McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse Superman New 52 Gold Label Review

A Nearly Finished Flight: McFarlane’s New 52 Superman Reviewed

McFarlane Toys brings another version of Superman into the DC Multiverse line with their new Gold Label New 52 release. Hitting Target shelves now, this figure offers strong shelf presence but leaves some collectors wanting just a little bit more.

First Impressions

The sculpt work shines right out of the box. The sharp lines and vibrant colors capture the New 52 design well. At 7 inches tall, Superman fits perfectly alongside other McFarlane Multiverse releases and works smoothly in size comparisons with lines like Marvel Legends, Marvel Select, Ultraman, Bizarro, and previous McFarlane Superman versions.

Articulation and Features

As expected from McFarlane Toys, the figure includes their Ultra Articulation system with up to 22 points of movement. This allows for a decent range of posing for both display and play.

The figure comes packaged with:

A display stand
A collectible art card featuring character artwork and biography
The New 52 Superman character design as seen in DC Comics

The Cape Conversation

While the inclusion of a soft goods cloth cape is a welcome touch, collectors may find it lacking due to one noticeable omission: no internal wire for dynamic posing. Without a wire, flight and action poses become limited, forcing the cape to fall naturally rather than holding dramatic shapes during display or photography.

Missing Accessories

In addition to the cape issue, the figure only includes closed fist hands. Unfortunately, there are no flight hands or alternate poses available. This feels like a step back compared to McFarlane’s recent Classic Superman release, which included extra hands, a wired cape, and a digital code — all at a similar price point.

Final Thoughts

McFarlane’s New 52 Superman delivers solid sculpting, vibrant colors, and strong shelf appeal. However, the lack of a wired cape and limited hand options prevent it from reaching its full potential. It’s a figure that looks great but feels slightly incomplete for collectors looking for maximum display versatility.