{"id":15520,"date":"2011-11-23T02:32:33","date_gmt":"2011-11-23T08:32:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=15520"},"modified":"2011-11-23T02:39:04","modified_gmt":"2011-11-23T08:39:04","slug":"dc-classics-com-batman-legacy-wave-one-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=15520","title":{"rendered":"DC Classics.Com Batman
Legacy Wave One Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>When I\u2019m choosing what to review, I gravitate towards toys I like or figures I want to get done while folks are still talking about it. It usually works great, but it causes some figures I don\u2019t particularly care about to fall off the radar. Enter Batman Legacy Wave One.<\/p>\n

That intro may sound a little harsh. It’s not that I think Batman Legacy Wave One was a bad assortment or anything, but I didn’t find it terribly exciting. I mean, these guys hit in early summer and here I am putting a review together right before Thanksgiving. Oops.<\/em> <\/p>\n

Partially, the wait was because there isn’t a lot to talk about with these guys and I figured I could do Wave 1 & 2 together. Then, Mattel & K-Mart went and tossed a wrench into that plan…<\/p>\n

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See, I still<\/em> haven’t snagged the Golden Age Batman with the K-Mart exclusive Bat-mite, so no chance for a combined review there. <\/p>\n

Regardless, I’m tired of having these guys on my review pile, so I’m going to dash out a quick Wave 1 review and give Catman & Batgirl a little more time in the hopes of snagging that last Batman. And… look, I’m two paragraphs in and mostly talking about the more exciting Wave Two. See what I mean? I’m just into these… <\/p>\n

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So, Wave One. Three figures. One new piece. It’s a heck of a new piece – a cool Golden Age Joker head sculpt. It’s a little cheated by the paint, with the eyes cast permanently down, but it’s a great rendition of the classic Joker. <\/p>\n

Below the neck, Joker uses the same body from his first release<\/a>, but has swapped in his tuxedo jacket for a trenchcoat (judiciously borrowed from the Question<\/a>). <\/p>\n

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I already mentioned that the paint deco includes Joker looking down, but the real disappointment comes on the bottom half of the figure. We already know that Mattel uses different types\/grades of plastic for the different parts of the figure and that that has occasionally caused the libms to not match, particularly on a color like bright purple. But what I wonder here, is if it really is just a color matching error like Brainiac or something even dumber – you’ll note that Joker’s legs still match his arms…<\/p>\n

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One big plus for Joker is that’s he the one figure in the wave to get some accessory love. Mattel packed him out with his mallet and playing cards from the first release. I’m happy to get the extra playing cards since they have more uses – like giving a set to Zatanna for example. <\/p>\n

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A Batman figure being in the lineup is a foregone conclusion in a line bearing his name (and indeed a Batman figure has ended up headlining all three waves), but I wish Mattel would’ve come up with something more inventive for this one. <\/p>\n

There’s nothing particularly objectionable here (though I’m not fond of Sinestro Corps Batman’s<\/a> head). It’s just that, starting with DCSH (where this particular buck hails from) Mattel has released thirteen of their seventeen versions of DCSH\/DCUC Batman by just tinkering with the blue\/black costumes, the oval, and the belt. Thirteen! Continue to Page 2…<\/a><\/p>\n

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This particular version of Batman (grey\/black, no oval, big pouches) was even already released in the tail end of the DC Superheroes line (and is, unfortunately for this review, the only Mattel DCSH\/DCUC Batman that I don’t own). The only difference being that Mattel has swapped the grim head of the first release (originally reused from the blue Batman above) with that aforementioned Sinestro Bats head. <\/p>\n

The paint work on this figure is pretty solid and there’s a lot to like about this figure’s buck, like the extra detail on the costume, boots, gloves, etc.. The bright side for Mattel here is that the vast consumer base for Batman figures completely disagrees on one iconic look and this version will no doubt hit just the right spot for some collectors and kids alike. <\/p>\n

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Out of the three figures in the set, Mr. Freeze was probably the one I was most interested at the outset, but not for the reasons you might think. This Mr. Freeze sculpt has seen plenty of use over the years (not counting that he contributed parts to the various Armored Lex<\/a> Luthors<\/a>). Freeze was originally in the pre-DC license Batman line, retooled a bit for the DCSH line, and then given a NYCC exclusive repaint in the interim between DCSH & DCUC. While those early figures are certainly compatible, Mr. Freeze has yet to make an appearance in the main DCUC line. <\/p>\n

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So why did we want this repaint? Well, yeah, I do love Super Powers. But the real reasin is that, almost two years ago now, we found out that Mattel was using an image of our Custom Super Powers Freeze<\/a> (along with customs from other sites) to shop the Legacy sub-line around to retailers. I have no idea if that’s standard practice (how would we even know?), but what really got our attention is how closely the final Mattel version still resembled the IAT custom. Sure, both figures are about the Super Powers deco being applied to a figure that wasn’t designed for it, but that’s a lot of similar deisgn choices. <\/p>\n

There are some key changes though. The custom uses the original unarticulated Freeze body while Mattel’s uses the new body and its more Luthor-esque elements (like reversing the boots and eliminating some of the icy features). Props to Mattel on the purple dome, but I like the boots on our custom better. And it’s really a shame that Mattel opted to not use the goggle-less head. <\/p>\n

