I was rearranging my figure display when I came to realize that I have started to neglect some of my older figures. Sitting way up high next to the ceiling, collecting dust, the very first wave of DCUC sat idle. Too out of reach for handling and appreciation, too out of sight to catch your eye.

These were the vanguard of a great line, these figures paved the way for those to come. These would have to showcase the sculpting and character selections we would come to expect. But lo, they have been put to the wayside for the newer, more current figures hitting my shelves.

I genuinely like this wave, we received characters created by Kirby, members of the League, a Bat-Rogue and a new, now much lamented, version of arguably the most popular DC character ever.

M first experience with The Penguin came from the classic Superpowers version. Bright blue suit wearing, rotund, vertically challenged master of crime. I knew nothing of the character except what I gleamed from watching reruns of the old Adam West show. The Penguin was bad and fought Batman. As a child that was all I needed.

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As an adult collector however, I needed something more. Mattel had done some truly nice things with the DC Superheroes line, but between the multitude of Supermen and Batmen, a growing number of Batman's rogues had taken shape. In scale with Marvel Legends and sporting articulation then unheard of with DC properties, we received a new Two-face, Catwoman, Clayface, Mr. Freeze, Scarecrow, and Bane. Then the line was canceled, to be replaced with something new. Something to encompass the DC universe at large. Luckily, they continued the tradition and continued to bolster the ranks of Batman's rogues, and to begin with we were getting Oswald Cobblepot himself. The Penguin.

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With the expert sculpting expected of the Four Horsemen, The Penguin's execution was nigh on perfect. Adorned with a top hat and monocle, lips raised in disgust, the detail and workmanship put into the head-sculpt are self evident. It's scale and build are accurate to the character it represents. A short round man with theft on the mind. It's deco acknowledged the past while not straying too far into the realm of child's plaything. Purple pants with black pin-striping, orange vest, white shirt and gloves and a matching top hat and tails. This was a man dressed to evoke refinement. Everything The Penguin was supposed to be. The figure looked and felt like The Penguin we knew.

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As nice as the figure looked, it differed from it's wave-mates in articulation. Due to his body habitus certain points of articulation were cut. It's head lay on a ball joint, and it's arms sported the standard articulation for the line. Yet there was no ab crunch, no thigh cut and no hip abduction. This was not a figure that would pull of dizzying feats of acrobatics. It would not be posed daringly opposing the forces of good. No, this figure was meant to represent one who would stand back while others overtly challenged “The Bat”. One whose only accessory lay in defense. An armored umbrella with a hidden five chamber Gatling gun.

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The Penguin added a much-needed character to the list of already existing Batman rogues while showcasing the abilities of The Four Horsemen. With character driven sculpt and articulation suited to the subject, however lacking, it would prove to be a worthwhile beginning to one of my most loved action figure lines.

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