Mattel at the 2012 Toy Fair - Batman Legacy, Movie Masters, DC Club Infinite Earths, DC Universe All-Stars

NYC this past weekend was the 2012 Toy Fair and Mattel did not disappoint DC fans.  Even though the DC Universe Classics toy line is ending, Mattel was showing off some upcoming new and previously announced Movie Masters, DC Universe Club Infinite Earth and DC Universe All-Stars action figures.  Lets cut to the chase and take a look and some of the shows highlights.

As far as the Batman Legacy toy line goes, Mattel showed off its Movie Masters action figures for the upcoming "Dark Knight Rises" film.  Above, you see the Tom Hardy version of Bane.  A hell of a lot different that the DC Universe Classics Bane.  It will be interesting to see how the character is portrayed in the movie as we all know, Christopher Nolan is trying to take a realistic approach with these movies.  

And of course, we have Batman from the Dark Knight Rises.  Very cool looking.  I'm wondering what the differences between The Dark Knight Batman action figure and this version will be.  I'm not sure how much the Bat suit has been updated for this movie. 

And the final Movie Masters action figure is of course, Catwoman.  Pretty cool looking action figures and I'm sure the Movie Masters collectors will be happy.  There will be 3 more Movie Masters from the Dark Knight rises each of the six figures will also include a piece of a collect and connect "Bat Signal".  Stay tuned for announcements on the remaining 3 action figures.  

Also coming in 2012 will be two new action figures of both Batman and Catwoman from the Arkham City video game.

Previously announced at the 2011 New York Comic Con, were two new DC Universe "Two Packs" which i believe are Toys R Us exclusives.  Mattel had the Boxed packs on display.  The first is the "Knightfall" two pack which includes a "Battle Damaged" Batman supporting an all blue cowl and a damaged bat symbol as well as a re-paint of the DC Universe Classics Wave 16's Azrael action figure.

The second two pack has been named "War of the Green Lanterns" and features a Sinestro Corps Hal Jordan and a Blue Lantern Kyle Rayner.  Kyle looks to be a complete repaint of the previously released DC Universe Classics Green Lantern Wave 1 Kyle Rayner.  I'm pretty sure the Hal Jordan is a complete repaint of one of the DCUC wave 17 Hals as well. 


Next up, we have some news regarding the DC Universe Infinite Earths Club as well as a few new figures on display.  We've see some of the figures that we can expect to see in the coming months but we also have release dates.

Jay Garrick (The Flash) above in the new packaging, will all be available for purchase on April 16th at the Matty Collector website. 

Metron will also be available on April 16th but only to those who has subscribed to the DC Universe Club Infinite Earths.  If you haven't subscribed, you're out of luck and be prepared to pay an arm and a leg for him on eBay. 

 

The previously announced Red Lantern Atrocitus will be available for sale on May 15th and then Starman (above) will be available for sale on June 15th

Up until the Toy Fair show, we had not yet seen a picture of the new Mirror Master action figure. (See above).  He will be available for sale on July 16th, 2012

Also previously announced but not yet seen is the new Poison Ivy action figure.  Unfortunately Mattel has not given us a release date for this.  She looks good and even though i hate the female sculpts because they are too thin, she is a must have in my opinion.

A new surprise was the addition of Black Mask to the group.  Batman fans will be really happy with this announcement.  Unfortunately, we have no idea when we'll be able to get our hands on it.  No release date announced yet. 

Metal Men fans will be happy with the addition of Platinum and Tin.  Personally, I will pass on these but a lot of DC Universe Classics fans have been asking for the completion of the Metal Men team so here are a couple more to cross off the list.  Again, no release date has been given for these figures yet.  

The final new DC Universe Club Infinite Earth action figure is Red Rocket.  Again, no release date announced yet.


And finally, for you retail fans, Mattel had their DC Universe All-Stars figures on display.  All already previously announced, these are the wave 2 figures:

Supergirl

The Flash (new 52 version)

and Superman (new 52 version)

The 4th and probably most anticipated DC Universe All-Stars wave 2 figure, Red Robin, was not on display.  

So there you have it.  All though the DC Universe Classics toy line has come to an end, fans can still enjoy a nice selection of action figures over the 2012 calendar year.   

Thanks for checking out Action Toy Review.  Be sure to check back for more info, news, previews and reviews on Mattel's DC Universe Classics, DC Universe All-Stars, DC Universe Club Infinite Earth and Batman Legacy action figures. 

Batman Legacy - Catman

Time to finish up my review of Mattel's Batman Legacy Wave 2 set.  If you missed them, I've already reviewed Golden Aged Batman and Batgirl.  Click on the links to see those reviews.  This review will be on the third and final action figure of the set, Catman.

