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.

Batman Legacy - Batgirl

It will be interesting to see where Mattel takes this Batman Legacy toy line, and how long it will last.  So far, we haven't seen to many new characters like so many people have been hoping for.  Wave 2 has been out for a while and wave 3 will be released shortly, so I figured its probably a good time to start finishing up my Batman Legacy wave 2 action figure reviews.  So today's review will be on Batgirl.

I mentioned before that I'm not a big fan of the female body sculpts.  For you new collectors out there, know they very skinny compared to the male characters.  With the exception of  Wonder Woman, Big Barda and Hawkgirl from the DC Universe Classics toy line which are all very good action figures and a bigger body type.  These smaller female characters though have very skinny arms and legs, so sometimes, they are packaged so tightly that it abnormally bends plastic and warps their arms and/or legs.  Other female characters of similar build to this Batgirl action figure are Harley Quinn, Catwoman, Cheetah, Donna Troy and Star Sapphire. 

So my main problem with this Batgirl is, due to the packaging, she comes out of the box with her right leg abnormally warped as you can see below in the picture on your left.  The legs and arms are so thin that plastic bends so easily.

As you probably know, we've seen this Batgirl action figure before.  It was originally released as a two pack with Batman in the DC Superheroes toy line back in 2007 or 2008 and then re-released again in another two pack with Azrael.  This Batman Legacy version is just a repaint. 

Here are look at Batgirl from all angles.  You can see the warped right leg above.  Other than my issues with the body size, it really is a good looking action figure. The hair is sculpted really well but it does restrict the head movement so you cannot get full use of the neck joint.  Other than that, the articulation on this action figure is what you would expect.  All the usual joints are here including the hip joints which Mattel has occasionally exclude from certain female action figures (Black Canary and Zatanna for example)

I definitely like the paint colors better on this version, than the previously released Batgirl action figure. For the most part the paint job on this action figure was fairly clean except for a small area around her nose where the black paint has smudged over the line a little. 

The original Batgirl action figures in both the DC Superheroes toy line and the DC Universe Classics toy line both included a small batarang for Batgirl which fit into the small slot molded in her fist.  This time around in the Batman Legacy version, you do not get any weapons of the sort.  The only things included with this action figure are a mini-poster and the action figure stand seen in the picture below.

Well, Batman fans will be happy with this action figure.  Hopefully not to many of you will have the same problem I did with the warped leg because that is mainly the only flaw here.  A Batman collection isn't complete without a proper Batgirl action figure. 

To buy Batman Legacy action figures on eBay, click here

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Batman Legacy - Golden Age Batman

The DC Universe Classics toy line may be coming to an end after Wave 20, however, Mattel still plans on giving us a certain level of these great action figures under different toy lines.  They will have their online Infinite Earths club, their DC Universe All-Stars retail toy line as well as their current Batman Legacy retail toy line which is up to its 2nd wave.  Today, I'm going to review one of those Wave 2 action figures - Golden Age Batman

So clearly this action figure is based on Batman's early years, Definitely pre Frank Miller stuff.  Look how happy he is!  If you're comparing Golden Age Batman to other DC Universe Classics Batman, you won't notice too many differences...well......because that's because there aren't that many.  More on that later. 

First, here's a look at the packaging.  Slightly different than the DC Universe Classics packaging.  As you can see, this Golden Age Batman does NOT include the K-mart exclusive Batmite action figure.

As you can see, other than the new head sculpt, Golden Age Batman pretty much supports the same Batman sculpt as DC Universe Classics Batman from Wave 1

 

 So whats different about this Batman besides the head sculpt?  Clearly the Bat symbol on his chest.  From there its just small differences.  (See above), the blue along the side of his underwear is something we don't see on any of the DCUC figures.  After that, the paint job on the Batman Legacy action figure is a mix of both DCUC wave 1 Batman is on the right and Gotham city 5 pack Batman on the left.  It would have been nice if Mattel would have maybe changed up the belt sculpt a little.

Below is a close up of the head sculpt.  A very classic looking Batman.  Its pretty much spot on to the Golden Age look.  Also the paint job on this action figure is fairly good.  There aren't any nasty spots or blotches to speak off. 

Unfortunately, as far as accessories go, the only things that come with this Batman action figure is a mini-poster and a golden age action figure stand, which quite frankly does not securely support the action figure in any way.  As mentioned above, if you bought the K-mart exclusive, then you would also be getting a little Batmite action figure as well.  No batarangs or grapple hooks or anything else.  Not even Bat Shark repellent!  (you tube it).  Fortunately I have enough of Mattel's Batman action figure accessories that its not a big deal to me but beginner collectors may feel a bit jipped here.

Articulation has not changed in this Batman figure compared to any of previously released Batman action figures (Wave 1, Wave 10, Gotham City.....)  You have all your standard joints which are all in fine working condition with the exception of the swivel waist joint.  it seems very tight and i can't get it to turn.  I didn't want to try too hard and break my new toy but i thought i should mention it.  I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that someone else had the same problem. 

So overall, well, if you're a Batman fan, like me, you're gonna wanna get this action figure. But if you're ho-hum getting tired of seeing Mattel give us a new Batman action figure with very little changes, this one might not be for you.  Quality wise, it ranks right up there with the DC Universe Classics action figures, the only decision is whether or not you need another Batman to add to your collection.

