Category: Action Figures

SUMMARY:

Released in 2017 by DC Collectibles, this DC Icons seven-pack of DC Rebirth’s Justice League of America consists of: Superman; Wonder Woman; Green Lantern (Hal Jordan): Cyborg; Aquaman; Flash (Barry Allen): and Batman, all in six-inch form.  Each figure’s feet are equipped with peg holes.  Articulation points will vary.  

REVIEW:

The World’s Greatest Super-Heroes sport top-caliber paint jobs, including impressive facial detailing.  The sculpting is a mixed bag, but the costume intricacies of Wonder Woman and Cyborg, for instance, are stellar.  While the figures can be positioned to indefinitely stand without display bases (which would have been a helpful extra), one should allow time to do so.  Specifically, the figures’ spry legs (especially Green Lantern) may spread-eagle, depending upon the surface.  It’s also entirely possible that legs popping off on various Leaguers may be a recurring problem.  Hence, this seven-pack works best as a display choice because some of the figures are either too immobile or too frail for playtime.   

As for each figure’s merits individually:

• Superman: The “S” is in vintage form on his chest and decorating the back of his red rubber cape.  His excellent paint job (including terrific facial details) is counter-balanced by stiff elbow and knee joints.  While his wrists rotate a bit, Superman displays good flexibility stretching his arms, legs, and ankles.  His head only slightly turns, but his torso allows him to bow.  This Man of Steel’s best attribute is the muscular sculpting of his physique, which stays in bounds of some reality.   As the set’s centerpiece, Rebirth’s Superman is a solid figure for all purposes.

• Wonder Woman: Imbued with an excellent paint job (her rubbery skirt and faux golden knee pads are permanently attached), this figure has reasonable articulation.  Specifically, Wonder Woman’s head turns; the arms, legs, and ankles sufficiently move; her torso allows her to bow; and the wrists swivel a full 360-degrees.  Her display options are surprisingly ideal.  The sole detriment of this figure’s pristine sculpting are frail elbow joints.  Yet, what stands out is her head’s exquisite facial detailing and perfectly-molded black hair.  Though she is more of a display choice than a toy, this figure is among DC’s best renditions of Rebirth’s Wonder Woman.

• Green Lantern (Hal Jordan): Beyond a shiny paint job, Green Lantern is this set’s weak link.  The limited articulation is mostly in his ultra-limber legs (i.e. he can do the splits far too easily) and rotating wrists. His flimsy elbow and knee joints are likely to break, if one dares bending them.  His head doesn’t turn, but his torso allows him to slightly bend.  What stands out is a compact sculpted physique, which makes him excessively lanky.  Unfortunately, all this Green Lantern really offers is an immaculate rendition of Hal’s Rebirth costume. 

• Cyborg: His sculpting and metallic paint job are both superb.  While his head barely turns, his arms and legs benefit from active elbow and knee joints. His wrists fully rotate while his torso and ankle joints sufficiently bend.  This Cyborg’s stand-out feature is a super-sleek and tightly muscular sculpting, which seems odd considering that the character has a bulkier appearance.  Still, Cyborg’s unexpected mobility is a major plus, making him one of the set’s best inclusions for all purposes.

• Aquaman: This well-sculpted Aquaman has the set’s second-best articulation.  In terms of a checklist, his head easily turns; his torso and ankles comfortably bend; the wrists rotate; his strong elbow and knee joints deploy reasonable flexibility, though his arms are a bit stiff; and his various pose options are a plus.  A solid paint job includes detailing his stern facial expression just right.  Accordingly, Aquaman is this set’s underrated asset.

• Flash (Barry Allen): The Fastest Man Alive enjoys a flawless paint job on a well-sculpted likeness.  Ironically,  mobility is only middle-of-the-road.  His head turns easily, as do his rotating wrists.  His torso and ankles bend well enough.  Yet, his legs are only adequately flexible despite the sturdy knee joints.  The more noticeable problem are the stiff arms, which are hampered by flimsy elbow joints.  Although this Flash has some fine display options, one should tread cautiously re: any vigorous workouts.