The first thing you'll notice is Catman essentially looks similar to Batman.  Mattel is basically using the same body sculpt for this action figure as it has used for all the DC Universe Classics and Batman Legacy versions of Batman.  Clearly the detail is different but basically, he the same size as Bats. 

The differences are the Catman is supporting a longer cape, the belt is more of a leathery look and the cowel is slightly different that Batman.

Close up, you can see Catman's eyes under his cowl, unlike any Batman action figure which all hide Batman's eyes (painted white).  Catman's head sculpt is good.  Cleanly painted blue eyes and we're seeing more DC action figures supporting a some stubble on the face (Captain Boomerang for example).  It looks good.  Catman's paint job is really good as well.

As far as accessories go, Catman is the only action figure in the Batman Legacy Wave 2 set that comes with something other than an action figure stand.  As seen below, Catman comes with to hand held claws.  I'm actually not sure if I've placed them correctly in his hands but they are pretty cool and fit well in his hands. 

There is nothing new here with articulation.  If you have any of the DCUC Batman figures, Catman has the exact same articulation.  Mattel has not changed anything here or added either of the new elbow or knee joints.

Overall, Catman is cool, and he is a good addition for you Secret Six fans out there (including Bane from Wave 16 and Deadshot from Wave 9).  Although Catman is clearly not one of the main Batman characters, it is nice to get someone new instead of seeing another Joker or Riddler.  I'm still waiting for a Ra's Al Ghul, a new sculpt Scarecrow and many more Batman Baddies from the Rogue Gallery.  Mattel, are you listening??
Anyway, go out and buy this bad boy.  Collectors won't be disappointed.  

 If you can't find these Batman Legacy action figures in at your local toy stores, then eBay is your best option.  with Wave 3 coming out very soon, you can expect to find some decent deals on these wave 2 action figures. 

To find Mattel's Batman Legacy action figures on eBay, click here.

To find Mattel's DC Universe Classics Bane on eBay, click here.

To find Mattel's DC Universe Classics Deadshot on eBay, click here.

Thanks for coming back and checking out this review. Be sure to check back with Action Toy Review for more DC Universe Classics, DC Universe All-Stars and Batman Legacy action figure news, previews, info and reviews.

DC Universe Classics - Collect and Connect Top 10 Voted by you!

Recently I conducted a poll for the loyal readers of Action Toy Review to tell me THE ONE.....DC Universe Classics collect and connect action figure that was their favorite.  Readers could only vote for one action figure.  It was a bit of a surprise to the the winner to me, but interesting to know.  Note that this poll did not include the CNC figures from waves 17, 18 or 19 which were not released yet at the time.  So, lets take a look at the Top 10 as voted by you. 

NUMBER 10:

Solomon Grundy - Wave 3

A lot of detail in this CNC Action figure.  A very solid action figure.  I personally would've ranked him higher but it's a reader's poll.

NUMBER 9:

Metallo - Wave 5

Very cool giant robot version of Metallo. Many people are still waiting for a regular size, half man version of this character. 

NUMBER 8:

Rex Mason - Wave 1

I'm a bit surprised to see Rex rated so high because, he is the smallest of the CNC action figures.  That being said he also comes with some of the coolest accessories and supports very unique details in his body sculpt.

NUMBER 7:

Arkillo - Green Lantern Wave 1

An awesome Green Lantern Character and truly worthy of a CNC action figure, Arkillo is a great addition to your Sinestro Corps collection. 

NUMBER 6:

Stel - DC Green Lantern - Wave 2

The 2 Green Lantern wave gave us 2 great CNC action figures. 

NUMBER 5:

Chemo - Wave 9

Perhaps the HARDEST CNC action figure to complete due to the lack of production of Black Adam and The Gaurdian action figures from this wave.  Chemo is big, green, transparent and looks amazing. 

NUMBER 4:

Darkseid - Wave 12

Unfortunately Darkseid was the CNC action figure in one of the weakest waves line Mattel has come up with in the DC Universe Classics collection.  But he is an essential action figure for any Superman fan so if you do not own him, find a way to get him! 

NUMBER 3:

Giganta - Wave 8

Almost as equally as hard to finish as Chemo DCUC fans found it extremely difficult to get their hands on the Gentleman Ghost figure from Wave 8 which included Gigants head and waist.  For this reason alone, an unopened Gentleman Ghost goes for about $80.00 US on ebay these days.  Giganta is the tallest of the CNC DC Universe Classics action figure to date. 

