DC Collectibles released wave 1 of the Arkham Origins 7 Inch figures right around Christmas of last year. The wave kicked off some of their new engineering methods, featuring a Batman with way more articulation than we’ve seen from DCC recently, almost on par with DCUC offerings. It also featured an oversized Bane figure in scale for not much more than the cost of the 7 Inch figures, spreading the extra cost around the entire wave instead. Rounding it out was The Joker and Black Mask. Check out our standard gallery and some additional thoughts for all of Arkham Origins Wave 1 after the break!
These figures were some I was most excited for after seeing them at SDCC last year in person. It signaled a move to more articulation for DC Collectibles, which I was more than happy for. Now, not all of these figures feature abundant articulation. Each one is different, working in articulation as they can without disrupting the overall sculpt and look of the final figure. So while Batman has a full range, the Joker and Black Mask have very little. Black Mask doesn’t even have knee joints. And on top of that, the method for the articulation differs from figure to figure. So, bottom line, look first, articulation second. After fiddling with all of Wave 1 and 2 together at once, I can appreciate their approach even though I could use a bit more.
The star of the wave is Batman for sure. He sold out immediately after release and shot up on the secondary market, fetching almost triple retail on eBay. There is a second print run coming soon, so I would hit your local comic shops and/or online retails and pre-order now. This is in contention for being the best Batman figure ever released in my opinion. Not perfect, but overall when all things considered, it’s up there. The stance and proportions represent what a modern Batman should be. He doesn’t rock the ninja black suit of the movies, but he isn’t in the 60’s blue and grey either – it’s a nice cross between the two. Paint applications are a little sloppy, some figures more than others – overall it’s not as sharp as the figure deserves. That’s really a nitpick, because in the end it’s still a solid paint job from a foot or more away. Articulation – we get almost everything you can want:
Neck – 360 swivel, 20 degrees up and down
Chest – Ab crunch, 30 degrees forward, 10 back (rough estimate)
Shoulders – 90 degrees out, 180 front to back
Elbows – 90 degrees, single jointed, 360 swivel
Wrists – 360 swivel, closed fists
Waist – 360 swivel
Hips – T-Crotch with 75 degrees out, 180 degrees front to back.
Knees – 100 degrees, double jointed, swivel above
Ankles – 45 degrees front to back, ankle rocker, 360 swivel
The only thing missing would be a cut above the bicep, maybe some double jointed elbows.
Now, with all this, it doesn’t quite feel like a DCUC figure. The plastic is a little softer, a bit rubbery. Not a bad thing, just different. For the ankles – I noticed they were very firm and hardly moved. Once I applied some force and got them to rotate, they became loose. Not sure if I broke something or that’s the way they are supposed to be. Another downside for every figure using different technology, you don’t know what’s not supposed to move and what just needs a little push. :) All in all, this is a great figure and I hope DC Collectibles continues down this engineering path with more releases.
The rest of the wave is great sculpt and paint wise, but overall as a figure a little boring. Basic slight movements in key areas allow for some slight posing on your shelves, but they are lacking the action in action figure.
Check out our shots of wave 1 below!
Arkham Origins Batman – Yay Articulation!
DCC AO Batman – Bad Ass.
Black Mask and Joker – Great Sculpt, Great Paint. That’s About It.
DCC Akrham Origins Bane – Bigger Size, Not Cost.
Wave 1 - Batman, Joker, Black Mask, Bane
DC Collectibles Arkham Origins Wave 1 Gallery - The Toyark - News
Wave 2 - Anarky, Deadshot, Deathstroke, Firefly, Killer Croc
DC Collectibles Arkham Origins Wave 2 Gallery - The Toyark - News
Artistic Fancy Pants Shots
DC Collectibles Arkham Origins Highlights Photo Shoot - The Toyark - News
DC Collectibles Arkham Origins Group Shot
DC Collectibles AO Batman
Great shots boss, shame to hear about the breakages, sadly a common problem with DCC stuff(but not as bad as before AFAIK).
