Comparing Mattel's DC Multiverse line to Mcfarlane's part 7

Flying into part 7 of my comparisons between Mattel and Mcfarlane when it comes to their DC Comics line of figures, I still see collectors who endorse that Mcfarlane's figures pale in comparison to what Mattel did and while I see things I like about some DC Universe Classics figures and other lines Mattel did, I can't see any point where those figures top the action figures being put out in present day. The vast variety of characters and designs from Mcfarlane is growing every year, and I truly think that character selection is the only thing Mattel has over Mcfarlane at this point, and even that is losing traction with some of the deeper cut characters we've been getting lately. So with Batman characters, Superman characters, Flashes, Green Lanterns, and some more niche characters on the platter for today, let's take a look at how the action figure game has changed from Mattel's days of old compared to the new age of Mcfarlane!

Eradicator

(Image 1 Source) (Image 2 Source)

Starting off the list this time around will be the Eradicator! The classic and Rebirth interpretations of these characters are very different; however, the designs are nearly the same which makes this comparison easier. The articulation scheme of the Mcfarlane figure allows for much easier posing, and the sculpt of the cape is much more dynamic and fun to pose the figure with as opposed to the neutral hanging cape of the DCUC version. The largest disparity between the two in terms of designs is definitely the headsculpts, with the original spouting the skin color of the classic Eradicator, while the Mcfarlane figure casts the character in all black to match the source material. Both are accurate to what they're representing, though the goggles seem to sit more flush and naturally on the head of Mcfarlane's which is attributed to them being sculpted on rather than glued. 

Conner Kent

(Image 1 Source) (Image 2 Source)

Another character whose designs from the classic DC era to now match up pretty well would be Conner Kent in his punk jacket design. There are a few design flairs differing the Rebirth era design from the classic, such as the boots, knee pads, spikes on the shoulders, and the lack of sunglasses, but otherwise all the important beats are there with the red pants, gloves, and sleek jacket. As always, posing and articulation goes to Mcfarlane, and both jacket sculpts have their merits with Mcfarlane going for a much sleeker, tighter look while Mattel's DC universe Classics figure has a more baggy, windswept look to the jacket sculpt. The sculpted chest emblems of Mcfarlane's figures will always be an extra ten points to them compared to Mattel's painted symbols though. 

Batman (The Dark Knight)

(Image 1 Source) (Image 2 Source)

Skewing into live action territory will be a look at Mattel's version of Christian Bale's Batman compared to Mcfarlane's recent offering! I think that Mcfarlane's easily wins with a much more refined sculpt, a more natural looking silhouette, and a color scheme better matching the film suit's colors with a much more vibrant gold, and more shimmer to the armor. The slightly flared look to the cape makes the figure look more dynamic than Mattel's flat cape, and the headsculpt easily captures Bale much more faithfully. 

Joker (The Dark Knight)

(Image 1 Source) (Image 2 Source)

While there is another version of Nolan's Joker that Mattel produced near the end of their license with DC, I'll look at that another time and this time compare Mcfarlane's Heath Ledger Joker to the initial Mattel Joker we got for The Dark Knight. Immediately, there are easy comparisons to make between the silhouette the figure's cut and the somewhat odd look to Mattel's version. Mcfarlane's looks much more refined, with improved ruffled sculpting to the jacket, vest, and pants, as well as the cool inclusion of a heap of money. Once again, as with the Batman from the film, Mcfarlane captures the actor's likeness much more closely with Ledger more apparent in 2023's rendition than Mattel's original. 

Deadman

(Image 1 Source) (Image 2 Source)

Harkening to a classic supernatural character in DC's pantheon, Deadman has been a great addition to the growing roster of figures in Mcfarlane's collection. With such a simpler design for the action figures, it makes the comparisons a little more equaled out. Both have painted on "D" insignias on their abdomens, both have uniquely sculpted giant collars (And it is collector's preference whether they'd like the collar to stand straight up with Mattel's copy or hang outward somewhat in Mcfarlane's), and the brighter red of Mattel's is something some people prefer to the darker red of Mcfarlane's, but I think what really throws it into Mcfarlane's court is not only the articulation advancements, but the inclusion of the ghostly effects! I also find the headsculpt on Mcfarlane's figure a bit more ghoulishly great. 

