Review – Batman / Catwoman 2 Pack (Arkham City) – Batman Legacy, Mattel

 Mattel Batman Legacy Arkham City Asylum 2 Pack Batman Catwoman 6" Action Figure

This Batman Week concludes today with a look at the Mattel Batman Legacy 2 pack of Arkham City Batman and Catwoman.

Catwoman seems to be one of those characters fans are always wanting. She’s been around since the very first issue of Batman’s own title in 1940, and has maintained popularity ever since.

She’s gone through many outfit changes over the years, some that seemed to be more practical than others, but they always maintained some sort of sex appeal. Not surprising, considering Catwoman is a character who loves to use her sex appeal to get what she wants and to distract her enemies as she pummels them.

Catwoman represents that side of femininity that often makes men uncomfortable. She’s strong, independent, and she knows what she wants and how to get it. She’s not afraid to use anyone or anything to get what she wants. She challenges every conception men may have about women and the “damsel in distress”. These days, this character type is not very original. We see the strong female characters all the time in T.V. and movies, and in comic books. However, back in the 40’s this was unheard of, and for a character like this to persist for more than 60 years in a male dominated industry I think is a testament to her character.

The choice to not only include Catwoman in Arkham City, but to make her a playable character was certainly a good call on the part of Rocksteady. Their design for Catwoman is more or less just a more realistic looking and textured version of her modern look in the comics.

How did Mattel do on this set? This mold for Batman has been used before, but Catowoman is entirely new. Is she alone worth buying the 2 pack for? Read on and find out!

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News – DC Direct No More, Now Welcome DC Collectibles

DC Direct Collectibles LogoThat’s right, DC Direct is done for. Well, actually it’s just the name that’s going away. DC Direct is being relaunched as DC Collectibles.

Read the full press release, and check out some photos of the Flashpoint Action Figure Box Set and the Blackest Night Sinestro Bust after the jump!

 

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Review – Harley Quinn (Arkham City) – Batman Legacy, Mattel

Mattel Batman Legacy Arkham City Harley Quinn 6" Action Figure

We’re continuing Batman Arkham City week by taking a look at the Arkham City Harley Quinn figure by Mattel.

Harley is the Yin to the Joker’s Yang. Or possibly, they’re both Yang which is why they almost never get along (also they’re not very nice people).

Harley was created for the Batman Animated Series back in 1992 by Paul Dini. They wanted a female henchman to give to the Joker, and she was only ever meant to be in one episode, but she was so well received they made her a recurring character and eventually Joker’s girlfriend. She’s now considered an integral part of the Batman rogues gallery, and has firmly planted herself into the DC Comics mythos.

She’s usually depicted in a red and black patterned body suit, with a harlequin hat and white face makeup. In the Arkham City video game, they um…they changed that. Here, she still sports the white face paint, but instead of a harlequin hat she has two pigtails, the ends of which are died black and red, and she’s dressed like any random girl found at a goth club.

The Arkham City designs were meant to be grittier, and if possible more realistic. You wouldn’t see someone running around in a body suit all day, but with this outfit you just might. Regardless it was a bold move on Rocksteady’s part to design her like this.

I think the design is great myself, but did Mattel do a good job of translating that design to plastic? Read on to find out!

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Review – Nightwing (Arkham City) – Batman Legacy, Mattel

Mattel Batman Legacy Arkham City Asylum Nighwing 6" Action Figure

This week, I’m going to have a theme for the reviews here at Mint Condition Customs. I’m going to have 3 reviews this week, all pertaining to Mattel Arkham City figures. The first one is today (obviously), the next one is tomorrow, and the last one is on Friday. That’s right folks, it’s Batman week! And not just Batman, but Arkham City! Arguably the greatest Batman game ever made (and one of the best action games ever made), it’s no surprise that it spawned several action figures. DC Direct did a line of figures based on the first game Arkham Asylum in 2010, and Mattel is jumping on the bandwagon by producing several figures based on the more recent Arkham City game.

Today we’ll be looking at Arkham City Nightwing, from the Batman Legacy line. How does it hold up? Is he a worthwhile figure? Keep reading to find out!

