Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Justice League Flash & Green Lantern


I was surprised to see these 5" Justice League figures appear suddenly, obviously styled after the Batman Brave & The Bold figures that seemed to be on their way out. If you've read this blog for awhile, you know I'm a big fan of that line of Mattel toys and have a nice collection, several of which I've yet to open & photograph. Needless to say, I was thrilled to see a Flash and Green Lantern in this style!


The first thing you will notice is the lack of hexagonal accessory slots prominent in the Brave & The Bold figures. I am certain this is welcomed by most everyone, but I have mixed feelings about it. I actually liked that play feature, and can imagine this Flash figure with some cool lighting bolt accessories that could have been a lot of fun. I can't argue that without the slots these figures have a cleaner appearance, but some of the fun factor is lost in my humble opinion.



These don't have any additional articulation- swivel head, waist, arms and legs, the latter restricted by the posterior sculpt, and hinged elbows. What he lacks in articulation Flash makes up for in his dynamic paint deco, lightning bolts running over the torso and head like the New 52 Flash. The eyes are very well detailed, giving his tiny face a lot of personality- a trait only seen in a handful of the previous Brave & The Bold line. The ears are of a softer rubber so the won't poke or chip, and he's of generally sturdy construction like the Brave & the Bold toys.


Flash comes with a funnel accessory- it doesn't fit over his hands, but he can hold it well enough. It works. Seems like I've seen this included with some other Mattel toy line though, but can't put my finger on where I've seen it. I say this because one of my Justice League Unlimited figures has the same accessory Mattel gave the Green Lantern from this series! This is a fun Flash I'm glad to see produced in the Brave & The Bold style, even if he's missing missing the unique accessory capability the previous line was known for.





I enjoy the contrast between Flash and Green Lantern's costumes- rattles my cones and rods, dazzles the eye. I appreciate the characters a lot more after I read Blackest Night a couple years ago, and later Flashpoint last year, and I feel they've come closer to the forefront in the last few years, alongside the Trinity of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. 


This is actually my second Justice League GL, the first one having a faulty arm peg the promptly broke off upon unpacking, the first to be opened! I was bummed, but returned him for a replacement. Like Flash, Hal has a spectacular head sculpt, a little less doughy than the Brave & The Bold figures. His angular face and mask create great depth and shadow! 



Like I said, Hal has a re-purposed accessory, the same that came with my JLU Parasite, which makes no more sense as a Green Lantern construct. In fact, the pocket knife blade looks even more lame on the larger 5" Justice League figure. Again, I miss the kind of accessories we would have got with a Brave & The Bold figure- just look at the Skyshot Batman if you want to know what kind of Green Lantern accessories we used to get. Why not just a lantern? Whaddya gonna do with that thing Hal, cut the cheese? LOL!


Hal has a simple paint deco that works well- the green torso has a slightly opalescent quality, which looks to be in the plastic itself, slightly different from the semi-gloss green in the shoulders and boots. The lantern symbol is neatly tamped on the chest, but we get a green dot for his ring. There are some New 52 inspired armor lines in his shoulders, but thet are a little too faint, and I feel they could have run them down the back and chest for better effect. He has a couple nicks but looks really good overall.

BIGTOYlittletoy! Mattel DCUC Flash, Action League Flash, and Justice League Flash:


Mattel DCUC Hal Jordan, Action League Hal, and Justice League Hal:


Justice League Green Lantern and Flash with Brave & The Bold  Sea Spear Aquaman, Trap Hand Plastic Man, and Rocket Blast Firestorm:

 More Later- Make It FUN!

12 comments:

  1. That's crazy timing! I just bought these for my son tonight. I love how the accessories absolutely do not work with them. Except that the tornado fits on Hal's head. Lil' Troublemaker calls him Tornado Head Lantern. I'm pretty sure Alan Moore wrote a story about that.
    Have you seen a Lex Luthor yet? He's the only one I haven't seen at retail.

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    1. Nope. I don't think Lex has been released yet for whatever reason. I'd love to see some other villains in this style!

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  2. I think that funnel is from the DCUC Red Tornado, but I could definitely be wrong.

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  3. I refused to buy these when I saw the holes in the arms and legs. It's like someone wasn't giving a bit of quality control. There had to be a different way to add the acessories, something they figured out with these new figures.

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    1. But the accessories on these are lame- they only re-purposed old parts. The unique play factor is gone without the "Snap & Attack" feature, which I loved. I know that's not a popular sentiment among adult collectors. Don't get me wrong- these look great, but these characters in particular were great opportunities for accessorizing in the Brave & The Bold style.

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  4. There are a Batman and Superman sets that come with motorbikes too Super-D so keep your eyes out for those.

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    1. I saw those- I believe the bikes are re-purposed from a previous line. They didn't take my breath away

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  5. Flash is my favourite among all of them...

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  6. I like the tornado effect. That is about the only thing I like.

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  7. I actually saw both at my Target this past weekend. I did not pick them up as I wanted Batman before I pick up any other JL member.

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