Bane (Knightfall)

(Image 1 Source) (Image 2 Source)

One of Mcfarlane's most popular figures in the line so far has been their Knightfall Bane, a classic design from an iconic storyline that Mcfarlane has been digging more and more into with recent releases! Bane still stands as one of the best figures in the line, but how does it compare to what we received before? Mattel released their Bane as a build-a-figure, making it a bit harder to put together, but the final result is certainly an impressive Bane with unique sculpting and an imposing stature that still makes him one of Mattel's most sought after Build-a-Figures! Mcfarlane's takes this and doubles it up a few notches, improving articulation and sculpting detail to really make him muscles look maxed. The harness on Mcfarlane's is a design flair not present on the original design, which had lead many to remove it from their copies, and Mcfarlane's unfortunately doesn't include alternate fists, but that doesn't take away the fact that it looks like Mcfarlane's Bane could easily break Mattel's Bane as easily as Batman's spine. 

Kalibak

(Image 1 Source) (Image 2 Source)

Kalibak has been one of my favorite surprises from the Mcfarlane line of DC figures so far! Any naysayer who still argues that Mcfarlane only focuses on Batman and A-list characters can be proven wrong with the simple example that they made a Kalibak. Mattel's Kalibak was impressive for its time, but I think it's officially been dethroned as the worthy Kalibak in a DC display. It had its merits for the unique sculpts, gnarly face portrait, and use of colors; however, Kalibak takes all of those points and excels. He is a chunk when compared to other figures in the line, with a fantastic texture to his battle uniform as well as detailing of his gross looking skin! Not to mention the beastly headsculpt, and the mane of wicked hair which truly looks to be flowing. Kalibak easily ranks as one of my favorite Mega Figures in the line to date, and makes the original look almost like a generic Apokaliptian. 

Robin (Dick Grayson)

(Image 1 Source) (Image 2 Source)

Getting into very classic territory! While the same character in the same costumes, it is very evident that two very different timeframes for the character are being represented here! Mcfarlane's take on Dick Grayson Robin is from much earlier in his time as Robin, depicting him as a child while Mattel's has him as quite a bit older. I think both do a really nice job with the unique sculpting of their costumes in regards to the gloves, shoulders, torso, and fairy boots; however, Mcfarlane's sculpted fish scale shorts are much cleaner without the dreaded Mattel crotch joints, the windswept cape comes across as more dynamic, Mcfarlane's had a load of accessories including alternate hands and a rope batarang, and while it may be personal preference I find the smirking headsculpt of the Mcfarlane figure a dead ringer for Dick. 

Kyle Rayner (Blue Lantern)

(Edited from Image 1 Source) (Image 2 Source)

With our third go-round with the Kyle Rayner mold from Mcfarlane we were given his Blue Lantern look which was a surprising reveal, but a welcome one that introduced another color corps into the line. Mattel gave us this War of the Green Lanterns design as well, utilizing the standard DC Universe Classics look from that time that is very outdated in sculpt and articulation by today's standards. I do like the metallic sheen to Mattel's blue though, and the hairsculpt matches the comics a bit better than Mcfarlane's reused sculpt. Both have painted on Lantern emblems, winning neither side points, and while it may be personal preference to have a solid blue Lantern (Mattel) vs a transparent blue Lantern (Mcfarlane), Mcfarlane's happens to also give us power effects!

Jay Garrick

(Image 1 Source) (Image 2 Source)

Closing out this round of comparisons will be one of my favorite characters in all of DC Comics: Jay Garrick! Like many of the figures I've been comparing, it is not a 1:1 comparison of identical designs as Mattel's is obviously based on the classic Jay design whereas Mcfarlane is utilizing the more modern Rebirth interpretation. Regardless, like all speedster figures Mcfarlane has put out, I think that he has excelled at every point! The articulation scheme allows him to get into a myriad of sprinting poses that Mattel's figure can only dream of, the sculpting allows for a much more natural looking human silhouette, and I will sing it from sunrise to sunset that sculpted chest emblems are always going to top painted on emblems. Mcfarlane's has the benefit as well of included lightning effects, and while those looking for an older looking Jay will find the headsculpt of the original figure more enticing and try to claim that Mcfarlane's Jay is too muscular, I would argue that the original DCUC Jay is even buffer than Mcfarlane's as it uses the same body sculpt they use for Superman (Last I checked those two don't quite have the same body).