Mattel just started putting out DC Universe Classics two packs that are exclusive to Toys R Us stores. They are evidently hitting now, as I picked this two pack today along with the other 3. This particular two pack features Batgirl and Azrael, two rereleases from the previous Mattel line, DC Super Heroes. They feature the same sculpt and articulation styles as DC Universe Classics, and do inded belong in this line. They're both solid figures, making this two pack a good value for DC Comics fans.

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Sculpt

Starting with Azrael, his sculpt is just fantastic. They are a ton of little details everywhere and the Four Horsemen sculpting team really nailed his costume. Although his legs are a little bare, circuittry details on his futuristic gloves, the fantastically molded cape, and the general look and feel of the sculpt are just great. Even the flaming daggers coming out of his hands look well done and appropriately... flamey. Even though he's a little top-heavy because of this sculpt, he does manage to stand in most postions well. Batgirl's sculpt is much less interesting to look at but does capture the character. Her cape hangs naturally, her hair is curly and detailed. Batgirl's facial expression is a simple one, but still looks feminine and like Barbara Gordan should. There are some interesting small details on her boots, gloves and belt that could just be painted, and yet they're sculpted in. That's a nice touch. Her height is just right and her body shape looks athletic but still lady like.

Azrael Sculpt Score: 9 / 10 - Great looking sculpt with lots of details, captures the character. He's a little top heavy, but it still works.

Batgirl Sculpt Score: 9 / 10 - Solid sculpt that looks femine but still physical. Nice details in costume accesories. Good facial expression and hair. Just a little too simple to be perfect.

Paint

Azrael's paint is really pretty good. The colors are dark and moody without become drab and boring. The red is a nice deep shade that stimulates the eye and meshes well with the dark metallic colors.  Painted details on his mask, gloves, and chest are nice and crisp without any slop. The inside of Azrael's main cape is covered with slop on the other hand. There are spots that weren't painted the dark gray the rest was, and the entire coat of color is too thin in some spots. There are a few stray marks here and there as well. Batgirl dfoesn't come out as nicely and her paint is just a disaster. Her colors look great, with good shades of blue, gray, and an especially nice tint of yellow. The standard paint applications are great too with tight lines and good detail work. Even her lipstick and eyes look good, which is amazing on a mass market figure. The disaster starts with this crazy wash they put on her. I'm not sure how well it came out in the pictures, but it looks like a 4 year old rubbed a paint brush covered in gray paint down her body. There are huge streaks of gray on her chest, arms, and legs. I don't know what they were trying to accomplish, but it makes her bat symbol nearly impossible to see and just makes her look rediculous.

Azrael Paint Score: 8 / 10 - Some really nice colors and tight applications, but some major slop on his cape and a little slop elsewhere.

Batgirl Paint Score: 4 / 10 - Everything looks good, until it's ruined by some crazy paint streaks that don't belong.

Articulation

Azrael's articulation follows the standard DC Universe Classics model, which is a good thing. He features a load of different joints that create some interesting possibilities for posing and play. Most of the points are pretty tight and hold weight well, but one of his knees is as loose as can be, and it makes it hard to pose him sometimes. His neck also has pretty much zero range of movement because of his large mask. Thankfully the articulation doesn't take away from the sculpt, and that's always a bonus. Batgirl's articulation is just splendid. She too has every DCUC joint and all of hers are just the right tightness. She can pose any way you would imagine. Even her head has a decent range of movement despite her obstructing hair.

Azrael Articulation Score: 8 / 10 - Lots of available points, most of them are tight, some are too loose to function well, looks great with sculpt.

Batgirl Articulation Score: 9 / 10 - Everything works perfectly, nice tight joints, plenty of them. Hair is just a little bit of a hindrance, and a few extra points ML style could always be added.

Fun

Azrael is a fun looking character and the action figure matches. His visual is one that could go as a bad guy or a good guy and in any play setting, kids will love matching him up against anyone else. Hr's a blast to look at and find just the right pose for collectors too. He has mean looking built in weapons and his articulation doesn't limit play. No accessories or action features is a problem, but he succeeds anyway. Batgirl is a slightly less fun look character, and let's face it, most boys aren't in love with girl action figures (dolls as my dad called them). Despite that, Barbara does have the Batman thing going for her, and kids love Batman. She's also got the articulation to make herself fun, as well as a cool looking dynamic. A batarang or some other accessory (wheelchair?) would up the ante some.

Azrael Fun Score: 9 / 10 - He's just a fun character. Neat looking weapons, nice articulation. No accessories.

Batgirl Fun Score:8 /10 - She's similar to Batman. Good articulation for play or pose. No accessories or action features to tip her over the edge.

Value

This two pack retailed for roughly $22 and that means each figure cost around $11. That's a decent price for action figures anymore, and both of these characters seem worth the money. Azrael is a big character with lots of extras sculpted in, so he definitely feels like $11 in your hand. Other DCUC figures retail for a similar price, but they include a build-a-figure piece, so this makes these two packs seem a to have little less bang for the buck. Some accessories would have helped, but he isn't bad off. Batgirl, on the other hand, seems a little overpriced at $11. She is a tiny figure, with no accessories and nothing else to increase her value. Even a couple batarangs would have helped. Her terrible paint certainly doesn't make her seem worth it.

*Thanks to elvis8batman for pointing out that my Azrael's hood is actually attached upside down. Where his face is currently is the hole his neck's supposed to be going through. This wasn't too terribly distracting, as I didn't notice it initially, but these kind of quality control issues to drop a character's value. As such, I'm retroactively removing 1 point from his Value Score.

Azrael Value Score: 7 / 10 - Pretty big figure with lots of extras on his body. No accessories or build a figure piece like standard figures. Some assembly issues.

Batgirl Value Score: 6 / 10 - Tiny action figure without any accessories or build-a-figure pieces. $11 is still relatively cheap, or she's plummet even further.

Summary

Azrael                     Batgirl

9                       9

8                       4

8                      9

9                       8

7                       6

Azrael's Overall Score - 82 / 100 - This is a Great Toy

Azrael is a fun looking character that makes for a good action figure with a superb sculpt and high fun factor.

Batgirl's Overall Score - 72 / 100 - This is a Good Toy

Despite huge pitfalls in value and paint, Batgirl redeems herself with a strong sculpt and articulation to become a solid entry in the DCUC line.

Batman Figure Pack Overall Score - 77 / 100 - This is a Good Toy

This two pack has two good action figures inside and if you're a DC Comics fan, it's worth your time and money

I've also reviewed the following DCUC Two Packs, Cyborg Superman and Mongul, Lightray and Orion, Abin Sur and Hal Jordan.

-The Articulated One