Following the news that Mattel had reclaimed the DC toy license, the very first wave of their retail rollout has officially landed on store shelves. The foundational bedrock of this new era begins with the budget-friendly, 6.5-inch scale line aimed at a wider audience.

To see exactly how these new figures stack up against the competition, I just dropped my comprehensive unboxing and video review over on the YouTube channel. I am taking a deep dive into the wave 1 lineup, featuring Batman, Robin, The Flash, and The Joker—, to answer the burning question on every fan’s mind: Are these figures ready to dethrone the reigning king of the shelf?

You can watch my full, in-depth Mattel DC Core figures review video below, or read on for our complete breakdown of the articulation, sculpting, and surprising gimmick choices that define this new line.

Unboxing the Wave 1 Heroes and Villains

Out of the package, the immediate standout of this line is the retail value. Clocking in at a very accessible $13 price point, these figures boast a surprising amount of heft. They feel solid, durable, and completely avoid the hollow, lightweight plastic feel that often plagues retail toys in this budget tier.

The introductory lineup delivers Gotham’s iconic duo, Central City’s Scarlet Speedster, and the Clown Prince of Crime right out of the gate:

• Batman: Sport-on comic book sculpting featuring a clean black-and-grey costume pattern with a distinct, fine texture across the rib cage and under the arms.
• Robin: A vibrant, classic color scheme that pairs perfectly on the shelf next to the Dark Knight.
• The Flash: A classic, clean speedster sculpt featuring crisp paint apps on the cowl and a standard hero buck that serves as an excellent foundation for future character variants.
• The Joker: Hands down the standout paint job of the entire wave. The facial sculpt is superb, featuring precisely detailed teeth and eyes that rival much more expensive collectibles.

Articulation Breakdown: How Do They Move?

The articulation structure is uniform across the entire Core line. While it does not feature the heavy joint cutting found in high-end adult collectibles, Mattel has packed in a highly functional movement layout that prioritizes playability and clean lines.

The head is mounted on a smooth ball joint, allowing for 360-degree rotation and excellent vertical tilt when looking up or down. The shoulders offer full rotation, paired with a standard swivel and bend at the elbow rather than a double joint. The hands feature full rotation and back-and-forth hinging.

Moving down the figure, Mattel skipped the traditional ab crunch or torso cut, choosing instead a clean 360-degree waist twist. The legs offer an impressive side-to-side split, though backward movement is somewhat restricted by the rear sculpt. Surprisingly, Mattel included a full thigh swivel, paired with pinless double-jointed knees that offer a smooth, clean look. The line opts out of boot cuts or ankle joints, maintaining a solid, sturdy stance for easy shelf display.

Retro Gimmicks and Cross-Character Accessories

One of the most nostalgic elements of these new figures is the accessory execution. Harkening back to classic Kenner and Playmates eras, the gear arrives on a plastic sprue runner that you peel or snip apart.

Batman and Robin come with specialized display stands that click together to form an interconnected display base. These bases include customizable weapons racks to house their extensive gear, including Batarangs, grapple guns, throwing stars, and staffs.

The undisputed highlight of the accessory pack belongs to The Joker. He includes a firing projectile launcher alongside unique, soft-plastic character masks. These masks slip perfectly over the faces of Batman, Robin, and The Flash, allowing you to instantly create “Jokerized” variants of the heroes.

The Verdict: Better Than McFarlane?

So, does this line earn the title of “McFarlane killer”? As I break down in the video, they are operating in entirely different ballparks. While McFarlane’s DC Multiverse line focuses strictly on highly detailed, 7-inch scale sculpts for adult collectors, this initial Mattel offering is engineered as a robust retail line for younger fans.

However, there is an incredible amount for adult collectors to love here. The 6.5-inch scale means these figures scale beautifully alongside Marvel Legends, G.I. Joe Classified, and Star Wars Black Series. The sculpts are clean, the pinless knees look fantastic, and the overall aesthetic offers an excellent, affordable option for classic DC team building on your shelf.

What are your thoughts on Mattel’s grand return to the DC universe? Are you adding Wave 1 to your collection? Watch the full video breakdown above, see the side-by-side scale comparisons with other major toy lines, and leave a comment with your thoughts!