HeroClix has been a familiar source of awesome miniature figures and fun games for decades now, but WizKids Games has never been one to rest on its laurels and continues to introduce new and unique spinoffs and products within the line. The latest, and some might say greatest, is called Iconix, which brings massive comic book events, famous cartoon moments, and even internet memes to life in deluxe, non-randomized forms with great-looking figures, display-worthy packaging, and more. We’ve taken an in depth look at the Marvel HeroClix Iconix Captive Hearts Wolverine (check that out HERE), and today we’re back to check out the first three DC HeroClix Iconix sets: Batman & Robin (the slap), Knightfall, and Death of Superman!

While I can appreciate a really good package design, I’ll admit that when I get a toy or other collectible my first instinct is to tear it open and free the cool stuff inside. And so, it’s a rare instance when I really appreciate a box and truly consider it something I’d consider displaying… and that’s how I feel about Iconix! All of these sets come in really sophisticated book-style boxes with a dramatic cover emblazoned with a unique image, either a symbol or iconic panel from a comic book story or a recreation of an internet meme using the figures. Open the front panel and you’ll find some information on the inside cover, as well as a window revealing the figures in the set. The sides of the box have 3D renders of the figures, and the back panel has even more information about the characters and the story/moment they represent.

The vast majority of HeroClix figures come in randomized booster boxes, and so you never really know what you’re going to get. I’m a big fan of the figures in general, though of course some will inevitably be of better or cooler than others. On the other hand, when it comes to Iconix sets you know exactly what you’re getting and you can see the figures in the window. In my opinion, the Iconix figures stand at least equal with recent Super Rare and Chase booster figures in quality of sculpts and paint jobs, and across the board look fantastic! I’ll go into more detail when I discuss the individual sets, but you can see for yourself in the photos what I mean.

Of course, HeroClix figures aren’t just about looks, it’s also about how they play. Iconix figures are fun and unique on the battlefield with solid dials and flavorful mechanics that relate back to the storyline or meme. You’ll find bystander token generation, power sharing, fun and challenging super powers and traits, and more. Plus, there’s an additional layer of unique theming on the cards with art, designs, and flavor text that again relates back to the comic book event from whence they come, like the slap iconography on the Batman & Robin cards or the artwork linking the Doomsday and Superman cards. You can mix and match these figures with anything else in your HeroClix collection, or play them together to maximize shared effects (like sacrificing a Superman to activate abilities on other Death of Superman figures).

Touching on the sets individually, let’s start with Batman & Robin! The image of the Dark Knight slapping the Boy Wonder is commonplace on the internet, comes from World Finest #153 in 1965, an alternate reality story in which Batman suspects Superman killed his father, and has been a meme since at least 2008 (thanks, knowyourmeme.com). The Iconix figures in this set are pretty brutal; they really match the art with regards to style and poses, complete with a motion-blur on Batman’s slapping hand and his angry expression, and Robin staggering back… with a big red mark on his cheek! They both stand on “tactical rocks” and look great, if a little specific to the moment.

Batman and Robin’s cards feature reflective foil artwork, background images of a “slap” effect and a hand, and more. The characters are also very well placed in their story and moment, with Batman wielding the Superman Enemy team ability and Superman Revenge Squad keywords, plus a very unique “Interrupting Slap” special power that lets him potentially stop an opponent in her tracks and ruin an action she was going to take! Similarly, Robin has powers and wordings around the fact that he’s a poor, innocent orphan who in this story was mind-wiped by Batman and returned to the orphanage (ouch).

If you were reading comics in the 90s, chances are you’re very familiar with the storylines depicted in the next two Iconix sets, starting with Knightfall. Sometimes referred to as the breaking of the Bat, this story introduced the brilliant strategist and strongman known as Bane who took over the criminal element in Gotham and quite literally broke Bruce Wayne, taking him out of the fight with a broken bat. Thankfully Batman had recently met the seemingly heroic Jean Paul-Valley, also known as Azrael, and that hero put on the cowl when Bruce was down, albeit temporarily since he had his own issues. The Knightfall Iconix set brings the three main characters to life, and these sculpts are just fantastic. Batman looks tough pulling on his gloves, and Bane is a full scene unto himself as he breaks the Bat complete with a Batman figure over his knee and a “KRAKT” sound effect that brings to mind the effects on the Batman ’66 figures. It looks great, though my favorite here has to be Azrael with an absolutely phenomenal sculpt capturing him gathering up his cape while leaping into the air. The motion, the detail, the paint is all perfect and I can’t wait to play and display this Az-Bats.

