Superhero Times: a service of Action Online
Packaging: Nothing new here besides the usual 4 color window box. Like I said before with my Warlord review, DC Direct (DCD) needs to take a new direction with their packaging to improve the visual quality of their figures when displayed in pack.
Paint: DCD always makes up for its repetitive lackluster in the packaging by its paint quality. The Aquaman figure is no exception to the rule. The piece that stands out the most for me is the golden chain-mail armor. The armor seems to be molded in clear plastic and painted over with a mix of translucent gold and yellow paint that achieves a very cool effect. The rest of the figure is painted very well with no runs or blotches that are noticeable.
Accessories: The figure includes a removable belt with sheath and Atlantian sword and a decorative collector’s base. Be careful when removing the sword from the plastic tray because I broke mine at the handle. I recommend cutting the plastic with a blade or scissors rather than pulling or forcing the sword out. I think that the figure should have also included a trident accessory but DCD did not think it was necessary to include one with this figure.
Sculpt: Here is another place where DCD shines. The Aquaman figure has a chiseled face and physique that looks like a realistic version of He-Man. The chain-mail armor is very well sculpted and there is a lot of detail work put into the sword. The sword is definitely a one of a kind weapon as it seems like it was made out of sea shells and has a very unique blade design. The hands on the figure are also sculpted very well allowing the sword to stay firmly gripped.
Articulation: The figure is fairly articulated in the right places to achieve a couple of poses. The articulation points are at the shoulders, elbows, ankles, wrists, head and the dreaded t-crotch joints at the legs. This is what keeps me away from buying most DC Direct figures because of the lack of poses you can display the figure in. I don’t understand why it is so difficult for DCD to just add a swivel joint at the waist and ball socket or the same articulation that was done with the Warlord figure in the thighs, a la DC Superheroes style which allows more squatting and battle poses.
I picked up this figure at toy retailer in Southern Florida for $14.99 and have also spotted them at FYE for the same price. This price seems to be the current standard for most action figures that are not available at major retailers like Wal-Mart, Target and Toys R Us. I recommend this figure to any DC fans (young or old) especially if you like Aquaman. The combination of a great sculpt, excellent paint job and a really unique sword makes this one of my favorite DC Direct figure this year.
For more images of the Aquaman figure, CLICK HERE. Review and Images by Jorge Pelaez
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