Ragman, created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert and published by DC Comics starting in 1976, has had one and ONLY ONE iota of merchandise featuring his visage. Two entries in the Heroclix game for which he was granted two "tokens". Beyond which Ragman has only ever been seen outside of the comic page in the occasional trading card release, and the new 'Justice League Dark' game from Cryptozoic in the DC Deck Building line they offer (To be discussed on this blog in a future post). Which is shocking given Joe Dinicol's performance as Rory Regan on ARROW beginning in 2016. So many characters from that show, including interpretations of them in the popular FUNKO POP line, were turned into merchandise, but even with prime time television exposure, never Ragman.
But on Friday, July 12th, 2024, the pre-orders for McFarlane's Collector Edition Ragman figure will go live. The first ever official Ragman figure will be available in TWO different versions! Let's talk about them.
The first is the regular general release collector's edition figure. At the present moment, these collector's edition figures go for $29.99 retail. That should remain consistent with this upcoming release, though of course anything is possible. Collectors edition figures come with a DC Comics display stand which, interestingly is NOT for the figure, but rather for the collectors trading card that comes with the figure. This particular card features the cover artwork of Jesús Saíz that was released in 2010 with the Ragman One-Shot issue published that year.
As you can see, the figure comes with two translucent green-ish spirals that look like they snap in place around Ragman's wrists instead of his hands directly. I believe this is meant to portray those times when Ragman has used the ability of his rags to envelop an evildoer and absorb their soul into the patchwork of his suit. We usually see that artistically portrayed as a spiral of patches flowing out of his suit, as seen below.
As for the figure itself, the articulation seems consistent with most McFarlane figures, if not more so given how lithe and flexible Ragman is usually pictured in the comics. His design seems to be taking inspiration more from his early 1990s design by Pat Broderick as opposed to his first interpretation in 1976. I say this largely because of the tendrils and ties of his cloak. Pat always made the cloak of Ragman tattered and frayed, as he should, but he also made those tendrils tying the cloak around Rory's neck EXCESSIVELY long. Add that to the colors chosen for the patchwork on this figure, and the fact that it looks like the tip of the hood isn't as pronounced as it was in 1976? I'm very confident this is the early 90's, post-Crisis, Pat Broderick Ragman in action figure form! But you tell me, here's the cover for issue one of the Broderick/Giffen series:
Beyond that, it seems in recent years that McFarlane has taken to the notion of "chase figures" which are MOST often the same figure and packaging, but with a different paint job on the figure to (typically) signify a different version of the character at some point in publication. These figures are not available for purchase directly, but can be "randomly inserted" into boxes when one places an order online from an official retailer. This Ragman figure it seems will indeed have a chase figure, though at present I cannot figure out what "version" of Ragman it is supposed to be reflecting.
The figure seems to be sporting a significant amount of black, including the hood and cloak, with some pale lime green accents underneath. My first thought was Ragman from ARROW but I do not believe that will be the case on closer inspection. One might then jump to more modern Ragman interpretations, those that reflect a more mummy-esque design, but none of those interpretations had a hood/cloak along with them. It also looks as if the translucent rags accessories for this figure are darker as well, but that could just be the lighting in the photograph. But if anyone has any notions of where this chase Ragman figure draws inspiration for its design, please let me know!
Bottom line? I'm SO very excited for this figure. You can bet I'm definitely purchasing more than one for my collection! And I do indeed plan to do a video review on YouTube! I'll be posting it over on the LanternCast's YouTube account (LanterncastVIDS) so be on the lookout for that when these figures start showing up in collectors hands!
Don't forget to like, comment, and share the content on this blog! We Ragman fans are a small group, so we can't afford to not try and build a community devoted to the Ragman! Thanks for reading and tell your friends! See you next time!
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