• Batman: Of this set, the Dark Knight is almost the complete package.  Not only are his paint job and sculpting both superb, he likely has the most articulation points, too.  Considering his black rubber cape doesn’t hamper him much, his flexibility is a major plus.  His head easily turns while both the rotating wrists and bending torso and ankles are excellent.  Batman’s sturdy elbow and knee joints allow maximum movement, though his arms are slightly stiff.  However, his ultra-limber legs have a disadvantage: the legs can easily pop off.  They can be re-attached without super-glue, but it’s a design flaw to remember.                                 

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Neither display bases nor accessories (i.e. the magic golden lasso, the emerald lantern; or a batarang) are included.  The lack of accessories may explain why all these figures were sculpted with clinched fists.

PACKAGING:

Being well-protected in their promotional box, the figures can be removed easily enough.  Via a clear window, the box displays everything the consumer needs to see.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                                       8 Stars

SUMMARY:

In 2009, Mattel released Ted Kord’s Blue Beetle in 6-inch form for Wave 7 of its DC Universe Classics series.  His costume is completely painted on, though his partially transparent plastic yellow goggles are securely attached.  The figure’s articulation points are: 1. His head nods and swivels a full 360-degrees.  2.  With surprisingly good mobility, his arms bend well, as his wrists can do 360-degree rotations.  3. His torso allows him to bend forward and backwards.  He can also spin his upper body or lower body a full 360-degrees at the torso.  4. His nimble legs can spread out and will bend at the knees and ankles.  His lower legs swivel a full 360-degrees from a spot between the quads and kneecaps.  5.  The bottom of his feet have peg holes for any display stands he might fit on, though none are included with the figure.  Also, if properly positioned, this Blue Beetle can indefinitely retain a standing display pose.      

Notes: While the Blue Beetle dates back to the early Golden Age, Ted Kord’s Silver Age Beetle was created in 1966 at Charlton Comics by artist Steve Ditko (Spider-Man’s co-creator). Having eventually acquired several of Charlton’s assets, DC Comics re-introduced Kord’s Beetle (along with Captain Atom, Nightshade, and the Question) to modern readers as belonging to its ‘Earth-4’ in the epic 1985-86 series, Crisis on Infinite Earths.        

REVIEW:

Considering the complexity of his costume, Mattel does a solid job with this Blue Beetle, down to his trademark yellow goggles.  This surprisingly durable Blue Beetle makes a perfect fit for either play time punching out imaginary crooks or for the display case.  Almost everything a collector (including a top-caliber paint job) could want with this figure is here.  The sole downside is that his generic buff molding doesn’t match Ted Kord’s everyman comic book physique.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Although it’s not shown below, his weapon-of-choice is a sophisticated blaster gun that resembles a glorified blow dryer.  For the ‘Build-an Atom Smasher’ figure, Blue Beetle comes with one of its various components. 

PACKAGING:

Mattel does a commendable job packaging Blue Beetle.

BRIAN & ROSCOE’S ODD MOON RATING:            8 Stars

SUMMARY:

Produced by Mattel, this limited-edition figure was released in approximately 2013 — prior to the 1966-68 TV series’ fiftieth anniversary.  This 6-inch baddier represents Frank Gorshin’s likeness as the quirky and conniving Riddler.  All the trademark costume details are present, down to the black question marks adorning his light green bodysuit. 

In terms of articulation: 1. Riddler can turn his head only slightly left or right.  2. The arms have 360-degree rotations, as do his wrists.  3. His sash-covered waist also turns his upper body or lower-body a full 360-degrees.  4. His torso slightly bends, which creates the effect of the Riddler staring down or hunched over.  5.  The elbows, knees, and ankles are jointed for additional mobility.  6. The arms and legs are relatively nimble to simulate running (even the splits), swimming, sitting, or escaping the Caped Crusaders.  7. For display stands it might fit, this Riddler has the necessary peg holes in the bottom of his skinny olive green slippers.    

REVIEW:

Among this figure’s welcome assets are the flexible elbow and knee joints (though still consistent with the figure’s slim physique) that prove pretty sturdy.  A bonus is that this Riddler matches Gorshin’s classic look, as there are so few Riddler action figures available.  With that in mind, this Riddler can easily stand up in long-term display poses.  For nostalgia collectors, it’s been a long wait re: quality Batman 1966 merchandise, and this novelty figure’s faithful look justifies its place in any Bat-collection.  All that is missing is Gorshin’s playful Riddler cackling.         

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

An extra is a collector’s trading card.  Research indicates that the figure also evidently comes packed with an exclusive display stand, though this reviewer doesn’t recall seeing one in its box. 

