McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse Gold Label The Flash review – CTB Flashpoint Cyborg

I get that McFarlane Toys had to start off with the current — for the moment — costumes of the A-list DC characters, but I’ve been waiting on the classic 70s/80s looks for my favorites. The Knightfall Batman and Gold Label Martian Manhunter scratch that old school itch and now we get another to join the classic era Justice League with the Flashpoint Gold Label The Flash figure.

Flash’s costume is one of those that is largely impossible to improve upon. The first McFarlane largely stuck to the Rebirth look with some interesting design changes. Now I’ve got the version I’ve wanted thanks to the surprising choice to include Flash in the Flashpoint wave.

Let’s see if Todd’s version will be my definitive take of this costume.

Package: Retaining the same packaging setup is admirable from a certain point of view. is fine in the line and it’s consistent from wave to wave. This is a bit bigger than the standard setup as it has to incorporate the apparently massive Collect to Build Flashpoint Cyborg figure. As always it’s nice to be able to see everything in the package and be able to choose the best paint job for the figure.

The sides are dull and the rear portrait features Cyborg instead of The Flash. You can see him at the bottom along with the previously released Flashpoint Aquaman and Project Superman figures.

Likeness:  The Flash’s classic outfit is smooth without a lot of distracting elements to it. To jazz it up a little, McFarlane decided to make the lightning bolts around the waist a separate sculpted part.

I don’t mind this switch but it does make for an inconsistent visual since the wrist bolts and logo are painted on.

Flash’s head sculpt is solid giving Barry a determined expression without making him look too intense. That’s not his default personality compared to say a Batman or John Stewart.

This time the lightning tips on the ears and boots are more reserved staying truer to the comic book look.

Barry has a fist and a left-hand trigger finger. That’s a weird choice especially for a runner who rarely holds anything while he’s in action.

I was hoping I could swap the flatter left hand from the New 52 Flash, but the colors don’t match up well enough.

One aspect of the figure I really like is the softer plastic McFarlane used for the wings on the head, hood and boots. They’re not brittle to the point of worrying about them breaking. That is very useful with Flash figures.

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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.

The scale hasn’t been fixed as Jay Garrick looks like he’s in a totally different line. Hopefully we’ll get a Gold Label Jay that’s better scaled with Gold Label Barry.

Paint: I love the vibrancy of the red chosen for this costume. It really pops!

I was able to see several Flash figures on the pegs and it seems like the main area to carefully check is the logo with bleed through of the red seeping through white and yellow.

Articulation: Flash moves smoothly. This mold allows for easy movement with some dynamic running poses.

The joints are nice and tight so he won’t topple over easily. I can use the stand, but he’s able to hit a good amount of poses without assistance.

The Flash has:

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

 

Accessories: I appreciate McFarlane mixing up the accessories for each figure.

This time Flash doesn’t come with the lightning effect pieces that most of the speedsters get.

Instead, he gets a rarity for a DC Multiverse figure with the alternate maskless head and mask down neck piece included straight up.

Typically, that look is another figure altogether so it’s nice to not have to resort to buying two figures for an alternate look.

The Barry Allen head sculpt is nicely done. It features a good expression that’s fitting for Barry. I wouldn’t have minded the flat top look for the super classic look. It’s also cool that the cowl wrap around his neck was included as well for an authentic masked down appearance.

Flash also gets the standard black stand, which aids him tremendously for dynamic running poses. There’s also the trading card with the bio.

Finally, he’s got the massive legs for the CTB Cyborg figure.

Worth it?  As is the case with all Collect to Build figures, Flash is $25. The additional height of the figure (7″ over 6″) and the larger build-a-figure makes this a better deal compared to the similarly priced Marvel Legends figures.

Rating: 10 out of 10

I had high hopes for this figure after the Knightfall Batman and he did not disappoint. McFarlane has been inconsistent with some figures, but if we can get a classic JLA of The Flash and Batman’s quality, this could be the definitive take of the main DC heroes.

Where to get it?  Flashpoint Flash is exclusive to Target so that’s your main option.

As a Target affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.