Watching the Watchmen Action Figures!

Article originally published 03/11/2009 at geekinthecity.com

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Review: DC Direct Watchmen Series 2 - Dr. Manhattan & The Comedian

Zack Snyder’s Watchmen is finally upon us and with it comes all the expectations and trepidations of over two decades of geek fervor. As with any superhero film, even one that so brilliantly deconstructs the genre, Watchmen is accompanied by the inevitable merchandise tie-in. Fans of the Alan Moore / Dave Gibbons graphic novel will acknowledge how tough of a sell Watchmen action figures might be to the average movie-goer. Converting the film’s cast of flawed characters (including a rapist and a god) into 7″ scale toys might seem like a marketing faux pas. However, never underestimate the (buying) power of geek anticipation. So, when it was announced last summer that collector-centric DC Direct would be tackling the duty of creating Watchmen figures, there was little surprise.

This was a chance for fans to get their hands on Rorschach, Nite Owl and the others while sidestepping the unpleasantness that might have occurred if the line had been picked up by mass-market-focused companies like Hasbro or Playmates. In this review, I’ll take a look at Dr. Manhattan and the Comedian from DC Direct’s Watchmen Series 2 and find out if the company’s long tradition of producing high-quality figures from the DC Universe is maintained with this license…

Packaging:
One thing I have always appreciated from DC Direct is the consistency in packaging across all their lines. From Kingdom Come to Long Halloween, the majority of DCD 6″ - 7″ scale figures have been released in the same style rectangular box. So it goes with Watchmen, allowing a more uniformed display for those collectors who prefer to keep their figures sealed and dust-free. The box features a window which gives a clear view of each figure, but obscures any accessories. This isn’t much of a deal for Dr. Manhattan, whose extra appendages they’re legs, sicko) probably don’t need to be seen in-package.

However, the Comedian’s trademark dual .45 pistols are hidden, which is a shame. Best that you open these figures anyway. Once you do, you’ll notice that the cardboard insert for each is reusable as a display backdrop. I had no problems removing the Comedian’s insert from its packaging, but Manhattan’s had a blister (containing the figure stand) glued to it, rendering it pretty much unusable.

Sculpt & Likeness:
Dr. Manhattan is the clear winner in this category, as he is every bit the chiseled god-like form that appeared onscreen. Considering that the character in Snyder’s adaption was essentially a computer-generated representation of Dave Gibbons’ drawings, the task for rendering Doc as an action figure was likely a simple one. No matter, as this figure is the definitive version of the comic/film character. Manhattan’s default pose of outstretched hands and his solemn expression make for an awesome centerpiece in this line. Another bonus is that the figure’s otherwise neutral body sculpt will undoubtedly provide a blank canvas for leagues of action figure customizers.

The Comedian is the more detailed figure of the two, making him the target of more scrutiny. He’s clad in the the field combat outfit that he wore during his on-screen ‘heroics’ in Vietnam and the streets of New York. The outfit itself is pretty stunning, with a varied array of buckles and armor plating. However, one significant issue I found was with his shoulder pads. For some reason, these pads are attached via a thin and brittle piece of plastic and when you raise the figure’s arms, this support piece bends almost to its breaking point. Its an obvious production error and you’ll likely end up gluing these back in place after they ultimately snap off. Another gripe is that this version of the figure comes with a head sculpt that leaves poor Eddie Blake with an uncharacteristically vapid expression. I’m not sure what DC Direct was going for with this figure’s head, as they clearly tried to incorporate a menacing-yet-somber look. I just doesn’t work. The post-Nam scar is a nice touch, but it doesn’t augment the fact that the Comedian should be SNEERING. I mean, he should be chomping on his cigar with an expression of sinister glee… not sucking on the damn thing like it was a lollipop!

Articulation:
I’ve read comments that fans shouldn’t expect much articulation from this line, considering that they were intended by DC Direct more as 7″ statues rather than figures. I disagree completely and was fully expecting at least some poseability with these figures. Dr. Manhattan has almost none, though this is forgivable considering the figure’s sculpt and the general nature of the character. I don’t need Doc in a kung-fu action stance, so this version of the character works fine. He has a ball-joint head as well as movable shoulders and elbows. Manhattan’s “standing legs” are jointed at the knee and hip, allowing for enough articulation to let the figure stand. His ‘floating legs’ have no articulation, which makes perfect sense.

The Comedian is the more articulated figure of the two, but he is still lacking. With a ball-joint head and movable shoulders, wrists, thighs, knees and calves, you’d think that a sufficient action pose would be possible. Instead, these joints (primarily the legs) are hindered by the figure’s blocky body style. The Comedian doesn’t need to be super-articulated, but a few additional joints (especially in the waist/thigh area) would have been a huge addition. Instead, all joints from the waist down are essentially only provided for the Comedian to stand properly, but don’t add any much to what should have been a high coolness factor.

Paint & Color:
Not much to cover here with Doc Manhattan, as a minimalist approach is all that was needed. Again, this figure excels in doing more with less. The Comedian’s paint is clean, albeit confusing. Again, this is a character who embraced every dirty, sadistic and greedy whim of being a ’superhero’. Why then is this figure almost cleaner than Doc Manhattan? Seriously, this version of the Comedian looks like he’s never seen a day of battle, save for some minor scuffing on his shoulder armor (which may have just been a product of my wrestling the figure out of its packaging). After watching his onscreen battles, one would think that at least a small amount of battle-damage on the figure might be in order. Instead, this figure sports shining armor, a freshly-laundered suit and hairless (creepy) arms.

Accessories:
I’ll give this section to the Comedian, as this figure comes with his signature pair of .45 pistols. Each features the vigilante’s trademark smiley face logo and fits nicely into the figure’s hands or thigh holsters. However, there ain’t much else that comes with this figure, which seems like a wasted opportunity. Considering that the Comedian’s hands are permanently sculpted into a “trigger finger” pose, I would have loved another weapon (shotgun!!) for him to hold. Either that, or a second set of hands that could be snapped in place once the .45’s were secured in their holsters. Dr. Manhattan’s lone “accessory” is his extra set of legs, which can be swapped out to allow the figure to be posed in a floating stance. These legs snap in place easily and stay secure thanks to a nifty keyed peg. Both figures include a stand that features interchangeable pegs. I had little success getting these stands to work properly though, as the pegs themselves don’t really offer much support and often came loose themselves. Your best bet might be to ditch these stands (or include them as a backdrop for another figure) and track down some of the more generic flat action figure stands that have been produced by DC Direct or McFarlane Toys.

Overall Impression:
The Comedian and Dr. Manhattan are certainly two of the most visually stunning characters in Watchmen, so it is unfortunate that these figures turned out rather bland. They are a decent enough representation and likely the best we will see in a 6″-7″ scale, but that doesn’t hinder what seems like a missed opportunity on the part of DC Direct. A small change to the paint applications, a few additional joints and an extra accessory or two would have transformed this rather pedestrian release to a couple of truly badass action figures. Instead, we get a Comedian that looks cool at a distance and a Dr. Manhattan who serves more as a statue than an action figure. At a price ranging from $15-$20, you might be best served with picking out a single favorite from the line and passing on the rest.