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.
DCC Akrham Origins Bane - Bigger Size, Not Cost.
Arkham Origins Batman - Yay Articulation!
DCC AO Batman - Bad Ass.
Black Mask and Joker - Great Sculpt, Great Paint. That's About It.
CompaniesDC Collectibles
CharactersBatmanThe JokerBaneBlack Mask
Scale7 Inch
