Back in 2007, before the DC Superheroes action figure line ventured out of the Batman/Superman character-centric territory into the all-encompassing DC Universe Classics, well, universe, Mattel surprisingly released the
Cassandra Cain version of Batgirl.
I suppose it shouldn't have been a big surprise, as Mattel was able to re-use about 92% of the parts from the Barbara Gordon figure they had released previously in the same line. But still, she was an unexpected (and hard to find) character.
In typical Four-Horsemen female head-sculpt fashion, Cassandra looks great from straight-on, but flat-faced from the side. She came with a batarang or two but I don't have them within easy reach, so you'll just have to take my word for it.
The Babs Gordon body re-use may have made Cassandra look a little too blossomed-to-womanhood for her teenaged characterization, but if you want to get nerd-touchy about that you can just imagine that this action figure is the Huntress. Fun Fact: When this costume debuted during the No Man's Land storyline it was worn by the Huntress (Helena Bertinelli).
The headsculpt and sweet massive-pouched belt are the only unique parts to this figure, and the only paint apps are the bat symbol and some silver trim (some of which is completely unnecessary, but you gotta admit the silver stitches on the mask are pretty sweet!)
During the No Man's Land story, Gotham City was cut off from the rest of the world after a massive Earthquake, and Batman was who-knows-where. Helena felt that the city needed a human Bat symbol so she became Batgirl for a short time. Basically until Batman returned and got mad at her for, well, doing his job. And then a new kid shows up and hey here's a spare costume we'll save Alfred some time.
Comic book logic at it's finest.
Anyways, the figure is pretty cool, especially considering the unlikelyhood of the pretty well forgotten Cassanda Batgirl making new waves in action figure circles (unless that whole DC Convergence thing has brought her up again. I don't know, I'm not following it.)
Cassandra Batgirl was pretty tough to find at retail, so I consider myself lucky to have her. She's a cool and unique addition to my plastic Bat-family
Cass did show up in the Convergence Batgirl. They really ought to bring her back. I never saw this figure at retail. :/
ReplyDeleteCool - she deserves a place in the Bat Family for sure!
DeleteThis figure was one of the main reason's I got into collecting action figures as an adult. Way back then I was in a Tower Records browsing their amazing magazine selection where I found the issue of Lee's Action Figure Review where the Cass and Babs figures were first revealed. They didn't hit the shelves for another year after that, but by that point I had become totally obsessed. Once I had them in my greedy little paws it was a slippery slope.
ReplyDeleteFun fact: the Eaglemoss Cassandra Batgirl is modeled directly from the Helena's first cover in the batigrl outfit (No Mans' Land #0). So there's a precedent for giving Cass an overly mature body.
I was lucky to find this one - I never did find Babs! And that is a fun fact re: the Eaglemoss figure. Good to know!
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