Mego 14in. Lex Luthor, General Zod, New 52 Superman

 I circled back last month to pick up these 14" Mego figures on the secondary market, Zod and Lex from the 2018 introductory wave of 14" DC figures, and the New 52 Superman from a later wave in 2019. I'd had my eye on this Superman in the past, but the Zod & Lex were at such a discounted price, I kind of picked them up on a whim. They kind of get overwhelmed by Superman's bright colors, but are both nice comic book representations of two of Superman's greatest foes.

General Zod and Lex Luthor are so much like the 12" Mego versions from the '70s, in their costumes and face scuplts. There was a Jor El included among the original 12" figures as well, which we unfortunately didn't see in this 2018 return to large scale DC figures. I hope we will see a Jor El now that Mego recently dropped 14" Star Trek, Universal Monsters, and DC characters, all with upgraded bodies, outfits, and accessories.  

Below, 14" Mego New 52 Superman with several other New 52 Superman figures of varying make and scale in my collection: 12" Medicom Real Action Heroes Superman, 11.5" Mattel Superman, 7" DC Collectibles Superman, 5" Justice League Superman, and 6" Total Heroes Superman...

I actually liked the new 52 Superman costume the first time I saw it and am glad I came back for this extra-large version by the same company that introduced me to action figures in the '70s. The lines in the outfit and boots are right in line with Mego's toyetic styling of whatever character they are producing. And the cape is fantastic- true to artist Jim Lee's redesign, pointed down the middle at it's end. Though a little different in design, this oversized Superman figure's bright colors fill me with nostalgia for the 12" Mego Superman of my childhood!

As illustrated below, the new 14" Mego figures are a little smaller than the older ones in both height and girth. While I love the new 14" Mego Classic Superman, I did like the bulkier look of the earlier waves.

Each of these three figures came with a Kyryptonite crystal, an often-criticized accessory when included with Kryptonian characters vulnerable to the element. I consider it a token with characters that aren't really known for a signature weapon or tool, and I like having one in a different gold color. There are many types of Kryptonite throughout the long history of Superman in the comics, but it was introduced to the character's mythos in 1943 through a radio broadcast of The Adventures of Superman. We are all aware of the more widely recognized green variety, but gold Kryptonite is also canon, appearing in 1962, capable of permanently removing any Kryptonian's powers by destroying their ability to process the Earth's yellow sunlight.

While the new 14" bodies do have some improvements, notably in articulation, I'm fond of the thicker buck on these earlier figures. Mine stood up unaided well enough, but you won't get dramatic poses with them .As Mego forges onward with news about future releases even this week, solicitations for 8" Previews Exclusive Deathstroke and Batman Beyond just announced. There are more 14" and 8" DC characters I'd like to see from Mego, and you will certainly see more posts on Mego figures I've been picking up. In the meantime, be sure to visit the online Mego Museum!

Follow the Super-DuperToyBox on Instagram!

More Later- Make It FUN!

DC Collectibles Stargirl

Like the figures in my last post, I picked up this DC Collectibles New 52 Star Girl eleven months ago, circling back for some of the DC Collectibles and DC Direct figures I'd missed in years past. I was less familiar with the character, but thought she was a beautiful figure. Star Girl was created by writer Geoff Johns as a tribute to his sister Courtney, a victim of the TWA Flight 800 crash. I read more about her recently in the regrettably inflated Brightest Day books, which at points seemed directionless. Too long! Regardless, I liked Courtney Whitmore as a character, the stepdaughter of the original Star-Spangled Kid who is given Starman's cosmic staff upon joining the Justice Society, becoming Stargirl.

DC Collectibles was adding more articulation to their figures when Star Girl was released, so she has swivels in her ankles, wrists and biceps, and ball-joint hips. These new points of articulation did make her a little more poseable, but only a little. That said, I was always a fan of DC Direct's paint and sculpt detail, as well as their comic art-specific aesthetic. This is a fantastic figure I'm very pleased with, here's a few too many photos of her...

Below, Star Girl with her 2014 wave mate, Hawkman- another DC Collectibles New 52 figure that I picked up last year. The detail on this figure is stunning- a must-have for any Hawkman fan. Reccomended!

Below, Star Girl with her Justice League of America teammate, Martian Manhunter. J'onn J'onnz is probably my favorite DC character, and I loved this DC Collectibles New 52 version I got back in 2013. Fantastic action figure!

And finally, Stargirl pictured below with Huntress and Power Girl from the New 52 2-pk I reviewed in my last post. I think she complements them well. Her construction is very similar, but she is a more sturdy sample of DC Collectibles product from this particular moment in 2014, which actually had some beautiful figures that are sought after still today. See more of those at the DC Direct/DC Collectibles Archive!

Follow the Super-DuperToyBox on Instagram!

More Later- Make It FUN!

