DC Universe Classics Green Lantern Wave 1 - Manhunter Robot

How quickly some things become old new.  All the cool new toy announcement at Toy Fair 2011 like, Wave 18's line up, the Batman Legacy toy line, the new Crime Syndicate 5 pack and DC Universe Classics Wave 16's release in stores, we've almost forgotten about the Green Lantern Classics line up.  I'm sure there are still some of you out there hunting for this action figures so today I'm going to review, Manhunter Robot from the Green Lantern Classics Wave 1 set.

Ahhh the packaging.....No complaints on this front by me but it is irrelevant.  It just gets tossed in the trash anyways but for all you collectors out there who insist on keeping their toys in the packaging, this is what it looks like (see below).  If you look closely at Manhunter Robot's picture of the back of the packaging, you'll see a slight difference in that picture compared to the actual action figure.  In the picture, Manhunter Robot is holding the lantern in his right hand and his left hand is a closed fist.  The actual action figure is the opposite.   

Manhunter Robots torso ,upper arms and upper leg pieces are standard pieces we see on a lot of  DCUC action figures.  The boots and forearms are more unique armor type pieces which look really cool and have nice detail in them.  The head piece, of course, is also unique to the character and looks really good.

From the side, you can see more detail in the boots and forearms. 

I love the metallic blue color used on Manhunter.  The metallic paint is a nice touch and I think looks much better then if they had gone the non metallic route.  The face is painted with just one shade of silver and red eyes which, is a little boring.  Wish Mattel would have at least used a dark wash over the teeth to give them some texture. 

Now for a closer look at the articulation which, for Manhunter Robot, is a plus and a minus.  First, as we saw with the awesomeness of the Black Hand action figure from this wave, Manhunter Robot also has the double hinged joints which is super cool.  You can bend the knees more so with these joints to get them into more bending positions.  BUT unlike Black Hand, Manhunter Robot only has these joints on his knees.  No double hinged elbow joints.  An a little bit more bad news, the movement of the elbow joints are obstructed by his forearm piece limiting to about 80% of normal joint movement.  All other joints are pretty standard compared to other DCUC action figures.  Neck, shoulders, biceps, wrists, abs, waist, hips, thighs and ankles are all there and in fine working condition 

Manhunter robot comes with this extra large sized green lantern which fits nicely into his right hand (left hand is closed).  He also comes with the Collect and Connect upper torso piece of Arkillo. 

Overall, Manhunter Robot is another great DC Universe Classics action figure. A great sculpt job that is painted with a cool color pallet (love the metallic blue).  The new knee joints are awesome but i wonder if Manhunter Robot could have benefited by added the double hinged elbow joints too.  Still, he is well worth the buy and a must have for Green Lantern fans. 

Sculpt/Design - 8, Paint - 8.5, Articulation - 9, Accessories - 6, Fun - 8

Value - 8

To buy DC Universe Classics GL Manhunter Robot on eBay, click here

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That's it for another ATR Review.  Be sure to check back for more news, info, reviews and previews on Mattel's DC Universe Classics action figures. 

DC Universe Classics Green Lantern Wave 1 - Kyle Rayner

The main action figure from the DC Universe Green Lantern Classics wave 1 set that most people have been waiting for is Kyle Rayner.  So take a guess at who today's review will be on:

First up we have a look at Rayner in his packaging for those who do not want to take their action figure out of the packaging.  It's very similar to the DCUC toy line.  Action figure is encased in solid transparent bubble plastic.  Cool cartoon graphics behind that of the main Green Lantern characters.  On the back, there is a nice little bio on Rayner as well as pictures of figures from the entire wave.  We've all see this before so time to move on. 

Taking a look at the actual action figure now, as far as a sculpt goes, we see a lot of reused parts here.  The head being the only main difference.  Unlike with the Black Hand action figure from this wave, Rayner does not have the new double hinged elbow or knee joints.

Kyle's Green Lantern costume difference from the classic Hal Jordan.  You can see the GL symbol is not centered on his chest but more centered on his left pectoral muscle (reminds me of Robin's "R" symbol for some reason).  The costume is really true to what you would expect in a Kyle Rayner action figure.

Up close we can get a better look at the head sculpt which is one of the main highlights of this Kyle Rayner figure.  The mask is sculpted really well on his face and the hair is nicely detailed.  You can also see up close a few minor scuff marks in the paint on the left side of his chest.  Slightly sucks but overall, its not a big deal. This is really a luck of the draw thing.  Sometimes it happens, especially when you're ordering online instead of being able to pick them out at a store. 

Rayner's articulation is pretty standard compared to the old DC Universe Classics action figures between waves 1 to 15.  As we mentioned above, Mattel now appears to be incorporating double hinged knee and elbow joints to add more movement to these action figures.  It appears as though some figures from this Green Lantern Classics Wave have them as well as some from the upcoming DC Universe Classics Wave 16 set will also incorporate these new joints.  Unfortunately Kyle does not but his articulation is still as good as any previous DCUC figures.  He's got all the standard joints we've been use to over the last 2 plus years. 

One of the other highlights of this Kyle Rayner action figure is the accessories that come along with him.  I love it when we get addition green lantern accessories.  Kyle comes with a cool looking green lantern, much more sci-fi like than the one that comes with Hal Jordan.  He also comes with a giant sword that attaches on to his ring hand.  The good thing about these accessories is that you can use them with other Green Lantern members. 