 

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News – Beware the Batman Cartoon Official, Thundercats May not be Returning

Cartoon Network Beware the BatmanCartoon Network released a press release yesterday from their Upfront presentation announcing new and returning series. DC may be pleased to know that the rumored “Beware the Batman” cartoon is officially coming out, and they can also expect the return of both Young Justice and Green Lantern. Star Wars have something to look forward to as well, with the return of Clone Wars for another season. However, one show that seemed to be missing was the new ThunderCats cartoon. The fact that the show was not listed in the press release could be a dark foreshadowing of its future. Once official word on its cancellation or renewal is announced, the news will be passed along to you. For now though, check out the press release with descriptions of all the new and returning shows, as well as a larger version of the teaser image for Beware the Batman.

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Custom Darth Knight Action Figure on eBay

Hey everyone, just posting that I’ve listed my custom Darth Knight Action Figure on eBay.

I know, I already listed him once, but the buyer was unresponsive and then decided to back out, so I figured instead of going through a long and arduous process with eBay that ultimately wouldn’t get them to pay anyway, I just decided to relist it.

So if you thought about bidding before, then here’s your chance.

Just click here to see the listing.

Happy bidding!

Ask Mattel – Answers for March 15th, 2012

Mattel Mattycollector Logo

1.) Jason Cue asks: Will there be any chance of getting the rest of the Lanterns done in the DCUC/DCAS size (i.e. Saint Walker, Indigo-1, Munk, etc)?

Something we would love to include as we get to more colored lanterns in the future!

 

 

2.) Jason J Walter asks: Hi! I was wondering if the Vertigo line of characters was under Mattel’s contract with DC and if so is there a chance we could see a John Constantine or Sandman (Morpheus) in the sub line in the future? It seems that these characters were almost tailor-made for the smaller, direct market, so why not pull the trigger and get them made? Constantine especially wouldn’t be difficult to make as large portions of him could be re-tools.

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News – Dark Knight Rises Movie Masters Alfred and Officer Blake Figures Revealed

Mattel Dark Knight Rises Movie Masters Batman PackagingEarlier today, Mattel revealed on Mattycollector two new Batman The Dark Knight Rises Movie Masters figures. The two new figures revealed were that of Officer John Blake, played by Joseph Gordon Levitt, and Alfred, played by Michael Caine. They also showed off the new packaging for the TDKR Movie Masters toy line. Mattel originally stated that the TDKR Movie Masters line would consist of 6 figures. With the previous reveals of Batman, Bane, and Catwoman, that just leaves one figure left to be revealed.

Read the full announcement and check out the pictures of the new figures after the jump!

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News – Release Date for DC Club Infinite Earths Poison Ivy Revealed?

Mattel DC Universe Club Infinite Earths Poison Ivy BatmanYesterday, the release date for the Club Infinite Earths Poison Ivy figure was revealed in the Ask Matty Q&A session over on The Fwoosh. This is surprising given that an official announcement for Poison Ivy’s release date haven’t been released by Mattel yet, meaning the date could change.

More information and the release date revealed after the jump!

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News – DC Direct Schedule and Price Update for February 2012

DC Direct has updated their website with new images and info. We get new pics of upcoming Batman: Arkham City figures, New 52 Justice League figures and some previously seen Dark Knight Rises busts and statues.

Action Figures
• BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY: DELUXE: KILLER CROC Action Figure
• BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY: DELUXE: MISTER FREEZE Action Figure
• JUSTICE LEAGUE: AQUAMAN Action Figure
• JUSTICE LEAGUE: GREEN LANTERN Action Figure

Statues and Busts
• THE DARK KNIGHT RISES: BANE 1:6 SCALE ICON STATUES
• THE DARK KNIGHT RISES: BATMAN 1:6 SCALE ICON STATUES
• THE DARK KNIGHT RISES: CATWOMAN 1:6 SCALE ICON STATUES
• THE DARK KNIGHT RISES: BANE BUST
• THE DARK KNIGHT RISES: BATMAN BUST
• THE DARK KNIGHT RISES: CATWOMAN BUST
• AME-COMI: BLACK FLASH PVC FIGURE

Check out some of the pics and lots more info after the jump!

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