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Review of Harley Quinn - DC Bombshells statue
DC Collectibles
Date Published: 2014-01-31
Written By: Michael Crawford
Overall Average Rating: 2.5
out of 4



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Introduction
The new DC Comics Bombshells series of statues has been a hit so far, and the third release is a particularly popular
Batman Femme Fatale - Harley.
These statues are done in a 1940's pin up art style, designed to look like something you would have seen painted on the side
of a B-52. They incorporate various elements from the period to drive this theme home, and so far, have done so extremely
well.
Harley has been shipping for a couple weeks or so, and runs about $100 at most retailers. I have noticed that as demand has
risen for this series, some retailers are starting to charge higher prices, often close to $125.
This is a limited edition of 5200, which isn't particularly limited. However, they are selling out through most retailers,
so the higher production number seems justified.
Click on the image below for a Life Size version


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Packaging - ***
It's a standard box with no window, but the interior foam trays cradle the statue safely.
There's a very cool graphic on the side of this Harley riding a bomb...more on that in the Sculpting section.
While this is a limited edition, there's no numbering on the box (so you won't know what you're getting til you open it),
and there's no Certificate of Authenticity.
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Sculpting - ***
I've mentioned before how much I like the concept for this series, and that certainly hasn't changed. There's something
about the pin-up art style that works with these heroines and villainess', but I have to say that it works better with some
than with others.
I love the use of the bomber's jacket on Harley, and the military medals. The sculpted extras are good, and the various
areas have at least a little variation in texture. It's not major, but it's enough to get the point across. The hair has a
fun, flirtatious style, and the goggles complete the bomber look.
There's some nifty small details that are more Harley than bomber as well. I like the sculpted diamond pattern that
they've carried into this design from the more modern look. The gun is also pure Harley, and there's a cute little Batman
toy hanging from the grip. And just in case you weren't sure, she's wearing Batman's utility belt and has one of the Joker's
playing cards tucked in her stocking.
There are a couple aspects that I'm not that thrilled with, however. The sculpt is a little rough in some places, with
edges on some details - like the aforementioned card - looking sloppy and poorly defined.
I'm also not digging the winking expression. Perhaps a wink is just too fleeting, too dynamic, to capture in a statue like
this. Instead of the intended flirty expression, it looks like someone punched her in the eye and it swelled shut.
These statues are fairly large, and Harley stands 10" tall without the base...but with the pigtails. It's also a once piece
statue - no need to attach her to the textured faux steel platform.
In the Packaging section, I mentioned the graphic on the box with Harley riding a bomb. Once I saw that, I realized just
how cool THAT pose would have been, over this much more static look.
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Paint - **1/2
The Joker's gang logo on the back is very much like something you'd see on a bomber jacket of the time, and is a
highlight in this category.
While most of the colors are well chosen, and I like the overall palette, there's lots of little errors here and there that
pull done the overall paint score.
For example, the lips are sloppy and uneven, and many of the colors are inconsistent in coverage or finish. The black is a
particular offender in this area, but there's some issues with the skin tone as well.
There also appears to be some dirt stuck in the paint in a coupled spots, and many of the cut lines are wavy or uneven.
Those roughly sculpted edges aren't helped by a rough paint job.
While these are a limited edition, they've printed the number on the bottom of the base in the most basic way possible.
Even a logo here would have added a little something to the plain look.
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Value - **
I'm grading this at the $100 price tag, and comparing it to other 8 - 10" statues currently on the market. This is a pretty
hefty increase over the $85 or so that the Cover Girls were pulling in initially, and quite a bit more than the going rate
for a Batman Black and White statue. It's not a terrible value, but it is slighlty below average.
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Things to Watch Out For -
When unwrapping the little Batman, be patient. The paper is pretty tight, and you don't want to pull anything loose.
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Overall - **1/2
Harley was a much anticipated release for me, since I'm such a Bat-nerd. She's the first real disappointment for me in the
series, and I suspect the only one for awhile - I'm really digging the look of the up coming Batgirl, Black Canary and
Starfire.
While the sculpt and design have some issues, it's really the paint work that was the let down for me. At $100, I expect a
rock solid paint application, and far too many of the operations here were sloppy or poorly done.
It looks like Harley has sold through at most retailers though, making it clear that the overall concept for this series is
a winner, and I hope we see them really knock it out of the park with the next release.
Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***
Sculpting - ***
Paint - **1/2
Value - **
Overall - **1/2
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Where to Buy
Online options include these site sponsors:
-
has her for $125.
- Entertainment
Earth has sold out on pre-order for Harley, but I wanted to mention that they have free shipping offered right now on
the others in the series, and they all run around $100.
- or you can search
ebay for a deal.
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Related Links -
Other Bombshells include 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.
Discussion:
Want to chat about this review? Try out one of these terrific forums where I'll be
discussing it!
Enjoyed this review? Be sure to head back to the main page to find thousands more just like 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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