DC Direct is pumping out more
figures than most collectors can keep up with. I think they get the
record for breaking the most collector piggy banks, and the flood doesn't
look like it's about to let up. Another
of their recent releases, Raven and Cyborg both retail for the usual
$13-$20, depending on the comic store you pick them up at.
|

|
Packaging - ***
The usual, as far as DC Direct card art and packaging goes. Nice
graphics, and pretty tough to stand up to shelf wear. I'm still not
particularly fond of the DC Direct yellow band on top, but overall it's
not bad packaging.
Sculpt - ***1/2
Both Raven and Cyborg look terrific. Raven is a work of art, both
in sculpt and paintwork. The design is terrific, and she is
fetching.
Cyborg isn't bad, it's just that he isn't
the most exciting character on the face of the earth. They did a
decent job, but I just can't get too het up.

|
|
Value - **1/2
At an average of about fifteen bucks, DCD figures continue to be too
expensive. Sure, we should be thankful we're getting these unusual
characters, but the price points are still too high.
Paint - ***
The paint ops on these two figures are fairly good, particularly Raven.
The even color on her cape and dress is extremely well done, and she will
look great on any one's shelf. Be careful on her pupils though, and
pick one out where they are centered and straight. Cyborg is also well done, with clean
lines between the flesh tones and the silver.
Articulation - ***
Here's a category that Cyborg really helps - he has good articulation,
with neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hips, knees and ankles. Poor
Raven isn't quite so lucky - she does have very good arm articulation,
with shoulders, cut biceps, elbow and wrists, but the rest of her is solid
plastic. Cyborg helps pull this score up from ** or **1/2 to
***. Too bad not all the DC Direct figures have his number of useful
joints.
Accessories - **1/2
Nothing particularly exciting here, but Raven's stand works well.
Accessories is another area that DC Direct figures are seriously
underwhelming. Cyborg does have interchangeable hands though, which
is a nice touch.
|
|
Overall - ***
Dc Direct continues to provide the collector with figures that they might
never get to have otherwise, and for that we should be thankful.
More consistency with articulation, more accessories, or a lower price
point would certainly improve these figures, but they look great.
|