NUMBER 2:

Kilowog - Wave 11

I thought for sure the fan favorite, Kilowog would come out as number one but I was wrong.  Number 2 is not too shabby. Kilowog was part of a heavy Green Lantern wave (wave 11) and is a kick ass action figure.  A must have for action figure collectors.

and NUMBER 1:

Bane - Wave 16

The man who broke the Bat slightly edged out Kilowog as the Action Toy Review fan favorite collect and connect action figure.  Bane has a lot going for him these days as he will soon to be featured in the "Dark Knight Rises" Christopher Nolan movie and this has surely something to do with his recent rise in popularity.  Not to take away anything from this great CNC action figure.  It is worthy of a #1 spot.

So there you have it.  Hope you guys enjoyed this post.  Have comments about the poll?   Then feel free to leave a comment about this post. Also be sure to visit Action Toy Review's sponsors to keep us going. 

DC Universe Classics - Bane

Although I have not completed all the DCUC Collect and Connect action figures from the DC Universe Classics toy line, Bane was one I NEEDED to get right away.  He's not as classic as The Joker, The Riddler or Catwoman, but he is one of the main bad guys in the Batman world and the only man to have successfully broken the bat back when he made his comic debut in the 1993 classic Knightfall comic series.

Mattel gave us a Bane action figure in the DC Superheroes toy line a few years back and quite frankly, it just didn't cut it, lacking size and articulation.  I think Mattel will get it right this time around.  Lets take a look at DCUC Wave 16s CNC action figure, Bane:

Bane on eBay:

Unlike the DC Superheroes version of Bane, this DC Universe Classics version has proper joints in his hips and can stand up right.  As far as the look goes, this is classic Bane in which his Mexican wrestling mask black gear. The muscle shirt is a separate piece from Banes torso. 

From the side, you can see the hose where Bane's venom is suppose to be distributed to his head.  The hose is removable, of course, how else are you suppose to beat him?

Close up, Bane is big and muscular, but there is still a generic feeling to the sculpt.  I feel a bit more muscle definition and veins are needed here.  But all in all not bad.  The older version, below right, had more definition which is the only plus over the current Wave 16 Bane.  Old Bane's hips joints could not swing outward leaving him stuck in the ridiculous open leg stance. 

The paint job is clean as it should be.  It's not like Bane has a lot of coloring going on.  Mostly Black and skin tone with a bit of shading and some silver, white and red on his mask.  Not difficult and looks good. 

Lots of muscles popping out here:

As far as size goes, Bane fits right in the middle with the other taller DC Universe action figures.  I know, Mongul and Clayface are not CNC but they are taller than the regular action figures.  Bane seems to be on par with Gorilla Grodd in the height department

Compared to the Batman, Bane towers over him by a good couple of inches.

There are no additional accessories with Bane.  Bane is in fact himself, an accessory to the action figures in the DCUC Wave 16 set.  So if you were hoping for something extra like Bane's teddy Bear, "Osito" then you're outta luck. 

Articulation on Bane is, as mentioned previously, way better than the DC Superheroes version of Bane and lives up to the DC Universe Classics standards.  Joints in the neck, biceps, elbows, wrists, abdominal, waist, hips, thighs, knees and ankles.  All joints were in fine working condition.  Sometimes these collect and connect figures have looser joints than usual.  Bane's upper body is tight but his legs are a tad on the loose side but this differs with each action figure i find.   

Overall, if you're a Batman fan, you gotta have Bane.  If you have one of the DC Superheroes Bane action figure, it will not do.  This, the DCUC Wave 16 collect and connect Bane is for you.  I have some minor complaints about the sculpt but he fits right in with the other Batman rogues the Mattel has given us.  With the new "Dark Knight Rises" movie coming out in 2012, you can bet that this action figure is going to be a hot ticket, much like Two-Face was when "The Dark Knight" came out.  Now Mattel needs to re-do Killer Croc and I will be happy. 

Sculpt/Design - 8, Paint - 8, Accessories - N/A, Articulation - 9, Fun - 9
Value - 8/10

DCUC Wave 16 is in online store now and you'll probably find them at various wal-marts, targets or toys r us around the USA (if you're lucky).  Most of us will have to rely on eBay and other online options. 

If you'd like to just buy Bane and none of the other DC Universe Classics Wave 16 action figures, it is possible.  There are many auctions on eBay that sell just the Collect and Connect pieces.  Check it out:





To find Mattel's DC Universe Classics Wave 16 Bane on eBay, click here

Thanks for checking out my DC Universe Classics Wave 16 Bane review.  Be sure to help keep Action Toy Review alive by simply just visiting our sponsors.  If you see something you like at a good price, then buy it.  If not, no harm done.  In the meantime, we'll try to keep you up to date on all things DC Universe Classics.  News, info, previews, reviews and more.  So be sure to check back on a regular basis.