DC Multiverse Bizarro Review
Me am Bizarro! Me am SUPERHERO! Yes, the DC Multiverse line has really hit its stride over the last few assortments, and having a regular flow of DC comic figures to add to my collection is a great thing. As you might know, Walgreens has become on of my favorite exclusive retailers and their Marvel and Star Wars picks are some of the best in the game. So, I am thrilled they are in the DC Multiverse game and this new Bizarro offering is certainly keeping pace with their track record.
I have been pretty darned happy with many of the individual figures we have gotten in the Multiverse line as of late, and the Clayface and King Shark from a bit earlier in the line are some of my favorite DC Collect-and-Connects. I know this sounds typical, but my most anticipated figures in this line are comic based and can fit in (relatively) seamlessly with my massive DC Universe Classics collection. So, this new Bizarro hits that sweet spot perfectly, and I have had a higher level of anticipation for this anyhow due to not being completely in love with previous Bizarro offerings. This one certainly improves on some spots for me for sure, but let’s see how it all comes together.
I will start by saying that while the packaging is not different for this release, the way the figure is packaged is just great. Having the figure turned backwards is perfect for the character and is just cheeky enough to get a laugh from any DC collector worth their salt. The box looks nice and full here, too, so it feels like a value at the price point, and there are certainly lots of thoughtful accessories to support that as well, but we will get to that in a bit. I like the Multiverse packaging well enough (honestly, packaging is not something I usually comment on due to it’s fleeting lifespan at my house) because it shows off the figure well, and having the big block of red from Biz’s cape against the light blue of the box gives it a real “DC” feel to me.
While I do believe this new Bizarro fits in well with the hundreds of figures I own from the DCUC line, he is on the new body type that is native to the Multiverse line, and that comes with some enhanced articulation. Most notably here is that Bizarro does have double knee joints, the partial ball joint hips (instead of the hinges) and the wonderful forward-pegged rocker ankles. These adjustments make this figure a lot more posable and much of the movement more fluid than before, but with consistency from the Four Horsemen, Biz can stand with the rest of the Superman Rogues of yore and look like he has always been there. I do find the legs on these new figures to be a bit skinny and long, especially compared to past offerings, but it is nothing unforgivable or egregious.
Speaking of looks, while the body base and build are straightforward and carried over from the more recent Superman figures, the portrait and head sculpt are very unique. I haven’t decided if I am completely won over by this look yet. I mean, in concept, the rough features, mussed hair, and grey skin tone most certainly exude Bizarro’s character design, but looking at him, he is almost too “pretty.” I mean, he is not hottie or anything, but I do think he could probably be the lady killer of the Superman Rogues, and that should not be the case.
I get the take here for sure, it is a modern approach that most certainly has callbacks to the old Super Friends cartoon, and the sculpt is nice and all, but I am not sure if this is really ugly and rugged enough to be my default Bizarro. That is completely mired in my own pickiness, so I am sure will disagree, but I don’t know. It is growing on me, however, so I will check again in a month or so and see where I ultimately land. First world action figure collecting problems to be sure.
This figure does quite well in the accessories department, and even though the cape takes up the lion’s share of the card space with the backwards pose, most of these are still shown off well. Of course you get the requisite “Bizarro #1″ medallion and swappable fists and slappy hands, but you also get a tie, glassed, and suit jacket (with the sleeves removed” so you can create the Kent Clark persona. This is a fun touch and certainly something we have not seen in a Mattel DC line to date, so I really appreciate the work here.
The final accessory piece is a reuse from the old Super Powers tribute Superman figure, and that is, of course, the cape. So, I am split on this piece because there are some positives and some negatives with it that pretty much make it a wash. I know WHY they went with a cloth cape here, and the fact that it can accommodate being under the torn suit jacket is great. But… the collar gets me as it clashes with the rest of the figure. Don’t get me wrong, when this was on the Super Powers tribute Superman figure, it was perfect because it matches that source, but here, the big bulky ring just kind of sticks out, you know? Again, it is nothing worth crying about, but a more natural transition would probably tie the figure together a bit better.
Overall, this is a solid release and again, Walgreens really knows how to handle their store exclusives. This will likely become my new default display Bizarro, but I might work on a cape swap just to bring it all together. This figure is set to hit Walgreens stores next month (February 2019), so start the hunt soon, you am be mad you did!
*Thanks to our partners at Mattel for sending this sample along and making this feature possible.
