Batman villain Black Mask is the latest addition to Mattel's DC Universe Signature Collection and will be one of the items in MattyCollector's September 17th sale. The figure will include a pitchfork, knife, and "pre-stabbed" Batman cowl.

Black Mask is a "newer" rogue by the standards of the 70+ year Batman franchise, having only premiered in 1985. Despite lacking the chops of somebody like Joker or Penguin, Black Mask certainly isn't a total unknown as he played a prominent role in the DC animated film Batman: Under the Red Hood and had a recurring role as a sophisticated crime boss in The Batman. His gimmick? He's a guy in a mask. Well, he has this whole psychological fixation involving the "masks" people wear in public but that was about it until an accident burned his mask onto his face. He was later killed by Catwoman, resurrected during Blackest Night, put out of commission again, replaced by Jeremiah Arkham, and then finally returned thanks to The New 52 revamp.

The DCU Black Mask seems like a relatively straightforward remold that makes use of the Clark Kent body from the DC Superheroes line which has since been recycled numerous times within the DCUC line (most notably for the DCUC5 Riddler). Between that and his status as a Batman villain, I'm really not sure why he wasn't just slated for a wider release in the Batman Unlimited line. I imagine it was done more to hype Club Infinite Earths than out of any practicality but, at the same time, you'd expect greater quality from this Matty-exclusive line. Otherwise, the new head-sculpt looks great and the figure works well overall. I am somewhat curious why the character wasn't packed with a gun of some sort (especially since one is even depicted in the art), but at least he gets some unique accessories.

If you're interested in Black Mask, he will be available on MattyCollector starting September 17th for US$18. While I do want a copy of the figure, I imagine that I'll probably end up waiting for one of the yearly wrap-up sales to save on shipping.