DC Universe Classics - 2010 Year in Review

Happy New Year everyone.  Its time for the 3rd annual DC Universe Classics Year in Review.  Mattel started off the 2010 year by releasing the DC Universe Classics wave 11 set which featured such characters as John Stewart, The Question, Kilowog and Deadman.  Personally, I feel this was the best set of the year.  A current poll of Action Toy Review readers asking which DCUC Collect N Connect figure was their favorite, is showing an overwhelming response for Kilowog compared to the other 4 CNCs.  I myself, did not go for this entire set but went out of my way to make sure i bought the all the right pieces to finish Kilowog.

Wave 12 features characters such as Dessad, Eclipso and Copperhead with the Collect and Connect action figure being a much bigger Darkseid than the one we were previsouly given in the DC Superheroes toy line.  Some decent characters but in my opinion, this was one of the weaker waves we've seen so far. 

Wave 13 had a bit of a Teen Titan theme to it featuring Superboy, Donna Troy, Blue Beetle and Trigon as the Collect and connect figure. 

I was very happy to get a classic version of Cheetah from this wave. Even by todays standards, the show sucks, when i was a kid, i loved the Super Friends cartoon with the Justice League vs the Legion of Doom so this action figure as a no brainer.

Trigon, well....i felt completely meh about him.....It looks like a very cool connect and collect action figure, but I was not ready to dish out $120 plus for this set.  I will keep my eye out for good deals on eBay on both wave 12 and 13 figures. 

Much like DCUC wave 5 and 10, when the wave 14 line up was announced, it was also announce that it would be a Walmart exclusive which pisses off a lot of collectors who already find it hard enough as it is to get their hands on these babies.  Walmart exclusives make it even harder because they're not sold at every one. 

The most appealing figures to me in this set were Zatanna, Alan Scott and the Collect N Connect figure, Ultra-Humanite.  This set also included Hourman, Gold and Tyr. I was not one of those people that ran out around from Wal-Mart to Wal-Mart stores looking for this set. 

Wave 15 was a tad bit more interesting.  First we have the winning character voted by the fans in 2009, Raven action figure released.  Also a main Justice League character, Martian Manhunter (2 versions actually), the first ever action figure of Jemm and a new Batman figure with a new face sculpt in a Sinestro Corps outfit.

By far my favorite figure in this set was J'onn J'onzz.  Very cool. 

The Collect N Connect figure for wave 15 was Validas. 

We've seen a number or re-released figures in two packs this year. Yet another Batman 2 pack this time with a repainted Robin, As well as an Aquaman/Black Manta 2 pack, both figures from wave 2 which again were just repainted.  Also (Below) you'll see the "Power Struggle" two pack which features Superman from the Gotham City 5 pack in 2009 as well as a re-release of Parasite from the DC Superheroes toy line in 2007. 

Also re-released, was a Hawgirl/Gentleman Ghost 2 pack which i assume was because of the ridiculously low supply of DCUC wave 8 figures that were out back in 09.  These two figure were VERY hard to find.  I have seen the original Gentleman Ghost figure alone go for $80.00 plus on eBay auctions recently.  The bad part of this set...no Giganta pieces included.

Mattel is also starting to gear up on the Green Lantern merchandise in anticipation of the Green Lantern movie coming out in June 2011.  A 5 pack called "Green Lantern's Light" was released in mid 2010 which included a few repaints as well as a new Guy Gardiner and Tomar Re action figure. 

Also just released towards the end of 2010 was a 2 pack featuring a taller Sinestro (compared to the shorter version in wave 2 which sooooo many people cried about).  and a repaint of Hal Jordan in shiney green. 

Finally we've also seen a DCUC spin off set featuring Green Lantern Characters.  I'm not too sure how many wave's we will see of this toy series but wave 1 has already started invading ebay and online stores as well as an official announcement for the wave 2 characters.  I hope the GL movie isnt a flop....Here is the GL Wave 1:

And GL Wave 2:

And finally, for all you hard core collectors out there, the 2010 San Diego Comic Con exclusive action figure is Plastic Man.  As you can see in the picture below he comes with a large assortment of accessories which may lead to hours of fun and excitement if you want to pay about 40-60 bucks for him on eBay. 

Well, thats it for my DC Universe Classics 2010 year in review.  Be sure to check back multiple times in 2011 for news, previews, info and reviews on Mattel's DC Universe toy line.  Wave 16 has some promising characters and Blackest Night fans will probably love the just recently announce DCUC Wave 17 line up.  Green Lantern fans will have it good in 2011 so we should see some more interesting characters in the coming year. 

