DC Universe Classics - Robin (Dick Grayson)

The results of the latest ATR poll is in and we have a tie.  The next DC Universe Classics action figure ATR readers most wanted to be reviewed next was both Zatanna from Wave 14 and Robin from Wave 16.  Well...I'm not doing 2 reviews at once so I'm gonna vote myself.  Holy tie breakers, Batman! The next review will be on the original boy wonder himself, Robin.  In my opinion, he is by FAR the superior action figure.  You will thank me later.  And here we go:

It's safe to say that Mattel's DC Universe Classics Wave 16 is heavily loaded with Batman related characters.....which is good (IMO).  The bad thing is, in a way, we're not getting that many "new" Batman characters.  Only the Creeper.  We're still waiting for Mattel to give us Ra's Al Ghul, Poison Ivy, Hush....just to name a few.  Instead of new Batman characters (besides Creeper), we're getting different versions of Riddler, Robin, Azrael and Bane, all who we've seen before either in the DCUC toy line or the previous DC Superheroes toy line.  The good thing is, they are not just repaints.  They are new Riddler, Robin, Azrael and Bane are super cool versions and well worth getting for any Batman collector. 

Before we get to the meat of this review, lets stop quickly and look at the packaging.  Yes, yes, we've all seen this before.  Graphics on the front of the card (behind the action figure) are Green Lantern, Batman Flash, Aquaman and Superman in case you can't tell.  On the back, you get all the info you want about wave 16 as well as your standard mini write-up on the action figure you just purchased. 

As I mentioned, we have already gotten version of Robin before.  DC Universe Classics wave 3, included the Tim Drake version of Robin which was also repainted and re-released in the Dynamic Duo 2 pack.  Wave 16's version, is the original Robin and future Nightwing and Dark Knight, Dick Grayson.  He comes in both a classic (early teens) and modern (late teens) variant with the only difference being his head sculpt.  This version is Modern variant.

I really couldn't be much happier with the way this figure looks.  Truly the most memorable version of Robin for me.  Ya, the Robin Hood booties are a little lame but this is the way he looked back in the day and this is DC Universe CLASSICS, right?  As far as the paint job goes, it is Tip-Top!  There are some minor spots like in the hinge of the elbow joints that i can see spots of green where it should be skin color but no glaring errors. 

Compared to other DCUC action figures which stand on average at about 6 3/4 inches tall, Robin, since he is only a teenager, is a bit shorter, standing at about 6 inches even which is perfect.  He looks just right next to the Classic Batman from DCUC wave 1.

Old school Robin in blessed with new joints which makes good for articulation.  Specifically, the double hinged elbow and knee joints.  His ankle joints are also different than the single hinge joints we've been getting on most DCUC action figures.  They appear to be ball joints and have a lot more range.  All other joints that we're use to are there.  (I've given up listing them all)

The boy blunder comes with, of course, a collect and connect piece of Bane plus he's got his very own grapple gun and a little batarang.  He has been sculpted with 2 open hands so both accessories fit in each hand very nicely. 

Overall, next to Bane, this is the action figure from Wave 16 that I've been waiting for and I was not disappointed.  Great sculpt and paint job, amazing articulation and a couple of accessories makes happy collector.  Any old school Batman collector would love this action figure, so go out and buy him. 

Sculpt/Design - 10, Paint - 8.5, Articulation - 10, Accessories - 7, Fun - 9

Value: 9

Mattel's DC Universe Classics Wave 16 action figure are starting to pop up all over the Internet.  I got a pretty good deal for the entire set on eBay but you can also buy them individually if you only want one or two.  I suggest you check out the selection there if you can't find these action figures at you're local Wal-Mart/Target/Toys R Us store. 

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

To find any of Mattel's DC Universe Classics action figures on eBay, click here

That's it for this review.  Hope you enjoyed it.  I'm trying to promote a little reader interaction here on Action Toy Review.  I'm always adding new polls (upper left hand side of the screen) as well as there is a comment section below each of my posts feel free to leave a comment (spam will be deleted immediately).  Also be sure to keep Action Toy Review alive by visiting our sponsors and of course, don't forget to check back for more DC Universe Classics news, info, previews and reviews. 

