The line-up Mattel featured of their DC Multiverse line was one of my favorite, and mostly unexpected, showings of the San Diego Comic Con this past summer. I will readily admit that I am sad that I have not had a consistent DC line to collect since the demise of DCUC, but we look to be heading back in the right direction.
The DCUC line is one of my favorite lines of all-time, and I am really glad Mattel is back releasing Collect and Connect series to somewhat continue that line in spirit. Sure, it has diversified in terms of source material (hence, the MULTIVERSE moniker), but I will gladly admit that last spring’s Clayface C&C is one of my favorite figures of the year, and I have been looking forward to more. This new Lex Luthor assortment is going to give us two MAJOR holdouts of DCUC in The Ray and Vixen, but as we wait for the full series to arrive, Was-Mart is currently getting their exclusive Harley Quinn (based off of the AMAZING Amanda Conner’s art) and Spoiler now. So, let’s have a look.
HARLEY QUINN
It’s funny, for a guy who isn’t the biggest fan of artist-specific action figures, Mattel has gotten me on the hook several times over the past few years. I adore the Frank Miller/Dark Knight Returns figures that have been released over the years, and since Amanda Conner is one of my top 3 modern artists, there was no way I was going to miss this figure. Yeah, Harley is EVERYWHERE these days, but I like the melding of the new look Harley with some of the classic influences used here, and since this figure is larger than most Multiverse offerings, she actually fits in really well with the aforementioned Miller figures, both in scale and style.
This figure features the new “standard” (or close to it) articulation scheme of the Multiverse line, and while I had no qualms about the DCUC structure, these new hips and knees and such seem much more natural in their movement. That said, I REALLY wish the wrists were more than just swivel joints because that is certainly a step back from what we have been seeing lately. I don’t see a lot of reuse here (if any) but I am positive that Harley carries enough weight to justify pushing the envelope in terms of new parts, and really, it was needed to get the details of Conner’s artwork correct. The accessories are nice, too, and of course, Harley gets her signature mallet. Also included are a “Bang Flag” gun in two pieces (I wish the gun itself had a bit of paint), and red and black pompoms for her shoes, which are a really nice added touch. You also get a Motherbox (which should also be included in one of the mainline figure packs) and frankly, nothing is more scary than Harley Quinn with a Motherbox. It is nicely detailed and styled very differently than the Kirby-inspired boxes we got in the Classics line.
What impresses me the most about this figure though, is the paint detail on the face. Yeah, it could be a bit closer in terms of accuracy to Conner’s art, but it is certainly not too far off, but it is the level of detail that IS there that is impressive. Looking closely, it appears as though Mattel is using the printing technique employed for a long time by Bandai, but now by Hasbro, and Mattel themselves in the WWE line. If that is the case I am REALLY excited because this can bring a whole other level of detail to the comic and screen versions of these characters, and that would bring Mattel right to the same game that other heavy hitters are playing in right now. So for me, that is really exciting.
SPOILER
Okay, so I will admit that, I don’t know a whole lot about the Violet Vindicator, but… even an untrained and initiated eye can see that she is CLEARLY in the Bat-family, and this is another one of those figures that will slide right into my massive DCUC collection seamlessly. I really like the overall look of this character design, and it reminds me of a much more practical and realistic take on Huntress’s costume, so this is just the type of release I look forward to in each Multiverse line, and along with the Ray and Vixen, I am doing awfully well for myself this time around.
Yep, this figure is a walking heroine of black and purple spandex and padding, but the small shock of bright blonde hair hanging from the hood really sets the whole look off. Much like Harley, Spoiler has more versatile joints than most figures in the Classics line, but stylistically, she really does fit right in with the figures of Batgirl, Nightwing, Robin, and Huntress already standing on my shelf. Sure, it might be a touch of nostalgia creeping in, even for a new character, but I am very glad that while Mattel is continuing to up the game in terms of detail and design, they have not complete forsaken their previous figures, and I can continue to grow one nice big happy DC family.
Her weapon, which I am not even going to bother naming because someone will surely correct me below, is neat in concept, but I REALLY wish real chain was used here. Yeah, I get it, it is more expensive and would have to be sourced for the factory, but man, it really would have added a lot of functionality and play value. That is a relatively minor nitpick, but really the only one I have to an overall very strong release. So yeah, for a guy who works alone, Batman has quite the cast of supporting characters, and I am glad to add Spoiler to the crew.
SDCC had me hopeful, and now these two new figures have proven that the hope was not unfounded. I am glad to see Mattel back in the game and I look forward to what is going to be coming next. As I said, The Ray and Vixen are going be reliefs as much as anything, so I will continue to hope to see Liberty Belle and few choice others eventually in the line. Harley and Spoiler are both nice solid additions to very different parts of the shelf, and I think getting more Amanda Conner figures is now certainly in order. Remember, while the main series will be available in most outlets, you need to get to Was-Mart for these two Gotham Girls.
*Thank you to Mattel for providing these sample for review.
