That panel is really a huge deal. It's what makes it really obvious that this is a toy and not a miniature person. Say what you want about DX12, but it doesn't have any one huge glaring flaw that kills the suspension of disbelief like that. It's all the more frustrating because it wasn't necessary - no reason they couldn't use the same solution used for DX02 and DX12.
I'm not saying it's not a great figure, I'm just saying your argument conveniently leaves out the one huge glaring flaw that DX09 had.
Of the figures released that year, though, I think DX08 trumps both DX09 and DX12 in terms of production and impressiveness.
I've been meaning to respond to this sentiment for a while.
I have no problem with the panel at the back of the DX09 head. I really feel it's the best way to handle that figure. The method used for the DX02 and DX12 would not work well for 2 reasons.
1) The joystick would be near impossible to reach because of the all-in-one cowl/neck design. The tool to reach it would be absurdly long and cumbersome. And any breakage or other problems would be completely out of reach for repairs.
2) The cape is difficult to futz and it would be a huge production every time you wanted to reposition the eyes. With the DX02/12 the head is magnetic, and can simply be lifted of easily without disrupting anything. Even if they could have made the DX09 neck joint magnetic (which I have a difficult time imagining since the design doesn't lend itself to that) the cowl still holds the cape in place.
I literally never think about the panel at the back, though I worried I would. But I am glad to know that I can repose the eyes with such ease at any time.
In light of this argument I hope you equally have a problem with ball-joint heads on high end figures. Wanna talk about killing the suspension of disbelief, nothing does it better than the head looking like it was severed and then plopped back onto the neck.
So how about the eyes on DX12? I don't have the figure but in pics they always look way too big and very toyish.
Out of the box they do, but most have modded them to look better. At least most that post pictures, it seems.
If I had to pick one thing that kills the suspension of disbelief when it comes to the DX12 though, it would be the thunder thighs. They look inhuman at even a glance unless you have them hidden in shadow or behind the cape. But again, this can be modified.
For those that hate the panel at the back of the DX09, they are pretty SOL though, since the is no mod to fix it short of sculpting it - thus permanently cutting off access to the PERS.
Can't wait to add another Burton Bat-piece to the Hot Toys collection!
totally agree. 