DC Collectibles Worlds Finest Huntress & Power Girl

I picked up this DC Collectibles Worlds Finest Huntress & Power Girl 2-pk eleven months ago, circling back for some of the DC Collectibles and DC Direct figures I'd missed in years past. These two had a real connection for me as I was reading World's Finest in 2012, part of DC Comics' second wave of New 52 books after their 2011 relaunch. I dipped my toe into a few of New 52 titles, this one of interest to me due to it's Earth 2 ties. I read all of the first volume, but moved onto other monthly titles after about the 8th issue, circling back to pick up an annual that crossed storylines with Earth 2.

While Power Girl's outfit didn't get the same treatment as in Vol. 1 of World's Finest, these are two beautiful figures, representative of the classic versions of the characters. They also have serious engineering issues that limit posing, and in Huntress' case, completely fail. The right knee joint on the aforementioned figure just came completely undone. I did manage to cobble it back together for a photo shoot, limited with the additional issue of the stuck joint at her right shoulder/bicep. As unfortunate as this was, reports of QC issues upon the release this 2-pk were well known, and I knew what I was getting into. I didn't pay a fortune thankfully, and was happy with the photos. I actually prefer DC Direct/DC Collectibles earlier figures with a little less articulation- these later first attempts to add articulation were a mixed bag with little improvement on posability. Power Girl has issues simply standing due to lack of a solid, flat footprint and weak ankles. There's seemingly little in the way of a good stance for her, as though her ankles aren't at the correct angle.

Complaints aside, I do love the aesthetic of these figures. I like the segmented armor on the gauntlets and boots, a unifying element on a lot of the New 52 character designs. A lot of fans didn't like the updates to their favorite DC heroes during this period, but I did. DC Collectibles changed their name back to DC Direct before folding recently, and their QC issues may have contributed, but I'm sure an oversaturated action figure market came into play. I hunted down several I missed in the past, and have been happy overall with their clean paint apps and design. I expect less articulation with DC Direct/DC Collectibles, and would have given this pair higher marks if Huntress' leg had not come apart at the knee. I can't recommend them because of poor engineering, but they sure look beautiful.

And finally, Huntress and Power Girl with my DC Collectibles Earth 2 Hawkgirl and Katana ...

Follow the Super-DuperToyBox on Instagram!

More Later- Make It FUN!

DC Collectibles New 52 Green Lantern Simon Baz

When this figure dropped in May of 2013, I was unfamiliar with his recently revealed backstory, a character born out of DC's New 52 relaunch. I was busy with other monthly titles at the time, including some of the Marvel NOW! titles- a fantastic time! I did buy the Green Arrow and Martian Manhunter that DC Collectibles released that year in this series, and had a substantial collection of Lanterns from across the spectrum at that time. I've had a renewed interest in the figures I collected in the first part of the decade, and have doubled back to pick up a few I passed on at the time.

Simon has a checkered past, driven to a desperate situation under pressure of poverty, but does the right thing when mistakenly chosen by a malfunctioning power ring. The character has received criticism for it's platitudinous characterization, and his use of a handgun merely a tool of controversy. Fair enough.  Eventually Batman calls Simon out on the mat regarding his sidearm, which the hero drops during the 2016 Rebirth relaunch of the DC Universe.

Below, Simon Baz with my other DC Collectibles/DC Direct Green Lanterns: 

Guy Gardner, Hal Jordan, Soranik Natu & Sinestro ...

Below, Green Lantern Simon Baz with Justice League of America teammates, DC Collectibles New 52 Martian Manhunter and Hawkman. I'm currently reading the first couple books of the New 52 relaunch of Justice League of America Vol.3- there's less regarding Simon in these, but he is welcomed to the team, and fights in Trinity War that runs through the middle of them. I had been reading New 52 Green Lantern Vol.5 just a year or so prior in 2011, invigorated by Sinestro's return as a Green Lantern, and fresh off reading Blackest Night, cementing my Green Lantern fandom. Maybe another GL in a growing line of others just couldn't keep my attention, maybe I'd just moved on to other reading, maybe it was the gun or overworked social message... I don't fully recall. Regardless, I like the figure aesthetically, DC Collectibles' execution was spot on.

More Later- Make It FUN!

DC Collectibles New 52 Hawkman & Aquaman

I've circled back about seven years to look at some of the New 52 characters DC Collectibles dropped after the relaunch of all their titles around that time. Having jumped right into Green Lantern, fresh off the ride that Blackest Night was, I also got into Green Lantern New Guardians, Earth 2, Justice League, and at least a few issues of some others. I've had my eye on Aquaman for years, and dove back in when finding Hawkman at a good price recently. DC Collectibles had recently changed their branding from DC Direct, but had yet to upgrade articulation, but what they lacked in that department was made up for in aesthetic with these stunning figures. Check out the video:

Below, Hawkman with DC Collectibles New 52 Martian Manhunter, and Aquaman with DC Collectibles New 52 Wonder Woman and Superman. I limited myself to just a few of these when I started collecting them at the end of 2012, but finding a few I missed out on at a discounted price here years later made me look again. Beautiful!

More Later- Make It FUN!

