McFarlane DC Multiverse Martian Manhunter

We don't get as many Martian Manhunter figures as we do other members of the Justice League, but he's been a favorite DC character of mine for some years now. Created by Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Verta in 1955, J'onn J'onnz is often compared to the other last surviving orphan of an alien race and is portrayed as equal in power to Superman. 

I haven't read any of the more recent Vol. 4 of Martian Manhunter, nor the Rebirth material, but I do like this look- the portrait is very cartoony, much like what little of the art I've seen. The color palette is darker, but the collared chest harness and oversized cape clasps are familiar elements. A mature update to the New 52 look, with a nice swoosh to the cape and leathery texture to the black outfit. What we wanted with this figure was a flight stand and an alternate alien portrait, but I do like him quite a bit.

Below, Martian Manhunter apprehends McFarlane Toys new Superboy Prime...

I've really enjoyed some of the recent McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse figures- 

see my post on God of Apokolips, Lex Luthor, General Zod, and Superboy Prime...

Below, McFarlane Martian Manhunter with my DC Collectibles New 52 Martian Manhunter...

Below lineup of my figures in this scale:  DC Direct JLA Classified Martian Manhunter, DC Universe Classics Martian Manhunter, DC Direct Brightest Day Martian Manhunter, DC Collectibles New 52 Martian Manhunter, DC Direct New Frontier Martian Manhunter DC Direct History of the DC Universe Martian Manhunter...  

Visit The Idol Head of Diabolu, an online Martian Manhunter blog!

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Mego 8in. Robin, Riddler, & Joker, Figures Toy Co. Mego Batmobile

 When Mego unexpectedly reappeared on the scene in 2018, I resisted at first, eventually picking up several of their 14" DC Comics heroes. Fast forward to 2021, Mego returns to form, releasing all new 8" DC Comics figures, like the halcyon days of their World's Greatest Heroes line of the '70s. I was seriously hooked after picking a few of these up, and eagerly await a few preorders, including a couple PX Previews Exclusive Mego figures.

The new head sculpts and outfits on these figures are top notch, distilling the essence of each character to its purest form. Mego didn't overcomplicate these updates, retaining the simple charm of all we love about their figures. In a word: classic.

Below, 12" DC Direct Robin, 8" Mego Robin, and 6" DC Universe Classics Robin...

I have a small assortment of pistols for 8" figures, acquired from Dr. Mego. None of the original World's Greatest Super Heroes or Villains had guns, but other Mego series like Planet of the Apes did.

Below, Mego Riddler and Joker with my Mattel 8" Retro-Action Two-Face. That 2010 series of Mego-inspired 8" action figures was at least partially responsible for my getting into action figure collecting as an adult and starting this blog...

Below, 14" Mego Joker, 8" Joker, and 6" Mattel DC Universe Classics Joker...

With my Mego Batman finally paired with his old crime-fighting chum, Robin the Boy Wonder, 

the streets of Gotham can finally be safe from villains like the Riddler!

Below, the Dynamic Duo with Mego Flash and Green Lantern ....

The legacy of the '66 Batman TV show, and featured George Barris designed Batmobile will forever be a nostalgia trigger for me, having watched years of the syndicated episodes throughout my youth. I had a Mego Batmobile exactly like this in the '70s, that I could push my Mego Batman and Robin around in- they looked like the figures pictured in the box, also replica reissues by Figures Toy Company.

My new Mego Batman and Robin will be driving the Figures Toy Company Mego Batmobile around. I don't remember if the original Batmobile the same size as this release was, but the modern 8" Mego figures do fit, albeit tightly. The car is of unremarkable construction, like the original, but more than sturdy enough for play or display. Three stickers were included to complete the look, one a rear grill pattern, and two cheesy Batman stickers for the door ...

The charm of having a Mego Batmobile to go with my new Mego Batman and Robin was just too much to resist this fantastic replica any longer. While I got mine at a discount, these Figures Toy Co. Batmobiles usually run about $60.00- far more than the $6.95 in 1974, but a somewhat expensive item when adjusted for inflation. Regardless, a joy to have that is now produced in black, blue, and red -with matching Batcycles!

