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HasbroCollectors.com has been working for some time at
bringing out new exclusives specifically for the collector market.
These two are the latest in those exclusives, and retail for $29.99 from
the site, www.hasbrocollectors.com.
Based on the Golden Age comic style, particularly of
artist Dick Sprang, these two figures might appear odd at first glance,
but they are intended to look as Batman and Robin did very early in their
careers.
First, a word about HasbroCollectors.com - I had some
problems (as I know some others had) with this order. Suffice to
say, after more than one error on Hasbro's part, I was quite upset with
the situation. However, after sending an email to the customer
support address (available on the site), I received fantastic assistance,
and was quite impressed with their desire to make me happy. They
said that they have had trouble with their order fulfillment providers and
are looking to switch very soon to avoid these types of problems
again. Also, they promised that more stock would be available on
June 9th, and they'd be filling orders asap.
On to the review!
Packaging - ***
A good sign is that they seem to be learning a little more with each
release. With the packaging, they've given us a much sturdier box
construction, far less likely than the earlier series to sustain damage
easily. The graphics are crisp and bright, and the box is marked
'Golden Age Collection' similar to the earlier 'Silver Age Collection'
figures. The figures are MUCH easier to remove from the packaging,
and while there are still too many twist ties to make me completely happy,
at least you don't have to destroy the box to get them out. Another
change - no plastic ties holding the capes in. Instead, they are
using the single piece of thread, like the 12" Star Wars often
use. This is much better, and doesn't leave the unsightly holes that
the Silver Age Batman and Superman ended up with.
(RIGHT - picture from Batman, The Complete History by Les
Daniels.)
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Outfits - ***1/2
I really like these costumes! They capture the look and feel
extremely well, and they have fixed problems of previous figures.
The capes are an appropriate length, and the costumes fit much tighter
than the earlier Silver Age Batman and Superman. The belts are well
done, and I like the snaps on Robins cape, allowing it to be easily
removed. Only one thing keeps these costumes from getting four stars
- HEM THE CAPES! I don't know why Hasbro hasn't done this yet.
Robins sleeves and shorts are hemmed, but why isn't his cape or the bottom
edge of his shirt? Just give us that one more touch...
Articulation - **1/2
Same as the other Hasbro 9" figures, except that Robin is based on
the Anakin figure. His torso, legs and upper arms are reused, but it
works fine here. While it's true that he was shorter in the comic in
relation to Batman, I don't think that would have looked good in action
figure form.
Sculpting - Batman ***, Robin ***1/2
These figures are supposed to look like the Batman and Robin of the 40's,
but do they? Personally, I think they've done a very good job
capturing those likenesses, but Robin is slightly better than
Batman. Perhaps if they'd given a little more definition to the
mouth and eyes...see the very bottom of this page for a couple suggested
improvements by the fantastic customizer, Jonathon Moore. If you notice in the drawing from the period below,
the area around Batman's eyes is black. Technically his entire cowl
was blue, but it was always shadowed in the comics in this area. I
think painting it this way, and adding eyebrows, would have greatly
enhanced the head. While Batman does have a big head - pretty much a
standard for the DC 9" figures now - Robin does not suffer from that
particular malady at all.
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