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Captain Toy/Michael's Review of the Week

Review of Penguin - Batman Returns
DC Multiverse Action Figure

Mattel
Date Published: 2019-08-21
Written By: Michael Crawford
Overall Average Rating: 3 out of 4

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Penguin Batman Returns DC Multiverse action figure by Mattel

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Introduction

For all the amazing villains in the Bat-verse, we've gotten so few of them on the big screen. While the terrific Animated Series brought many to life, the films have stuck with a repetitive set of bad guys, and seem unduly fixated on the Joker. Occasionally we get the unique character, but they are usually C level and relegated to an early death.

Of those few we've gotten, we've gotten even fewer great performances. Yes, we can all name a couple, but considering the number of Batman movies, it's a pretty small number.  One that is particularly underrated is Danny DeVito's Penguin. In fact, Batman Returns itself is underrated, with terrific performances by Christopher Walken and Michelle Pfeiffer as well.  But the poor Penguin has been oft overlooked in the action figure department.

Mattel's Multiverse line is putting out several movie themed characters, and their DeVito Penguin just started shipping. If you're buying online, he's usually listed as a set of two with the Dark Knight Joker figure for around $50 - $60.

Penguin Batman Returns DC Multiverse action figure by Mattel

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Packaging - ***
The J hook box is fairly sturdy, and should hold up to shelf and storage wear.  However, it's not particularly collector friendly, and you will find yourself tearing it up to free the figure and accessories.  It could also use some instructions, since several of the pieces and how they work aren't obvious.

Penguin Batman Returns DC Multiverse action figure by Mattel

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Sculpting - ***
I'm a little disappointed with this sculpt. This figure is part of their 'Signature Series', and the whole point is to be a step up from the usual mass market release.  While the sculpt is reasonable, it's nothing special.

In fact, I'd say it looks like a very good cosplayer doing the DeVito Penguin, not Mr. DeVito in the makeup himself. If you want a great looking version, you should check out the quarter scale release from NECA - it remains my favorite.

The detail work on the costume is great, however, and the cloth outer coat fits nicely and flows off the shoulders well. I put the sculpted hair over the collar to get a tighter fit around the neck.

He stands about 5 3/4" tall, and should look good with other 6 1/2" - 7" Batmen.

Penguin Batman Returns DC Multiverse action figure by Mattel

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Paint - ***
The paint work is generally clean, but there's a few blips, particularly around the white shirt.

The face is a washed out, fish belly color, quite appropriate to the character, The teeth and eyes are clean, and the darkened circles around the eyes look great.  The hair lacks sculpt detail though, and the paint does nothing to offset that.

There's some nice smaller details in the tie and vest buttons, but the big chunks - the white shirt, gray vest, black pants - are pretty much cast in a single color. There's also a few spots of errant paint showing up on the shirt, and even in a couple places on the vest.

Penguin Batman Returns DC Multiverse action figure by Mattel

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Articulation - **1/2
This is never going to be a highly poseable figure, since the character design doesn't allow for it. But they did what they could with what they had.

The ball jointed neck is pretty restricted by the sculpted long hair, and the rotating hinge shoulders, elbows, and wrists have less range of movement than normal.  The huge torso and short arms makes a lot of poses impossible, but the torso does have a rocker joint that allows it to turn and tilt.

The legs are the best feature, with good hip, knee, and ankle joints. You can get natural stances thanks to these three, which work together nicely.

Penguin Batman Returns DC Multiverse action figure by Mattel

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Accessories - ***
He has some important ones, and some odd ones too.

There's two extra hands, and they swap cleanly. These are all gripping hands, and there's not a ton of difference between them, but some work better with certain accessories.

He has his top hat, which simply sits on the top of his head. It topples off quite easily, so you'll spend plenty of time replacing it.

He also has his basic umbrella, with a blasting bullet tip that can be removed.  The blast effect looks great, but the umbrella itself is made from a very rubbery plastic.

Since the cloth coat is removable, I'm counting it here as an accessory.  As I mentioned earlier, the tailoring and fit are quite good considering the odd body shape.

There's also a display base, which is part of the Signature Series brand. The base can open up and you can put the extra accessories inside, and there's a backer card included that attaches as well. There are several foot pegs too, and these can be placed into the base in a few different holes.

Which brings me to the weirdest extra - an angled support rod designed to hold him above the ground. There's a hole in his back to attach him to the rod, but you'll have to remove the outer coat to use it.

Had they included an open 'flying' umbrella, this would have made sense. But with the accessories we have here, I'm not sure how the Penguin would get airborne.

Penguin Batman Returns DC Multiverse action figure by Mattel

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Penguin Batman Returns DC Multiverse action figure by Mattel

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Fun Factor - ***
Match him up with one of the various Keaton Batmen we've gotten before, and you'll have fun with various poses and set ups. Or combine him with the Joker and start your own Batman movie villain gallery.

Penguin Batman Returns DC Multiverse action figure by Mattel

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Value - **1/2
He'll cost you around $25 or so, which isn't too much more than the standard Multiverse figure you can get at Target.  The quality of the extras, including the coat, is quite good, so while he has his warts, they aren't too far out of line with the price point.

Penguin Batman Returns DC Multiverse action figure by Mattel

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Things to Watch Out For -
Not a thing.

Penguin Batman Returns DC Multiverse action figure by Mattel

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Overall - ***
I'm a bit disappointed by the likeness on this one. From the neck down, he's pretty much what I expected considering the price point, but I was really hoping to see Mattel step it up in a major way on the head sculpt. Alas, it's not to be. It's a reasonable likeness, and certainly one people will recognize. But that recognition will come mainly from the obvious outfit, body shape, and nose, not from a close resemblance to DeVito.

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***
Sculpting - ***
Paint - ***
Articulation - **1/2
Accessories - ***
Fun Factor - ***
Value - **1/2
Overall - ***

Penguin Batman Returns DC Multiverse action figure by Mattel

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Where to Buy 
Online options include these site sponsors:

- has the Joker and this figure for $53.

- or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
Other Batman Returns items include the 1/4 scale figures, like Catwoman, the Mayoral Penguin, the regular Penguin, and Batman himself.

Other figures from the Burton movies include the terrific Tweeterhead Catwoman statue, the NECA video game Batman, the Hot Toys Batman, the Hot Toys Joker, including the 'mime' version, and the Sideshow Premium Format Batman statue.

You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.

Discussion:
Want to chat about this review?  Try out one of these terrific forums where I'll be discussing it!

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This product was purchased for the review by the reviewer. Photos and text by Michael Crawford.

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