Below, Mego Batmobile with a couple 1:64 scale Hot Wheels '66 Batmobiles and 1:50 scale Hot Wheels '66 Batmobile. This George Barris Batmobile design really stuck with the sixties TV show in heavy syndication throughout the '70s and on to this very day. Visit the Mego Museum online!

Robin! To the Batmobile! Let's Go!

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McFarlane DC Multiverse Future State Batman

I know Tim Fox, son of Wayne Enterprises C.O.O. Lucius Fox, was the Future State Batman, but I'm otherwise unknowledgeable regarding the character, purchasing this figure because it's a visually interesting variation on Batman. The McFarlane DC Multiverse line has been at least half Batman-related figures and continues to be so. Having passed on several very nice McFarlane Batman figures the last couple years, this one reminded me of the DC SuperHeroes Knight Shadow Batman, a long coveted variant figure from 2007 with a full mask like this Future State figure.

I said in my last post that McFarlane figures can have somewhat cumbersome articulation, but usually have nice sculpts with lots of textures throughout. The cape on this figure has a convincing leathery appearance like none I've seen before- really nice! And the Batarang is a more slim, much improved version than what we got on the first Batman. Extra fists are appropriate on this figure but missing are the escrima sticks Tim would be known for wielding.

 

In a world where Hasbro now asks $26.00 and up for an action figure, I always appreciate McFarlane including a black disk base with even their standard $20.00 figures. I'd have paid two more dollars for a flight stand some of McFarlane's have- that and some fighting sticks would have made this seem more deluxe. Otherwise, his figure hits all the notes of character visually and has serviceable articulation. The textures in the sculpt and raised armor panels make this otherwise dark, monochromatic figure kind of special.

Below, Future State Batman with McFarlane's Detective #1000 Batman 

and Thomas Wayne/Flashpoint Batman... 

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McFarlane DC Multiverse Gen. Zod, Superboy Prime, Lex Luthor, God of Apokolips

 I received my preorder of Superboy Prime, Lex Luthor, and "God of Apokolips" Darkseid/Lex variant from McFarlane Toys a couple weeks ago, bumping into the new General Zod just last weekend. I thought all these might make a nice group. I'm barely interested in the Darkseid/Lex variant, but paired with Lex in his green power suit and the throne included make things way for inviting. I haven't read The Darkseid War story arc, purchasing both these figures solely on their merits as action figures.

My last post did in fact include both General Zod and Lex Luthor in 14" Mego form. While I love the more retro Mego costumes, the modern styling McFarlane chose for these characters works better with their DC Multiverse line, and current comic book styling..

I had a DC Direst Superboy Prime in this scale for years, but never a General Zod. I felt they would pair well when I saw Zod in a local Walmart this last weekend. Their sci-fi armored gauntlets, boots, and chest harness/shoulder pauldrons complement one another. General Zod is based on his current appearance in DC Comics as best I can tell- I really liked the outfit!

There is another McFarlane DC Multiverse Kryptonian in my collection, the ElseWorlds-inspired Red Son Superman. I love the muted colors on that figure, he looks fantastic!

Etrigan the Demon might be a McFarlane figure that could pair well with Zod for battle. The sword that came with my McFarlane Toys Bloodshot makes a great accessory for Zod- like it was made for him!

While there are aspects of McFarlane figures I sometimes don't like- the ball-swivel joints in the wrists and ankles can be cumbersome when posing, and larger figures can have balance issues. I like the aesthic of these figures individually and together, particularly Superboy Prime and Zod. There is a plainness to the Darkseid Lex's paint scheme, but the chair adds a lot. While flight hands were appropriate, I wish Superboy Prime included additional hands like Lex and Zod included. Not sure if I care about the collector cards these came with, but I appreciate Mcfarlane including a base with each figure. Complaints aside, I enjoyed these figures together, and though I haven't kept up with DC Comics' current stories, these are just fun character designs and "toyetic" action figures. 

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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!

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