Jay's Toy Shelf : Mafex Batman

Nolan's first film Batman Begins wasn't his best Batman film but it definitely set the tone, cinematography style and realism of his Batman vision. I still very much enjoy watching it to this day, and I thought it was clever how he ingrained Ras Al Ghul into Batman's origins. I also liked that he didn't jump from traumatized kid to full Batman. It was a gradual step into the cowl. He had to figure things out, realize he can't just walk into someplace wielding a gun on the big criminals of the city.

This figure does a lot of things well given it was one of the first Mafex Nolan Batman figures released in 2017. He's got a very wide range of movement, smooth joints and a lot of great accessories. AND if you got the Scarecrow you've almost got a second action figure! I'm not 100% sure that I would have gone with a floating belt and a massive torso gap. The head can turn and ankle slightly under the cowl edge but has nothing at the neck joint. This is fairly accurate both to the real costume and the general flexibility issue of wearing a fabric/armoured cowl connected to a cape. I love that they included an unmasked head but it definitely looks less like Christian Bale than the newer Mafex Bruce Wayne from the Nolan films.

Sculpt/Paint: 4/5 There's not much to say about the paint on this figure. For the most part, he's moulded in black plastic and there is nice gold paint for the belt and accessories. All of the sculpting on the figure is great though, with no detail missed. I do feel the face sculpt and unmasked face could have been better done to look like the actor, though neither is a bad piece.

Articulation: 5/5 (33 points): Like the Batman other Batmen in this line, the figure has a great range of movement and many joints. I am always pleased and impressed with how the diaphragm and waist joint of these figures has such a range that it gives the figure attitude and dynamism that you don't get from the lower-priced figures. It has great range in the ball swivel ankles, shoulders and drop-down hinge hips which also have caps that allow a thigh swivel.

Price/Availability: 3/5 The demand is down for this figure and it certainly isn't readily available most places but you can still snag one at a pretty good deal at Hobby link Japan as of this writing. Don't' even bother with Amazon, it is ridiculously expensive.

Accessories: 5/5 Everything you need from Batman begins is here. His plain chest plate to recreate his training scene unmasked and masked head, belt (removable for the Demon Batman change), 3 gold batarangs, the gold grapnel gun, and several hands (punching, grapnel holding, Batarang gripping and open). The extra ones from the Scarecrow include his demon batman head (REALLY hard to get that on), tattered cowl with chest piece attached, black utility belt and clawed hands. Looks amazing.

Fun Factor: 4/5 Pretty good balance, smooth joint movement, and a bendy wire cape that really gives it attitude on the shelf. Though the Batman Dark Knight Rises 3.0 figure is superior in many ways, this is still a very good one.

Verdict: 21/25 Great. If you loved the Batman Begins movie or the Nolan movies this is a great figure to add to your collection. Plus if you got the Scarecrow figure he makes a good Demon Batman! In fact, I will likely keep him that way on the shelf! Highly recommend!