The collectible action figure market has exceedingly grown up with its market, and never more so than in the last decade. Everyone from Hasbro, Mattel to competitively invested Japanese toy makers have invested in the fabrication of sculpting multi-articulated and artfully crafted figures that outweigh their appeal to capture adult collectors, and similarly attract younger investors. The DC Comics universe and all its brand expansion has generated some high-collectible interest especially in the last year.
With several movie and television licenses, and a limitless volume of publication imprints to their name, DC Comics must lead the charge on several toy lines that have grabbed collectors attention and garnered major excitement. Among one of the most anticipated films of the year, Warner Bros. launched the blockbuster season with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice which expanded on the DC Comics Cinematic Universe and brought together on the big screen for the first time the “big three” including the film’s headliners and Wonder Woman.
The action figure roll out featured for all audiences a selection of 1:18 (3.75”), 1:12 (5”- 6”) and 1:10 (7”) scale at several different price levels. The DC Comics Multiverse line released prior to the BvS film’s premiere in theaters gave fans the first look at the characters distinct looks for the big screen with durably strong, variably articulated and heavily accessorized action figures for general play. The release was also accompanied by figures for the DC TV personalities including The Flash and Green Arrow as they appear in their respective television series.
Though the likeness of these figures, the detailing and craftsmanship is admirable, for the adult collector, more recent releases will be far more attractive especially in the form of the action figure line from Japanese toy maker Medicom Toy. No. 017 in the line is part of the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice series. Let's examine the Batman action figure now available on the collectible market. I picked up my figure here in New York City's Midtown Comics Grand Central Station location, and I was skeptical at first of picking up the figure.
The last Medicom figure I purchased was their version of Batman (V.1) as he appeared in The Dark Knight Rises and although the figure was highly-detailed, beautifully crafted and well articulated, it was extremely delicate in construction. The right arm on the initially purchased figure fell out of its socket when it was raised to shoulder height. I exchanged that figure, and the second also suffered from a similar limitation. I resorted to never moving the right arm to keep it in place. Already from the looks of the much sturdier BvS version, that isn't a problem.
The detail alone on the 6" figure is astounding. The figure is accurately sculpted to resemble actor Ben Affleck in the kevlar armor suit he dons for most of the film. The proportions are among the best ever for a figure of this size and appear to have been made from a laser scan of the actor in the suit itself. The brass-fitted detailing on the Batsuit, including the utility belt, gauntlet and steel-tipped boots are appropriately worn from battle. The cape is properly fitted under the cowl through to the shoulders and is wired to allow for dramatic poses.
The figure is packed with movie-accurate accessories including a perfectly sized batarang, Batman's signature grappling gun and the kryptonite grenade launcher the character uses in the film in defense against the Man of Steel. The action figure is hyper-articulated for an unimaginable number of positions and comes with a transparent stand to solidly pose the figure for display. By comparison to the similarly scaled DC Comics Multiverse figure from Mattel of about the same size, the Medicom figure is far superior and a much better buy for the price point.
The Mattel line, which is meant to appeal to a younger audience, and is manufactured for practical play, is a hunk of a 6" figure, and for what it lacks in detail it makes up for in articulation, but the Medicom figure is in a class all of its own. Ideal for the serious collector, great for play and posing, this Batman v Superman Batman action figure is a delight. The first in a series that will also feature Superman and Wonder Woman in their movie accurate costume, Medicom is also releases a companion set of figures based on the cast of Suicide Squad to position alongside the expanding DC Comics cinematic universe.
A high-end line of action figures based on BvS from DC Collectibles will also be hitting the market under the brand title of “DC Films” and promises to deliver on the level of the Medicom Toy line, but in the meantime this series is a must have, and at a price mark of just under $50 they are well worth picking up.