DC Direct 13" Nightwing

[Natrix]

I picked this up today during my lunch hour and haven't had time to open it yet but here are my initial impressions.

He comes without a mask attached so you get a good look at the headsculpt which looks a lot like Tom Welling as previously mentioned when the figure was announced. The masks look to attach the same as the Green Lantern. Comes with two masks, 3 "batarangs" (not sure what he calls them), 2 sticks and a pair of bendy hands in addition to the fists. I would really like to see sculpted hands to be able to hold the accessories properly which at this price point is unacceptable this far into the line. The costume looks ok but the boot and glove cuffs look kinda funny as they are so big.

I will get some pictures posted later tonight.

 

[Natrix]

Here are a few quick pictures.

I hate the bendy hands, they don't look right. It looks like he wants to drink a cup of tea the way his pinky sticks out.



The alternate blue mask.



Tom, is that you? I thought you were Kal El not Nightwing?



The headsculpt looks more like Welling from a distance (not zoomed in on like the picture) but you can tell a resemblance.

 

[Agent0028]

Looks pretty cool. I've been toying with the idea of getting this along with the blue and gray Batman and Batgirl. I would like to get Robin too, but I wish he had pants instead of shorts on so it would be more like the modern Robin.

 

[Darklord Dave]

Just got him today too. I never liked the modern Nightwing costume, but the figure has a lot going for him. I love the loops for the sticks that are on the back of the costume. And the technology that holds on the mask is amazing - it works so well. Nice addition to the bunch of DCD figures.

And bite your tongue about Robin not being in shorts - he was in shorts for 50 years! I'd rather have the classic at least at first. I think the line's doing really well though - so we will probably get a modern Robin in time.

 

[Natrix]

Classic Robin makes sense when there is a Classic Batman and Batgirls coming, not to mention an easier outfit to make. I agree with Dave though that a Modern Robin will more than likely be made as well.

Also, the joints are nice and tight on the Nightwing figure unlike the Martian Manhunter I got.

 

[Agent0028]

Yeah I know the classic Robin makes sense. I just figure having Nightwing with the classic Robin would be off. I know, I know classic Batman and classic Batgirl with modern Nightwing and Robin but honestly I couldn't tell you what Batman's current suit looks like. I'm an odd duck when it comes to comics and collectibles.

 

[Natrix]

Yeah I know the classic Robin makes sense. I just figure having Nightwing with the classic Robin would be off. I know, I know classic Batman and classic Batgirl with modern Nightwing and Robin but honestly I couldn't tell you what Batman's current suit looks like. I'm an odd duck when it comes to comics and collectibles.

There is a "modern" Batman along with a modern Catwoman too...

 

[Agent0028]

Hmm, that looks cool. Alot like the 1/4 Batman I have though... Prolly only available on ebay though, isn't it? Man I just opened a can of worms. What was Batgirl's latest look before she became Oracle?

This board has an amazing power to make me buy things... You would think if I don't read the comics enough to know this stuff myself I wouldn't buy it. And you'd be wrong.

 

[Gatack]

Nightwing doesn't even get treated well in his own book. It's not surprising that he's been giving such a mediocre figure. It's such a bad time to be a Dick Grayson fan.

 

[Agent0028]

I double checked, because I couldn't remember for sure which comic it was that I recently read that had a Batman costume that was similar to the other one, but its Hush. As far as I can tell the only big difference is that in the figure he has the yellow circle around the bat symbol on his chest and in Hush he only has the symbol, like on the modern suit. So that must be what made me think about getting that Batman w/ Nightwing and wishing they had a Time Drake Robin. I think I like that more, since I have the modern costume in 1/4 form.

Thanks for the pic of the modern Batsuit and the other info. I have a feeling I'll go ahead and get the blue and gray batsuit, Nightwing, and wait for the modern Robin. Not sure what I'll do about Batgirl though. Any suggestions from those who are wiser than me.

 

[Collector Freak]

Who is this character?

 

[bluesparrow]

Who is this character?

The original Robin, grown up.

 

[Rob]

There is a "modern" Batman along with a modern Catwoman too...

Funny thing is, is that the DCD 'Modern' 13" Batman looks more like Batman in 'Year One', than what he looks like right now.

 

[Gatack]

Who is this character?

Dick Grayson former Robin and former leader of the Tean Titans during their hayday and former leader of the Outsiders.

 

[Darklord Dave]

Nightwing doesn't even get treated well in his own book. It's not surprising that he's been giving such a mediocre figure. It's such a bad time to be a Dick Grayson fan.

Judging from the above, all of us who have the figure don't think it's mediocre. Given the lacklusker costume (albeit accurate) and the base body, I can't imagine how they could have done Nightwing any better.

 

[Natrix]

Judging from the above, all of us who have the figure don't think it's mediocre. Given the lacklusker costume (albeit accurate) and the base body, I can't imagine how they could have done Nightwing any better.

I agree. I liked it more than I thought I would when the preview pictures came out. The outfit while rather simple is nicely done and I like how they have done the removable masks on the GL and now with Nightwing (G.A. will be the same I would imagine). They do need to go with more variety of sculped hands for the accessories (like Catwoman) instead of the bendy hands and do something about the cut joints on the biceps and thighs. He is on par with the other DC 13"ers (which can be good or bad depending on your POV) but they all look good together.

 

[Gatack]

Judging from the above, all of us who have the figure don't think it's mediocre. Given the lacklusker costume (albeit accurate) and the base body, I can't imagine how they could have done Nightwing any better.

Good for you and your brethren but I'm sure you can imagine them doing Nightwing better. I'm positive of that. Hell if you sat down with the people of DC Direct and had five minutes with them I'm sure you could come up with a few suggestions. (Hell here's one, why not base the head sculpt off an original piece of George Perez art? A nice head sculpt would do wonders. That's one idea. DC can have that one. Free of charge).

That has nothing to do with how I see it. Yes he is on par with the other DC Direct and that's not a good thing.

 

[The Mike]

As far as I can tell the only big difference is that in the figure he has the yellow circle around the bat symbol on his chest and in Hush he only has the symbol, like on the modern suit.

Technically the symbol is based more on Alex Ross' interpretation of it.
Jim Lee's version has no circle but the bottom is different, the point of the tail is longer than the wings and makes a vertical line to the tip of the wing ends. Its personally my favorite way its been drawn and I've actually gotten a custom silkscreened shirt of it...

 

[piccolodaimaoh]

Technically the symbol is based more on Alex Ross' interpretation of it.
Jim Lee's version has no circle but the bottom is different, the point of the tail is longer than the wings and makes a vertical line to the tip of the wing ends. Its personally my favorite way its been drawn and I've actually gotten a custom silkscreened shirt of it...

I think the style of the DC Direct Batman figure is either Alex Ross or Ed Mcguinness.

On a side note I love this pic of Jim Lee's Batman. I think Jim Lee is the best Batman artist today. I believe he was born to draw Batman, too bad Lee says he won't draw Daredevil.

 

[Agent0028]

Interesting...thanks for the info, I would have never noticed that on my own. I think its cool how those of you who really know your comics can recognize a particular artist's style.