Medicom Mafex #175 Nightwing (Batman: HUSH ver.) Action Figure Review

Welcome to another Dan's ToyBox action figure review. This time we're taking a look at the Medicom Mafex #175 Nightwing (Batman: HUSH ver.) action figure. I was fortunate enough to find him on sale over on Amazon and couldn't pass up the price. We'll discuss that further later on.

Orphaned when his parents were killed, young Richard Grayson was taken in by Bruce Wayne. Upon learning that Bruce is the Batman, Grayson undergoes a rigid training program. Already an incredible acrobat, Grayson excelled at the fight training, eagerly soaked up the detective skills and became Robin, the Boy Wonder! After years of fighting at Batman's side, Grayson was seriously injured in a rooftop encounter with the Joker. Batman took it upon himself to end his sidekick's career as Robin. Grayson, enraged by this, moved out of Wayne Manor, went off to college, and continued fighting crime in the Robin guise. As he got older, Grayson struggled with still being identified as Batman's partner and took on the new role of Nightwing. He gave his blessing to, first, Jason Todd as the next Robin, then after Todd was killed by the Joker, he later encouraged Wayne to take Tim Drake on as the new Robin. Grayson eventually moved to Bludhaven and joined the police force, while still fighting crime as Nightwing. Nightwing received his own ongoing series in October 1996, helmed by Chuck Dixon, Scott McDaniel, and Karl Story.

As per our usual mode of operation, Dan's ToyBox will look at Accessories, Appearance, Articulation, and Affordability. Using these criteria, the figure will be assigned an overall rating. As always, please remember, this is only my opinion and is designed to try to give a different perspective in order to help you, the collector, decide if a figure is right for your own collections.

Accessories: 9/10 The Medicom Mafex #175 Nightwing (Batman: Hush Version) comes with an impressive array of accessories that add value to this action figure. Nightwing is equipped with a pair of escrima sticks and a pair attached to one another by a bendy wire. The figure also includes 5 pairs of interchangeable hands, one pair of fists, one pair of escrima stick holding hands, one pair of flat/karate chop hands, one pair of relaxed hands, and one pair of open/grasping hands. He also comes with a pair of escrima twirling hands, with a very nice spinning effect. There are two head sculpts, one with a neutral look, the other with a grim, teeth gritted look. Lastly, he comes with two interchangeable back plates, one with clips to hold his escrima sticks, and the other without. The Mafex standard flight stand is also packed with the figure.

Appearance: 10/10 In terms of appearance, Medicom has truly outdone themselves with the Nightwing figure from the Batman: Hush series. The attention to detail is astonishing. The sculpt is incredibly accurate to the comic book depiction of Nightwing, capturing his muscular physique and distinctive blue and black costume. The paintwork is clean, with sharp lines and vibrant colors that make the figure pop on display. Nightwing's facial expression is well-sculpted, conveying determination and focus. The figure's overall aesthetic is visually stunning and captures the essence of the character flawlessly. What makes this more impressive is that the only paint is on the blue elements and his head sculpts. I really like the blue wash that gives his hair depth and the clean application of white paint for his eyes and teeth. As I've said before, most often simplicity leads to the more elegant designs. Nightwing's costume is, visually, a very simple design and Mafex has managed to elevate it into an exceptional looking figure.

Articulation: 9/10 Nightwing boasts a remarkable level of articulation, allowing for a wide range of dynamic poses. The figure features multiple points of articulation in the arms, legs, torso, and neck, making it easy to recreate iconic action scenes from the comics. The joints are tight and hold poses well, and the double-jointed knees and elbows enable fluid movement. The only slight issue is that some joints can be a bit stiff out of the box, requiring some careful manipulation to avoid potential breakage. I am most impressed with this body mold and really hope that it is the design used for the upcoming Daredevil figure. Probably the best piece of engineering is on the shoulders. The butterfly joints work beautifully and give a very nice range of motion. I am a little disappointed with the upper torso joint though. I can't get him into quite as deep a crouch as I'd like, in spite of the lower abdomen joint working nicely. That aside, I'm pleased that the joints aren't loose and allow for some terrific posing and balancing. As you can see in the pictures, I've got him in a nice running pose on one foot, without the aid of flight stand. The figure also has a nice, solid feel to it. This makes me much more confident posing him around as I don't feel that it's too delicate to handle.

Affordability: 8/10 While the Medicom Mafex #175 Nightwing (Batman: Hush Version) offers excellent value for the quality and detail it provides, it is on the higher end of the price spectrum for action figures. Currently, the figure is available at online retailers such as BBTS for $104.99. I mentioned earlier that mine was on sale on Amazon. I was happy to find it for $83, but it has dropped a bit more and can be purchased for $79.99. Collectors who are passionate about Nightwing and the Batman: Hush storyline will find this figure worth the investment. However, for those with budget constraints or less attachment to the character, it may be considered a bit pricey.

Overall, the Medicom Mafex #175 Nightwing (Batman: Hush Version) is a fantastic addition to any action figure collection, thereby earning a solid:

9 out of 10 ToyBoxes!

Its impressive accessories, impeccable appearance, and high articulation make it a standout piece. The minor drawbacks in terms of affordability prevent it from achieving a perfect score. However, for fans of Nightwing and Batman: Hush, this figure is a must-have and is sure to be a centerpiece in any collection. Until next time... GEEK OUT!!!