Given that the last review was of the older version of Wally West, it's purely coincidental that I'm discussing this figure. Honestly, I was surprised it arrived as quickly as it did. Either way though, it's kind of fun to be writing about Kid Flash as this was always one of my favorite sidekicks and the costume was really cool! So, with that in mind, let's discuss the McFarlane Toys Gold Label Crisis on Infinite Earths Kid Flash action figure.
Kid Flash is the superhero alter ego of Wally West, a character first introduced in The Flash #110 (December 1959). He was created by writer John Broome and artist Carmine Infantino. Wally is the nephew of Iris West, the love interest (and later wife) of Barry Allen, the Silver Age Flash.
In his origin story, Wally idolizes the Flash and visits Barry's lab. A freak accident mirroring Barry's own origin occurs when Wally is doused in electrified chemicals, granting him super-speed abilities. He adopts the mantle of Kid Flash and becomes Barry Allen's sidekick, fighting crime and eventually joining the Teen Titans.
Over time, Wally evolves into a prominent hero in his own right, even taking up the mantle of the Flash after Barry’s apparent death during Crisis on Infinite Earths. Wally's tenure as the Flash solidified him as a fan-favorite, known for his close ties to the speedster legacy and his down-to-earth personality.
Accessories: 4/10
Kid Flash comes with a decent selection of accessories:
A pair of fists
A pair of flat, running hands
A black display disc
A collectible character card
The legs for the "The Monitor" Build-A-Figure
The inclusion of alternate hands adds some versatility for posing, which is crucial for a speedster. However, the hands are disproportionately small compared to the figure's body, detracting from their usefulness. While the black display disc is a standard inclusion for McFarlane figures, it doesn’t offer anything new or exciting. The collectible card is a nice touch for fans of the character but doesn’t significantly enhance the play or display value. Finally, the Build-A-Figure legs for The Monitor are well-sculpted but won’t benefit collectors uninterested in completing the figure.
Appearance: 8/10
Visually, Kid Flash has some highlights. The sculpt does a good job of capturing the youthful, energetic look of Wally West in his classic yellow and red costume, with sharp details in the lightning bolt and a vibrant color palette. However, the proportions are a significant problem. The hands look ridiculously small, which breaks the figure's realism and makes poses awkward. Additionally, while the paint application is mostly clean, there are minor inconsistencies in the mask edges, which detract from the premium feel expected from a Gold Label figure.
Articulation: 7/10
Articulation is standard for this figure, offering:
Ball-jointed head for good up/down and side to side motion
Double-jointed elbows and knees for dynamic poses
Shoulder butterflys for additional range, bicep rotation
Upper torso rotation and limited forward/back bend
Hinged wrists and ankles
Toe articulation and decent ankle motion
Kid Flash can strike a variety of running poses, which is vital for a speedster character. However, the tightness in the shoulder joints and the odd proportions of the hands make some poses look off. That said, the articulation system as a whole is functional and reasonably well-engineered.
Affordability: 8/10
At $25.99 (down from $39.99 on McFarlane’s website), the figure offers reasonable value. While the discounted price makes it more appealing, paying full price for this figure would feel excessive given its flaws. The inclusion of Build-A-Figure parts adds some value, but the accessory and design issues prevent it from feeling like a true Gold Label-tier collectible.
Overall, the McFarlane Toys Gold Label Crisis on Infinite Earths Kid Flash Action Figure has a lot of potential but stumbles in execution. While the sculpt and articulation are solid, the poor hand proportions and minor paint flaws hold it back. The discounted price makes it a worthwhile pickup for fans of the character or collectors looking to complete their Monitor Build-A-Figure, but it's not a standout figure in McFarlane’s lineup. Thus, the Kid Flash earns a slightly above average:
7 out of 10 ToyBoxes
If you’re a die-hard Kid Flash fan or completing the Crisis on Infinite Earths set, this figure is worth considering. Otherwise, you might want to wait for a future iteration of the character with better proportions. Thank you, as always, and until next time... GEEK OUT!!!