Review: DC Collectible’s Designer Series Nightwing

When I first saw the production figures of DC Collectibles Designer series action figures at Toy Fair 2014, I gotta tell ya, I was pretty stoked.  The first series of this inaugural line, based on Greg Capullo’s completely awesome artwork on DC’s New 52 Batman, featuring Batman, the Riddler, Talon and Nightwing.

Now, I’m not a completest by any means, so I’m free to pick and choose figures as I will.  Which means, I passed on Batman.  I need another Batman figure like a whole in the head (and not liking his cape made it that much easier to forgo him).  I also passed on Talon, because…well, I don’t care all that much about Talon.  So, that left me to pick up Riddler and Nightwing (the reason I brought you all here today).

I also have to say upfront, I am not all that crazy about Nightwing’s look in the New 52.  It’s ok.  I much prefer the blue in the costume over the red.

Yea…the red is a nice homage to his former days as Robin, but so what?  The blue just makes more sense.  It’s Nightwing.  It’s always been Nightwing since his days of leaving Batman’s side and becoming his own hero in the pages of Teen Titans.

Regardless of my costume critique, Capullo’s art captures what Nightwing (and the rest of the Bat-family for that matter)is all about.  Dynamic.

This Designer Series Nightwing figure, sadly, does not.

Which is to say, the figure itself isn’t all that bad.  It’s actually kind of cool.  The body of the figure has a pretty decent design and sculpt.  The Batman inspired gauntlets, the armored looking boots, and knee pads.  It’s all there, capturing the look of Capullo’s Nightwing.

Except for the head sculpt.  The head sculpt is totally off.  I’ve gone over the figure any number of times now.  Compared it to Capullo’s art, but still can’t quite put my finger on it.  Maybe it’s the hair.  Maybe it’s the mask.  Or more than likely, it’s just the whole thing.  Whatever it is, the face doesn’t quite line up with Capullo’s art.  Or Nightwing for that matter.

And, he’s real light on accessories, too.  Only coming with two batons.   No base, no nothing.

For my money, still the best Nightwing figure to date is DC Direct’s Nightwing from Hush.  If you’re looking for the quintessential Nightwing figure, that’s the one to get.  And you can still get him for a fairly reasonable price from Amazon.

(scroll down for complete photo gallery of the figure)

UPDATE: This figure can be found in a variety of places.

Amazon: DC Collectibles DC Comics Designer Action Figures Series 1 Nightwing Action Figure

Big Bad Toy Store is carrying him.

Entertainment Earth has him in stock.

And, of course, you can always scooch on over to eBay and search for a sweet deal on this DC Collectibles Nightwing figure.