DC Universe Classics Batman Legacy Collection: Batman and Two-Face

Hey all, sorry for the long delay between posts funky work schedules and crashing laptops tend to get in the way of toys--what's wrong with this world?  ;P

I suppose in that sense the wait for this review fits the toy--it's been a long time coming.

Way back in December, I had seen this two-pack on the pre-order list at the specialty store I frequent.  Immediately I put down a deposit for it and the Prototype Batman/Commish Gordon 2-pk as well (but that a review for another time...;p)  Both figures in this set looked awesome--A very classy looking Batman in gray and black, and a black and white Two-Face that would boot the orange and purple DC Universe one I had off my display and take its place a default Harvey. But when it finally got the goods in my hands, I was slightly disappointed.

Perhaps it was the long wait to finally get the figures, perhaps it was the slightly glossy finish both Bats and TF had.  But it didn't matter because I'd already put down for the 2-pack and it was mine so I was going to open it anyway.

I felt slightly better about the figures when I busted them free but I discovered something else that I didn't like: the figures were too tall and largish to fit in with DCUC.  Hm.  Nevertheless, I was still game on giving the figures a chance, especially since they turned out to be excellently sculpted and painted.  After all, it couldn't get much worse, could it?  Well...

Dislike: I just can't get over the extra height!  Bats and Two-Face are extremely tall.  If DC Universe figures were 6 feet tall, Bats and TF would be be 6'6".  They dwarf DC Universe figures but that doesn't necessarily mean they're not in scale.  As the Rangerlord pointed out: "Batman should be big and tall."  To which I replied: "Yeah, but not taller than Superman!  This Bats belongs in the NBA."  The Rangerlord likes his Batmen beefy and strong, you see.  But the same could be said of me and my idea of Superman.  Yes, the discussion ended up a stalemate.  Lol.

Like: The head sculpts.  Batman - From the right set of jaw to the long ears to the steely blue look in his eyes--it's the right look of steel without being too wide eyed or his face being too scowly.  I like that his mouth is slightly down-turned and that he's got just the right amount of scowl.

Two-Face - This is the best head sculpt I've seen on a Two-Face.  Equal parts hideous and handsome, each half really brings out its personality.  One side is so clean-cut and dashing, while the other is just a melted mess of flesh of features.  Love it.

Like: The texture of the Batsuit.  The gray parts are rough and Kevlar-like, while the black is smooth.  It's a Batsuit that not only makes sense but also looks and feels great.  That kinda sounded like a shampoo ad. Heh.

Like: Batman's armored gauntlets and boots.  These look super heavy duty and could probably withstand knife/sword attacks, maybe even deflect a bullet or two Bats caught the shots at the right angle.  I also love that he's got glove top swivels as well as wrist swivels!  Bonus articulation ftw!

That's about as much as Bats is willing to kick...

Dislike: Poor range of motion in lots of the joints of both figures.  For Bats: his knees bend just under 90 degrees, and the leg swivels are great.  But the hinges on his hips can give only about 45 degrees, while he's got no swivels and only hinges for his ankles.  It's sad because all Bats is missing is one ankle swivel and more split ability (Get it?  Oh, I kill myself...)  on each leg to make them really great.

Batman also has limited range of motion in the elbows--about 45 degrees--and it's definitely not the gauntlets getting in the way but rather the joint itself being rather poor.  It prevents him from really winding up that punch or pretending to be grabbing something from his utility belt.

As for Two-Face: his head can swivel but only move slightly down and not at all up.  Add to that the swivel-only shoulders and elbows that can bend about only 80 degrees and you got one helluva stiff guy.  The fact that he doesn't have ankles or that they're completely blocked is really disappointing!

Like: That the "dark side" of Two-Face looks like he's got real burnt skin.  Whether it's by chemicals, fire, or something else, it looks raw, very much melted, and irrevocably sinister.

Dislike: The complete lack of accessories.  No gun for Two-Face.  No batarang for Batman.  No real happy for buyer. :(

Dislike: That Two-Face's coin molded as part of his hand.  I wouldn't mind this so much if they made his other hand a gripping hand but alas, it's a...er...an emo/cat scratch hand?

Like: The Utility Belt!  It's pouchy enough without being too bulky.  It's also the right muted shade of brown and has got a slightly metallic finish, suggesting that the sturdy materials used in its construction have been purposely dulled-down in color to blend in with the shadows.

Like: Two-Face's snazzy tie!  It's very nicely painted and molded down into his vest.  for some reason I also like those two big white buttons out in the front, not to mention the melted look and charred texture of his black half.

RATINGS

Aesthetics: 8/10 - These two figure have great sculpts--great proportions, wonderful detail and excellent vision and tactile texture.  The only thing that gets me is their height--these are the only two guys in this height range.  Is Mattel going to produce more figures of this height?  If so, then there's a ton more figures to buy to be in the right scale with them.  If not then why do them this way and not of equal height to DCUC?

Poseability: 6.5/10 - I can understand Two-Face not having ankles or even needing to be posed in wide stances.  Gangster bosses tend not to do that so much I guess, and they let the goons do the fighting.  The lack of shoulder hinges is kinda sad though.  I guess they decided since he'll never hold a gun in either hand, he'll never need to straighten his arm and point it at someone.

Batman on the other hand has all the PoAs you could ever want in the legs except for ankle swivels.  They could've given him boot-tops as well but those were also conspicuously missing.  The other PoA that lets the figure down is the hip/leg hinge.  Coming out sideways 45 degrees just doesn't let Batman make all the moves you know he can--kick high enough, kneel low enough, crouch with his legs spread low enough.  Swivels for his ankles or boots would've definitely helped a ton!

Two-Face tries his best...

Despite his problems, Bats does have really good shoulder and ab crunch joints.  His waist swivel is limited but still turns on top of the U-belt.

These two figures do have nice, tight joints though.  These I like fer sure.

Fun: 7/10 - The figures look so great but I can't help but feel I'd have more fun if they had accessories and better poseability to them.  As it is, I really enjoy looking at Two-Face and Bats.  But once I grab them they don't quite feel I'm getting enough play out of them.  Still, fans of the Arkham City video game who are also toy fans will find this plenty of fun outside of the game itself. 

Getting caught going fer the low blow...

Value 6.5/10 - I wanna say most of the money went into all the sculpting and detail in these guys.  But I can;t quite understand why they couldn't even give Two_face a pistol (or better yet, a tommy gun) and Batman a Batarang or a a gas mask or something or other to complement the figures and increase the play value.  At S$55 (currently US$45; I know, it seems so expensive in USD these days!) that's just about what a DCUC figure would cost.  So if DCUC figures can come with a Collect and Connect part and have an accessory or two, there's no excuse for these guys not having even the one between them. :(

What's this?  Batman taking a nap?.

Nah.  Just playing possum.

Overall: 7/10 - These are good toys with some flaws.  You'll like 'em if you don't mind reduced poseability and enjoy a great sculpt.  Even with all the complaints of DC Universe figures being able to improve upon what they have, I wish this 2-pack had at least their leg articulation.  Then again, if Batsy and Two-Fer used DCUC bucks, I think I'd be even more disappointed.  As it is, these guys are good figures.  I guess I just have to figure out where they fit in in my display.