Re: DC Collectibles doing Batman The Animated Series figures!!!!!
Responding to the question of which characters interest people...
I'm generally interested in ones that:
1) Could be improved significantly from their counterparts in the old Kenner or Mattel lines
2) Weren't part of the Kenner or Mattel lines (Roxy, for example)
3) Have a neat visual design
For example, DC Collectibles Mad Hatter looks better than the Kenner one (which was rabbit-like with his buckteeth) and I'm very happy with how the DC Collectibles Riddler has his typical closed mouth smirk and buttoned up jacket, unlike the old one with mouth open in an out-of-character huge grin and an open jacket. Zatanna is a huge improvement from the Justice League one too, which had the same personality-less mannequin face that poor Black Canary got.
I think the Kenner Joker, Creeper, Batman, Penguin, and Catwoman actually have better sculpts than DC Collectibles ones. Mattel's New Batman Adventures Scarecrow actually has a way better sculpt than the new one too. The only problem is that he's at a weird angle where the face is often obscured by his hat. Kenner Mr. Freeze and Alfred were pretty much perfect, aside from little things like Alfred's black hair and Freeze's gun being inaccurate.
One character who could be improved significantly is The Clock King. It's disappointing how Mattel released him as part of their JLU series, and therefore based the sculpt on a look much duller than his original designs in
"The Clock King" or
"Time Out of Joint". This means bald, no bowler hat, and glasses without clock hands (such a cool concept). I'd love to see a proper Clock King, although those little clock hand glasses might be too hard to sculpt. Anyone think the DC Collectibles sculptors could rise to that challenge?
I might be up for getting Alfred and Mr. Freeze too, but only if they have REALLY amazing scupts, because I'm happy with my Kenner figures of them. That's how I felt about Mad Hatter. Despite the rabbit teeth and too small eyes, I thought my Kenner Mad Hatter was good enough. However, the new one is so much better that I couldn't resist.
I like Hugo Strange, but prefer more interesting-looking characters. I was going to get Commissioner Gordon since he's a great character whose original design wasn't released in the Kenner line, but I find him so boring-looking. He gets a lot of praise here, but every time I see that figure in the store, I just don't feel like picking it up since his brown, yellow, and white outfit is so bland. Dr. Strange is a short, fat, bearded guy who has glasses, a suit, and white lab coat. I can't imagine him being a very visually appealing figure to display.
Usually, I prefer more colourful and uniquely-designed characters. I made an exception for Amanda Waller, though. I thought it's hilarious that they made this action figure of a short, fat, business suit-wearing woman. Also, I just loved her personality on
"Justice League" so much.
I was a little disappointed to see that two of the holes punched in the brown shipper translated over to the inner box, as well. They're superficial, and in no way could they have caused damage to the product, in my estimation, but it is a little disappointing. Nevertheless, as someone who opens these figures, anyway, it's taught me to be a little less OCD about the state of the packaging.
