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For a while now, superhero toys have dominated the six inch scale. What about those of us who want our heroes smaller, more affordable, and available in dozens of variations and flavors? It seems Mattel (among others) has heard the cries, and is first out of the starting gate with their DC Universe Infinite Heroes collection in glorious 3 ¾ inch scale!
Your favorite DC superheroes have never been more easily collectable and just plain fun. The initial release included single carded figures and two 3-packs. Here we’ll take a look at the 3-pack devoted to Flash and his enemies (Weather Wizard and Mirror Master), as well as the single-packed Professor Zoom.
One of the most famous superheroes in the DC Universe, the Flash, runs fast... real fast. Of course, there’s a lot more to the many men and women who have carried that name, but that’s what everyone knows about Flash. In fact there have been many scarlet speedsters in the history of DC comics, starting with the Mercury-helmeted Jay Garrick, then the first red-and-yellow costumed Silver Age Barry Allen, and finally Wally West. Throughout their many adventures the Flashes have accumulated a literal gallery of “Rogues,” enemies of the heroic speedsters. While many of them are relatively modest in their villainy like the Wizard and Mirror Master, others like Professor Zoom are cold-blooded super-villains capable of altering timelines, murder, or worse.
Packaging for the new DC Universe Infinite Heroes line is simple, yet effective, and strongly recalls the awesome toy packages of the '80s. Both the single cards and 3-packs are dominated by a yellow explosion background, and the strongly lettered DC Universe logo at the top. The packages also have detailed information at the bottom including the names of the figures, which series they belong to, and the title of the current set, Crisis (from Crisis on Infinite Earths). Reaching out from the background of the single-packed figures is a plastic hand, representing the Anti-Monitor from the Crisis storyline. In fact, the slogan of the line is “An army of heroes within your grasp!”
Each figure and pack in the line is numbered (Professor Zoom is Figure 6 of Series 1, and the Flash set is Three Pack 1 of the Crisis Series) for organization and collectability. On the back of the Infinite Heroes packages is more fun. There is a brief description of the “Monitors” that watch over the DC Universe, and then detailed stats of the characters. Each has a Code Name, Identity, Status, and Special Abilities, along with numerical Power Scores in Strength, Intelligence, Speed, Agility, Energy/Magic Power, and Training/Fighting Skills. The scores range from the terrible (15 Agility for the clumsy Wizard) to the mind-boggling (95 Speed for Flash and Zoom).
Thus far, it appears as though Mattel is taking it slow with regards to sculpts for the Infinite Heroes line. Most of the males figures are based on the same body, with differences in heads and unique stylings. All four of the figures in this review (and Black Hand, also pictured) have the same basic body, which stands right at 3 ¾ inches. The body is muscular without being “muscle-bound,” and slender enough to work well for Flash and Zoom.
The sculpt, then, is mostly the same across the board. Muscle details are sharply defined in the chest, back, upper arms, and upper legs. Everyone has smooth forearms and lower legs, looking like built-in gloves and boots. At the waist is another flat section, as though each figure is wearing a belt. The hands are sculpted in open fists, which would work well with accessories if any were included.
Since these figures represent very popular superheroes and villains, it was crucially important that they be brightly colored in their appropriate costumes and in this Mattel really succeeded. Each figure looks like the character leapt off the pages of the comics. The colors are bold and crisp, mostly in broad strokes. There aren’t a whole lot of fine painted details, but the ones that are included, like faces and logos, are well done.
Articulation on the basic Infinite Heroes body is good, though it pales a bit in comparison with what Hasbro and Mezco are putting out in their 3 ¾ inch lines. There are ten points of articulation: head, ball-jointed shoulders, elbows, waist, hips, and knees. There are several places where additional joints would have made a major difference, like ankles and wrists. However, it’s all too easy to favor articulation over sculpt and appearance, especially in small figures (see the upcoming Marvel 3 ¾ figures for comparison).
None of these figures has any accessories, but they all have differently sculpted heads and some other differentiating detail. Flash and Professor Zoom share the exact same sculpt, as in the comics Zoom, the Reverse Flash, is a mirror image of the speedster. On their costumes, where Flash is red, Zoom is yellow, and vice versa.
The Flash/Zoom has his costume’s cowl pulled over his head, covering the top part of his face while exposing his eyes. While Flash’s face is the picture of heroic determination, Zoom’s eyes are solid white in black pits. On the sides of the Flash/Zoom head are tiny lightning bolts, two more of which appear at the figure’s boot tops.
Weather Wizard, who controls atmospheric conditions with a wand that would have made a perfect accessory, has a high collar and very distinctive head sculpt. His long face with its prominent chin is reminiscent of Bruce Campbell, and his hair is sculpted up into a crazy wave at the back of his head. While his suit is green with slashes of yellow on the torso, his small mask consists of yellow diamonds over his solid white eyes.
Mirror Master represents another missed opportunity for an accessory. The super villain who uses mirrors to teleport wields twin pistols. The figure wears a belt with the twin pistols sculpted into holsters, but they’re non-removable. [Note: the pistols held by Mirror Master in the pictures belong to the Reservoir Dogs Kubricks.]
Mirror Master also has a wide collar at his neck, and a unique head complete with his weasel face and strange rectangular shapes on his cowl. The figure seems almost Halloween-themed in his bright orange and green.
The Infinite Heroes figures are a lot of fun, in a great size and at a perfect price point in these economically uncertain times. Being a fan of both DC Comics superheroes and the 3 ¾ inch scale, this collector couldn’t be happier. The Infinite Heroes line is expanding every month with both mainstream and lesser known characters, with exclusives and variants to come. The Flash 3-pack and Professor Zoom are great figures and an example of how the line will include multiple figures in similar themes!
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Review and Photos by Scott Rubin