“You’re afraid.”
INJUSTICE: God Among Us is the multi-console DC fighting game released by NetherRealm studios in 2013. It’s a solid game, made even better by the vast amount of downloadable content made available for it, and has enjoyed some respectable success since it’s release. It’s done well enough to receive a tie-in comic, which as I’ve mentioned before is excellently written and headed into it’s second year, as well as figures from Mattel and DC Collectibles.
Now, Bandai’s SH Figuarts line is taking a crack at them. It might seem a little strange, of all the DC properties to entice these guys into a line for it to be an almost 2-year old video game, but with an impressive overseas fanbase and a sequel coming for the new-gen consoles, it’s probably safer bet than it looks.
The inaugural figure is, naturally, Batman. This is specifically the Insurgency Batman, who has been fighting against the Regime for some time before the game.
The game’s designs can be a little hit or miss at first glance, but they’ve certainly grown on me over time. While it seems that Iron Man Batmen are becoming the new standard (sadly), in the context of the story, it makes sense for Batman to take on a more armored appearance. Admittedly, it was a little more unique at the time of the game’s release.
The fit and finish is excellent. Like the Predator Wolf, Batman’s armor has some die-cast components to it, like the chest and shin parts. Everything is detailed with pits and scratches, with straps and connections tying it all together. It’s easy to take this level of work for granted, since the model benefits from a 3D render, but Bluefin really put in the work on the sculpt.
Well….there is one soft spot: I don’t care for his “standard” head. Mine had some off-pupils, which didn’t help, but it feels a little small and a little soft, especially compared to the very detailed and painted work on the variant head. Plus it’s now canon, thanks to the comics! I messed around with some other other head options, since changing them is an intended feature, and I really like the look of the Mattel Arkham Origins head on there.
The articulation and quality are near to becoming an expectation on Figuarts figures, and I think Batman might be even a little better than Predator. He is completely articulated, and everything has decent range of motion, though the armor might hitch up the double-knees a little. I like the sturdy hinge joints on his shoulder armor, it makes everything flow nicely in posing. All the joints work well, and nothing pops out easy, much tougher than MAFEX Batman for example.
Batman also comes with a ton of extras, in addition to the variant head: Lots of hands, two batarangs, and a big-ass grapple launcher, with two hooks, one with a wire. He also comes with this big, poseable cape. It pegs into his back, and has two large side sections that hinge freely from the middle for posing options. Well, at least in theory.
It’s a good idea, but hard plastic capes, even hinged ones, just don’t work for me. You’re going to have to indulge me me on this one, I’m running a quick cloth cape I pegged into the back for the rest of the review. It just lets him move so much easier.
Scale turned out a little better than I was expecting- import figures tend to run a little small. Thanks to the bulk of the armor, he’s not out of place with newer Legends figures, but I think he looks really sharp with the Star Wars Black figures. The flash fiction writes itself.
So, at around $50, I think you’re getting a really good figure for your money here. Everything is high quality and well made, and the few things I’m not fond of are purely personal preferences. I’m really interested in the future Injustice releases, and while my hope is that they will get get good and deep into the character roster, I hate to say it, but I’d even be in for for some additional Batman variants.
