, like the package says in several places, the figures come with
accessories. Of course, you can also see that by looking at the box,
since you can see most of them through the plastic.
Unfortunately, they are all re-used. Scarecrow has his original
crow and scythe, Joker has his gas mask and gas gun, Batman has his firing
grappling hook and bat-club, and believe it or not, Batgirl comes with...get
this...the big firing nose again. This is turning into the clipboard
of animated Batman figures.
Value - *
You're paying twenty bucks for three figures you already have, and one new
sculpt that is terrible. That's a pretty bad value in anybodies book.
Overall - *1/2
It's sad to see the Hasbro Batman reign end so poorly. Batgirl is
a real disappointment, and I shudder to think what we might see in the last
set. The Girls of Gotham is scheduled next, with this same terrible
Batgirl, Talia, the same old Catwoman, and a new sculpt Poison Ivy.
God help us.
Where to Buy -
Toys R Us has these in stock at most stores for twenty bucks.
Online:
- Amazon.com
has them as well for $20 plus shipping. They also have the next set,
Girls of Gotham. Search for 'batman animated'. (MROTW Affiliate)
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