DC Universe Classics - Giganta

This will probably be my last review for 2009 so why not go out with the biggest action figure Mattel has given us in the DC Universe Classics line up so far.  The wave 8 collect and connect action figure - Giganta.

I was really looking forward to this figure.  I was a big fan of the Superfriends cartoon back in the day and I really would like to see all the Legion of Doom members get released sooner or later.  Giganta is well Gigantic.

Towering over the 6 inch Wonder Woman figure as well as wave 3's Solomon Grundy, Giganta stands at an impressive 10 inches tall. 

Giganta is not really complex as far as her costume goes but because she is so big, it allows for the little details to come out more. 

The paint job is great, especially in the hair.  Different shades and a darker wash highlight her hairstyle really well.  The face is also perfect.  A great determined expression and also quite beautiful.  There are no paint issues what so ever on this figure. 

Giganta sort of comes with an accessory but really, this is a Gentleman Ghost accessory and that is the very tiny action figure of The Atom.

Giganta's articulation is pretty good but actually not as articulate as some of the smaller female action figures.  For starters, the head can move but is limited due to the hair sculpt.  Not a big deal.  We've seen this issue with most female figures with the exception of maybe Harley and Catwoman.  But joints missing in action on Giganta are the abdominal joint and the waist joint.  Instead we have gotten a swivel joint at the chest.  Also a little different are the hip joints.  They are ball joints instead of the usual multi-moving hip joints we've see on most DCUC action figures.  Not sure if this has anything to do with the fact that my Giganta's legs are fairly loose and i find it difficult sometimes to get her to stand. 

Overall, Giganta is a GREAT Collect and Connect action figure.  She is huge, beautiful and a great Wonder Woman villain/LOD member to fill out your collection. 

Sculpt/Design - 10, Paint - 10, Accessories - 5, Articulation - 7, Fun - 9

Since Giganta is a CnC action figure, you technically have to buy the entire set DCUC wave 8 set to put her together.  You can however sometimes find someone selling her on eBay without the other action figures.  So follow the links below if you're looking to get you're very own DCUC Giganta action figure.

To find Mattel's DC Universe Classics Giganta action figure on eBay, click here

To find Mattel's DC Universe Classics wave 8 action figures on eBay, click here

DC Universe Classics Wave 13 Preview

Rumors of the DC Universe Classics wave 13 line up have been around for a while and finally we pictures of what this new wave of action figures will look like.  This wave has a heavy Teen Titans influence which may or may not appeal to you.  Lets take a look at the line up:

The first figure is the Blue Beetle.  Yes we had a Blue Beetle in Wave 7  but this figure is the Jaime Reyes version of the character.

Next Up - The Blue Devil

Here is the first action figure of the set with a variant: Negative Man

The next action figure also has a variant.  This is one of the more common Wonder Woman villans, Cheetah.  This is the modern version:

And here is the Cheetah variant in her "Superfriends" costume:

Next up is Wonder Girl aka Donna Troy:

And finally we have Superboy in his 90's look.

And the Collect and Connect action figure for wave 13 with be the Teen Titan Villian, Trigon.

So there you have it.  Your DC Universe Classics wave 13 line up.  Be sure to check out the polls on the left side of your screen and tell us what you think of this new line up.

DC Universe Classics - Two-Face (Gotham City 5 Pack)

Today's review will be the final action figure from the Wal-Mart Exclusive Gotham City 5 pack which was released a couple months back.  Two-Face.

Now this of course, is a repainted figure of the previously released Two-Face from Mattel's DC Superheroes toy line which was released back in the fall of 2007. 

There is one small difference between the two sculps.  The sculpt of Two-Face's left hand (the scared one) is different.

The face sculpt itself is exactly the same.  Obvously the paint job is much different.  The original DCSH Two-Face looks to be painted with a was to bring out the details of the scars but the GC5 Two-Face's skin is just painted in one shade of green.  A tad dissapointing.  Even the hair was not painted as nicely. 

Here is a close up of the hands sculpt below.  DCSH Two-Face has a deformed sculpted hand with scarring and the Gotham City 5 Two-Face just has a standard sculpted hand, most likely a re-used part with no scarring at all.

Ive touched on the paint job a bit but overall Two-Face has got a clean paint job, it just lacks detail compared to the DCSH Two-Face.  The face looks good but some shading and a dark wash would have really brought out the detail in the face more. 

Here is a side by side comparison of the two action figures.  Two-Face's articulation is of course the same as the DCSH version.  He generally has all the usual joints as an other DCUC action figures with the exception of an abdominal joint. 

