Hey, welcome to Dan's ToyBox. Today we're taking a look at a figure that came out a while ago. I saw the Huntress on sale at BBTS and decided to snag one for myself. As many readers know, I am a fan of Medicom Mafex, but will admit, this may be the first Mafex figure I regret buying.
Helena Bertinelli was born into one of Gotham’s most powerful Mafia families, the Bertinelli crime family. Her father, Franco Bertinelli, was a notorious mob boss. However, Helena’s idyllic childhood was shattered when she witnessed the brutal murder of her family at the age of eight. A rival crime family orchestrated the massacre, leaving Helena the sole survivor of the bloody event. The trauma from this experience left a lasting mark on her, fueling a deep desire for vengeance.
After the massacre, Helena was sent away to Sicily, where she was raised in secret by her relatives. She was trained in combat, martial arts, and weaponry by some of the world’s finest instructors. This rigorous training was intended to prepare her for the day when she would return to Gotham and exact vengeance on the mobsters responsible for her family’s death.
As an adult, Helena returned to Gotham and adopted the identity of the Huntress, donning a distinctive costume and using a crossbow as her primary weapon. Unlike Batman, who avoids lethal force, Huntress is more willing to kill, when necessary, particularly when it comes to Mafia-related crime. Her methods often put her at odds with Batman and other members of the Bat-family, but over time, she has proven her value as a fierce, albeit morally complex, crimefighter.
Helena Bertinelli’s Huntress made her first appearance in The Huntress #1 (April 1989), a miniseries that fully introduced her origin story and character arc. This version of Huntress was created by Joey Cavalieri and Joe Staton. However, it’s important to note that the name "Huntress" was first associated with Helena Wayne, the daughter of Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle from Earth-Two, who debuted in DC Super Stars #17 in 1977. Helena Bertinelli's version, though, became the primary Huntress in the post-Crisis DC continuity.
The Mafex Huntress figure, based on her appearance from the iconic Batman: Hush comic series, brings one of Gotham’s fiercest vigilantes to life in 1/12 scale. With her dynamic design, impressive accessory count, and comic-accurate details, the Huntress figure promises a lot to fans, but some challenges with articulation and the cape design might leave collectors feeling mixed. Let’s break it down in detail across our main categories.
Accessories: 6/10
Medicom has equipped Huntress with a solid array of accessories that cater well to both display and play. The figure comes with a staff, five pairs of swappable hands (gripping, relaxed, finger pointing, fists and open palm), two head sculpts, and a Mafex stand. For the first time, out of all of the Mafex figures I own, I have issues with the hand pegs. Her hands fit loose on the pegs and tend to slip off fairly easy. This is really disappointing, given that they are so small and potentially easy to lose. The staff, though simple, is another great addition that adds to her combat-ready aesthetic. The only other minor gripe is that while she has plenty of hands, her signature crossbow would have been a welcome addition. I get that DC has some moratorium on action figures with guns... but c'mon her crossbow is an integral part of the Huntress character.
Appearance: 9/10
This figure shines when it comes to aesthetics. Medicom perfectly captured the classic Jim Lee Hush look, with a strong, comic-accurate design. The costume features intricate detailing, from the armored boots to her purple and black bodysuit, and even the gold paint on her belt and cape clasps. The purple paint is rich and deep on her mask, gloves and boots, contrasting nicely with the lighter lavender on her belt and pouches and the dark tones of the rest of her outfit. The detailing on her face sculpts is sharp and true to the source material.
One standout feature is the head sculpt—her face is finely painted, and the sculpt work on the mask and flowing hair adds a dynamic flair. However, this is also where some articulation issues arise, which we’ll address in the next section. Her cape, while designed to be dramatic and flowing, poses its own set of challenges, impacting both her appearance and articulation. That being said, the white trim on the leading edges of her cape is a nice addition, but I worry that it may come off if I'm not careful.
Articulation: 7/10
The Mafex Huntress figure features the standard Mafex articulation scheme, offering a decent range of movement. The double-jointed knees and elbows, ab crunch, thigh swivel, and ball joints in the shoulders and hips provide plenty of posing possibilities. However, there are some notable issues.
First, the head sculpts, while beautiful, are problematic for posing. The flowing hair, though wonderfully sculpted, severely limits how far the head can tilt and rotate. This makes it difficult to achieve dynamic poses, especially those where she’s looking up or turning her head for action shots. The limited head articulation feels restrictive for a character as agile and fierce as Huntress.
Secondly, the cape—though visually striking with its wired design—can be cumbersome. The wires in the cape allow for some nice posing options, but it’s quite bulky and difficult to drape naturally in certain poses. The thinness of the wires can make it tricky to get the cape to look fluid, which can detract from more dynamic action poses. Balancing the cape’s weight also sometimes causes stability issues, requiring extra work with the included stand. Probably, the most frustration I had is that the cape is affixed on the front of her upper torso, which leads to limitations with the shoulder movement. Getting her arms into a T pose is tricky at best and, you can forget rotating them.
I was actually very surprised at the thigh cuts... I didn't even realize they were there at first, because of how well they are hidden and the fact that Mafex doesn't typically put thigh cuts on their figures. Otherwise, the balance of her leg articulation is solid and the ankle range, and toe articulation function properly.
Affordability: 7/10
At around $100, this figure is on the higher end of the action figure price range. That being said, it is currently on sale at BBTS for $79.99 Medicom figures are known for their high level of detail and articulation, and while Huntress delivers in many aspects, the price point might feel steep given the articulation challenges with the head and cape. That being said, for hardcore collectors and fans of the Hush storyline, the figure’s quality and accessories justify the cost. However, for more casual buyers, the issues mentioned could be a deterrent when considering the value.
Overall, The Medicom Mafex Huntress from the Batman: Hush series is a visually stunning figure with excellent accessories and strong comic-accurate detailing. The paint applications and sculpt work make this a standout piece in terms of appearance, but the limited head articulation and the sometimes cumbersome cape design hold it back from reaching its full potential. Thus, earning The Huntress a score of:
7 out of 10 ToyBoxes
While the figure may present some challenges in posing, particularly for toy photographers or action pose enthusiasts, it still remains an essential piece for fans of Batman: Hush and Gotham’s heroic vigilantes. Thank you for stopping by Dan's ToyBox, until next time... GEEK OUT!!!