TDK Movie Masters Wave 1
The first series of The Dark Knight Movie Masters figures from Mattel is out and I picked up a couple of them this morning. The first series includes Batman, The Joker, and a Gotham City Thug, along with an unmasked Batman chase figure. I have mixed feelings about these figures. Overall, they’re nice… but I have major issues with their price and their scale. Expand the post for more.
Okay, I’m gonna keep this short and sweet. The good - they are sculpted by the 4H and they feature nice paint detail and good articulation. The bad - they are tiny and they cost a lot. These retailed for 11.47 at Wal-Mart (although I’ve heard TRU has them for 9.99). Ouch. And when you look at the scale pic below you’ll see that they’re not even close to Mattel’s DCUC figs. Which I find very strange, since both lines are supposed to be a 6″ scale. I guess DCUC is more like 6.5″ scale and MM is more like 5.5″ scale. The long and short of it is that they won’t fit in together. Which is a bummer because I really wanted to stock up Gotham goons to square off against my comic accurate Bats figs. Oh well.
BATMAN
Bats is done up quite nicely in his movie duds. I don’t really like the clunky, segmented, armored look of the movie batsuit, but that’s an aesthetic thing; the toy does a remarkable job of remaining faithful to the source and the detail is excellent. He gets standard DCUC style articulation and it’s all pretty functional, except where his shoulder armor plates restrict his range of motion a bit.
These Movie Masters figures come with a strange, gimmicky, and useless accessory. They each have a little plastic bag labeled as Gotham City PD Evidence and then an oddly sized mask that you can fit in that bag. I don’t really understand it. I would have much rather had a display base or - gasp - some batarangs or something. Bats himself comes with no accessories. Lame.
GOTHAM CITY THUG
The thug is also really nice. Great detail. I love his face sculpt and all the paint detail in the mask. And his little bolo tie is neat. He also great articulation with nothing left out. He even has the ab crunch under his blazer. And he gets the strange evidence bag and little plastic mask like Batman did. What he’s lacking, though, is any sort of weapon of any kind. Shouldn’t this guy have a gun or a baseball bat or a crowbar or something? I mean… it’s a twelve dollar figure and all it comes with is a plastic baggy and a little mask. What’s up with that?!
THE JOKER
Alright, I held The Joker in my hands and mulled it over for quite some time but in the end I just couldn’t bring myself to spend 12 bucks on him. He looks pretty good. The face is sort of crooked and wonky, and doesn’t really look anything like Heath Ledger’s Joker, but as a toy, it works. The reason I passed on him though is his “lazy” articulation. He has no bicep cuts and no torso artic. And there’s no reason why those POAs are missing. The Thug has every point of articulation that Batman does. So why did The Joker get robbed of his poseability? I’m sorta baffled by this one. It made an otherwise cool addition to my collection a big pass for me.
SCALE
Yeah, these are tiny. I really almost passed on the whole line altogether just because of the scale.
VALUE
Now that the cost of action figures is going up due to oil prices the “value” of a fig is weighing much more heavily into my choice to collect them or not. And for me, I don’t think I’ll be buying any more Mattel Movie Masters figures. The TDK MM figs are small, and the plastic feels “cheap” and rubbery (think ToyBiz. heh.) compared to what I’m used to from Mattel. And both of my figs have loose, soft-feeling joints. That isn’t something I’ve experience yet with DCSH/DCUC. If these were 8 or 9 bucks, I wouldn’t complain. But, for 12 dollars a figure I need more, even with the rising costs. I mean, DCUC is still in the 10-12 dollar range and they are much bigger, better figures and they have a BAF piece included. I just bought a bunch of NECA TMNT figs for about 13 each and they knocked my socks off with pack-ins, bases, paint apps, high-quality plastic, etc. Just because prices are rising doesn’t mean companies can’t still strive to pack value into their figures. The value on the Movie Masters just isn’t there. Unless you’re just a huge fan of the movie and are dying to have some TDK toys, I’d recommend passing on these and just focusing on the comic-accurate DCUC figs.
Tags: Batman, Gotham City Thug, Joker, Movie Masters, TDK, The Dark Knight
Wow, that really sucks! The size and other issues, I mean, not the review itself — great work as always, and thanks for the heads up. I still sort of want one figure from the line just because, but I’m no longer ready to blow $30 ($36?!) on these guys. I’ll have to compare the scale to other toylines if I come across them at a local TRU — maybe Batman can be a companion to the Doctor or something.
