Action Figure #430: S.H. Figuarts Makima

 Just woof like a dog.

 A few years ago I came across Fire Punch. It was edgy, it was dumb and it was just the right kind of weird I love. Well, mr. Fujimoto wasn't content with Fire Punch, he had to create Chainsawman, and with it, Makima, the figure in question.

 Let me tell you this from the outset, with Makima you're getting your money's worth. Five faceplates, tons of hands, alternate crouching legs and a soft-goods coat with bendy wire. I don't know what is it about this figure but she has a lot of swag. I've had so much fun posing her alongside other figures, so much so that I included a few other photos I took down below. Needless to say, the sculpt and the accessories are both excellent. I usually keep either fists or grabby hands(when figures use accessories) when it comes to Figuarts, but... I decided that Makima needed her pointing finger.

 Double jointed elbows and knees, butterfly joints and a ball-jointed waist are what you get with Makima, but that's not all, she has a ball-jointed ab-crunch hidden behind her shirt, as well as a ball joint on her pony tail. The range on her legs isn't perfect, and since she has alternate legs, they do pop off a bit easily if you go too far beyond their range, but other than that? She's perfectly fine, and there's a lot you can do with her. As mentioned before, I had so much fun posing her!

 I don't know if you could tell... but Makima is easily one of my favorite figures in my collection. She looks great, she is easy to pose and she is so much fun to play with. So much so, that here down below you get bonus shots!

10

 

Action Figure #429: DC Universe Classics Zatanna Zatara

 To quote Dynasty Warriors 2: Do you belieeeeeeeeeeve in magiiiiiiiiic?!

 So, I desperately wanted a Zatanna Zatara figure, but this DCUC figure was obscenely expensive... until I found a good deal on a used figure missing the wand, so... I finally have the kind of Zatanna figure I wanted!

 Look at her. Just look at her. This just might be the most beautiful female figure out of the DCUC figure. While she has the flat behind all other female figures of the line have, they knocked it out of the park with the rest of the figure. Her outfit looks great, the expression on her face is great, the net-socks are great, and the color-scheme is lovely. I love how she looks. The top hat has a little tab on the inside so that you can lock it onto her had. I had... mixed luck getting it to stick.

 Same articulation as other DCUC figures, except that her legs don't move to the sides. I don't really mind, to be honest. She's as tall as the bucky cap mold.

 Adorably dated, I love this figure. I'm so happy I got to get her on the cheap, because the other Zatanna figures aren't as classic, or on this scale, but this? If you ask me, this is the perfect Zatanna Zatara figure.

9.0

Action Figure #428: DC Super Heroes Steel

  This is not the man of steel, but rather, the man IN steel.

 Anyone who liked comics in the 90s knew DAROS, even me who didn't even like Superman, and among the Superman pretenders I liked two in particular, Superboy and Steel. I even owned their action figures! So trust me, I love the fact that I get a new Steel figure.

 I love how this guy came out. Recently I read through DAROS, and Steel issues have him drawn with a very squared head, much like the figure himself. And for a DCUC figure... I mean, look at it, look at all the unique sculpting he received just for himself. From the shoulder pads, to the asymmetrical arms... a lot of work went into him, and it payed off.

 So, standard DCUC articulation, as per usual. That said, it might only be my figure, but he has no waist swivel. The shoulder pads are made out of a gummy material, so you can force them a bit out of the way to get more range out of his arms. He's slightly taller than the Bucky Cap mold.

 What can I say? As an action figure, I love all the unique sculpting he received. As an adaptation of the Steel character into plastic they knocked it out of the park, even remaining faithful to the artstyle with the square head. What more could you ask for? He looks cool, he is faithful to the source material and he is NOT just another head swap!

9.0

Action Figure #427: DC Universe Classics Crime Syndicate Ultraman

  Ultra is definitely better than Super. Maybe even better than Mega.

 Last, but not least, comes Ultraman, the Superman equivalent.

 Well... as you can see, this one is the biggest victim of yellowing. Sure, one of his legs broke, but I managed to salvage it. Regardless... yeah, the yellowing is impossible to ignore on this one. That said, and this is not a cope, I don't think it looks all that bad on him, and it breaks up the blue. I also love his expression, it's full of disgust, as if whoever he is facing is but a worm to him.

 Need I add anything about articulation on DCUC figures? I'll just add that the elbows are a bit wonky... it might be because it's old plastic, or maybe because of the silver plates on his elbows, but they could be better.

 So... yeah this guy is nothing special, I love the expression on his face, but I don't like the yellowing on him.

5.5

Action Figure #426: DC Universe Classics Crime Syndicate Power Ring

  He's green, and this time, he is mean!

 Ultraman was up next, but the superglue on Power Ring has finally dried, so... he gets his turn next. 

 Power Ring is an evil take on Hal Jordan, and I like him. His logo reminds me of two fishes crossed-over, but other than that, I like it. I don't really have much to add, next to Ultraman, he is the closest to his counterpart, and I like his look. He is very angry, and the pointy mask makes him look evil, which suits him really well.

 Same usual articulation and height as other DCUC figures, nothing new to add here!

 He's fine. I'm disappointed that both of his legs broke... but I managed to keep the forward/backward movement, so I'm satisfied with my fix. He looks so much like Hal that I think he looks great as the evil counterpart.

