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Kubrick Batman 400%
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Pre-ordering is so evil. It's become a necessity these days, what with
most figures not carried in retail locations, and manufacturers worried
about even producing something that doesn't have enough demand. But
it's still evil.
It's evil for two reasons. First, you end up forgetting what they
hell you pre-ordered back in February, see an ad for it again, and think
"Damn, I better pre-order that!". Then you get that
delightful surprise of an extra set/bust/etc. on your doorstop months later.
Today's review covers the second reason it's evil. Occasionally,
not often, but every so once in awhile, I end up with a toy that I've
pre-ordered, and I have to wonder "Did I really do that many drugs as a
teenager? Or was there some sort of head injury that caused me to
order this?"
One of those is the subject of tonight's review. It's the 400%
Kubrick's Batman. You know all about those cute little Kubrick's, who some
collectors feel are evil as well since they started the massive mini-figure
boom. A guest reviewer covered the original set of Batman
figures, and I covered the animated Batman
series. Medicom has gone one better, or weirder depending on your
point of view, and produced a Batman exactly the same as the U.S. released
comic version, yet 400% larger.
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So what's so wrong about that? Well, nothing, at first glance.
Hey, I bought one!
Packaging - **1/2
Bats comes in a large box with a fifth panel flap. The box is
basically plain, with little info and the very basic Batman logo.
They do get extra credit for two reasons though - the box is very sturdy,
and it's completely collector friendly. You can open it up and remove
the figure, then put it back later without nary a twisty tie in sight, and no
damage to the packaging.
Sculpting - ***
The sculpt matches the small, teensy version exactly. It's a sharp looking
Batman in the small scale, but lacks much detail when you blow it up to Kong
proportions.
The lines are clean and sharp, but with little detail, just as you'd
expect. The cape flows nicely, even in this scale.
Paint - ***1/2
The paint ops are particularly clean and neat, although there's not a ton of
small detail. The definition between the colors, particularly the blues
and grays, is extremely good and well masked..
Articulation - **
In a mini-figure, the articulation is pretty good. There's neck,
shoulders, hips, and wrists. The smaller figure also has waist, but I
couldn't get this one to budge.
One of the cool features of the smaller versions is the ability to take
them apart and swap around appendages and clothes. Not so here, or at
least as far as I can tell. The head and neck post should slide out, but
I wasn't able to get it to budge, and after spending fifty bucks, wasn't
interested in breaking it for the knowledge.
Also, several of the joints are more restricted in this scale, especially
the arms. However, the arms and legs click into place, making them more
sturdy and able to handle the greater weight in various positions.
Accessories - Bupkis
Yep, zippo. The small versions don't have much either, but that doesn't
make it any less of a disappointment. Considering that these are cool
because they are TOYS, and not statues, you'd think they'd give them a little
more play value.
Fun Factor - **1/2
Kids who like the small versions may find this fun in a unique way at first,
but I suspect the interest would wear off pretty quick. He's got no one
to interact with in his scale, and he can only stand in for Godzilla so many
times.
Value - *1/2
Retail on this puppy is around $55. That's astounding to me,
considering what other fantastic toys you can get these days for that kind of
money. I paid less than that for Sweetums, and he was, well, he was
Sweetums!
Overall - **
It's the price that's really the killer here, and you're paying as much as
you would for an excellent 18" figure from NECA, or even a great sixth
scale figure from bbi.
But even ignoring the price, I can't get over the fact that this figure is
really just a novelty, like fake vomit or giant scissors. Oh sure, it's
amusing for a moment, but just like the scissors, it can't really do the job
that the normal version is designed for.
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Kubrick's are cute, nifty and collected because they are
mini-figures. The Lego-esque style works in that scale, and reminds
you of the fun that toys can be. In this scale, they look like a point
of purchase display, not a cool little toy. Now, if they WERE a POP
item, that would be a whole different story, but they aren't. They're
just giant scissors that can't really cut anything.
Things to Watch Out For -
I'd be careful with the arms, and hitting them against the hard cape. I
suspect it would be pretty easy to mark either the spines or the cape up.
And you might give it a shot at taking him apart, but I won't guarantee it
will work.
SCORE RECAP:
Packaging - ***
Sculpt - ***
Paint - ***1/2
Articulation - **
Accessories - Bupkis
Fun Factor - ***
Value - *1/2
Overall - **
Where to Buy -
Comic shops and on-line stores are your answer if you're looking to add the
giant to your Batman display. On-line options include:
- I picked up mine through Alter
Ego Comics, where they are $48.
- Killer Toys has him for $55.
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Figure from the collection of
Michael Crawford.
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