Wednesday, September 17, 2025

McFarlane DC Multiverse New Teen Titans Nightwing & Rebirth Cyborg review

As we give a bit of Teen Titans rep for the review site, we get to finally give some attention to a version of Dick Grayson and cover an uncommon yet still present guest in the form of Victor Stone, aka Cyborg. As many know, one was the first ever Robin before growing out of the sidekick role and becoming a hero of his own after some mentoring from Superman. The other is an individual who had a life-changing experience after his mutilation where he gained cybernetic limbs and other technological abilities that made him a benefit for either the Teen Titans or the Justice League. While many would debate over which team Victor should be a part of, he will stick with the NEW Teen Titans as we review both characters this time.


Here we have Nightwing in-hand. As I understand it, this figure is a retool of the Blue Beetle buck, which is a common blank body for McFarlane to reuse on simpler superhero costumes. While they're just as guilty of doing this like with Hasbro, they have at least got a more proportionate superhero body, and the figure has also retooled the boots and collar to better match the costume he wore back when he first became Nightwing while also removing any carry over sculpted details from the buck he's using. The figure generally looks good, and while I wish the yellow detailing on the torso and shoulders was sculpted, at least the linework is crisp, and the blue lining that matches the rest of his costume gives him some dimensionality. And while most would prefer he had a darker blue like on the SDCC Knightfall or No Man's Land Batman, at least it's a regular blue and not one as bright as his collar. One complaint I do have is that his rotator cuffs are left blank without any paintwork to connect the shoulder detailing and the torso; it isn't a complaint I normally have for plenty a McFarlane figure, yet it is egregious here given how his costume works.


His head sculpt is easily the best part of the set, with a smile that befits Dick Grayson and blue shading applied through the hair and mask. While his articulation is naturally the same as with all other figures in the line, his sole accessory is a Wingding with a hole likely meant for a string to tether through. First Adam West and this Nightwing have that weird quirk, is it hard to get him the string? Next to the Knightfall Nightwing, I appreciate that the costumes aren't mere deco tweaks, though I think I prefer elements of the Knightfall suit better. I just wish he didn't have his shot details painted over pre-existing Blue Beetle costume details. Btw, I am referring to Ted Kord, the second mantle bearer, and not Jamie Reyes.


As for Cyborg, this is how he appeared in DC Rebirth. While I don't own that many versions of the character in the Rebirth aesthetic, Cyborg is still a design I like overall. The blend of classic and modern is already balanced perfectly here, and I always appreciate how Cyborg wasn't trying to mimic the look of his Snyderverse design considering how Disney would have it's corporate-approved Marvel promo art match the MCU. While I'm sure some would want a more classic version of the character design, I always preferred it when Cyborgs had a more fully covered look to his bar the remaining portions of his face that represent what little of his old self remains. He may be more machine than man, but he is not twisted and evil. He could be a bit bulkier, but at least he has silver paint paid with a bit of a wash. It beats having to deal with Hasbro making marbleized silver plastic instead of painting their figures proper silver. However, my copy appears to have some poor QC on the back with the smudge of paint. Hopefully, it's just my copy, but I fear those who want to remove any paint errors will resort to using extra silver paint instead of removing the mistake because that will remove what's intended to go on his back.


As for his head sculpt, I think it's great! Sure, the weathering makes him less pristine, but with all the hell he went through either as a League member or a Titan, can you blame him? While I wish he had alternate hands, he does at least come with a giant arm cannon. It slides over his right arm, and the friction is tight enough for him to keep it in there. Would it have been better to have more display options? Yes. But is this still a good accessory compared to the more Wingding? Also yes.


Overall, while Nightwing is a better version of his classic look than his Knightfall counterpart, Cyborg is an arguably better figure. Sure, you get a digital card for a 3D showroom with the former Boy Wonder, but the price that the Digital line is going for is not as good as the regular line-up. I admit that Cyborg should come with extra hands, or at least something for his left hand to hold, but he had a bit more value for money than his fellow Titan. Maybe wait for a sale on Nightwing, but definitely go get Cyborg. 


Final ranking: ⭐⭐⭐ and a half out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Nightwing)
⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Cyborg)

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