McFarlane Toys Superman Action Figure Review

It's been awhile since my last action figure purchase because the Corona Virus Pandemic shut down malls, toy stores, and international shipments. I've been waiting for this figure since the first quarter of 2020 to be released in stores, I Pre-Ordered it via DC Superheroes Cafe but is still waiting for the shipment. I chanced upon this figure when I went to the mall to get my comic book pulls from Comic Odyssey. Since I could not wait for the shipment to come, I decided to purchase this figure anyway and will just sell the extra one. And now the long wait is finally over. Todd McFarlane's Superman action figure is finally in my hands. So what are my thoughts? Read on...

Aesthetically, this has got to be one of the best looking Superman figure in awhile. McFarlane Toys, which made its name since the late 90's was one of the pioneering toy companies that totally improved how action figures look like. But back then, they were mostly known for producing mini-statues (or 7 inch action figures that has limited to no articulation). They made a name producing and releasing ultra detailed SPAWN toylines (an original comic book character creation by founder Todd McFarlane), and ultra realistic looking NBA Basketball figures (still non-articulated), which made other toy companies up their game by improving their action figures' aesthetic looks while doubling down on featuring massive amounts of articulation. McFarlane Toys was late in the articulation department, and only had their taste of success in articulated action figures via the Fortnite action figure series (which was only around three years ago). It was that Fortnite action figures which became the basis for McFarlane toys to bag the DC Action Figure License as they wrested control from Mattel. Mattel after decades of owning the rights to DC Action Figures finally ceded control of the license. Mattel had an epic decade run on the DC License and their high point which by now is considered to be a classic are the 6 inch DC Universe Classics action figures. But the latter releases were just too boring to most collectors as rival toy company Hasbro kept on beating them with their Marvel Legends toyline. McFarlane getting the license means that toy collectors will be getting highly detailed action figures for the mass market that could pretty much rival DC's own adult collector geared DC Essentials toyline.   

When it comes to DC action figures, the standard for ultra detailed and highly articulated action figures are the ones from DC Essentials, or formerly DC Direct. But these figures were mostly marketed towards adult toy collectors and not the mass market. Their figures aren't as sturdy as the Marvel Legends from Hasbro's when it comes to playability. Mattel offered sturdier figures, and is pretty much in scale at 6 inch with Hasbro's Marvel Legends. McFarlane's on the other hand feels like a duplication of the Dc Essentials and I feel like it would probably eat up the sales of DC Essentials. The figures feel sturdy I guess, but the feel is pretty much the same as those from DC Essentials (price point is about the same or cheaper). You could see the details of McFarlane toys as so much superior than Mattel's. But most collectors' gripe is the scale size. Standing at 7 inch (similar to DC Essentials), 6 inch collector's will have to think twice before totally diving into the line. So for those who had built their DC collections with Mattel would feel McFarlane Toys like a sore thumb in their collection. They can't be displayed side by side with Hasbro's Marvel Legends, and would also not fit with the old DC Direct (Pre-DC Essentials) and Mattel action figures.  

Articulation wise, this figure features a Ball Jointed head, swivel and hinged with butterfly shoulders, swivel biceps, hinged elbows, ball jointed wrists (with interchangeable hands), ball-jointed abs, swivel waists, and this weird looking hip articulation (see photo above), double jointed hinged knees, ball-jointed swivel and hinged ankles, and hinged toes. Now that's a lot of articulation but the most disappointing thing for me is that it does not have a swivel thigh. Which really kills it for me because I had a hard time making this figure stand. The rubber cape is heavy for the weak ankles to carry. This basically has the same problem with the DC Essentials Superman.  

The paint applications on the figure is top notch but I noticed a few bad splotches in the other figures on the shelf. The figure really feels like a DC Direct/Essentials figure and I could say that fans of the old DC Direct and the DC Essentials will surely love this figure. I really love the sculpt work, this is very traditional McFarlane Toys and would really seamlessly fit with your DC Direct/Essentials display collection. I could probably say this is the best looking Superman action figure in a while and looks way way much better than the very feminine DC Essentials. 