Surprised at how well Deadshot turned out. Croc and Batman look stellar. Shame both the DCC and Mattel Arkham Origins Deathstrokes have hindered articulation. So far the best Deathstroke figure overall is the DCUC wave 3 one by Mattel.
Even bigger shame since I dig the Arkham Origins design a lot.
^I personally think this is the best Deathstroke figure ever made. I'm totally head over heels. Any articulation hindrance in my opinion lies solely with the suit design (though it would have been nice to have moving pauldrons). If you work with him, he can even do a full-on crouch.
). Also, more than likely, you'll have to free up his ab crunch with some heat; avoid the soft parts while you're doing this or you'll certainly tear them while breaking it free. I bought a second one (which happens to be perfect by the way) even though the first was fully functional despite the breakages - he's just that good!! The Mattel version was a complete and utter waste of the $19.99 I paid for it.
Anarky was a very pleasant surprise with the endoskeletal articulation and soft hood.
And some caution should be exercised if anybody's planning to pick up Deathstroke. His sheath, holster, and the area where his over-the-shoulder belt meet are all prone to tearing. Just be careful when handling those areas, if they come off, super glue should do the trick. Watch out for the hilt of his sword too, it can easily snap at the bottom of the guard (all of these have happened to me
I'm absolutely surprised by how Anarky turned out! I'm glad I have him on order. The kind of engineering they did for his design makes me hopeful about other jacketed/hooded characters they may do in the future.
And I'm probably alone here, but I actually think Croc is a little too big. I like how he seemed to be smaller in Arkham Origins compared to Asylum/City, which seemed ridiculously exaggerated. Still, I'm not going to complain about getting that much bang for the buck. He is very well sculpted, it seems, and I'm impressed by his articulation. Can't wait to get mine.
I do hope that we get a Dick Grayson Robin from this line, even if it ends up being an exclusive. It seemed like a waste for that design to be used only in the multiplayer modes, so hopefully they'll at least decide to make a toy out of it like Nightwing from AC.
Also, is anyone else considering painting Anarky's mask gold? I just finished reading Knightfall, and I really like the red/gold look he used to sport pre-N52.
What type of poses can Firefly do?
Also, does Killer Croc feel like his joints are going to break? If not, I might have to pick him up since Mattel let me down and this one resembles his original look.
Also, does Killer Croc feel like his joints are going to break? If not, I might have to pick him up since Mattel let me down and this one resembles his original look.
Killer Croc - no - knees do not feel like they will break. That was probably the most well done construction wise. Plastic feels right, durable, right consistency for handling. Not too brittle, not too rubbery. You can move that guy around repeatedly without fear of breakage IMO.
I don't know what you guys are saying about Deathstroke being hindered with posing...
I've gotten mine in so many dynamic poses and even gotten him to stand with them. The only thing that's hindered his his thigh swivel because of the thigh armour design. Video game costume designers aren't thinking of making the design work perfectly in a toy, I'd rather DCC be accurate than just chop that bit off. Same with the shoulders, even then I don't think they're that hindered.
Even managed to get him to hold his sword two handed. The Mattel Unlimted Deathstroke is really limited... Can't do anything with it really. This figure is great, poses great. Don't understand all the complaints about it. I'd say it's better than the DCUC because it has nice ankle rockers and DCUC's just have the odd forward hinge.
Killer Croc - no - knees do not feel like they will break. That was probably the most well done construction wise. Plastic feels right, durable, right consistency for handling. Not too brittle, not too rubbery. You can move that guy around repeatedly without fear of breakage IMO.
Killer Croc - no - knees do not feel like they will break. That was probably the most well done construction wise. Plastic feels right, durable, right consistency for handling. Not too brittle, not too rubbery. You can move that guy around repeatedly without fear of breakage IMO.
Got'im:
^ Haha, nice.
Full Thread: Toyark's DCC Arkham Origins Galleries
Not a member yet? Join Toyark Now!