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Introduction
Can’t thank Michael enough for letting me be a part of this website. I have been reviewing 6th scale figures but it seems the smaller scales have significantly improved their quality and play value so I felt it’s time to get my hands on some of these easier to handle, easier to store and more enjoyable to play figures.
So what should the first review be, for a crazy Batman fan like me, you guessed it....
I have had a lot of smaller scale figures growing up, but this time I looked through all the figures from the (so called) high end 1/12 scale which are producing the JL
Batman and I particularly loved the way Mafex 056 looked, a darker, more muscular and meaner looking Dark Knight ready to put the fear of Bats in you. So after a couple
of months delayed release, just got my Batman shipped from Japan and God I’m excited to rip it out of the package (Just a figure of speech, no package ripping is ever
gonna happen by me).
Packaging - ***
If you are a collector of recent Mafex figure then you know what’s coming. It’s a very usual rectangular box with a very large window to show what you are getting. It’s
a pretty decent looking package with nice pictures of the actual figure on the sides and the back of the box which is also quite collector friendly but nothing over and
beyond. I would have been happier if they would have given some special thought on keeping the box designs based on the individual characters like if in this case the
box design resembled the texture of the newly developed Bat-suit, that would have been awesome.
Sculpting - ***
There is extensive amount of work done on this figure when it comes to sculpt, be it the face sculpts, accessories or the overall suit and to me this one looks the best
of the three Batflecks that Mafex has released. The figure stands 6,3/4 inches tall, so it’s quite tall considering a 1/12 figures so does justice to both Batman and
Ben Affleck. I have added a pic with the Multiverse Aquaman and it fits well. The whole body is newly sculpted due to the fact that the previous Mafex was based on the
more beaten and ruffed up version we saw in BvS. With the change in texture, Mafex has given a leaner and a more athletic body proportion to this one by making a
certain changes like a more curved in Abs for example. The extra hands and weapons also are well sculpted and detailed. This figure comes with two head sculpts, one is
a very typical emotionless, serious Batman expression and the second one an angry expression which is the last thing you will see if you are seeing the real Batman in
that mood. The serious sculpt is without a doubt Affleck and I would say it’s impressive to give a likeness at this scale especially when only a quarter of the face is
visible. I deducted half a star because of the angry face which is nice too but is just someone else (without a doubt again).
Paint - ****
Most of the body is not exactly paint but the dark grey colored plastic being used but the choice of the grey shade being used shines here nevertheless. The painted
parts like the matte grey gauntlets, the golden details on the hands, boots, belts and some other parts is done beautifully with a bit of grey wash over them to give a
more battle damaged and worn out look. The head sculpts are also done sharply with a little touches of black to give the unshaven look. The eyes are masterfully done to
be in one direction rather than squinty which is usually an issue in smaller scale figures and especially when the eyes are sculpted separately to be deep inside the
cowl.
Articulation - ***
Mafex figures mostly have a great range of articulation like a true type body that includes ball-jointed neck, Ball-and-socket hips, double jointed knees and elbows,
double ball-and-hinge shoulders, ball jointed/hinged wrists, Abs crunch and swivel, Ball-and-socket ankles, hinged toes and all of it is here too. The only thing I
didn’t quite like is that the mid torso joint is a bit loose, or I would say soft and this makes the whole figure kind of wobbly. I would have really preferred slightly
tighter joints overall as with time these soft joints will get loose really fast through posing. I would consider the cape in this category as the way it falls
has a lot to do with a caped figure’s appearance. The cape used here is a very fine material which looks leathery from the outside and matte velvety from the inside.
Its large enough to make a semi -circle once fully extended. I am very pleased to see the choice of material by Medicom as it complements the figure in many ways.
Accessories - ****
Medicom has always been generous when it comes to accessories with the Batman figures. They even added the battle damaged armoured head and the Kryptonite spear with
the Knightmare figure which didn’t have anything to do with it. Here we get 6 extra set of hands, all perfectly made to hold various weapons and he comes wearing the
fisted hands. He also comes with the alternate head, 3 Batarangs, Grapnel gun, Grenade launcher, a gas grenade and an articulated figure stand. All fully detailed and
perfectly painted. I would have loved to get a mother-box as well but that’s just me being greedy as always.
Fun Factor - ***
This figure is a high end item but still at a decent price point making it in between a collectible and a toy. It’s one of the coolest looking batman with tons of
accessories and a 1/12 true type kind of body which opens up the possibility of infinite posability or play time, depending on what you call it based on your age.
Value - ***
It’s available at most of the retailers at around $80 to $100. I however got it from a Japanese sight for the sake of early release and costed me $60+delivery.
Considering the scale, the quality and the overall package we get, It’s not cheap but worth every penny.
Things to Watch Out For -
High number of accessories means chances of losing them is high as well. The figure itself is quite sturdy and well built, so nothing too much to worry about.
Overall - ***1/2
Are you a fan of Batman, consider yourself among Sons of Batman, a DC fanboy, a superhero geek, a Superhero movie fanatic, an action figure lover, an Affleck fan, one
of the above, all of the above, then you have to have this one. A great looking figure with nothing to disappoint.
Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***
Sculpting - ***
Paint - ****
Articulation - ***
Accessories - ****
Fun Factor - ***
Value - ***
Overall - ***1/2
Where to Buy
Most of the sponsors have him listed around $80, or you can always hit Ebay but be quick as its going out as soon as the sellers are getting it in stock. Online options
include these site sponsors:
- Entertainment Earth has him for $85 on pre-order, but it includes free shipping.
- or you can search
ebay
for a deal.
Related Links -
If you're looking for other high end 1/12 Batman/Affleck figures, check out the Knightmare Batman, the BvS Batman, and the armored BvS Batman from Mezco.
You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.
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This product was purchased for the review by the reviewer. Photos and text by Arinjoy Mitra.