Here is a comparison photo with the DC Essentials Superman. A lot of collectors are having a hard time choosing which of these two is the better one. And in my opinion, McFarlane Toys Superman is the winner between the two. But take note, I'm not saying MCF Superman is the best one. I still feel the lack of thigh articulation takes a lot of points away for me. His rubber cape meanwhile looks great on him compared to the one DC Essentials put on their figure. Actually, DC Essentials looks like Superboy when you put him together with the McFarlane one side by side.

Here in this photo is the McFarlane Superman on a DC Direct Superman base. I'm lucky I managed to dig some discarded DC Direct bases since I'm really having a hard time making this figure stand (I didn't open the flight stand that this figure came with). And this Superman base really looks perfect on him. I'm just not sure if it will hold over time without breaking its ankle. I'm keeping mine in the box though due to the lack of display space LOL.

Like I said, this MCF Superman fits nicely with the old DC Direct action figures. Here he is with the classic DC Direct Alex Ross Justice Superman. MCF really improved where the old DC Direct failed, the massive articulation. Aesthetically, they are a match.

MCF Superman and DC Essentials Superman with another variation of the Justice Superman, this one is from the DC Direct Superman through the ages box set.

I still think (the one on the far left) the old DC Direct Justice League Superman (or those who are similar to this from the DC Direct Superman line and the JLA Boxset) is still the best Superman action figure.

MCF Superman scale fits nicely with this DC Direct Justice Lex Luthor. 

MCF Superman is pretty low on accessories. He has a flight stand (which I did not bother to open) which is really needed considering his ankles are bad at standing. The figure also comes with alternative hands, an open fisted and close fisted one (which I used on some photos here) with the open flying hands as the standard ones on the packaging. It also comes with a Jim Lee art trading card from the cover art of the Action Comics 1000.  

Box art features the art of Jim Lee from the cover of Action Comics 1000 but I really don't agree that this figure is based on the Jim Lee art. In my opinion the figure is based on the art of Ivan Reis. Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of Jim Lee's recent works, especially the cover for Action Comics 1000.

The MCF Superman with an Ivan Reis Art Superman comic book cover. Fun Fact: The MCF Superman is basically based on the return of Superman's red trunks after years of having a trunkless Superman in the comic books (from New 52 to Rebirth). Jim Lee got a first crack of Superman's new costume (red trunks with wrist cuffs similar to Henry Cavill's Man of Steel Superman) by doing the art chores for the cover of Action Comics 1000 where this costume of Superman debuted. But it was Ivan Reis who did the art chores longer which started in the Man of Steel mini-series (see photo below) and the current Superman titles (see photo above).  So which is which? Jim Lee or Ivan Reis?

Another comparison shot with a comic book featuring the art of Ivan Reis.

The Front Box looks simple and clean. Not too much art but the figure really pops at first glance.

FINAL VERDICT. MCF Superman is one of the best Superman action figure ever created. It really is a tribute to the old DC Direct Superman action figures (and I couldn't help talking about it), from its aesthetic, the feel of the figure, everything. Even the tightness of the joints. But sadly I could not say it is the best. Until now, the search for the best Superman action figure for me continues. So is the figure worth your money? You bet it is. I've tried posing and looking at it in different angles and the figure really looks great. Now as far as the entire McFarlane toyline, I think this is a great line to start if you are a new collector because not only are they releasing old classic stuffs, they are also releasing new characters not yet made in toy form. Those armored Superman and Batman figures looks neat, as well as the Batman who Laughs figure. I on the other hand would not dive into the entire line and might just cherry pick. I belong to the jilted 6 inch action figure collector, and I'm sill fairly satisfied with my Mattel DCUC. I hope McFarlane Toys can hold on to the license in the long term, I really feel they have a great opportunity to come up with perhaps DC's greatest modern toy line ever. I'm still scratching my head though why DC Direct/Essentials is allowing themselves to face a very tough competition like McFarlane Toys. More toy pics below. Until next time!

MCF Superman with the art of Jorge Jimenez

MCF Toys Superman v.s. DC Essentials Superman