Legion's WONDER WOMAN is a frustrating box of Funko super cool and super lame.
Review by Matt Cummings
2017 has been a very good year for DC Legion's sub box, gifting us with the impressive LEGACY and SUPERMAN and sending us a very nice one-year anniversary golden Batman statue. Having learned from the mistakes of lesser boxes (Loot Crate and Geek Fuel, are you listening??), Legion - along with Funko's other lines - has established such a high bar that sometimes we get disappointed when they fail to maintain their own standards. Such is the case with May's WONDER WOMAN box, a frustrating mix of super cool and super lame.
The Promise
The Delivery
We use QUALITY and TIMING to base our reviews, so let's see how this box stands up. As always, we'll end our review with some additional thoughts after the unboxing:
The box itself is a fairly small-looking one, so we were a tad concerned as to what might lay inside. With our last box LEGACY arriving crushed, we were happy to see the same couldn't be said for WONDER WOMAN. Upon opening the box, we are treated to a very nice first layer, complete with the great penciling of Diana in various poses, and the inclusion of the now-standard (READ: awesome!) pin/patch set. It's a critical opening swing each time a box arrives, but not always indicative of successes under the cardboard covering. But for now, let's revel in a very nice set which combines color, sharp detail, and a truly kick-ass logo. We seriously love the WW lettering on the pin, but let's not ignore the great stitching and composition of the patch. Frankly, it's one of the best sets we've ever seen. The stitching on the patch is good, while Diana's eyes focus your attention right away. Unbelievable would be a word I'd use here, and from these images I think you'd agree. WIN and WIN.
The Comic
No comic was featured in this set, a bad decision that I hope Funko now realizes. Funko sets usually include one, which gives the recipient some place to begin reading the comics. It's a nice way to balance the box, because it allows the company a moment to highlight their interests in other formats of media: put on the wearables, play with the toys, read the comics, stitch the patch onto your backpack, and you're in. The lack of a comic here - with the infographic for the upcoming BATMAN box instead - is not enough, and it's a huge head-scratcher.
Are Two Pops! Better Than One?
Once again, Funko's sculpts are impressive, and this time we get a pair of great figures. Of course, no WW box would be complete without a figure of Diana, and Funko certainly doesn't disappoint. The sculpt is impressive (I love the Lasso of Truth!), with Diana's armor finely detailed and even showing wear. Her headpiece is also impressive, sparkling right when you remove it from the box. Her boots also look good. With the movie arriving soon, we'll have plenty of versions of Diana to collect - just look at the back of the box for how many - but this to me is the only one to collect, not because the others are lame but because this one is good damn good. Dr. Maru is also very interesting, although I would have appreciated the Steve Trevor figure. Still, this one is a winner as well with 360-degree sculpting and great detail in her clothes and facial applications. Count each as WIN and WIN.
And Here's Where Things Go South...
The inclusion of a wearable - and some pretty damn good ones over the year - has become a hallmark of the box. So when one isn't included - as was this month's - fans are sure to take notice. The replacement - a pair of WW socks - are fine, but are in no way equal to the shirt we usually get. The socks aren't soft either, so I doubt I will be keeping them. In addition, this is another lost opportunity for DC to get its female characters out there; imagine a collage of Themysciran Amazons on a shirt. I'll just let that one work its way into your mind...ok, now that you have, we can call this category a FAIL.
And The Hits Keep on Coming
Ah, Pint Sized Heroes, we've missed you...not. Their inclusion in Marvel's box are purely throwaways, and here we don't like the connotation that they even deserve space next to other more desirable lines. The figure itself is pretty nice, but again I have no interest in collecting yet another line. I understand that Funko needs to expand their brand, but had this set included a shirt, I might have supported the PSH as a cute toss-in. But, we'll have to call this one a FAIL as well.
The Bottom Line
I've written for awhile about whether these boxes can survive long-term, and it all goes back to quality. Should Funko continue to deliver boxes with throwaways like PSH and socks, we're concerned for their future. Just like Warner Brothers, Funko really missed out on the potential for cross-marketing Wonder Woman with their other brands. Just like the studio, Funko is now paying for their mistakes. Not every box needs to be the best ever, but at least include the things that have made your boxes work so well in the past. Timing and Quality have been our pillars from the start of this, so it's with a heavy heart that I weigh my scores so low. Considering that it's been a pretty damn good year already for Legion, I can look past this bump in the road, so long as the next box - DC's MOST WANTED - returns to a winning formula.
Want to read our other sub box reviews? We've got them all listed below:
MARVEL COLLECTOR CORPS
May
June
August
October
December
February
April
June
August
October
December February April June
DC LEGION REVIEWS
May
July
September November
January March May
SMUGGLER'S BOUNTY
January
March
May
July
September
November February April
Discuss this review with author Matt Cummings at @mfc90125.
Comments