Review of the Joker's Daughter
DC Bombshells statue

Introduction

It's been awhile - several months - since I last checked out a DC Bombshells statue, and I wasn't super happy with that one. It's time to look at another, with hopefully a very different reaction this time around.

For those uninformed on the concept of the 'Bombshells', these are statues based on the designs of Ant Lucia. Having a single designer gives a greater consistency to the overall line, a big plus.

The basic concept takes a comic book hero or villain, and gives them a 40's retro look. Think wartime airplane artwork, and you'll have a good idea of the style.

For me, these work best when you can instantly recognize the character, and the retro design makes sense within the context.  The latest release is a bit unusual - the Joker's Daughter. In the comics, she was originally Duella Dent, daughter of Harvey Dent, who claimed to actually be the offspring of a number of villains. In more recent incarnations, she's a psycho trying to become the Joker through some pretty crazy means.

This statue will run you around $100 depending on the retailer, and is limited to 5000.

Packaging - ***
Nothing unique here.  The basic box has graphics of the statue, and the interior foam trays are sturdy and dense. The edition size and number is printed on the bottom of the box, the foam trays, and on the base itself. There is no Certificate of Authenticity.

Sculpting - ***1/2
These statues stand about 10" tall, including the base. This one has a very 40's cabaret feel to it, complete with feathers and wartime lingerie. She has one leg raised, holding a cane in one hand and a Joker's mask in the other.

The cane and mask are separate pieces. The mask fits in the left hand, with a small bump on the stick to keep it from dropping too far into the grip. The cane is held loosely by the right hand, and you should keep this in mind when moving it - it can easily fall.

I really like the overall design, and some of the features - like the 'mask' - are elements from the more modern version, while others hearken back to the Dent persona.  There's lots of detail too, even in the various textures, like the hair, feathers, clothing, and tiny 'skulls' on her belt. The face is attractive yet non-descript, and if you're familiar with the character, it's pretty clear who this is supposed to be.

I don't love the look of the ripped stocking on her right knee, because the sculpted material is quite thick and pulls some realism away from the overall look. But the majority of the sculpt is well above average, and I adore the look of the Joker mask.

It's worth mentioning that there are actually five separate pieces to this statue that you assemble. Obviously there is the overall character, as well as the disk stand. The plaque on the front of the disk is held in place with a strong magnet, and as I mentioned, the mask and cane slip into the sculpted hands.

Paint - ***
There's some really cool things about this paint job...but there's still more issues than I like to see.

The best thing is the Joker's mask. The paint style and super high gloss finish make it look very much like a ceramic mask, just like you'd expect. The contrast with the flesh tones and matte finish on the rest of the statue give it a lot of visual pop.

Most of the many operations - and there are more than we usually see with statues in this line - are clean and consistent. The skin tone and make up are particularly good, and the hairline is subtle.

But there are a few spots where dirt has gotten into the paint, like on the bra, and some edges, like between the shoes/stockings, are sloppy. There's some harshness to the contrast in a few spots too, particularly on that torn stocking at the knee.

Still, overall it's a solid job, and while I have my nits, they are far from deal breakers.

Value - ***
Somehow they are keeping these in the $100 range, and I'm very pleased with the price point. The paint quality has improved overall, and that's an area where I've been vocal in the past. It's nice to see the price remain consistent even when quality increases.

Things to Watch Out For -
As I mentioned, the cane doesn't snap into anything, and merely rests on the base and inside her sculpted hand. If you pick up the statue, the cane can easily tumble out.

Overall - ***1/2
While I docked them a slightly on the paint work, my Overall is boosted by the better than average Value score. I'm really pleased with this release, and the design will stand out from the crowd.

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

Where to Buy 
Online options include these site sponsors:

- Entertainment Earth is at $105, but has free shipping.

- or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
The last Bombshells I looked at was Wonder Woman, and before that we had Green Lantern, Starfire, Jessie Quick, Killer Frost, the Superman/Power Girl statue, Mera, Hawkgirl, Stargirl, Black Canary, Batgirl, Harley, Poison Ivy, Supergirl and Wonder Woman.

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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