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DC Super Hero Girls 12-Inch Dolls Review: They’ve Got Super Team Spirit

By Brian Thomer

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Re-create the superhero training of Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Supergirl and the other DC Super Hero Girls with these 12-inch action dolls from Mattel.

Mattel has released a line of 12-inch action dolls based on the DC Super Hero Girls versions of some of DC Comics‘ most iconic female super heroes. Among them are Wonder Woman, Batgirl and Supergirl. Just like the DC Super Hero Girls animated series and line of graphic novels, these action dolls are learning how to best utilize their super powers, as well as be super friends to each other.

More Doll Than Action

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Of the DC Super Hero Girls action dolls reviewed here, the “action dolls” moniker seems to be applied a bit loosely. Neither Wonder Woman, Batgirl nor Supergirl have any built-in action features. Unlike, say, the DC Super Hero Girls Power Action Wonder Woman action doll. Nor do they come with an abundance of action-geared accessories. In fact, Wonder Woman’s Lasso of Truth is the only one. Since we are on the lasso, it does have a loop at the end for practicing drills on her teammates. It can also be held in either hand, albeit loosely, and be affixed to Diana’s belt.

The most “actiony” features of the dolls is their articulation. Although, there are Barbie dolls out there with the same amount. These dolls have bend and swivel points at the knees, wrists and shoulders. As well as additional articulation at the hips, elbows, waist and neck. A considerable amount for any doll.

The packaging boasts how the action dolls can stand on their own. While this is certainly true, whilst wearing their foot gear, it can take a bit of cajoling. Bending the knees a bit seems to be key, so there’s a hot tip for you. As far as “action” poses go, if one can keep the focus on the arms, that is as far as one is likely to get.

Not That There’s Anything Wrong with That

While the DC Super Hero Girls action dolls more closely resemble traditional 12-inch dolls, they are well done ones at that. In addition to the high articulation and the greater standing ability, there are the more common doll features.

Each of the characters has rooted hair. Supergirl and Batgirl both have bangs which are combed to the side and have seemingly been sprayed with hair product. How well this hair product withstands extensive play or brushing before falling into the doll’s face, remains to be seen. But the likelihood of it happening at some point is certainly there.

Continuing on hair for just a moment, each of the three dolls has a head accessory which is temporarily affixed to the doll’s head with plastic tabs. Supergirl has a headband. Wonder Woman her tiara and Batgirl has her mask. The longer one can convince a child to keep those tabs in, the better—as the pieces may not fit securely once removed. Batgirl’s mask in particular appears subject to this.

Clothes Make the Hero

Also, like most 12-inch dolls, the costumes are fully removable. Though none come with a change of clothes. Each costume is a mix of fabric and hard plastic accessories. Wonder Woman, for instance, has bracelets, a belt, boots and shoulder armor. Batgirl has a backpack in place of the armor.

Supergirl, on the other hand, only has sneakers and bracelets along with a cape that’s hard plastic and affixes to the back of the necklace embedded in her shirt collar. One can only assume Mattel made the cape hard plastic in order to make it seem like the Girl of Steel had the same amount of hard plastic pieces as the others. However, this makes the cape more prone to fall off and may need parental assistance to get back on.

So, in effect, rather than making Supergirl on par with the others, she is a lesser doll as a result. The Kryptonian alphabet along the bottom of her cape is a nice touch, even if there is no translation key provided.

Since the gauntlets/bracelets are fully molded plastic with no break in them, it may not be readily apparent how to remove them. As the bottom of the box shows (if one thinks to look there), simply pull out the hands to slide the armwear off and then pop the hands back in.

Can I See Some ID?

Finally, the one last accessory that each action doll comes with is a student ID card. Each card contains biographical information for each hero, including super powers and a photo.

Unfortunately, the cards are made of cardboard and Mattel saw fit to insert them in such a way into the packaging that they are prone to creasing just from trying to remove them. That is a bit of a fail on the manufacturer’s part. By no means should the consumer have to weaken the integrity of the product just to get it out.

Next: Check out the Power Action Wonder Woman doll

For the most part though, the DC Super Hero Girls action dolls are much like their traditional 12-inch doll counterparts, complete with some minor costume flaws that seem inherent in the like. Other dolls in the line include Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and Bumblebee. The action dolls are available now and make an excellent holiday gift idea. To learn more about the DC Super Hero Girls and their adventures at Super Hero High, visit their website.

Disclosure: Bam Smack Pow was provided with a free sample from Mattel for the purposes of this review.

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