PACKAGING:

The well-manufactured box is adorned by the TV series’ colorful imagery.

BRIAN & ROSCOE’S ODD MOON RATING:             8 Stars

SUMMARY:

Produced by Mattel, this limited-edition figure was released in approximately 2013 — prior to the 1966-68 TV series’ fiftieth anniversary.  This 6-inch figure represents Adam West’s distinctive likeness as the iconic Caped Crusader.  All the trademark costume details are present, down to the squiggly light blue eyebrows on the darker blue mask.  A matching dark blue fabric cape attached to his neck can be adjusted as necessary. 

In terms of articulation: 1. Batman can nod and turn his head slightly left or right.  2. The arms have 360-degree rotations, as do his wrists.  His waist also turns 360-degrees below the utility belt.  3. His torso slightly bends, which creates the effect of Batman staring down or hunched over.  4.  The elbows, knees, and ankles are jointed for additional mobility.  5. The arms and legs are relatively nimble to simulate running (even the splits), swimming, sitting, or even some Bat-climbing action.  6. For display stands it might fit, this Batman has the necessary peg holes in the bottom of his skinny feet.    

Trivia Note: West’s TV series popularized Batman’s yellow-and-black bat insignia, which had recently been introduced by DC Comics. 

REVIEW:

As impressive as this figure is (at first glance), the obvious concern are its flimsy elbow and knee joints, which matches the figure’s disappointingly lightweight frame.  If this Batman’s easily-breakable joints had been made even a little thicker, the odds of long-term durability would improve before it’s time for super-glue.  Otherwise, as its packaging states, this figure isn’t built for kiddie playtime.  At least, this Batman can easily stand up in long-term display poses.  For nostalgia collectors, it’s been a long wait re: quality Batman 1966 merchandise, and this novelty figure’s faithful look justifies its place in any Bat-collection.       

Note: A fun variant exists — it’s the wacky ‘Surf’s Up’ Batman sporting a pair of colorful yellow-and-white Bermuda shorts over his Bat-costume, along with a surfboard accessory to go catch some Bat-waves.  Further, this Batman and Burt Ward’s Robin were also released as a hard-to-find deluxe set with a Mattel Batmobile.   

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

An extra is a collector’s trading card.  Research indicates that the figure also evidently comes packed with an exclusive display stand, though this reviewer doesn’t recall seeing one in its box. 

PACKAGING:

The well-manufactured box includes an image of the Dynamic Duo in their familiar Bat-climbing pose upside a Gotham City skyscraper.

BRIAN & ROSCOE’S ODD MOON RATING:                7 Stars

SUMMARY:

Released by DC Direct in 2006, this Batman appeared as a Wave 3 entry in its action figure line commemorating 1985-86’s twelve-issue Crisis on Infinite Earths series. 

Including a blue rubber Bat-cape and yellow rubber utility belt (both firmly attached), this approximately 7.5-inch Batman recreates his classic mid-1980’s look.  The figure has limited articulation.  Specifically: 1. His head swivels a full 360-degrees.  2. The arms and elbow joints have decent mobility, but his gloved forearms will rotate the full 360.  3.  His upper body bends slightly.  4. Despite slightly stiff knee joints, his legs can simulate some walking, running, and kicking poses.  5. There is a single peg in his right boot heel to attach the figure to a display stand (which is included).  Even so, the figure stands up easily enough without this base.     

Note: In a twist of irony, Batman has a shockingly minor role in Crisis on Infinite Earths, in comparison to other characters represented in this action figure series.

REVIEW:

Including a flawless paint job, DC Direct’s production values are high-caliber rendering this Batman.  However, for  practical purposes, this figure is a slightly bendable statue vs. an actual toy.  Its limbs are just far too stiff for a child to get much, if any, enjoyment out of it during playtime.  Accordingly, the figure best serves as a cool display option for Bat-fans. The Crisis-titled display stand provided is adequate, but, due to its small size/shape, it doesn’t stop the figure from being toppled over easily enough.      

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

In the original packaging, Batman comes with the aforementioned display stand, as well as a black batarang. 

PACKAGING:

DC Direct’s compact packaging is effective by neatly conveying the retro-Crisis theme.

BRIAN & ROSCOE’S ODD MOON RATING:          6½ Stars