This incarnation of Batman recollects Bruce Wayne healing from the horrific injury inflicted on him by Bane in a couple ways; he heals when enemies heal, and instead of getting KO’ed he’s placed on his card and heals there until he returns to the game. He also has a special power called “Let’s Get to Work” that lets him generate bystanders of Robin, Oracle, Nightwing, and Alfred Pennyworth which is pretty fun. Azrael has a new take on Stealth and simply can not be targeted by the highest point enemy, is “Wreathed in Flame” with free Smoke Cloud that damages enemies, and can choose bonuses from succeeding at Willpower depending on his usage of “The System or Batman’s Morals.” Bane begins the game more than halfway down his dial and “heals” via use of his “Venom Injection” trait with the option to suffer damage via Overdose tokens. He’s a powerful and versatile foe, just like in the comics.

And lastly, we check out one of the biggest events in comics history, the Death of Superman! The largest Iconix set to date, this pack is a massive obelisk featuring the iconic image of Superman’s torn cape flapping in the wind; inside the front cover you’ll find the bloody “S” logo and on the back is a recreation of the final Superman vs. Doomsday punch out recreated using the HeroClix figures! Inside are no fewer than eight figures: Superman fighting Doomsday, the four Supermen (Superboy, Steel, Cyborg Superman, Eradicator), Supergirl (Matrix), and the reborn Superman.

To say that the figures in this set leap off the comic page is an understatement, with every single one replicating an iconic panel or cover. They all look great, though some of the standout elements for me have to be the sassy pose of Superboy, the quiet menace of hovering Eradicator, and the rage of Supergirl written all over her face and pose. Steel’s armor is resplendent and detailed down to the rivets, and resurrected Superman rocks that black costume and long flowing locks. The sculpted detail on the fighting Superman and Doomsday figures is perfection, and they very interestingly bring that scene into the round with their complex poses. My absolute favorite, though, has to be Cyborg Superman; his cape is fantastic like Eradicator’s, but he is just a 100% spot-on recreation of his appearance in Superman #78 by Dan Jurgens.

As with the other Iconix sets, the Death of Superman dials are super fun and thematic. The elephant in the room is Doomsday, a 300-point behemoth that truly seems unstoppable with stellar stats and a series of traits and special powers that rank him among the toughest figures to take down. The Superman who faced him seems puny in comparison, certainly no slouch, but at a much lower power level. You have to consider the broader story told in the comics AND on the HeroClix table; Superman is designed to go down, and in so doing buff his allies! He gives out a permanent defense boost to friends, and every other figure in this set gets a bonus for a friendly Superman Ally who has been KO’ed. That’s good game design, and all of their individual powers and abilities are equally thematic and unique to the characters. The “Return of Superman” figure really embodies that storyline as well. He can be played at 90 points and starts with “Kryptonian Battle-Mech” themed powers or can be resurrected from your Sideline when a Superman Ally is KO’ed, and he gets more powerful at the end of the dial when his Kryptonian powers are fully re-activated.

As a fan of DC comics, I think WizKids has truly knocked it out of the park with these Iconix sets. They’re packed with cool-looking figures that are fun to play, and they come in really nice boxes with a lot of neat features. And of course if you were a comic book reader in the 90s then Knightfall and Death of Superman in particular are going to be perfect hits of nostalgia for you! Both Batman & Robin (MSRP $19.99) and Knightfall ($29.99) are available now; they’re both out of stock from WizKids but my local comic book and game stores have them in stock so check yours. Death of Superman ($79.99), meanwhile, is coming very soon, so tell your favorite store to make sure they’ve got one set aside for you! Get started on your DC Iconix collection, and make sure to pre-order the upcoming Valentine’s Day Roses for Red set that we debuted first here.

Review and photos by Scott Rubin

Review samples courtesy of WizKids Games