Superhero Times: a service of Action Online
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The end of the last season of The Batman saw the title superhero inducted into the most famous of super-powered organizations, the Justice League. Since then, his adventures in the current season have included teaming up with several other League members, including Superman, the Flash, and others.
In the episode "Ring Toss" the renegade Green Lantern Sinestro ends up in Gotham, following the trail of none other than Hal Jordan. Jordan, a test pilot, had been chosen to become the next Green Lantern of Sector 2814 (which includes Earth) when the previous ring slinger died. Equipped with a power ring and battery, Hal Jordan serves the will of the Guardians, defending the innocent and combating evil wherever he finds it.
Green Lantern comes in the standard The Batman ShadowTek packaging, a tall and thin bubble and cardback in a vaguely arrowhead shape. The bubble containing the figure is almost as tall as the cardback, and displays the figure prominently in the center, in front of the electric yellow Batwave tech background. Below is the ShadowTek logo, a photograph of the figure, and it's name. The top of the card features the logo of The Batman. Oddly enough, the very bottom of the bubble has what looks like air holes.
The back of the card is relatively simple, but effective. The background is the same yellow Batwave design, in front of which is a full-body picture of the figure in the center. Next to him is his Batcomputer Datafile, providing such information as real name, height, weight, home base, and more. The accompanying two sentence bio mentions the Green Lantern Corps and power ring. At the top of the card is The Batman logo and ShadowTek description, while at the bottom is a lineup of other figures in the current line. Shown here are Spin Blade Batman, Plasma Blade Batman, Metal Head Extreme, Hawkman, Hammer Strike The Joker, and Mr. Freeze. It wouldn't be a proper display of additional toys without the obligatory "Collect them all!"
The Batman figures are reminiscent of the Justice League animated series style, with enormous chests tapering down to narrow waists and stick-like legs. Green Lantern is no different. Shoulders and chest are broad, lower body not nearly so. Lantern's arms hang down slightly away from his body, giving him a prepared, almost eager, look. The figure's face is dominated by a great pointed chin, over which the hero has a cocky half sneer/half smile. The figure's hands are sculpted in open fists.
Colors on Green Lantern are simple, as appropriate. The costume is tri-colored, with a green midsection, black limbs, white gloves, and green boots. On the center of the chest is the Green Lantern logo, a stylized green lantern on a white circle. On the middle finger of his right hand is a painted green dot marking the power ring. Green Lantern's mask is a green strip across his face, with solid white eyes.
Green Lantern has articulation that's about standard for The Batman figures: neck, shoulders, elbows, waist, hips, and knees. While this isn't enough for intricate poses, the figure displays well and is sure to please young fans. The lack of more advanced joints makes the figure very solid and substantial.
Green Lantern comes with one accessory, his lantern-shaped power battery. The piece is actually really nice, made of translucent green plastic with a moving handle. Green Lantern can hold his battery in either hand.
For fans of the Green Lanterns, it's always nice to get a Hal Jordan figure from a non-comic line since John Stewart became the go-to Lantern for the Justice League animated series. In addition, this figure is the closest we'll get to a Hal Jordan in the Justice League animated style (the insanely rare holiday gift figure notwithstanding). As such, it's easy to ignore or forgive the figure's faults, of which there are a few. The sculpt has some problems, especially with the "plug in" neck piece that's not quite flush with the chest.
Also, while the power battery is nice, the figure really could have used another accessory to justify its price next to the much better-equipped Batman figures. All in all, though, it's a fun figure, and a good addition to any Green Lantern or Hal Jordan collection.
For more images of The Batman ShadowTek Green Lanten, CLICK HERE.
Review and Photos by Scott Rubin