6.0

Action Figure #425: DC Universe Classics Crime Syndicate Owlman

  He is the night, he is vengeance, he is Owlman.

 Power Ring was up next, but since he suffered a leg accident... Owlman is up now. I would've been just fine owning only this one... but I just went ahead and got all five figures.

 Owlman is, much like Johnny Quick, my only other Crime Syndicate figure that managed to keep his legs. I actually really like how this guy came out. The cape is a bit cumbersome, but being a bit soft, you can move it around to suit your needs. Since he is based on Owlman's classsic-est's look, he tows the line between cheesy and badass, and I'm fine with it.

 Same as any other DCUC figure. The cape does get in the way of his arms, but you can lift his cape a bit and get more range.

 Well... I like how he came out. And I'm happy that even though he has yellowed a bit... his legs haven't broken!

7.0

Action Figure #424: DC Universe Classics Crime Syndicate Superwoman

 She's not wonderful, she's just super.

 Well, much like Johnny Quick, this isn't my favorite version ever of Superwoman, but she certainly looks better!

 Another victim of yellowing, brittle-ing plastic.. this girl lost both girl legs, but I was able to salvage both of them, and she can even move one of them forward. I think, despite her accident, this is a good looking figure, at least from the waist up. The design is good, and the sculpt is good too.

 Superwoman follows the norm with DCUC female figures, nothing new to add here. Mine is further gimped due to yellowed plastic, which makes me sad.

 I'll try to be fair and not discount her points for the articulation she should have.... and I think she is a good figure. DCUC can do much better, but it's good.

6.0

Action Figure #423: DC Universe Classics Crime Syndicate Johnny Quick

  I'm guessing he is quick.

 Well, ever since I found out that DCUC covered Owlman I've wanted these figures, so why not get the five pack, right? Starting off with Johnny Quick!

 Well... I bought these figures new in box, and while the yellowing was visible in the seller's photos... I didn't expect the plastic to be so brittle. Thankfully, Johnny Quick hasn't suffered any breaks... Regardless, as far as this guy goes... he looks silly. Clearly based on his very first design, he's not the coolest looking villain ever.

 Articulation and size is, well, as it always is with DCUC figures.

 Honestly, he is decent, but I'm not particularly fond of his design. Too silly for my taste. But as an action figure? He's alright.

5.0

Action Figure #422: DC SuperHeroes Darkseid

 The dark seid of the moon.

 The big kahuna himself, I've been needing a Darkseid figure badly, and it seems my pleas were heard, because I found him on my local market at a decent price. Praise be the lord of action figures.

 The moment I got him out of the box I fell in love with him. He oozes DC Universe Classics charm, and the sculpt is fantastic. Sure, he is not as imposing as the DCUC BAF version, but as the Darkseid I could find for cheap? I'm more than happy with him. The musculature and the stern expression on his face are all glorious. He is also slightly larger than the average DCUC, which makes him look fantastic next to them. 

 Now then, the articulation is where things take a hit. While on paper he has the same articulation as other DCUC figures, sans the ab crunch...

 This is as far up as his arms can go. Not a huge deal, but still.

 And due to the skirt, he has practically no forward or backward leg moment.

 He is not the best action figure I have, not by a long shot, but man... he looks exactly as I would've hoped a Darkseid figure to look. He looks so... regal and scary next to my other DCUC figures, so even though his articulation isn't the best... he is good enough for a Darkseid figure.

7.5

Action Figure #421: Marvel Legends Whiplash

  Time for a spankin'

 I always felt like Whiplash was kind of a funny guy, since his main enemy was Iron Man, a guy in a tin suit and he has... a whip as a weapon. Sure, not just any whip, but still. As someone who grew up with Iron Man's animated series, I needed this guy.

 Well, this guy... looks very silly. The strong chin couple with the stoic expression on his face mark a stark contrast to how silly this guy's costume and gimmick is. While not bendy wire, I like how his whip came out.

 The articulation... while it covers all the ML basics, with extra swivels on the boots, you have to mind the shoulders. Due to the sculpted musculature on the torso, sometimes the shoulder balls can get 'stuck' preventing the arms from moving up and down. Not a huge deal, but the engineering could use some work. He is slightly taller than Bucky-Cap.

 Well... he is as average as Marvel Legends can ever get, but I kinda like him despite his small issues.

6.0

Action Figure #420: Marvel Legends The Cabal TaskMaster

  Despite the skull-head, he is not Ghost Rider's cousin.

 Well, I don't think I really needed a classic Taskmaster, but much like with Dr. Doom, while at first I thought I got a cooler version of the character... I did a massive Spider-man reading starting from the very first Amazing Fantasy, the classic looks just grew on me.

 And well... this guy is great. He is built on the Vulcan body, which means I had to strengthen the shoulder pegs and arm-sockets with super glue, which sucks about modern Marvel Legends, but, that aside, this buck is great for him. He also comes with a fair amount of hands, a sword, a shield, an arrow and a bow. The orange, blue and white orange scheme is not the most menacing... but he's a good looking figure.

 Articulation-wise.... well, it's the Vulcan mold. It's good. Had to apply glue to the arms, but you know the gist of it. He is slightly taller than Bucky-Cap.

 After applying the minor glue-fixes... well, he is a decent fig. He look really nice, feels really nice and has a nice amount of accessories.

7.0