DC Multiverse Superman (Animated) // Review
With the DC’s action figure licensing with Mattel expiring in 2018, and the rights transferring to Spin Master, fans of the larger collectible market began to wonder what would happen to the higher-priced six to eight-inch figures made for adults and “serious” collectors.
Luckily, McFarlane Toys would swoop in to alleviate collector concerns with an announcement of a line of action figures dedicated to the entire continuity of DC comics, going back over 80 years. Featuring figures from the popular Arrowverse, modern comics, and the ever-beloved DC Animated Universe, the toys shown off in previews looked incredible. Now that they’re starting to come out, do these figures hold up?
In a word, yes.
The animated incarnation of Superman looks like he comes right from Bruce Timm’s pen. Based on the art style made popular by the 1990s animated series and the Justice League shows, Superman is big and bulky up top, but tiny down below like his other compatriots in heroism. This makes for a fantastic representation for moving things from 2D to 3D, and the sculptor did what they could to preserve as much of the style of Timm as they could. From the right display angles, this figure is perfect in that respect.
There are some unique design choices here, however. The S-shield is raised like with the shield from the Action Comics 1000 variation, which is an artistic choice that works for the figure despite not being part of the art style. This helps the yellow on the shield pop. Unlike some Supermen of the past who had issues with yellow paint atop blue plastic. Other figure lines would also have cheaped out on some accessories, reusing capes or hands from the other Supermen in the line to save time on production. The cape and hands here are 100% original to the mold, which helps provide another visual difference between the styles of Superman. The cape is oddly flat, however, curling off on one side like someone used the stretch tool in photoshop, and is the only truly questionable choice made on the figure.
Aside from alternate hands, Superman also comes with a bent steel girder that can be clutched in one hand, and either held over one arm like he is bending it or over the figure’s head like he was hit with it. It’s an amusing addition and helps bring more personality to the figure. A display stand is also included, the standard black DC stand at this point. The slimmer legs actually help the figure stay centered, however.
It’s not a perfect figure, and there are some odd choices here. As mentioned before, the cape is the most obvious difference. The slimmer legs also do little to hide the joints in the figure where they connect, and the plastic chosen for this version of Superman just feels cheaper - though that is likely entirely due to appearances and the shades chosen rather than plastic quality.
While not as good as the Action Comics 1000 figure, or the Unleashed armor, Animated Superman is likely the best of the animation based figures from McFarlane toys at the moment. Incredible care went into this guy, despite some weird decisions, and he will make a fantastic addition to any collection.
