Batman
First Appearance Series 1:
DC Direct, 2004

Based upon how Batman drawn by Bob Kane appeared in Detective 27 in May of 1939. It is part of series of First Appearances from DC Direct of major DC characters.

SPECS:

The figure stands 6.5 inches tall (to the ear tips) and has 14 points of articulation (head, neck, shoulders/biceps, elbows, wrists, hips, and knees) and a large cloth cape with wires sewn in for support. It comes with a First Appearances base and miniature copy of Detective Comics #27

PROS:

The cape is one of the best capes on any Batman figure. The neck has the same articulation as Hush Batman and is one of the best on any figure. The sculpt is very good, and very smooth compared to some of the ?Abs of Steel? Batman figures that have been produced.

CONS:

The articulation is somewhat awkward, especially biceps and shoulders. I often felt I was going to rip Batman?s arms off while posing the figure. The wrists in particular seemed very loose and easy to pull the gloves out. I still don?t like the way DC Direct articulates the hips and the lack of waist articulation is just annoying.

OVERALL:

Not a bad Batman figure but it is not one of the best either. The gloss black cowl ?shorts? and boots look a little out of place compared to modern day Batman and those purple gloves are just plain odd looking, although they are historically correct. Hardcore Batman collectors will no doubt pick one of these up, but most collectors will probably pass on them. PICTURES:

REVIEWED BY:

Close Box

Robin
First Appearance Series 2:
DC Direct, 2005

Based upon how Robin drawn by Bob Kane appeared in Detective Comics 38 in April of 1940. It is part of on going series of First Appearances from DC Direct of major DC characters.

SPECS:

The figure stands 5 3/4 inches tall and has 14 points of articulation (head, neck, shoulders/biceps, elbows, hips, and knees) and a cloth cape with a wire sewn in the trailing edge for support. It comes with a First Appearances base and miniature copy of Detective Comics #38

PROS:

The neck has the same ball-joint articulation as First Appearance Batman, although with more limited range of tilt. The same is true for the ball-jointed shoulders. The sculpt is very good, very smooth and well done. The stitching down the center of the chest and the ?fish scale? shorts are nice touches. The cape is nicely done with a sewn inner liner and has a glowing sheen to it.

CONS:

The articulation is good, but open hands (at least one) and articulation at the wrist like First Appearance Batman would have been nice. The Spray Ops were decent, but it?s a bit sloppy on the sleeves on my figure.

OVERALL:

Not a bad Robin figure even if that smile is a bit annoying it fits with the way Robin was early on. Hardcore Batman collectors will no doubt pick one of these up as it makes a great complement to First Appearance Batman. It?s also worthy of regular figure collectors as well. PICTURES:

REVIEWED BY:

Close Box