McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse The Flash figure review

I’ve been patiently waiting for the next round of non-Batman figures from McFarlane Toys so I was excited to see The Flash. Thanks to Joshua Williamson’s incredible run since Rebirth (seriously if you haven’t read it, it’s well worth grabbing the whole thing). Flash has always been one of my favorite DC characters so let’s see how McFarlane Toys’ take fares.

Package: The packaging is fine in the line and it’s consistent from wave to wave.

It’s not very exciting, but shows the reference for the figure and the other figures in this loose wave presentation. It is cool seeing Flash in an action stance in the packaging.

Likeness:  We’re just in Year One with McFarlane Toys and it’s been impressive how McFarlane Toys is so dedicated to doing dedicated sculpts for each figure at this price point. I don’t detect a trace of reuse on Flash.

Like with Mezco, McFarlane is taking a bit of liberty with the source material. There’s random texturing and linework throughout the sculpt. It’s not a huge deal just an odd change from Flash’s more simplistic attire. I really like the raised lightning effects on the gloves and belt and the choice to rein in some of the random lightning effects throughout the costume.

For the most part, the design is based off Carmine Di Giandomenico’s take on the Flash costume. My least favorite part of the sculpt is the way too thick logo on the chest. It’s too chunky for Flash’s costume and actually looks like it would create some drag while he’s running. The exaggerated winglets are also overly long. That’s more noticeable from the sides and from that perspective in the right pose it looks more like another fast motion effect trail than the actual costume.

His torso utilizes a soft plastic “diaper” model so it doesn’t impede the articulation. Mine kind of raised up and won’t lay back down in place creating a weird looking visual.

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I’m not sure when Barry Allen got mistaken for Justice League Unlimited’s Wally West, but it’s become common now for creators to give Barry more of the whimsical smirking head sculpt.

This is one area where the DC Essentials figure blows away the McFarlane version as it features more of a classic Barry Allen friendly, but not playful expression.

 

He’s got a fist and an outstretched hand that I’m envisioning is his vibrating through solid objects in addition to cutting the air while he’s racing along.

Scale: There’s a slight bit of frustration looking at Flash compared to Superman and Batman from this same line. Everyone is around the same height and Superman clearly has more mass than the slender Flash, but the head sizes are all over.

Outside of Silver Age, Superman and Flash really shouldn’t be eye to eye. Scale is still very much a work in progress for McFarlane Toys with this line, but once they get a handle on it the line is going to be amazing.

Paint: I like the choice of red more with this figure compared to the cherry red of the DC Essentials figure. It’s sharper and more of a corvette style red.

There’s very minor areas where the red bleeds into the lighting effect area and the mask lining could stand being a bit sharper. These are tough areas to get just right though so this isn’t a big complaint.

Articulation: Flash moves very well. It’s hard to explain, but the figure moves and poses easily like a runner should. The joints are nice and tight so he won’t topple over easily.

The ankle joint still takes a little getting used to as I’m finding myself fiddling with that area almost as much as the DC Essentials figures. It’s easy to get a great running stance using the included stand, but I think with some fiddling on the ankle joint, I’ll have that down without it.

My biggest gripe is the lack of range with the neck, which doesn’t allow Barry to look up or down depending on how you’re posing him. The torso range will help, but it’s something that should be the norm with flying and running heroes.

The Flash has:

• neck
• ball-jointed shoulders
• elbow (double-jointed)
• wrist
• wrist hinge
• torso
• hips
• thighs
• knees (double jointed)
• ankles
• feet

Accessories: Flash comes some very cool lightning effects. There’s a back piece with two articulated longer bolts, two smaller bolts for the arm, longer ones for the legs and a base for a foot.

The transparent pieces fit into a few holes throughout the figure. It’s a unique way to show Flash’s speed and I dig it.

Importantly for Flash he comes with a stand that actually does a great job of keeping him upright in dynamic running poses. It’s a little thing, but McFarlane stands have been very effective in keeping the figures up — something that hasn’t always been the case in other lines.

He also comes with a file card with bio.

Worth It? It’s hard to knock the value of this line with all of the dedicated original sculpting. The Flash is another strong entry in McFarlane Toy’s DC Multiverse’s line.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

I’m taking down a few points for the head sculpt, the neck range and the too thick logo. Otherwise, it’s a really fun figure and a great addition to the DC McFarlane line.

Where to Get It? I’ve seen this wave at GameStop a few times and heard some mentions of findings at Target. They’re also available now at Amazon and up for pre-order at Entertainment Earth.