Spandex Justice » Action Figures

Nightwing and Starfire: DC Infinite Heroes

Vincent Murphy — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 23:57:57 +0000

I’ve bought a few of Mattel’s DC Infinite Heroes line: mostly characters that I like (not attempting to collect a full set…yet). These are the 3 and 3/4ths inch character line, so are lacking in some detail/articulation, but are nice enough.

One thing that’s really nice, though, is that they actually got the Nightwing/Starfire scale correct (well, more correct than usual). Starfire is actually taller than Nightwing: something that artists seem to forget constantly, as do the toy makers.

I need to dig up my DC Direct Starfire and Nightwing: I think they were also in scale. Also, it would allow me to set up a great Nightwing/Starfire set up: I’ve got them as Mini-Mates, DC Infinite Heroes, DC Universe Classics, and DC Direct heroes. If they’d make a 13-inch Starfire, I’d be very happy.

Come On, DC, Give J’onn Some Respect

Vincent Murphy — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:28:03 +0000

This is the ugliest Martian Manhunter action figure I’ve seen. Looks like someone smacked J’onn with a shovel right across the face. Looks like he got an arm transplant from the Hulk.

Pez, Stargate and Adventures in Toyland

Vincent Murphy — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 00:49:44 +0000

Holy crap, my comics pull for the week ended up over 30 dollars, and I wasn’t able to find all I wanted. Hoping to do a big Nightwing review once I’ve re-read the arc. But before that, I must share my toy experiences over the past few days.

While in the grocery store, I noticed that there was new Pez! Well, sort of. There were all the stupid Kung-Fu Panda Pez (wasn’t there some rule about the characters needing to be around for a decade before becoming Pez dispensers? Now every crappy movie has a Pez tie-in. Anyhoo.). But Laurajean, my wife, bless her, went straight for the new Batman Pez: Batman, Riddler, Joker and Two-Face. Pretty cool: having a wife who will buy me Pez is definitely a good thing (even if she doesn’t understand why roleplaying Superman and Supergirl is NOT sexy and IS creepy).

But I haven’t actually been able to enjoy said Pez, because Laurajean keeps opening the packages and eating the Pez. First, Two-Face fell, then the Riddler, then Batman himself. She’s also been putting the Pez in compromising positions, as you can see below:

She blamed the cat. Then said that at least the Joker was wearing protection. I’m not eating that Pez EVER.

While in the local Newbury Comics (I don’t get my comics there, I just like browsing the action figures and such), we found the new Stargate: Atlantis figures. We immediately gravitated to the "Field Ops Teyla." Or, as Laurajean dubbed her, "Bad Hair Day Teyla." Sorry for the poor focus, the lighting was bad. But not as bad as her hair:

Best Action Figure Ever?

Vincent Murphy — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 02:06:45 +0000

I just picked up the New Frontier Martian Manhunter, and I think it’s the best action figure I’ve bought. It jumps to the top of the list of top five Martian Manhunter action figures (I need to do an update to that post). Multiple points of articulation, a head that moves up, down, and side to side, and the most adorable face J’onn has ever had.

Only one problem. It’s totally hard to believe that humans, even in the 50s and 60s, would hate such a lovey-dovey, large-eyebrowed, dimpled chin, totally cute Martian. It undercuts the whole "humans hate me because I’m different" schtick.

I’m going back for the Batman tomorrow. Hell, I think I might get the set. Thanks a lot, DC Direct, for making me spend more money on toys. Merry Christmas to me, I guess.

The Perfect Mattel/DC Toy

Vincent Murphy — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 22:35:20 +0000

Considering Mattel’s recent acquisition of the DC Comics license for action figures, and their even more recent recall of various toys made in China, I figured they could combine the two and create a toy representing both events.

"Mommy, mommy, I want Lead!"

Martian Manhunter: The Top Five Action Figures

Vincent Murphy — Sun, 04 Feb 2007 04:34:43 +0000

Strangely, there are more Martian Manhunter action figures than many other more popular characters (take that, Wonder Woman!). And I own a bunch (with plans to add at least 3-4 more in the coming year). Here’s my list of favorites (I haven’t included any upcoming ones) in no particular order:

MiniMates Martian Manhunter: This is the only one on the list that I don’t own. But I have to admit, it’s pretty darn cute (and apparently one of the rarer ones)
Justice League Unlimited: This is a cool three-pack of Martian Manhunter from the Justice League cartoon. There’s also an excellent Justice Lords version of J’onn, among others.
DC Direct: There are a few different DC Direct Martian Manhunters: a "normal" one, an "Unmasked" version, and an upcoming Alex Ross version. I was excited to see a "First Appearance" one, but disappointed when seeing that it wasn’t really from J’onn’s first appearance, but his most recent. Lame.
Super Powers Martian Manhunter (pictured): There’s not much that can be said about the whole Super Powers line: they are still my favorites. This was the earliest Martian Manhunter figure and still one of the best. And it has the Power Action Martian Punch!
Hasbro’s 9" Martian Manhunter: I own a few of these, because it’s a great design. Firstly, it’s nicely-articulated; secondly, the cloth costume is cool; thirdly, it’s a great conversation piece. I keep one of these in my office at work (no matter where I work). I recall interviewing someone for a position a few years back: his name was John Jones, but he didn’t even react to the cool Martian Manhunter figure.