As per my ATR poll that was asking which GL Classics wave 1 figure(s) they would purchase, readers responses was heavily favored to Rayner, and Mattel did not disappoint.  It is a bit of a bummer that he did not get the new double hinged joint treatment like Black Hand, but overall, Kyle Rayner is another great action figure.  I'm not sure how many Green Lantern Classics waves we'll be seeing but Rayner was definitely a must have figure for any DC or Green Lantern fan.  With the new Green Lantern movie due to come out in the next 6 months, you can bet these action figures will be very popular for at least the first half of 2011. 

Sculpt/Design - 8.5, Paint - 8.5, Articulation - 9, Accessories - 10, Fun - 9, Value - 9

If you're looking for your very own DC Green Lantern Classics Kyle Rayner action figure, ebay has a lot of good auctions available to get a decent deal for those of you unlucky souls that cannot find these Mattel bad boys at your local Wal-mart, Toys R Us or Target store. 

To find DC Universe Classics Green Lantern Kyle Rayner on eBay, click here

To find other DC Universe Classics action figures on eBay, click here

So many DC Universe Classics action figures coming out this year.  Ive just ordered my DCUC wave 16 which i expect will be in next week, not to mention, I'm still looking for a few more of these Green Lantern Classics wave 1 figures.  GLC wave 2 will be coming soon as well as DCUC wave 17, probably in March sometime.  One thing is for sure, alot of reviews to come so be sure to check back. 

Feel free to leave any comments regarding this review below or check out my poll questions on the left hand side of your screen. 

DC Universe Classics Green Lantern Wave 1 - Black Hand

About a month ago, I previewed the DC Universe Classics spin off series, Green Lantern Classics Wave 1 and now that I've finally received a few of these babies, its time to start the reviews.  I'm going to start with one of the main bad guys from the Blackest Night comic book series and the figure that Mattel has labeled Figure #2 in this wave, (but he is #1 in my heart), The Black Lantern, Black Hand.   

Lets take a look at the packaging before ripping it open and throwing it away.  Very similar to its big brother DC Universe Classics toy series packaging.  The DC Universe symbol up top, graphics backing and character bio pictures of the entire wave on the back.  Of course, since this is Green Lantern Classics, the main color in the packaging is, green. 

Okay, outta the package, from afar, Black Hand looks like your normal but super cool standard DC Universe Classics action figure but bring him a little closer and there are some noticeable details that make Black Hand that much better.

As you can see on the side shots below, Mattel also has changed up the elbow and knee joints. Now there are both double hinge joints similar to Marvel Legends figures, to allow even more posability.  I noticed that some (not all) figures from this wave have these new joints as well as some (not all) of the upcoming DC Universe Classics wave 16 set judging by the promo pictures.

Up close, Black Hand is just awesome.  I love the detail in his face, the wrinkles in his dead gray skin and the veins in his arms.    The emblem on his chest (and head) are also nicely done.  They're not just painted on but actually sculpted in and raised slightly higher than the body level.  As are the defining lines between the black and blue colors on his costume and it looks really cool. 

The paint job is pretty good.  Minimal flaws.  Looking at Black Hand's right arm which as you can see below has a light gray arm and then the hand piece is a darker shade of grey.  It would've been nice to have more of a blend into the darker color as oppose to what looks like just two piece of totally difference colors.  Other than that, I really cant complain about the paint job.   

As mentioned above, we've got some new double hinged knee and elbow joints in Mattel's DC Universe and you can bet that they're probably going to be phased in on more and more of their DCUC action figures from here on in.  Black Hand is one of the first to get these joints which allow us to pose this bad boy in even more super awesome positions.  Of course, the articulation in the rest of this Black Hand action figure still lives up to normal DC Universe Classics standards.  I found that the shoulder joints were a little stiff for my liking and on the other end of the spectrum, one of his hip joints was a tad bit loose than normal.  This is of course a luck of the draw thing as it happens sometimes.  Generally speaking, Mattel's DC action figures, I find are of high quality and even with regards to my Black Hand, i still consider the joints to be in good working condition.

As far as accessories go, this is where Black Hands awesomeness takes a bit of a dip.  Mattel has not given us anything, not even a collectors pin!!!  WHAAAAT!!!  Okay, you do get the left arm of the CNC figure, Arkillo (which appears to be of similar mold as Kilowog) but after including Green Lantern accessories in DCUC Wave 11 figures, specifically with John Stewart, it only seems right that ALL Lantern characters, Green, Yellow, Black, White or whatever, come with AT LEAST 1 of these cool additions.  You do however, get a pair of paper 3D glasses and if you log into a specific web site you can watch...yadda...yadda...yadda, i chucked them in the garbage.  I would love to see Mattel just release some added Lantern accessories. 

After not being a significant player in the DC Universe, Black Hand finally got his moment in the spotlight in the very popular DC Comics series, The Blackest Night.  Now Mattel has given us a great action figure and you must go out and buy him, now!  For a character that was virtually nothing before the Blackest Night comic series, he is now one of my favs DCUC/GLC action figures of recent waves.

Sculpt - 9.5, Paint - 9, Articulation - 9.5, Accessories - 0, Fun - 8, Value - 9

These Green Lantern Classics, wave 1 action figures are starting to pop up in local stores and online vendors so its time for you to go out and buy your very own Black Hand.

I picked up my Green Lantern Classics from eBay since i can't find these Mattel DC action figures anywhere near me.  If you have this same problem, i strongly suggest you use them.

To find DC Universe Classics, Green Lantern Classics, wave 1 Black Hand, on eBay, click here.

To find other DC Universe Classics action figures on eBay, click here.

Thanks for checking out Action Toy Review.  I'll continue with my Green Lantern Classics Wave 1 reviews so be sure to come back and also don't forget to participate in my ATR Polls located on the left side of your screen.