Based on the seminal Batman: The Animated Series, the Mr. Freeze 1/6 Scale Figure stays true to the animated classic- sculpted to match the iconic style of the show, and with a paint scheme evoking to bold, graphic look of an animated cel. Featuring approximately 28 points of articulation, multiple switch-out hands, heads, accessories, and a Bat Symbol figure stand, Mr. Freeze is ready to extract cold vengeance on you and your collection.
The extra-dark blue box features the “Heart of Ice” poster design that Phantom City Creative released a few years ago. It’s a gorgeous homage to one of the best episodes of the series, and it actually flips back to reveal a window to the action figure itself. The reverse side of the flippable front panel also features a quote from the cartoon, which is a fun little detail. If you’re the type of collector who likes to keep everything mint-in-box, you’ll appreciate Mondo’s approach to its 1/6 scale figures so far because the box for Batman and Mr. Freeze allow you to take a gander at the goods without upsetting the integrity of that perfectly sealed packaging.
And here is the figure and its accessories nestled in their molded plastic trays. Let me go ahead and thank Mondo for kicking off their villain lineup with someone other than Joker or Harley. We all know like Joker, and we all know Joker sells like hotcakes, but Batman’s rogues gallery is fantastic and it’s a shame we don’t see more quality statues and figures based on the rest of Gotham’s Most Wanted.
My first impression is that the figure looks gorgeous, and it’s terrific seeing Mike Mignola’s design presented at such a large scale. And the accessories are wonderful! I really dig the dynamic, and quite sizable, blast effect you can insert into the freeze gun. The frozen batarang is also quite impressive. Each item with icey flair has terrific color and texture, but the real standout piece among the accessories is the snowglobe. I think we can all agree that the Nora snowglobe was absolutely essential. That said, none of the hands seemed to be designed with the snowglobe in mind. I had to really pry at the grip of one particular hand in order to get the ornament to fit properly. And I feel like one day that trinket is gonna skyrocket out of Mr. Freeze’s palm and scare the crap out of me.
While I love the episode-specific accessories that were included (and if you’re wondering where the chicken noodle soup thermos is, it’s actually included with the Batman figure) I wish the sad Victor Fries face wasn’t reserved for the Mondo Exclusive. In fact, I wish that the full version (excuse me, “exclusive”) was the only one they made. And that they made enough for everyone. I mean, if a fan is already willing to spend $130 on an action figure, they’re more than likely up for spending an extra $15 bucks to get everything that comes with it, right? And so few exclusives were made that it sold out as far back as a year ago! There’s clearly demand for the whole shebang.
Mondo did a lovely job of capturing heartache and longing with that goggle-less face, and if I owned that version, that would’ve been the head sculpt I would’ve used. After all, I have collectibles aplenty with expressions of focused determination or anger, but nothing that displays a sense of pathos. When the exclusive finally gets restocked, I suggest you buy it instead of the standard edition. You’ll also get a tombstone (featured in a BTAS comic, not the show) and a broken helmet (a ring of glass that fits into the collar).
The jagged glass collar should have been integrated into the wisps of steam accessory, though. I like the idea behind this accessory, but there is a solid rim at the bottom that doesn’t fit the narrative being told by the jet of steam. There is also some yellowish discoloration in the plastic, but I suppose you could say it’s from the chicken soup Batman used to shatter the helmet in “Heart of Ice.” There are indeed a couple frames in the cartoon immediately after the thermos collides with the glass where the steam is yellow.
Mr. Freeze boasts 28 points of articulation. He has a head that moves well on a ball joint, single-bend elbows, swiveling boots, and more. Even that seemingly purposeless disc on his stomach has its own itty-bitty joint! The figure comes with a Batman-themed display base and brace, but Freeze’s feet are so big and his joints so stiff, that he stands perfectly fine on his own (unlike the previously released Batman). And he looks far better that way.
While Freeze’s body is lousy with points of articulation, these movements are greatly hindered. For one, the double knee joint, while providing a wide range of movement, looks really unnatural whenever it is engaged. You could pose him with a bent knee, but you won’t want to, because it’s ugly and distracting.
But the even bigger problem is the use of rubber gasket sections at the shoulder and elbow. These are crafted from real rubber. And while I appreciate Mondo’s attempt at authenticity, the material is problematic. Bend the elbow for too long and it will likely pull away from the plastic or quickly deteriorate over time. Move the arm too many times and the matte paint from the arm or the rubber could wear away. It’s why I caution anyone who thinks about buying an 89, Returns, or Batman Begins style Hot Toy. You can’t bend those limbs and hold that position without ruining the rubber.
The paintwork on Mr. freeze is a bit inconsistent. It’s exceptional for a first impression or for viewing from a distance. But it doesn’t hold up too well to up-close scrutiny. For example, I had to use a needle to scrape out some gunk from the left lens of my Mr. Freeze’s goggles. He also has some lines on the stomach disc that aren’t all that clean, either. Then there’s the thinly brushed application of white stripes on the rubber, where the blue underneath is still visible. The use of shading effects elsewhere on the Freeze Suit look terrific, though. In fact, I believe the effect works way better on Freeze than it did on Batman. The techniques used here, when applied correctly, make for an eye-popping collectible that looks like a living animation cel. I only wish that there was greater care taken during quality control to prevent the problems that I have to touch up myself.
