Review of Catwoman - New 52 Cover Girls Statue

Introduction

With this summer's release of The Dark Knight Rises, Catwoman has become a very popular character once again. There's no shortage of figures, statues and busts, but most of them are based on her screen look.

DC Direct is continuing their Cover Girls statue series with a slightly different Catwoman - the New 52 design. The series has taken a shift in the last year, following the comics lead and focusing on the New 52 theme. I'm not a fan, and I'm still disappointed by the decision.

This statue is just now shipping, and will run you around $85 or so, depending on the seller.

Packaging - ***
I've mentioned several times now - probably far more than enough - that I don't like this new, dull, boring white packaging. I can live with the redesigned logo, and I understand that a minimalist approach can work with graphics and text. But just leaving them off and making the box white doesn't cut it.

They dropped the 'limited' designation a couple statues ago, so you won't see any mention of it or an edition size on the box. Of course, that also means there's no Certificate of Authenticity.

Sculpting - ***1/2
Of the first three of the New 52 Cover Girls (Catwoman, Harley and Wonder Woman), I like this pose and design the best, hands down. No doubt she's sexy, and the more realistic proportions are a nice change of pace.

For those not familiar with this series, the ladies are scaled at about 8". Catwoman would stand right about there if she was flat on her feet, without the stone base. Altogether, she comes in at just under 10".

The rooftop base is a great touch for this character, although I do find the similarity to the recent Huntress Bishoujo statue amusing. I'm sure they're telling themselves that great minds think alike, not that using an architectural detail for these particular characters is a no brainer.

There's some nice detail work here, especially on the cute cat backpack - or is that a catpack?

The one thing that holds it back, at least for me, is the addition of the running feline at her feet. It seems out of place, and lacks the detail and realism of the rest of the statue.

Paint - **1/2
When you spend $85, you expect a top paint job. Unfortunately, there's a drop off here.

The eyes are the most noticeable issue. Of course, they're critical since you see them first, and see them every time you look at her. Poor Selina has a bit of a lazy right eye, trailing off center from the left. From certain angles, you won't notice, but if you were actually talking to her, you would have one of those awkward moments where you're not quite sure which eye to look at.

The paint edge along the hair and face is fairly sloppy as well, and the eye color seems a bit gloppy and thick. Several more of the cut lines are poor, without the crisp edges you expect, taking away more of the life-like appearance.

I do like the high gloss costume, and how it contrasts with the matte colors, but the overall quality is not up to par for this price point.

Value - *1/2
These statues are running around $85 at most retailers. Their Batman Black and White statues are slightly smaller, but have remained under $70. They dropped the 'limited' nature of these and the Batman B&W series, but unlike the color challenged superhero, it hasn't helped much with the price.

Of course, it also doesn't help that Kotobukiya is doing their series of Bishoujo DC figures at a much lower price, around $30 lower. Those are plastic and these are resin, but that tends to be more of a psychological difference than an actual cost difference.

Things to Watch Out For -
Not a thing.

Overall - ***
This is a sexy Catwoman, and for many people the more cartoony Bishoujo and Ame-Comi statues just don't do it. This is a good alternative, and is one of the better New 52 designs.

Still, she's not an $85 statue. If they want to charge that kind of green, they have to step up the quality. 

This is the sort of character that whenever you see her, you shouldn't see anything else. Sadly, all I can see every time I look at this statue is that damn cat leaping at her feet.

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

Where to Buy 
Online options include these site sponsors:

- Entertainment Earth is also at $85.

- or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
Previous Cover Girl reviews include:

- most recent was the New 52 Wonder Woman.

- prior to that was the Starfire statue, Raven, Hawkgirl, Armored Wonder Woman, Supergirl, and just prior was Poison Ivy, Batgirl, Harley, Power Girl, Catwoman/Wonder Woman, Zatanna, and Black Canary.

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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