Review – DC Universe Classics Azrael Batman
I’ve got a real hard time deciding what I think of the DC Universe Classics* toy series. On the one hand there are a lot of great characters in the line, but on the other hand the action figures are really difficult to locate in stores. If I could locate some of the basic characters without too much trouble I might get into the line, but as it is I almost always ignore these.
But when I saw the Azrael Batman in Target I just had to grab him. (After all, I already told you guys I wanted him, so I was sure he had to be mine just so I could share with all of you.)So now it’s time for the first DC Universe Classics review here at battlegrip.com. And I do have two hands for opinions about this action figure . . .
Packaging
The DC Universe Classics line uses a fairly simple and direct blister pack; nothing innovative or exciting here. The packaging is functional and the card backs are essentially the same throughout the line. I’ve gotta say that I prefer the Marvel Universe approach — each figure gets colored lineart on the front — but what’s here works. The photos of the other figures and the C&C in the wave are a nice addition, even if that info frustrates me when I’m searching pegs for a specific character in a wave. Since I don’t collect this series the C&C part — I got one of Bane’s legs — is basically junk for the junk drawer.
If every figure in this wave had been a Batman ally or opponent I may have gone ahead and grabbed the entire wave (the entire wave was there when I found Azrael Batman), but as it is I skimmed the options and skipped everyone but this guy. So yeah, that Bane leg is junk.
Sculpt
Absolutely fantastic. So good, in fact, that Azrael Batman has me wishing I could have found some of the earlier figures in the line that I wanted. I know a lot of this toy line is about reuse of parts — fans complain about this online enough that even I’ve noticed — but what we get here appears to be an almost completely new collection of sculpted parts and the result is one gorgeous-looking action figure. The review at MTV Geek just goes on and on about how great the sculpt is, and I can’t argue.
The soft plastic armor and cape accessory — which appears to be permanently glued to Azrael Batman’s upper torso — adds a lot of depth to the figure and is where the sculpt really looks awesome. The armor fits down tight over the body, and even though the armor dramatically restricts the shoulder and neck articulation it looks so good that I can live with the reduced articulation. And while some others have reported that the wings were a bit warped — the wings and armor are all one-piece made of the same soft plastic — my own Azrael Batman’s wings seem to have survived the journey just fine. No distorted wings here.
Azrael Batman Looks Great, but Isn’t Perfect
This figure is inspired by the Joe Quesada-designed Batman costume that first appeared in the Batman Knightfall series*, but the action figure isn’t an exact match for the costume design. Part of this is no doubt because Mattel has plans to reuse something from this figure, but it’s also likely because the costume looks so different in so many different images.
The image (above) is just one interpretation of the costume, and you can see that the action figure is missing the thigh pouches, does not have the V-shape design in the costume’s crotch, and the bat logo on the figure does not appear in the art. These are all minor variations, but they’re worth pointing out because it seems possible that what Mattel could be planning is either a SDCC or Matty Collector exclusive in which, with just a few changes, the Azrael Batman figure gets enough new bits to bring it closer to this artwork.
As long as the price was reasonable and the figure not too difficult to find I would totally go for another variation on this character design. Or maybe a variant could appear in the upcoming Batman Legacy series (mentioned here). Either way, I do hope Mattel keeps in mind that it wouldn’t take much work at all to bring us a variant on the Azrael Batman costume.
Articulation
The DC Universe Classics* line is kinda all over the map when it comes to articulation, with the line getting new joints as it has aged. And Azrael is a mixed bag of okay and terrible joints; this review at It’s All True goes into enough detail on the articulation for anyone, but I do want to note that I really dislike the hip joints on this guy. I would much rather have ball-joint/hinges like we get on the newer Marvel Universe action figures because these weirdo hip joints make Azrael Batman look bizarre when you swing his legs out. Ouch! Az, doesn’t that hurt? I know these joints have been around for awhile, but I dislike them.
Paint
Fortunately, Mattel invested enough in painting this terrific sculpt that the paint keeps pace with the rest of the toy. The blue metallic on the armor, head, and gauntlets looks great and the flat gray of the legs — while uninspired — looks okay and doesn’t detract from the blue and gold colors. Azrael Batman was really a candidate for a wash like we’ve seen on some of the new Marvel Universe figures — a dark gray over that lighter gray would have seriously helped the look of the toy — but in general the paint is clean and the metallic blue and gold colors just look phenomenal. But don’t get into the line thinking this is common, because as the review at MTV Geek says:
Unusual to the DC Universe Classics line, Azrael has been almost completely painted.
Most of the figures in the series, from the ones I’ve got and what I’ve seen online, are pretty flat when it comes to colors. Azrael Batman, between his paint and sculpt, must have been a favorite of someone over at Mattel because this toy really got some extra special attention in both the design and manufacturing processes. And I thank whoever is responsible, because this is a great action figure.
Closing Thoughts
If every single figure in the DC Universe Classics* line was this fantastic I’d be heavily invested in the series and snatching up a ton of the different figures. Fortunately for my wallet, though, Azrael Batman stands out from the pack and is far superior to most of the other toys in the series. In fact, my only complaint with the toy is that it has me looking at the series again . . . and it has me wondering what other gems I have missed.
For more thoughts on this figure see the review at Action Toy Review and don’t miss the photo gallery over at Cool Toy Review.
And if you want an Azrael Batman of your own try Wal-Mart, Target, or any other local store/chain. If that doesn’t work you can always give Amazon.com* a try. But wherever you find him, if you like what you see here grab your Azrael Batman now before he’s an ebay-only toy.
Philip Reed needs to stop looking at this line now.
Other than the wrist scallops pointing the wrong way, (goddamnit Mattel, can’t you get ANYTHING right?) this actually is an accurate rendition of the late Az-Bats costume (just before the Batmobile blew up and it turned orange/black for whatever comic-book logical reason – and right before Bruce stripped Azrael of the Bat mantle.) You can see the two side by side in the old Kenner action figures I reviewed here: http://toyriffic.blogspot.com/2008/12/azrael-as-it-gets.html
And if you want a DCUC scale figure of his Az-Bats costume before he went all heavy-metal, try to track down this 6″ beauty Kenner put out many years ago: http://toyriffic.blogspot.com/2008/01/azrael-batman.html
Anyways, this is a great looking figure and one I’d pick up if I ever saw it, even though I am distancing myself from DCUC of late.
@BubbaShelby – I knew the costume evolved quickly and constantly, but it has been so long since I read the storyline that I obviously made a mistake and this figure does match at least one stage in the costume’s evolution.
Well, almost matches. But regardless of detail issues (and the fact that I’m starting to think he has two left feet), he looks great.
Every time I see AzBats I am tempted to go reread the whole saga over again. I think I’ll make it a goal to dig all the old comics out next time I visit my storage shed.
I just looked at the feet on my figure, and they are obviously left and right, so if you think yours has two left feet he probably does. That’s unfortunate. I was actually surprised by how much movement was available with his shoulders and elbows, because before I picked him up all the reviews I read made me think that they were completely useless. They’re not as good as other figures, but I can still get him into some cool poses.
Unfortunately the plastic in his legs are soft enough that if I leave him in an extreme pose for any more than a minute or two then the knee will become really loose. Also, his right leg is a good 1/2 cm longer than the left, does yours have that same problem?
All in all, I like this figure. I also picked up Jonah Hex, as these were the only two that interested me.
Ah, BubbaShelby took my comment! 🙂
I had to pick this guy up too – I use him in my MOTUC display. I’d be down for the red-grey version too.