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The Review
Originally published October 20, 2017. This article preserves One Sixth Society’s original reporting and images; product availability, pricing, and opinions reflect the original publication period.
Netflix’s Daredevil brought a darker, street-level perspective to Marvel’s screen universe. Matt Murdock was a natural fit for that approach. This darker take brought with it a slew of new fans, with many clamoring for a sixth scale offering. This review looks at the figure’s crimson-and-black suit, interchangeable mouthpieces, billy clubs and rooftop display base, including the posing limits of the costume.
The Packaging
I am beginning to wonder if Hot Toys saw my comments about not being impressed with their packaging because recently they have really stepped up their game. The Daredevil box might be one of the coolest so far, with extremely nice iconography on the box. The neatest little detail however is the braille lettering on the front of the box. Nice little character details really elevate the packaging, and utilizing braille was a perfect choice for Daredevil.
The Costume
The centerpiece is Daredevil’s iconic suit. Hot Toys has a very mixed track record with these types of superhero outfits, and I am happy to say that Daredevil is on the positive side of the spectrum. The crimson and black bodysuit has a nice look to it, and it feels great too. It is certainly not as cheap-feeling as some of the other suits that Hot Toys has done. The suit does, however, come with a fair share of limitations.
Avoid forcing poses that stretch the suit. I also avoid leaving the figure in extreme poses for long periods. However, having him standing upright is easy to achieve, and looks fantastic. The costume is rounded out by his boots, which are of a new design. The boots are two pieces, which takes some getting used to. I appreciate the extra ankle movement this design allows.
Headsculpt and Accessories
The head sculpt is where the figure really shines. The head consists of the cowl, and the lower half of the head. The cowl is well painted, with reflective eyes and a glossy helmet. The mouthpieces are also great! You get a passive face as well as a bloody snarl. The angry face looks more fantastic, and it makes for a very cool display.
The accessories include the typical assortment of hands, as well as several variations of Daredevil’s billy club. It comes as separate pieces, connected baton, and with the two halves connected by cable. Obviously it would have been cooler to have the accessory be able to change, but getting the variations is still nice.
Daredevil comes with a square stand, a small rooftop piece and a backdrop. I appreciate having a scene to display him in, although an unmasked Matt Murdock head would have been welcome too.
Is Daredevil Worth A Buy?
My main reservation is the limited articulation, but I would rather have an accurate-looking suit than gain a little extra movement at the expense of its appearance. I have seen some people have complaints about the body, but I think he comes across lean and mean. The suit and rooftop display make this a strong character piece, especially for a restrained pose.
For a closer look at the same figure, watch our Daredevil video review. Explore more sixth-scale figure reviews or browse our Hot Toys coverage.
For the later Born Again release, see Daredevil TMS186 specifications and photos. It is a separate model from the Netflix-era figure reviewed here.
Collector notes for an older example
If you are buying a used figure, ask for close-ups of the suit at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. Check that both mouthpieces, all billy-club versions and the rooftop pieces are present.