As for accessories, Gotham City Two-Face does not come with anything at all, compared to DCSH Two-Face who came with a pretty cool Tommy Gun.  One major disappointment with the Gotham City 5 pack is that only one of the 5 figures comes with an accessory (Catwoman)

Overall Gotham City Two-Face is a good action figure but compared to Mattel's DC Superheroes Two-Face, it falls a bit short.  No accessories and an inferior paint job compared to the original sculpt places Gotham City Two-Face in 2nd place between the two figures.  If you only get one of the two, i would definitely suggest the original

Sculpt/Design - 7, Paint - 7, Articulation - 8, Accessories - 0, Fun -7

Both Two-Face action figures can be found on eBay.  GC Two-Face can usually be found sold loose or in the 5 pack on eBay.  DCSH Two-Face may be a bit harder to find since that action figure is two years old now. 

To find Mattel's DC Superheroes or DC Universe Two-Face action figures on eBay, click here

To find Mattel's DC Universe Classics Gotham City 5 pack on eBay, click here.

DC Universe Classics - Batman (Wave 10)

Im jumping around with my reviews from wave's 8 to 10 plus trying to finish off the Gotham City 5 pack reviews all at once.  Next up for review is Mattel's DC Universe Classics wave 10 Batman.

Basically, this is the same Batman sculpt we've seen on 3 previous releases.  Wave 1 Classic Detective Batman (below left), the Batman from the Clayface two-pack and Gotham City Batman (below right).  The only difference is just the paint job.

The paint job of this action figure is very similar to outfit Batman wore in the Tim Burton "Batman" movie form 20 years back.  All black with a yellow belt and Bat symbol on his chest. 

The paint job is for the most part, clean.  The are is no bleeding between the black and yellow colors.  My only complaint would be there is a speck of black paint right in the middle of Batman's left eye.  Not a big deal and probably wasn't overly noticeable until i pointed it out. 

Batman thankfully comes with a couple of neet accessories.  First we have the Batarang which is a little more solid and detailed then some of the previous Batarangs we've gotten in the past. 

The second accessory is some sort of computer/laptop device shaped in the bat symbol.  Folded open it can be held in both  Batman's hands.  Folded closed, it can fit in one hand.  This Batman figure does NOT come with a Collect and Connect part.  He does however come with the Mattel transparent blue stand that we all hate.

Here is a close up of the Bat Computer and Batarang.  The one good thing about getting repainted figures with numberous accessories is that you can mix and match accessories with the figures.  They all fit nicely into Batmans open sculpted hands. 

Articulation is a none issue with this action figure.  Mattel gives us all the standard joints they've given us on previous figures.  No complaints in this department. 

Overall this is a good figure to get if you like collecting different Batman toys.  Plus he looks good with DCUC Joker.  The paint job gives the action figure its on unique look compared to similar Batman figures Mattel has previously released in the DCUC wave.  If you're looking to collect and connect the Imperiex figure from wave 10, you do not need to get this Batman figure as he does not come with any parts, just a stand. 

Sculpt/Design - 8, Paint - 9, Accessories - 8, Articulation - 9, Fun - 9

Prices for DCUC wave 10 figures are going down on eBay for those of you that are not so lucky and cannot find these action figures at your local Wal-Mart.  Give eBay a try and you could score a good Christmas present for yourself. 

To find Mattel's DC Universe Classics wave 10 Batman on eBay, click here

To find Mattel's DC Universe Classics wave 10 action figures on eBay, click here. 

DC Universe Classics - Power Girl

As requested by Action Toy Review fans, the next review will be on the DC Universe Classics (Wal-Mart Exclusive) wave 10 Power Girl action figure. 

Power Girls sculpt is made up similar body parts that we've seen before on other DCUC female action figures..with the exception of the chest piece.  That being said, she is still unique enough that it really doesn't matter. 

Each female DCUC action figure has had a different hair style and Power Girl is no different.  Very well detailed head sculpt.  My one minor complaint is that the neck seems to be a tad bit long.

As far as Power Girl's paint job goes, aside from one blue spot on the inside of her left elbow, its excellent.  Her face is flawless and you can even notice a touch of make up around the eyes.   In general, the paint jobs have of all the DCUC action figures have drastically improved since the first few waves.  I am seeing less and less errors with each wave. 

If you're looking for accessories, there are none to speak of with Power Girl.  She does come with the Collect and Connect leg piece of Imperiex but thats it.

Thankfully, Power Girl's articulation is up to speed with the DCUC standards unlike wave 9's Black Canary who was lacking in the hip joint department.  She comes with all the standard joints we've all grown acustom to. 

There's little to complain about this Power Girl action figure.  It is a great likeness to the DC Comic character and if you're a collector of Mattle's DC Universe Classics action figures, you will want to run out and pick up your own Power Girl.

Sculpt/Design - 8, Paint - 9, Accessories - 0, Articulation - 9, Fun - 8

Where can you buy this Power Girl action figure?  Well, you can start off by checking out your local Wal-Mart (if you're reading this in Q4 2009).  Otherwise you'll have to try eBay to get your hands on her.

To Find Mattel's DC Universe Classics Power Girl on eBay, click here