The Megafig format from McFarlane is a series of larger figures from their various licences, usually at around a £35-£40 price point. After a number of vehicle releases in the DC Multiverse line, the Megafig's were introduced in 2021 starting with the larger figures of Steppenwolf and Darkseid from Zack Snyder's Justice League. The first comic book Megafig was Swamp Thing in late 2021, and then soon after we had the arrival of Clayface and Titan Joker in the Spring of 2022. This is my first Megafig review and I've been kindly helped by my Son who's figure this is as he is the DC Collector of the family.
The Megafig format uses an oversized version of the usual DC Multiverse window boxes. This features the black base colour with white trim and the central DC Multiverse logo on top of the character name. The back features a full image of Clayface but lacks any background information or any checklists of other releases.
Extending the box size does also reduce the overall strength as the larger window across the deeper box is a weak spot when handling the box and the window is very easily crumpled - certain an issue for boxed collectors.
Like all of the McFarlane boxed figures, the figure itself sits in a plastic tray and is tied into position. Behind this is the blue cartoon montage backdrop and onto this is glued the circular base and collectable card. Neither can be removed without damaging the packaging - a flaw for a box that is designed to be re-sealed. I also wonder how relevant the display stand is considering it's the same size as one used for a standard figure and is lost under the sheer girth of Clayface's feet.
There are no accessories or alternative parts included in the set. The big miss therefore for some would be the lack of any clay weapon hands as seen in the comics.
Clayface measures 8.5 inches both in height and in width and is a hefty piece in hand. McFarlane does appear to have maintained the lower end price-point by using hollow plastic sections for the torso and lower legs in particular. It also employs rubbery sections for the stomach and groin area that allows for the sculpt to continue in full while the joints are engineered underneath.
The figure itself is based on Clayface as he is seen in the 2016 Rebirth series. The sculpt is amazing and features an insane amount of details across the body with various faces and hands visible within the melting clay finish. There are also a number of spikes across the back and arms, while the occasional use of clay 'blisters' and 'dripping clay' just finishes off the grotesque body nicely. The head is a two-part piece that sits at the front of the torso rather than on the top - there is no defined neck. The lower jaw piece includes a protruding chin and an inner ring of teeth set back within a sculpted mouth that is exposed as the jaw opens.
The paintwork is applied over the base brown plastic and includes a darker brown wash, that brings out the details of the sculpt, as well as light brown to add more variation and definition. The eyes are painted a sickly yellow, as are the teeth with the inner mouth painted in a deep glossy red.
Clayface has 13 points of articulation, and this is certainly scaled back vs a standard figure. This is most likely a necessity due to the body type, but it is also probably another cost control measure. Due to his enormous bulk, the joints are also less than extensive in their movement with relatively little play in the knees and elbows, while the shoulders, wrists and hips are a bit wider-ranging.
Clayface should, by way of his enormous feet, stand perfectly well. But you have to factor in the weight of his upper body and relatively slim hips. If he is too far forward when posed he will fall and a shelf dive on a figure of this size and weight will do damage - make sure you have him well balanced.
I paid just under £35 for my Clayface figure courtesy of Props & Replicas. And it is quite odd to think I will pay the same price for a 6-inch Star Wars figure in the Hasbro Deluxe format. That is not a fair comparison really when you look at the articulation and paintwork differences, but I think McFarlane have hit on something here in how they get larger characters to market without breaking the bank.
Clayface is big and gruesome, as he should be, with loads of different details in the clay body. He is articulated sufficiently for some basic poses and displays brilliantly against the standard 7-inch figure line. I question the inclusion of a stand - and an alternative clay morphed weapon arm might have been nice? There is also an integrity question over the packaging at this scale, and the issue still of having a box that can be opened and resealed, yet have parts glued to the backing card?
I doubt this will be the last McFarlane Megafig that makes its way to mine or my son's collection.
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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...
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