Review - DC Direct Batman Begins Deluxe Collector Figure

DC DIRECT CHRISTIAN BALE AS BATMAN BEGINS
review by forums member "legendsofbatman"

Articulation. 6 of 10
28 points.

Sculpt. 5 of 10
Flat and unimagineative. Two-dimensional.

Paint. 8 of 10
Overall, good. A minor flaw, that cannot be tolerated on a $90 figure.

Accessories. 3 of 10
3 small batarangs
Grapplinh-hook gun.
Interchangeable hands.
cell phone.
Stand.

Overall. 4 of 10
When the retail price on a figure is three times that of Marvel Studios, and two times that of the Star Wars Ultimate Villain, and five times that of the ROTS 12" series, one expects something in return.

Instead, what we get is five times the disappointment. There is nothing that commands anything more than $30; and, that is pushing it.

The best quality of this figure is the paint job. It's not perfect, as a thin line of black paint does cross his face, where the mask ends. Some "flesh" paint hits the cowl, as well. Not major, and barely noticeable; however, if one is expected to put out a hundred bucks, and get pocket change in return, one should be treated to a flawless figure. Period.

The detail on this figure is not much greater than the $20 Star Wars figures. This is a huge cause for disappointment, because a $90 figure should have life and be a piece of art. Where the design shines, however, is the eyes. If the designers put as much attention to detail in the rest of the figure, this would have been an awesome figure.

The accessories are lacking, as well. The first Mattel 12 inch Collector Batman came with better accessories than this $90 fiasco. For $90 we receive a $20-30 figure, with interchangeable hands (even $10 figures are doing this now) three small batarangs, that can barely fit his hands, and certainly not a decent scale. A cell phone. A decent, but, little too late, grappling hook gun, and a stand.

What would have helped make this the ultimate in Batman figures, is to have followed the Ultimate Villain pattern. An interchangeable Batman/Bruce Wayne head. The mask should be removeable. (This would have prevented the mishaps in painting, as well). A suit for Bruce Wayne. A large batarang. Interchangeable Bruce Wayne hands. A brief case for Bruce Wayne. Some weapons for Batman. A fully functional and removeable utility belt. Pockets should open, and hold weapons, and fully functioning hand-cuffs. A leather cape might have been nice.

It's a sad day when one complains about a box. However, a $90 figure deserves more than a cheap, lackluster, flimsy box. Hasbro and Star Wars, with their overpriced Masterpiece Edition figures came with a creatively designed, and solid displayable box. Not to mention a book to go along with it.
This, however, is a box that is so thin, so, cheesy, that it is warped, and concaved. It's not even a design that says, "Wow! Look at me!"

Compare this figure to Marvel Studios, there is a deficit. Marvel Studios offers a well sculpted, highly articulate, highly detailed figures for $30. The Dare Devil figure comes dressed in leather. Most of the Marvel Studio figures come with accessories deserving the $30 price tag. Then, to add insult to injury, Marvel Studios placed these pieces of art in very nice display cases.

Is the figure bad? No. It is a nice figure. It really is. And, if it were $20 it would be one of the best 12-14 inch Batman figures ever. However, being that it has a $90 price tag on it, one has to wonder if the price tag is the only thing that is high over at DC Direct.

Pro's:
It's a Batman figure.
Overall a solid paint job.

Con's:
$20 figure with a $90 price tag.
Uninteresting, dull sculpt.
20 cent accessories.
Flimsy box.

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