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The Batman Legacy line has no C&C component, so Mattel opted to replace that lost value with mini-posters and stands. Unfortunately, those mini-posters long ago ended up in the trash here. If any of our readers know who came with what – please chime in and I’ll add that information. I don’t have anything personal against mini-posters, but they don’t replace value to me. I kinda wish Mattel could’ve figured out something else to make that $15 price point worthwhile. <\/p>\n

There is the Batman logo stand. Stands are better than mini-posters, but there were some problems on this front too. I love that the Golden Age figures had gold stands, but Mattel should’ve given the modern figures a third color and left silver to Silver Age versions. And, on that note, Freeze would’ve been better served with a Super Powers stand. And, worse still, the stands aren’t even compatible with all the figures…<\/p>\n

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Okay, so I tried to not make this a big two page spread on why I have purchase guilt for picking these up, but that’s exactly what it is because I do. I don’t mind having the Mr. Freeze as a curiosity, but I would’ve been better served to leave Angry Batman and GA Joker on the pegs. Now, for Joker, that’s partially just me. There seems to be plenty of fans enjoying the GA versions of Batman, Joker, & Robin, but I’d rather see more characters than decade-specific versions (though I am strangely happy about that SA Catwoman coming in Wave Three and I do expect to get a kick out of GA Bats more than I did Joker or Robin). <\/p>\n

I think a Batman sub-line is a great idea. And I’m still looking forward to Superman receiving one even if it means were due for some lame Superman repaints in the hopes of getting one or two cool figures. I just think that the sub-line could’ve been better. Joker’s got some obvious QC issues and Batman’s got other costumes I’d like to see him in before “angry”. Maybe if these figures had been just a little more impressive, this wave would’ve gotten reviewed a long time ago. <\/p>\n

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For more DC reviews, check out our
\n DC Universe Classics Collector’s Guide<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/center><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When I\u2019m choosing what to review, I gravitate towards toys I like or figures I want to get done while folks are still talking about it. It usually works great, but it causes some figures I don\u2019t particularly care about to fall off the radar. Enter Batman Legacy Wave One.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":15522,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_options":[]},"categories":[6,34,10],"tags":[70,1277,183,20,1278,339,27,39],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.itsalltrue.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/11\/bloTN.jpg?fit=50%2C50","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pObc6-42k","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":15884,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=15884","url_meta":{"origin":15520,"position":0},"title":"DC Classics.Com Golden AgeBatman (Legacy) Review","date":"December 14, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"You know what they say about best laid plans? I\u2019ve been holding off reviewing Catman & Batgirl from Batman Legacy Wave Two for awhile \u2013 waiting because I was planning a group review for this wave. Then I finally get the Batman and he ends up getting a solo review.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DCClassics.Com"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":16659,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=16659","url_meta":{"origin":15520,"position":1},"title":"Vault Review: Batman Legacy Series 3 Catwoman & FA Batman","date":"February 3, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"I\u2019m rounding out my week with a couple of figures from Batman Legacy wave three, which finally started poping up at stores here and there.\u00a0 Noisy was lucky enough to snag the First Appearance Batman and Earth 2 Catwoman, but I get to review them. Before we get into the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DCClassics.Com"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.itsalltrue.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/02\/DSC04239.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":15964,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=15964","url_meta":{"origin":15520,"position":2},"title":"DC Classics.Com Batman Legacy Batgirl & Catman Review","date":"December 21, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Last week, I\u2019d planned to do a big write-up on Batman Legacy Wave 2, but the Golden Age Batman stole the spotlight during the photo session and he scored his own review. Now, it\u2019s time to finish off the assortment with a quick look at the Silver Age Batgirl &\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DCClassics.Com"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":686,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=686","url_meta":{"origin":15520,"position":3},"title":"Mr. Rant says, “Stop showing unproduced figures!”","date":"July 28, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"img align=left src=\"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/resources\/images\/really.png\" hspace=4>Last weekend\u2019s Comic-Con gave us a ton of interesting news and great pictures of the upcoming toys this year. But there was one thing that stood out to me like a glaring imperfection, and it was something Mattel doesn\u2019t plan on bringing to the fans. After all\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "DCClassics.Com"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":12036,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=12036","url_meta":{"origin":15520,"position":4},"title":"Ask Matty March 15th Edition","date":"March 16, 2011","format":false,"excerpt":"Ask Matty - March 15th Edition We need your questions for the next round!Submit your suggestions on the newly expanded ItsAllTrue.net Forums... MOTUClassics.Com: Were the Palace Guard and BA He-Man chest plates made not interchangeable purposefully? Will Skeletor's chest plates be a third non-standard size? This limits their use in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Ask Matty"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":20202,"url":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/?p=20202","url_meta":{"origin":15520,"position":5},"title":"Details on Waves 2 of the Batman & DC Unlimited Lines","date":"August 11, 2012","format":false,"excerpt":"So, I\u2019m in the middle of three-too-many projects at the moment, but Vault got my attention today with a simple text, \u201chave you seen the new DC figures?\u201d I had no idea what he was talking about. Apparently, new DC & Batman Unlimited figure pics had been circulating all day.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Toys"","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15520"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15520"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15520\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15533,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15520\/revisions\/15533"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15522"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15520"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15520"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.itsalltrue.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15520"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}