Review of Hawk, Dove, Green Arrow, Red Arrow
DC Universe Classics action figures wave 20

Introduction

This week I'm going to be looking at the latest releases in the DC Universe Classics and the Marvel Legends, very similar figures in many ways right down to the inclusion of a Build A Figure with each. I'm starting out with part one of my look at DCUC wave 20, including Hawk, Dove, Green Arrow and Red Arrow. Later this week, I'll do a second part with Sinestro, Reverse Flash, White Lantern Flash and the BAF Nekron.

It could be argued that this set is the least 'classic' of the classics, being from just before the re-vamp of the entire DC Universe. But modern fans will appreciate them, and I have to say that Nekron is pretty damn cool.

You can find these at retailers for around $16 or so, and they are also available at some online sellers. Even Matty Collector sold them last month (but at a whopping $18 each), but have since sold out.

Packaging - ***
The packaging has remained fairly consistent through out the run, and that's a good thing for most MOCers. That provides for a consistent display, but if you're an opener it won't be much of an issue.

The packaging has some basic personalization for each character, but does tend to hide the BaF piece.

Sculpting - Green Arrow ****; the rest ***1/2
All four are excellent sculpts, but for me it's the Green Arrow that stands out.

It's the somewhat old school head sculpt combined with the well designed costume. The extra articulation (he has pin wrists) help with posing, and it allows him to be even more dynamic on the shelf than the usual DCUC.

Dove has a pretty funky mask, but she's still one of the more attractive female figures we've had in awhile. I love the long ponytail in back too, which doesn't get in the way of the articulation. She doesn't have a ton of detail work on the costume, but it works for the character.

Her partner Hawk is a bulky due, with a more complex costume due to the wing-like cape on his back. I like the simple expressions on Green Arrow and Dove, but I have to say that Hawk's weird gritted teeth are a bit off-putting.

The same is true of the expression on Red Arrow. While the sculpt style on Green Arrow is a bit more realistic, Red Arrow is slightly more cartoony. It's an odd combination, but a minor quibble at best.

Red Arrow does have nicely detailed hair, and more sculpted details on his costume and quiver. The hands on both Arrows are sculpted to pose with and hold the bow, which works fairly well considering.

The scale ranges from 6 - 7" for this wave, with most figures coming in around 6 1/4 to 6 1/2". They fit in nicely with the rest of the series, both scale-wise and design-wise.

Paint - ***1/2
There's a few blurps and blips here and there, but for mass market toys these have a much better paint quality than average.

The mask edges are generally clean, especially on Dove. Her lips are quite clean - and very bright red - as well, and I like the darker airbrushed look to the edges of her collar.

The cut lines and separations on the Arrow costumes are particularly clean, due in part to the separate pieces like the strap and quivers.

Even Hawk has good ops, especially on the face and mask. His costume details are based more in paint than sculpt, so having sharp lines is quite important.

Articulation - ***1/2
I really like the basic body for both the female and male DCUC characters. For a 6 -7" figure, it poses extremely well, and is fairly lifelike.

All the joints are here - ball jointed neck and shoulders, cut biceps, waist, and thighs, pin elbows, knees and ankles, hinge hips and even ab-crunch. They are all fairly sturdy, and none of the joints were warped or felt like they would easily tear or break.

Hawk and Dove have the usual cut writs, but the Arrows both have pin wrists, making it easier for them to pose with the bow.

Accessories - Red Arrow, Green Arrow ***1/2; Hawk, Dove **1/2
All four of these come with a part for Nekron, which is enough to get them a **1/2 score, but if you aren't interested in building him, that won't mean much to you.

Green Arrow has his bow, which can't actually be drawn back. The arrow is attached to both the string and the bow, making the string immovable. Still, it fits well in his right hand, and you can get some reasonable basic poses.

Red Arrow has the same bow - with the same restriction - just in his color. He also has three alternate arrows, although just what you are going to do with them is a mystery to me.

Fun Factor - ****
These figures don't have quite the build quality (or imaginativeness) of the MOTUC series, but they are still extremely good action figures. Add in the superhero theme, and you get toys that most kids will find appealing.

Value - **1/2
You should be able to find these for around $16 each, give or take a bit. That's pretty average right now, but if you get hit for closer to $20, I'd pull a half star here.

Things to Watch Out For -
Not a thing with these four.

Overall - Green Arrow ****; the rest ***1/2
I'm a big fan of the DC Universe Classics, and I'll keep buying every wave til Mattel finally decides they've had enough. But that doesn't mean every figure is a knock out. 

This time though, I really like all four of these, especially the Green Arrow. Dove is a great female figure too, although Hawk is just another figure to add to the shelf, at least to me. Sculpting and paint are solid across the set, which is a big plus. As always, your mileage may vary.

I've included a lot of photos, so be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom.

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***
Sculpting - Green Arrow ****; the rest ***1/2
Paint - ***1/2
Articulation - ***1/2
Accessories - Red Arrow, Green Arrow ***1/2; Hawk, Dove **1/2
Fun Factor - ****
Value - **1/2
Overall - Green Arrow ****; the rest ***1/2

Where to Buy 
Your first choice for these guys is the local stores, like Toys R Us and Target, where they will run you around $15 or so each.

Related Links -
I've covered a lot of DCUC:

- obviously, the last set was wave 19, done in three parts: part 1, part 2, and part 3.

- just before that were the series 17 part 1 and part 2, as well as series 18 part 1 and part 2.

- other recent reviews covered the new Green Lantern waves: wave 2 part 2 and part 1, and wave 1 part 2 and part 1.

You should also hit the Search Reviews page to find the many other DCUC reviews prior to that, and in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.

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