I’ve gotta come out and totally disagree with you man. These figures, especially batman, are just about the nicest, most detailed 6 inch toys that we’ve ever gotten in mass market. The scale, although a little smaller, is fine. The truth is, the aesthetic of these guys, much more realistic is just not supposed to fit in with the dcuc anyhow which has an almost animated look. Although 12 dollars sounds like a lot at first, I feel the entire market is headed toward a 12.99 price point here pretty soon, think about it, the new hulk legends will be 15 dollars and they SUCK. These are excellent toys, and although you done a good review which I enjoyed, I must absolutely disagree, thanks man for your opinion though, we’re all fans here. God bless
Batman is soooo tiny compared to DCUC Batman…but the DCUC are a little bigger than My Marvel Legends Collection…so i guess he’s in scale with them maybe???? Oh well…I was going to get batman and the Joker, bit I may just get Joker Now…even if he is missing some joints…errrr….still more poseable than the previous Jokers by mattel…Hopefully he will show up in DCUC soon though….eehhh…
When I was buying 8″ Mezco animated Hellboy figures a couple years ago I felt I was getting a smokin’ deal compared to the mixed bag of some of the $10 6″ Marvel Legends figures (first by Toybiz then by Hasbro). I has happy to pay a $5 markup over 6″ prices for bigger scale, killer sculpts, and kickin’ paint apps. Anyway, if I can get a squat 6″-scale movie Batman for $10 at TRU or Target I’ll probably go for it…and then maybe add a badguy at some point…are there future waves planned?? Maybe there’s a better Joker comin’. The 5″ scale Toyfare-exclusive Batman Begins from a couple of years ago with poseable cape can be found on ebay for $10 shipped to your house and that figure rocks it seven ways to Sunday and looks smokin’ next to the Mattel Tumbler batmobile. Here’s a buy it now link.
Jared - Yeah, in re-reading my review I realized I did harp more on the negatives than the positives. Yes, these are some of the best movie figures I’ve ever owned. They are very nicely done and very poseable (except for the joker). It’s just that I feel they should either be cheaper or they should be bigger for what they cost. For me, they just aren’t worth the money I paid for them.
Actually, he may not match the DCUC Batman, but I have the Batman that came in the two pack with the Batgirl, and their the same height, just differently built due to one being inspired by live action. He’s also the same height as my electric Superman figs from Wave 2…I wonder if either your DCUC Batman is big or your Dark Knight Batman is defectively small. My DCUC Batman is in storage because I’m currently moving, but I have a good amount of DC Superhero’s and DCUC out, and they seem the same scale. If anything I wish Hasbro’s Iron Man line was a tad bigger to fit these.
Actually, I think SAG was way too kind in his review of these blasted figures — but I feel that way because my Batman just snapped apart at the f’n waist. I’m so pissed off that I almost feel like swearing off all Mattel figures for the rest of the year. Where’s the quality control?
Wes-Where did you get it from. If you got it from TRU, they will take back broken figs. Especially if it busted straight out of the box. Either way, they trump the Batman Begins figs.
Here in VA they cost 10 dollars always and the basic ones cost 7 dollars
eek! poor Wes… Mine are a little “fragile” feeling but I haven’t had any breakage. I also haven’t heard/read anything about breakage/quality control being a major problem with these. I think maybe you got the bad luck of the draw. Like Kyle said, though, you should be able to return it.
Yeah… my Joker fig had all stiff joints so I figured I’d twist them to loosen them up so they have free range of movement. Well, on his right hand I twisted it and the hand went all the way around, but the peg didn’t! I was so scared that his hand was going to fall off that I haven’t touched them since. Batman too has the same problem with a stiff left leg so I won’t even bother trying to get it to move
Well, I was able to return him. However, the TRU didn’t have any more, so I just took the refund. No big loss, though — if all else fails and I never come across another MM Batman, perhaps I can use the money to buy one of those superarticulated Aslan figures at some point.
This experience has made me incredibly hesitant to order DCUC Wave 3 online.
Jer: There’s a freezer trick that works sometimes — you leave a figure with stuck joints in the freezer for a half hour and then give them another go. However, depending upon the plastic they’re made of, this can also make the figures even more likely to break. How’s that for inspiring confidence, eh?
