McFarlane Toys has brought a classic version of the Man of Steel to life with their Superman '78 action figure as part of the DC Page Punchers line. Inspired by Christopher Reeve’s iconic portrayal in the 1978 film, this 7-inch figure aims to please fans of both the movie and the comic book aesthetic. Let’s dive into our review using the four key categories: Accessories, Appearance, Articulation, and Affordability.
Accessories: 9/10
The Superman '78 figure is impressively loaded with a variety of accessories:
Hands: You’ll find an excellent range of interchangeable hands: two fists for heroic poses, two flight hands to emulate soaring through the sky, two relaxed hands for casual stances, two gripping hands for dynamic action scenes, a right hand with a pointing finger for dramatic storytelling moments, and a left hand holding the green Kryptonian crystal. The sculpt work on each set is crisp, with veins, knuckles, and fingernail details all present.
Comic Book: As part of the DC Page Punchers line, the figure includes a comic book featuring Superman in an adventure inspired by the 1978 film. The artwork is vibrant, and the story serves as a fun companion piece to the figure itself.
Collectible Card: The collectible card features a high-quality image of Superman on one side and character stats on the back. This is a nice touch for collectors who enjoy displaying or cataloging their figures.
Black Disc Stand: The disc stand with the DC logo is a useful inclusion, especially for dynamic posing or flight displays. While it’s functional, it’s fairly basic and doesn’t include any flight support, which would have been a welcome addition.
Overall, the accessories provide plenty of display and play options, adding significant value to the figure.
Appearance: 8/10
The likeness to Christopher Reeve is solid but not perfect. The sculpt captures the essence of Reeve’s Superman with a strong jawline, a slight smile, and his iconic curly hair strand. However, the paint application on the face is slightly flat, lacking the subtle shading that would make the likeness more lifelike. The bright blue, red, and yellow costume is vibrant, staying true to the 1978 film. The “S” emblem on the chest is sharply applied, as is the yellow belt and red trunks. The figure is cel-shaded to match the comic book styling and looks really nice. My biggest complaint is that the yellow paint on the belt could have covered it better as the tops of the belt has red showing through in different spots. Additionally, the cel painting is limited to the front and sides of the figure. The cape hides the fact that there is no cel shading on his back at all.
The cape benefits from being a soft fabric material with a wired frame for better poseability. The overall sculpt detail, especially on the boots and the musculature, is excellent, with subtle texturing that adds depth to the figure.
Articulation: 7/10
The figure boasts McFarlane’s standard articulation scheme with a ball-jointed head, shoulders, and hips; double-jointed elbows and knees; and swivels in the wrists and ankles. While the range is decent, certain points feel limited, particularly the shoulders and torso. The ball joint at the head allows for decent tilting and rotation, but looking upward for flight poses is very restricted.
The ankle articulation works well for grounding the figure in dynamic poses, and the inclusion of toe articulation is a bonus. While the figure holds many poses well, a bit more range in the torso and shoulders would’ve improved flight and action displays.
Affordability: 9/10
With a price point of around $24.99, this figure offers excellent value for its cost. The wide array of accessories, comic book inclusion, and overall quality make it a worthwhile addition to any Superman or DC collector’s lineup. While a wired cape or more detailed paint application might have justified a slightly higher price, the figure as-is feels appropriately priced.
Overall, the McFarlane Toys’ Superman '78 DC Page Punchers 7" Superman Action Figure is a strong offering that delivers on nostalgia, display options, and playability. While it’s not without minor flaws—like restricted articulation and a slightly flat face paint—the accessories and vibrant costume more than make up for these shortcomings. This figure is decent and earns a fairly solid:
8.25 out of 10 ToyBoxes
Whether you’re a fan of the classic Superman film or simply a DC collector, this figure is a solid addition to your collection. Thanks, as always, until next time... GEEK OUT!!!