Action Figure Review: Zatanna (DC Classic) from DC Multiverse by McFarlane Toys

Last week I checked out the Platinum variant of the recent McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse Zatanna, so today I’m checking out the standard version. I found the Platinum version first at a Walmart near me and then found the standard version later in the day at a GameStop. If I had found both at once I likely would have only grabbed the standard version as I like the colors better and the more modern take on Zatanna, though both Zatanna and Detective Chimp have unique portraits between the two versions which can swap easily. Since this is a review of a variant (well, I technically reviewed the variant first), there’s going to be a lot of reused text here as most of the sculpt and the accessories haven’t changed.

Zatanna has been one of my most wanted figures from McFarlane Toys for a few years now. Besides members of the Batfamily and Batman’s villains, I’m also a huge fan of DC’s array of magical and supernatural heroes, so anyone who fits that bill or who has been a member of Justice League Dark is a character I’ve been waiting for. Zatanna is a key member of Justice League Dark, a prominent character in the DC Universe, one of the most powerful of mages on any Earth, and it also doesn’t hurt that she’s pretty easy on the eyes. The character selection on DC Multiverse has definitely improved over the past few years (though we are still getting an insane amount of Batman variants) and besides just getting Zatanna, a character who has had an action figure in multiple DC toylines over the years, we also have Detective Chimp, a character who has not had an action figure previously so far as I can recall. Zatanna and Bobo are part of the McFarlane Collector Edition subset of DC Multiverse, meaning they’re a bit pricier than your average figure but come packed with a few more extras than normal. Ready to check out Zatanna and Detective Chimp? Then join me after the break…

The Facts: Zatanna

Height: 6 3/4ths inches

Articulation: Hinged toes, double swivel hinged ankles, double hinged knees, swivel/hinge hips, balljointed waist, swivel/hinge shoulders w/ ballsockets, bicep swivels, double hinged elbows, double swivel/ hinge wrists, and a barbell jointed head.

Accessories: Hat, hairpiece, 4 swappable hands, collector card, and display stand.

The Facts: Detective Chimp

Height: 4 inches

Articulation: Swivel waist, swivel shoulders, and a swivel head.

Accessories: Collector card.

Non-Scalper Price: $35 dollars

The Positives:

* Zatanna is dressed up in her classic stage magician’s attire with a tuxedo shirt, short jacket, bowtie, underbust corset, tiny black shorts, gloves, and hose. This version is sporting the black and white suit of most modern takes on the character and just looks better color wise than the silver age variant. Maybe it’s because this was the intended color scheme? The yellow corset definitely pops more than the all white or ivory corset of the Platinum variant and the red lining of Zatanna’s jacket is also a nice touch. The figure just looks more natural to me here, particularly with the fishnet hose painted on her thighs.

* This is an excellent portrait and it nicely captures Zatanna’s flowing black hair (with some blue highlights to bring out the detail) and gorgeous eyes. It’s one of the best McFarlane portraits I’ve seen, and this version of Zatanna gets a fun little smirk. Her hairpiece is removable, though it’s the same as the standard release, so I’m not sure why. Maybe to make it easier to swap portraits between the two figures so you’re not putting excess pressure and pulling on her hair?

* The standard Zatanna also comes with her top hat, a staple for any classic performing magician. It might be a bit oversized (but, again, maybe not) but it fits well on her head and can be held in her right hand as part of her stage routine. This Zatanna gets a red band while the Platinum version gets a blue band to match her silver age jacket.

* While the joint design on DC Multiverse (and most McFarlane Toys releases these days) is a bit clunky and out of date, Zatanna still has a decent number of articulation points with a pretty solid range of motion, especially in her arms. Her shoulders, elbows, biceps, and wrists do allow you to get her in a variety of poses using her wand, her top hat, and her two magical effect hands. She stands fine and her balljointed waist is nicely hidden under her corset.

* Zatanna comes with four hands that swap easily and give her a few different display options. First up is a pair of hands with the palms open to showoff a magical flame. That’s kind of a fun inclusion that can work for a number of poses. A left hand is included with Zatanna’s wand permanently attached. I’m not usually a fan of most attached accessories, but this one isn’t too bad. It’s a simple wand, so it’s not something you’d really need as an extra piece. The last is a standard right hand grip for holding her top hat. A pair of just basic hands would have been nice, or at least a standard left hand, but would you really pose Zatanna without a wand?

* While he’s not billed on the packaging, the set does come with a second figure: Detective Chimp! Yes, the simian detective is included here and is definitely one of the best inclusions in a McFarlane Collector Edition set. Usually these sets feel like we’re paying more for a more obscure character but this set definitely earns its price tag with a second figure. Fully painted and with a great sculpt, Detective Chimp is a figure that we haven’t received before. I like his green suit look quite a bit and definitely prefer it over the tan suit.

* This is a great portrait for Detective Chimp. Just check out that awesome facial expression! I love how this guy turned out. If you’re only getting one Detective Chimp, I think the standard is definitely the better choice. This is a wonderfully expressive face for Bobo.

* Furry monkey hands? Check.

* Hairy monkey feet? Yup! Double check.

* Detective Chimp isn’t just a slug figure; he is articulated. Not fully articulated, sure, but he has a swivel waist, swivel arms, and a swivel head. You’re not going to get any crazy poses out of him but he definitely qualifies as an action figure and you can work to get him in a better pose that fits your display. Too bad he doesn’t have a pipe and a magnifying glass.

* Not only does Zatanna get a collectible card and a display stand but Detective Chimp also gets a collectible card. That’s pretty neat! I know it’s not a huge thing but I’m glad McFarlane Toys threw an extra one in for him.

The Negatives:

* Let’s talk about my only negative with this figure: The sides of the legs just look weird, and it’s not just because of the visible pins in the joints. It’s also because of the odd seam that runs all the way from the boots to the top of her thigh. It’s much better than the Platinum variant but it’s still a very odd look and I’m not sure what McFarlane was going for here.

Just FYI:

* Just FYI, Zatanna’s portrait is easily swappable, so you can put the neutral face from the Platinum release on this one and vice versa. The hair is removable, though it’s the same as the other one, so I’m not completely sure why. Maybe so you don’t rip it if you’re removing the head? It’s a bit softer so if you pulled on it when swapping heads, I guess it could tear.

* Detective Chimp can also swap heads. The hats will be colored differently from his suit, but that’s actually not a bad thing. The faces are very different, so it’s a nice option.

I like this standard version of Zatanna quite a bit more than the Platinum Variant. While her legs still look a bit rough from the side, I think the paintjob improves them greatly over the Platinum. I really do like this set quite a bit. Zatanna suffers from some of the standard McFarlane Toys issues, sure, but she’s a great looking figure, as is Detective Chimp. Getting both of them together definitely makes this set feel far more worth the asking price than most other McFarlane Collector Edition sets on the market. It’s a Great and a 1/2 set of two figures. It’s still a shame Detective Chimp doesn’t have a magnifying glass, though I think I can easily find him one. Now my Justice League Dark is ready for action.

For more DC Multiverse reviews, check out the following:

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