DC Universe Classics Green Lantern Wave 1 - Kyle Rayner

The main action figure from the DC Universe Green Lantern Classics wave 1 set that most people have been waiting for is Kyle Rayner.  So take a guess at who today's review will be on:

First up we have a look at Rayner in his packaging for those who do not want to take their action figure out of the packaging.  It's very similar to the DCUC toy line.  Action figure is encased in solid transparent bubble plastic.  Cool cartoon graphics behind that of the main Green Lantern characters.  On the back, there is a nice little bio on Rayner as well as pictures of figures from the entire wave.  We've all see this before so time to move on. 

Taking a look at the actual action figure now, as far as a sculpt goes, we see a lot of reused parts here.  The head being the only main difference.  Unlike with the Black Hand action figure from this wave, Rayner does not have the new double hinged elbow or knee joints.

Kyle's Green Lantern costume difference from the classic Hal Jordan.  You can see the GL symbol is not centered on his chest but more centered on his left pectoral muscle (reminds me of Robin's "R" symbol for some reason).  The costume is really true to what you would expect in a Kyle Rayner action figure.

Up close we can get a better look at the head sculpt which is one of the main highlights of this Kyle Rayner figure.  The mask is sculpted really well on his face and the hair is nicely detailed.  You can also see up close a few minor scuff marks in the paint on the left side of his chest.  Slightly sucks but overall, its not a big deal. This is really a luck of the draw thing.  Sometimes it happens, especially when you're ordering online instead of being able to pick them out at a store. 

Rayner's articulation is pretty standard compared to the old DC Universe Classics action figures between waves 1 to 15.  As we mentioned above, Mattel now appears to be incorporating double hinged knee and elbow joints to add more movement to these action figures.  It appears as though some figures from this Green Lantern Classics Wave have them as well as some from the upcoming DC Universe Classics Wave 16 set will also incorporate these new joints.  Unfortunately Kyle does not but his articulation is still as good as any previous DCUC figures.  He's got all the standard joints we've been use to over the last 2 plus years. 

One of the other highlights of this Kyle Rayner action figure is the accessories that come along with him.  I love it when we get addition green lantern accessories.  Kyle comes with a cool looking green lantern, much more sci-fi like than the one that comes with Hal Jordan.  He also comes with a giant sword that attaches on to his ring hand.  The good thing about these accessories is that you can use them with other Green Lantern members. 

As per my ATR poll that was asking which GL Classics wave 1 figure(s) they would purchase, readers responses was heavily favored to Rayner, and Mattel did not disappoint.  It is a bit of a bummer that he did not get the new double hinged joint treatment like Black Hand, but overall, Kyle Rayner is another great action figure.  I'm not sure how many Green Lantern Classics waves we'll be seeing but Rayner was definitely a must have figure for any DC or Green Lantern fan.  With the new Green Lantern movie due to come out in the next 6 months, you can bet these action figures will be very popular for at least the first half of 2011. 

Sculpt/Design - 8.5, Paint - 8.5, Articulation - 9, Accessories - 10, Fun - 9, Value - 9

If you're looking for your very own DC Green Lantern Classics Kyle Rayner action figure, ebay has a lot of good auctions available to get a decent deal for those of you unlucky souls that cannot find these Mattel bad boys at your local Wal-mart, Toys R Us or Target store. 

To find DC Universe Classics Green Lantern Kyle Rayner on eBay, click here

To find other DC Universe Classics action figures on eBay, click here

So many DC Universe Classics action figures coming out this year.  Ive just ordered my DCUC wave 16 which i expect will be in next week, not to mention, I'm still looking for a few more of these Green Lantern Classics wave 1 figures.  GLC wave 2 will be coming soon as well as DCUC wave 17, probably in March sometime.  One thing is for sure, alot of reviews to come so be sure to check back. 

Feel free to leave any comments regarding this review below or check out my poll questions on the left hand side of your screen.