Superhero Times: a service of Action Online
For a great selection of superhero action figures and collectibles, check out fine sponsors BigBadToyStore.com, UrbanCollector.com, ClarkToys.com, HobbyLinkJapan.com, VNCToys.com, ToyWiz.com, BriansToys.com, PastGenerationToys.com, YesAnimation.com, and SuperheroToys.com.
For a great selection of pop culture t-shirts and apparel, check out TShirtGurus.com and 80sTees.com.
DC Comics is well known for its “Crisis” storylines. These are almost always Earth (or even universe) shattering events that forever change the fabric of the DC Universe. 2004 saw a different kind of crisis in Identity Crisis, a 7 issue limited series focusing on the Justice League, very adult themes, and some big questions. When family members of Justice League members are murdered, past secrets are brought into the light of day and their consequences cannot be ignored. Ultimately a tale of human tragedy and weakness, the Identity Crisis series gave readers new perspectives on some of their favorite heroes, including Superman and Green Arrow.
After two series of successful Identity Crisis figures, DC Direct is revisiting that comic event with a whole new wave, the JLA Identity Crisis Classics Series 1. Based on artwork by Michael Turner and the original Identity Crisis figures, these figures have new, more modern head sculpts. Included in this series are Batman, Superman, Green Arrow, and the Flash.
Similar in design to the original Identity Crisis figures, the new JLA Classics versions use the same somber artwork as a backdrop. Sealed in heavy duty clamshells, each hero rests in a plastic bubble starkly exposed; unlike on most other clamshell packages there isn’t even a sticker on the front. This truly does offer a fantastic view of the figure before you make your purchase.
The backside is typical of DC Direct figures and shows the four figures in the series, along with brief descriptions of the characters at the bottom. Both front and back feature the traditional “broken glass” look used on a lot of Identity Crisis artwork. Finally, the insert unfolds to reveal more cross-promotions inside: the Arkham Asylum Box Set, Blackest Night Series 1, and Blackest Night Series 2.
Today we’ll be looking at the new Superman and Green Arrow figures. Both are in the traditional DC Direct scale, with Supes standing nearly 7 inches tall and Arrow at 6 ¾ (7 ½ to the top of his feathered cap). For the most part they follow the company’s usual focus on sculpt and paint with lesser attention paid to accessories and articulation.
The Superman figure is a great representation of Michael Turner’s artwork. While muscular, he’s nowhere near as huge as other portrayals of the Man of Steel. He also has a fairly young look, with a powerful square jaw and piercing eyes. Overall, there’s nothing really “new” about this Superman. He wears the iconic costume, complete with boots, trunks, belt, and cape.
The sculpt is quite good, with plenty of subtle musculature and clothing details. Of particular note are the sculpted boot tops, belt with belt loops, torso muscles, and cape with sculpted “S” logo. As noted earlier, Superman’s head sculpt is quite good, with a dynamic face and detailed hair.
In the paint department everything works well. The vibrant blues, reds, and yellows are all where they’re supposed to be and look fine. There is hardly any bleed across color borders, and chest logo is especially crisp and clean. Superman’s intense look has some nice shading, and his piercing blue eyes offset his black hair and eyebrows nicely. The only parts that could have used a bit more detail are the hands, just flat flesh tone.
Superman has average DC Direct articulation, with a limited ball jointed head, ball jointed shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, and knees. You can get him in some good upper body poses, but there’s not much doing below the waist. Not that he needs them, but Supes has no accessories other than the standard Identity Crisis display base.
Next up is the Emerald Archer and sometime mayor of Star City, the Green Arrow. I have a hard time keeping track of the subtle differences in Queen’s outfits over time, but this one looks pretty modern and does not include a hood. A present day Robin Hood, Green Arrow focuses on archery and mobility over heavy armor. His outfit consists of boots, tights, and a belted tunic along with archer’s gloves and his distinctive feathered cap.
Sculpt-wise Oliver is pretty good. Much less muscular than Superman (and correctly so), Green Arrow has much more detail in clothing. His tunic especially has lots of creases and lines where it’s “bunched” up by the belt and quiver backpack. The laces and strap across his torso are nicely raised, as are the straps of his gloves and forearm guards. Most notably, of course, is Green Arrow’s fantastic head sculpt. There’s a lot going on there, with his angular face, old timey goatee, flowing wavy hair, and harlequin mask. Everything looks great.
Paint and color are very good on Green Arrow. Guess what color is used most? Green, of course. Oliver’s undershirt, belt, tights, and feather are a lighter shade of green, while his boots, tunic, gloves/forearm guards, harlequin mask, and cap are darker. There’s plenty of flesh tone with his exposed arms, and the distinctive brown strap across his chest draws in the eye. Arrow’s head has lots of painted details with the blonde goatee and hair, rosy lips, and green eyes.
Green Arrow has substantial added articulation and several accessories. He has a ball jointed neck, ball jointed shoulders, swivel biceps, elbows, wrists, waist, hips, knees, and swivel lower legs at the boot tops. The leg joints help with stability, while the upper body is very poseable, a good thing considering the hero’s gear.
Green Arrow comes with three accessories: a substantial quiver/backpack that plugs into a hole in his back, a huge stringed longbow, and one loose arrow. Posing Oliver with the bow is easy with his sculpted open fist left hand and “drawing” right hand to pull back the bowstring.
Unfortunately, the included arrow is ridiculously short considering the size of his bow and the length of his pull, although it does fit nicely into the open section of the quiver. This is no doubt a safety issue, as DC Direct doesn’t want kids shooting arrows at eyes or pets. Green Arrow also comes with the standard Identity Crisis display base.
While the overly serious Identity Crisis comic series may not have been for everyone, the figures from that line coming out of DC Direct are really top notch. They look great, with excellent sculpts and paint jobs. Superman offers a new look at the iconic Man of Steel, and can be a great first Kal-El figure or a welcome addition to an established collection. Green Arrow is a really functional figure, and possibly the best looking representation of the character to date. Both figures are highly recommended.
For images of this dynamic duo, CLICK HERE!
Review and Photos by Scott Rubin.
Review Samples Courtesy of DC Direct