Sorry for your troubles wes, although I love everything Mattel is doing, the one thing they’re not doing is good quality control. A friend of mine literally had just gotten his DCUC batman out of the package, and his leg snapped right off. These Dark Knight toys, although I love them felt even more fragile. I know that times are tough, but I hope Mattel can start taking a much better, much longer look at the way their toys are made. by the way, check out my new blogsite at the top, you’ll all be in for a real treat as it gets going, expect the latest reviews and in depth articles about everything from the hasbro marvel controversy, to the greatest debate of them all, to moc or not to be.
I don’t like these. Batman’s face sculpt is weird and not as detailed as I thought it would be and I agree with SAG’s review on Joker.
These are one of the most detailed movie figures BUT since when have movie figures ever been really done well so that’s not saying much (at least in my opinion).
I could see if these were cheap but this almost seems like the Hasbro argument….low quality figures for a lot of money. I’m starting to think it cost more money to make a crappy figure.
Not only that but I’m worried as to whether or not DCUC will get a price hike because of oil prices.
we are all cut from the same tree. we have similar tastes and expectations on what we want from a good action figure. i think like most of you and do give the reviewer points for what i call a nuetral review. yes, its a nice figure, but its lacking so much.
yes oil us up, but a almost $12 price tag? there is so much other kiddie dark knight stuff out there along side this line that could have been not producted to keep costs down. really, do kids really need a batman in 9 different colors and suit configurations? no. they will just clog the isles while movie masters will be a isle memory.
i just believe the mattle toy execs are really taking a cue from hasbro because the movie isn’t out yet, and the isles are clogged with everything from tumbles to halloween masks. there’s their wasted profits.
sorry i got a tad off topic.
Chris - I’m sure DCUC will see a price hike. I’m guessing wave 3 will retail for 10.99.
oh, and since i don’t really have any better place to post it, have you guys seen this?
link
So you guys are talking about the toys from the new movie “I was a Teenaged Batman” right? Cause that is what these figures seem like. I only got the Bat so far but he stands like a 15 year old. He doea look nice next to like The Pitt, ooh or my big Balrog.
I got Bats at our Toys R Us for 10 bucks though…
A lot of people have already mentioned this so I guess it’s not a warning but yeah these joints are stiffer than any other DCU figure yet. Like Toy Biz stiff. No wonder people are experienceing breakage. I haven’t really noticed the plastic being any less than previous figures of recent release but scary were the legs and the chest bendy part, not twisty…it was fine.
The size though is what kills me. Like I said it’s like I have a 15 year old Batkid.
I really wanted the Joker mostly cause I don’t really have a suoerarticulated Joker but yeah I am morbid and wanted him because of Ledger’s death. Now though with the size issue and from what SAG says about the articulation I dunno.
What is the deal with the evisence bags and little masks…waste of plastic right there.If the prices are going so high because of oil prices why do they waste so much on unusable and stupid garbage like that? I thouight maybe there would be some cool little thing in the evidence bag but its just for the mask…man what a waste!
So I just came back from buying the movie masters batman, 12 dollars at my walmart. the shoulder pad fell off as i carefully opened it. i hope walmart refunds my money because these toys are ridicules. Couldnt find JOker. Very Upset.
10.99 would be depressing SAG. I sort of liked buying at Target using and even 10 with some change…sigh
I might have to cut down on getting doubles and triples …lol
if your figure is defective, return it. you should get your money’s worth. its not like its $8. i returned 11 mark 2 iron men because their right hip/ leg joint were loose. i’m not settling for inferior product, nor should you. right now, the movie master batmen are pegwarming- so get your receipt and take your defective figure back to customer service, champ.
Plain Sliced!!!!!!
lol
Man I wish I could’ve seen you return 11 opened ironman figures! LOL That would’ve been classic!
I return pretty frequently too. Mostly DCUC that I notice have a ton of defects. I’m pretty picky. I agree, why settle for crappy quality right? When the company gets their stuff back, maybe they’ll wake up and fix the problem. It keeps them on their toes.
I just saw TRU’s website, they have 2 packs of New 7 inch movie masters figures, i wonder if those will fit with the dcuc line.
bet u wish u had picked up a joker… cant find em now.
The Joker is excellent. And to the poster below, the new Hulk figures look great