Currently Reading: Batman 80th Anniversary, Detective Comics No.1000 & More

Detective Comics #1000, May 2019

Though I started this post back in April, I have continued to pick up the occasional Batman book, as I did just this past weekend. So I'll get on with it here and mention some of what I've been reading. As with the character's 75th year in 2014, the hype surrounding Detective Comics #1000 and Batman's 80th anniversary reinvigorated my interest in DC Comics, resulting in a modest splurge on comics. Good on it's $10.00 price tag, 1000 was thick and fun to read. Manned with an All-Star lineup of  DC talent, this issue boasts 11 variant covers, topped by what at last count appeared to be no less than a stunning 75 retailer and creator variant covers! This romp through the character's history featured most all his surrounding cast and rogue's gallery, starting things off right with a detective story by author Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo, several collaborations by some legendary Batman creators like Jim Lee, Tony S. Daniel, Paul Dini, Peter J. Tomasi, and Neal Adams fill the rest of it's 96 pages. Additional artwork and a great two page spread of the Bat Family make this a visually dashing issue.

Batman Vol.1 The Court of Owls, Batman Vol.2 The City of Owls, 2011-2012

I was reading a lot of comics when DC relaunched with it's New 52 campaign, but took a pass on the now highly lauded Court of Owls by author Scott Snyder and artist Gregg Capullo. I may have passed on one of the best New 52 books though, 'cause I really enjoyed this. I had eventually caught up with Capullo on Batman, jumping in at Batman: Zero Year in 2013, it just took me six years to backtrack. So nice to revisit Snyder & Capullo's Batman.

DC 80th Anniversary Giant Detective Comics Batman #1, 2019

I stumbled upon an endcap at Walmart this past year full of giant-sized issues of different DC Characters, one being this Detective Comics Batman. Mostly reprinted material, of particular interest to me, the 1967 debut of Batgirl, featuring sidekick Robin and the villainous Killer Moth, as well as the Boy Wonder's own debut from 1940. There's also some Bronze-Age material in here that tickles my nostalgia bone, but this would make a great gift for a kid just getting interested in Batman.

Batman: Ego and Other Tails (Darwyn Cooke/DC Comics, 2007)

I had just got back into comics as an adult around 2010, and discovered Justice League: The New Frontier (DC Comics, 2004) by the late great Darwyn Cooke. His Atomic-Age tale of the team's origin is like no other, and reestablished what I liked about superhero teams as a kid. Ego was just a continuation of this sweet spot for me, particularly in "Selina's Big Score", my favorite of the "tails" included. Artist Tim Sale shares a certain retro styling that is unique from Cooke, but complements this collection.

Batman '66 Meets Wonder Woman '77 (DC Comics, 2017)

More recently, I discovered this fun team-up of Batman '66 Meets Wonder Woman '77, combining what are essentially my childhood versions of these two DC characters. I love the Alex Ross cover on this collected edition, and am a big fan of Michael and Laura Allred, who did the original issue covers also included here. Artist David Hahn has simple, animated style that is colorful and appropriate in tone for this adventure that I quite enjoyed. I particularly enjoyed Nightwing's appearance later on in the book, all grown up in his original disco outfit, kickin' butt! Ra's al Ghul and daughter Talia make great villains for this decades-spanning romp, starting with a young Bruce Wayne's meeting the Amazon he would later team up with as Batman, and later be pulled out of retirement by to put a stop to Ra's scheme to finish what he started. Though I only picked up a few issues of  Batman '66 when it dropped in 2013, I did enjoy them- this made me want to go back and get the collected editions of this even more, especially considering the passing of actor Adam West a couple years ago.

More Later- Make It FUN!

DC Collectibles Vibe

Another recent eBay find, DC Collectibles Vibe, another New 52 action figure from what I feel was a great moment in the line. For two or three years there around 2011 - 2013, DC Collectibles was making some beautifully sculpted action figures with nice paint apps. I bought several of the New 52 Justice League figures, and what they lacked in articulation was doubly repaid in aesthetics. I picked up the first issue of Vibe's New 52 solo title in February of 2013, and while I didn't stick with it, I did read more issues of different titles relaunched by DC around the sane time. I will say DC Collectibles did a commendable job capturing the character's look, producing a detailed figure with lots of great incised sculpting throughout Vibe's outfit.

Vibe's shoulders are mounted only to a swivel, no hinge to facilitate lateral articulation, and he has nothing in the waist. He utilizes DC Direct's classic Y-hinge at the hips, allowing only forward and back movement, but these figures have always been about aesthetic with less joints to break up the sculpt. While I enjoy a figure with expanded articulation, I do appreciate the beauty of these.

Vibe appeared first in Justice League of America in 1984, the first member of that team to be killed in action. He appeared in Blackest Night as a Black Lantern, but was retconned with the DC New 52 reboot, Cisco Ramon gaining his vibratory powers while being pulled from the event horizon of a boom tube by his brother, who was subsequently killed. Hence the impetus for Cisco becoming the hero Vibe.

Below, Vibe with the DC Collectibles Katana, another figure that came only in a 2-pack (Vibe w/Flash, Katana w/Wonder Woman). Like Vibe, Katana was reintroduced in the New 52 relaunch, and also enjoyed ten issues of her own solo title, starting in February of 2013.

More Later- Make It FUN!