Before we go any further I will warn everyone that I have seen The Batman and I will be referring to plot points and the onscreen appearance of The Riddler through this review. If you haven't seen the movie - which is awesome by the way - then I won't be offended if you exit now and avoid any spoilers.
While The Riddler is a movie release, it still falls within the McFarlane DC Multiverse line and uses the identical black window box packaging with the simple addition of the red The Batman logo on the front, just under the DC Multiverse logo. The character name is confirmed on the box front on a side panel to the main window and is confirmed in big bold letters on the right-hand spine of the packaging. Round the back, we have a full image of The Riddler figure in an atmospheric shot holding a roll of duct tape.
While there is loads of space on the box reverse, there is no background text or movie synopsis - simply a four-figure checklist of other figures released in the line. The four images are of Catwoman, Penguin, Batman, and the motorbike, but the images are very dark so it's not overly easy to make each of them out. The sticker you can see on our box reverse is the Bandai UK distributor's details.
As is the case with all the McFarlane figures, the figure is packed onto an inner plastic tray with twist ties and against a backing card which for DC Multiverse is a wonderful blue montage of comic book art. Sadly they still chose to glue a tray on this holding the stand and you, therefore, ruin the packaging if you want to use the stand. I am not sure why this can't simply be inserted as part of the inner tray?
The Riddler stands almost dead on 7-inches tall and is sculpted in the outfit that he wears for most of the movie, and the outfit we see his followers adopt for the finale. This is made up of a green cast parker jacket complete, black combat trousers, black boots, and black gloves. Each piece of clothing has a wealth of sculpted detail including the fabric folds and creases as well as pockets and buttons. Sadly, most are left in the base plastic colour with the only paint application across the costume on the collar section of the coat where we can see a slightly lighter painted fleece underneath and some cream where the collar folds over. This is a real shame as there is loads of detail in the figure that would have been enhanced with some colour touches or washes.
The Riddler panel on the left breast pocket was something not seen in the movie with the question mark symbol daubed on the coat itself. While it is easy to say this may have been something from earlier concepts of the outfit - McFarlane's 12-inch version of The Riddler released at the same time is screen accurate. While the panel looks glued on, I suspect it will leave an empty socket underneath where it plugs into the jacket.
The head is an excellent piece of engineering and features the green wrapped mask which is an individual piece placed over what I assume is at least a partially sculpted and painted head underneath. Over this are glued the transparent glasses as worn through the movie and as a potential nod to the Jim Carey Riddler in Batman Forever. The glasses are see-through but are quite thick and while that does magnify the eyes underneath it also obscures the details. The glasses are also not glued straight on mine, and this was an issue on all of the others I looked at on the shelf. While the skewed position is sort of in keeping with the character it does bug me each time I look at him.
The back of the head is very cleverly encased in a clear plastic sleeve with the green straps of the mask going over the top. This confused me at first, but having seen the movie this is trying to replicate the tape and clear plastic Riddler has over his head in all his scenes. While not explained this is likely to avoid leaving any forensics. Like the glasses, this wrap is clear and shows the hair and ears beneath.
The Riddler comes with a single accessory, the carpet tucking tool or 'Tucker' as it's called in the movie when the Gotham Police identify what it is for. This is very well detailed for the scale and includes a T-shaped handle and broad flat-edged blade.
Riddler comes with only a single set of hands, with the left a clenched fist, so the tool can only be held in the right hand. You will have to tease the fingers a little to widen the grip so he can hold the Tucker securely.
The set includes the McFarlane DC Multiverse collectible art card, using the same art as seen on the reverse of the box. The Riddler is shown on the box and the art card with a roll of duct tape, a pose you see in the movie and this would have made a wonderful accessory - but sadly it was either only done for the promo shots, or was dropped for production.
A circular black display base with a single peg and a gloss black DC logo is also included. It fits the figure well and does provide some level of support for display.
The box has the figure down as including 22 points of articulation which is counting the individual movements of each joint. On joints alone, he has 16 points of articulation with a very good range of arm movement thanks to the double-jointed elbows, bicep swivel, and shoulder joint.
The legs are less impressive as they include a double joint knee, but no thigh swivel. This leaves the ankle to do all the work in terms of any rotation needed and giving it this movement on top of the usual ankle rocker format has created a weak spot and The Riddler is very prone to falling forward thanks to the very loose and flimsy ankles, even with some level of ratcheting built into the joint.
The figure does do what I want it to do which is look menacing and brandish the 'Tucker' in a few different ways and providing you can get a stable pose at the ankles he is an excellent display piece with or without the stand.
I thought The Batman was an excellent comic book movie and gives a very different look at Batman without giving anyone a significant origin story within the film. The Riddler is an excellent villain, and a modern take on the comic book version - complete with online followers, TikTok style videos, and an interesting choice in murder weapons.
While I can sit here and bemoan the missing roll of tape seen on the promo art, and the lack of a wash on the outfit - the Riddler remains a £19.99 figure at a time when smaller 6-inch figures are pushing £25 and up. In terms of value for money, The Riddler is great, and while I am not an 'all in' DC Multiverse collector I am now seeking out some of the other characters from the movie.
The Riddler remains available at Smyths Toys on the high street, and via online stockists including our affiliates at Amazon and Zavvi.
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About Me : As a child of the 70's and 80's I grew up in a golden age for action figures and in my youth bought and sold myself through collections of Star Wars, G.I. Joe (Action Force) and M.A.S.K. while also dabbling in He-Man, Transformers and Ghostbusters. Roll forward and I am now reliving that Youth with the action figures of today and am a collector and fan of the larger 6-8 inch figures from my favourite movie and TV licences - including the ones mentioned above, but also the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Doctor Who and the Aliens. I launched The Mephitsu Archives in 2015 with a view of creating a UK focused site or these figures where fans can pick up the latest action figure news, read reviews and get information on where to buy their figures and what is currently on store shelves. I hope I am delivering that to you guys...