Review of Hawkman - DC Unlimited action figure

Introduction

We've had a couple waves now of the new DC Unlimited and Batman Unlimited figures, the replacements for the once popular DC Universe Classics. And so far, so good - at least for me.

I did end up picking up a Superman, but have yet to break down and buy yet another Flash. But I have been looking forward to the Hawkman, and finally stumbled on him at the local Target last week.

These are also showing up at Toys R Us, and Meijer stores in the mid-west. Expect to pay around $15 or $16, depending on th retailer and your location.

Packaging - ***
The basic card art is pretty simple, and I'm not a huge fan of the wrap around cardboard, but there's a reasonable amount of personalization and information about the character. It's also very sturdy, and can hold up to peg or storage wear.

Sculpting - ***1/2
This isn't the first time we've seen Hawkman in this figure style or size, but this time we get his more modern look.

I love the armor, especially the boots and helm, which are sculpted with sharp, clean lines and definition.

We've seen these wings before, but here the paintwork helps bring out the extreme feather detail and texture. The wing span is mighty impressive too!

The right hand is designed to work with the included weapon, and the height - about 6 1/2" tall - allows him to fit in nicely with the old DCUC figures.

In fact, I was initially so impressed by the look of this figure that I considered giving him four stars here. But then I looked closer, and realized he was grimacing like a maniac.

I don't know who thinks this is a good expression for an statue or figure. It can work in a comic book, but once you go past two dimensions to three, it's no longer a good idea. No one actually bares their teeth quite like this, even in teeth whitening commercials.

Had they gone with a bit more of a tough guy expression minus the pearly whites, I would have been even more generous in this category.

Paint - ***1/2
The paint work is clean and sharp, with consistent coverage on the difficult gold. I love the bright color and glossy look of the armor. This is an eye catching look, and is one of the few New 52 designs I really like.

Perhaps the best aspect of the paint is the work done on the wings. The browns and subtle variations make these much more realistic than past versions.

There is one problem though - the skin tone on his lower face doesn't match the body. It's a minor issue, but noticeable enough, at least to me. 

Articulation - ****
He has the usual DCUC articulation - you've seen this base body many times before. Ball jointed neck, ball shoulders, pin elbows, ankles and knees, cut biceps, thighs and wrists, and an ab crunch. And don't forget those hinge hips!

All the joints work well, although I'd like a little better range of movement out of the neck, and swivels in the feet.

But even without that, I still went the full score because of the joints on the wings. At the body, the wings move inward and outward independently of each other, and both have a joint at the center of the wing itself. These joints allow for some decent posing, and add quite a bit to the look of the figure.

Accessories - ***
There are two extras - a deadly looking ax, and a small shield that doubles as a second weapon. The ax fits nicely in the right hand, and the shield snaps on the left forearm.

Both have excellent sculpts, with lots of detail work, and the bright gold paint work matches the armor.

Fun Factor - ***1/2
Just like the DCUC figures before them, these new DC Unlimited figures are great toys. The distribution isn't great, so I'm not sure that a lot of kids will end up them in their hands, and that's a shame.

Value - **1/2
While I'm not a huge fan of the $15 price point, it is pretty average these days, and he gets two decent extras.

Things to Watch Out For -
Not a thing!

Overall - ***1/2
While I was never a huge fan of Hawkman in the comics, I have always loved the look of the character. The earlier DCUC versions were good, but this modern look rocks. It's not particularly unique - they've stolen design concepts from a number of characters and periods - but the combination of old school and modern style works.

I've liked several of these Unlimited figures, but this one is my favorite so far. With only a couple waves out that might not be saying much, but I suspect he won't lose the top spot for awhile.

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

Where to Buy 
Mass market retailers have been getting these in - check your local Target and Toys R Us, or even Meijer if you have one close. You can expect to pay around $15 each, or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
I've covered several of the other DC Unlimited and Batman Unlimited figures so far, including Dark Knight Batman and Planet X Batman, and New 52 Batman, Batgirl and Penguin.

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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