It will be interesting to see how much longer Mattel keeps this Batman Legacy toy line alive.  Hopefully longer than the Green Lantern experiment.  I personally would like to see it keep going and have more characters covered that the DCUC line did not get to.  Ra's Al Ghul, Scarecrow, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy....this list goes on.  So far, for Batman Legacy Wave 3, we know that a "First Appearance Batman" and a Golden Age Catwoman will be included along with a Batman Arkham City Harley Quinn and Nightwing action figures.  No announcement on the NYCC 2011 "Super Powers" Penguin action figure and where he fits in on all this.  I wouldn't be surprised to see him as the 3rd Wave 3 figure and the two Arkham City action figures be sold separately as a two pack but that is pure speculation on my part.   

To find Batman Legacy action figures on eBay - click here

DC Universe Classics & Batman Legacy - New York Comic Con 2011

 This past weekend was the 2011 New York Comic Con and Mattel revealed some cool new additions to their DC Universe Classics and Batman Legacy toy lines.  There is so much to go over so lets take a look at some of the new action figures we can look forward to seeing in 2012

 

Starting off with the Batman Legacy toy line, Mattel is releasing a "First Appearance Batman" action figure (above).  If you're not familiar with this look, google some images of some of the first Batman comic books.  

 

Catwoman seems to getting more press these days, with her appearance in the The Dark Knight rises movie coming next year, as well as Batman Year One and her role in the new Arkham City video Game.  Now Mattel will also be releasing a Silver/Bronze Age Catwoman action figure too.  More on Catwoman in a bit.  

  

 Mattel's next Arkham City Two-Pack from the Batman Legacy edition and based on the Batman: Arkham City Video Game, will be the combo of Robin (Tim Drake) and Joker.  We already new about these action figures from the SDCC but not that they were going to be sold together as a two pack.

 Could this combo (above) be the next two pack?  Possibly.  We have seen prototypes of Harley Quinn but not Nightwing until now.  Since it appears that these Arkham City action figures are being sold as two-packs, my money is on this group being the next edition. 

 You can probably also count on this duo (above) to be sold as a two pack.  Catwoman and a blue version of Batman, similar to the Batman action figure from the two pack with Arkham City Two-Face. 

Now, I'm not sure if the above Super Powers version of  The Penguin is going to be part of the Batman Legacy toy line or the DC Universe Classics toy line, but really, does it matter?  We know it will be released at retail but not part of a specific wave.  I'm really curious to see what Mattel will be doing with the DCUC stuff at the retail level.  Apparently just popular characters, but will they still be released as waves and no CNC figures (a la DC Superheroes toy line back in 2007-08)

Penguin's head sculpt is brand new and looks a little cartoony.  The rest of the body and his umbrella are exactly the same sculpt as the original DCUC Penguin in Wave 1 .  Okay, that's it for Batman Legacy, on to the DC Universe Classics

 Back at the 2011 SDCC, the final full wave 20 of the DC Universe Classics toy line was announced however, we did not get a look at White Lantern Flash or the size corrected Sinestro Corps Sinestro.  At NYCC 2011, as you can see, the entire set was on display.  Sinestro appears to have been given the same body size as the many Hal Jordan action figures we've seen released in this toy line. 

White Lantern Flash has been given similar attachments that we saw back in DCUC Wave 2 on the red and blue Superman variants.  

 New Toys R Us Two Packs were also announced but they are also just repaints of previous figures.  We have a Blue Lantern Kyle Rainer & Sinestro Corps Hal Jordan Two-pack.  I'm not 100% sure but i believe the Hal Jordan head is from one of the Wave 17 Hal Jordan's (White Lantern i believe). 

The second Two-Pack is a Battle Damaged Batman and Azrael two pack.  Again, these appear to just be repaints.  The symbol on Batman's chest is ripped and his head is pure blue.  Other than that, this is similar to the original Wave 1 Batman and the many repaints after that.  Azrael is a repaint of Wave 16 Azrael.  The blue on the original figure has been replaced with red.   

 A lot of Rainbow Lantern action figures coming out here and there, makes you wonder if the rumors of another Rainbow Lantern wave was true at one point.  Mattel will be releasing this Orange Lantern Larfleeze action figure at retail apparently but on an individual basis.  He will not be part of any set....?

He's got a very cool head sculpt.  Love the horns coming out of the side of his head and the teeth look amazing!!

 On display again were the Matty Collector DCUC Infinite Earth Club action figures, Starman, Jay Garrick and Atrocitus.  No other Infinite Earth Club action figures were present or announced so members will have to hold their breath a little longer for more news.  

 The winning action figure and the first large size action figure to be released in the Infinite Earth Club of the Matty collector poll is Metron and he was on display at the 2011 NYCC along with the Mobius Chair.  Metron apparently will stand 12 inches tall. 

 A close up of the Mobius chair above and a close up of Metron below. 

Finally, you can't go to Comic Con without there being an exclusive action figure.  This year is a scary version of the Joker from Arkham City.  It is different from the Arkham City two pack Joker

  That is one messed up head sculpt!  I've actually seen a few of these on eBay already.  There's only 4000

of these Joker action figures out there so if you want to get your hands on one, click here immediately!

Unfortunately, there was no sign of any Mattel version of the "New 52" Justice League or any other rebooted characters, so i guess we'll have to wait and see if Mattel does anything in the future

Thats it for this post.  Be sure to check back with Action Toy Review for all your DC Universe action figure news info and reviews.  Also be sure to help keeps Action Toy Review alive by visiting our sponsors.  Thanks Mates.  Until the next post.