DC Universe Classics: John Stewart

With the soon to be released Green Lantern movie coming in the Summer of 2011, we have been seeing more and more Green Lantern related characters appearing in the DC Universe Classics toy line.  Since the movie is centered around Hal Jordan, it is doubtful we'll see much....if any of John Stewart but he is still one of the main Green Lantern characters and this review will be on his DCUC Wave 11 action figure.

Wave 11 was the last wave that had the old style packaging.  The action figure is nicely placed inside the plastic package and on the back, you are given a breif bio of the character aswell as

The sculpt is fairly consitant with your standard DCUC action figure.  Most of John Stewarts body parts are just reused parts.  The only new thing really difference is of course his head. 

The paint job is pretty crisp.  No noticable smears or screw ups.  The metallic green paint on the wrists is a nice touch. 

The picture below gives you a close up look at Stewart's face.  A good paint job and very nice sculpt.  John Stewarts articulation is exactly the same as 95% of the DCUC action figures.  No complaints in that department. 

The very cool thing about this action figure is the accessories that you get.  John Stewart includes a part of the Kilowog CnC action figure as well as two very cool ring attachements.  First we have the machine gun in the picture below. 

And the second attachment (seen below) a big fist that attaches on to Stewart's ring hand.

The other cool thing about these accessories, is that they can be used by your other DCUC action figures (who have the same fist mold as J.S).  These attachments fit perfectly on Hal Jordan's hand as well.  This adds to the fun factor of these action figures.  Can't wait to punch Sinestro in the face with that bad boy. 

Overall John Stewart is a must have action figure for any Green Lantern fan.  I would probably prefer this wave 11 figure over the John Stewart from the Green Lantern's Light 5 pack simply due to the extra accessories that comes with this.  It is a great addition to your DC Universe Classics collection.



Sculpt/Design - 8, Paint- 9, Accessories - 10, Articulation - 9, Fun - 9

Originally released in the first quarter of 2011, this John Stewart action figures is a bit difficult to find.  eBay is probably your best option, however prepare to drop at least 20 bucks plus shipping if you want him brand new in the packaging along with all accessories and the CNC Kilowog part.  

To search for Mattel's DC Universe Classics John Stewart on eBay, click here

Thanks for checking out Action Toy Review.  Be sure to check back from more news, previews, reviews and info on Mattel's DC Universe Classics action figure toy line. 

DC Universe Classics - Green Lantern's Light 5 Pack

With the big anticipation of the new Green Lantern movie coming in 2011, it looks like Mattel and DC have decided to contribute to the hype via the action figure route with plans to release a spin off wave from the DC Universe Classics series called Green Lantern Classics.  Unfortunately the first wave will not be released until Q1 2011.  For those Green Lantern and DC fans that just can't wait, Mattel has decided to give us a new Wal-Mart exclusive 5 pack called Green Lantern's Light. 

To find Mattel's DC Universe Classics Green Lantern's Light 5 pack on ebay, click here.

So lets take a look at who is included in this set. 

First we have Tomar-Re.

A repaint version of  DCUC Wave 11's John Stewart.  Don't expect to get as any of the accessories in this pack that were included with the wave 11 version.

The most original figure of the group, Guy Gardner. 

An interesting version of Sinestro.  The big complaint about DCUC wave 3 Sinestro was that he was so short.  Mattel has decided to give Sinestro the larger body sculpt in this set. 

And finally, what would a Green Lantern set be without Hal Jordan.  This version is the exact same as the DCUC wave 3 Hal Jordan with the excepetion of the white coloring in his hair. 

Here's a look at the packaging for those of you who like to keep their action figures packed up.  Similar to the Gotham City 5 pack which came out last yar. 

and from the back:

Very nice!  Also as you will notice, the 5 pack also inclues 5 lantern accessories. 

For those of you that cannot find this fine 5 pack at your local wal-mart, ebay is the best solution.   You can find sellers offering the entire pack and even some offering loose figures for those of you looking to just buy one or two of these bad boys. 

To find Mattel's DC Universe Classics Green Lantern's Light 5 pack on ebay,  click here

Thats it for this post.  Be sure to check back with Action Toy Review for more news, preview and reviews on Mattel's DC Universe Classics action figures.  Feel free to post your comments about this set below.  (Please note, any spam will be deleted), or even participate in our Action Toy Review polls located in the column to the left of this article.  Action Toy Review is all about fan interaction.

DC Universe Classics - Wave 11 Preview

Announced at the 2009 SDCC was Mattel's DC Universe Classics wave 11. This set of action figures features a good chunk of Green Lantern characters along with the winning character from the 2008 Toy Fair Poll.

But first, If you're looking to buy any of Mattel's DC Universe Classics action figures, check out eBay by clicking here.

Now lets get on with the preview:

First Character is Deadman, who also comes in a transparent ghost variant.

Deadman appears to have a slimmer body type in this picture than the majority of the DCUC action figures, perhalps a size similar to Sinestro. I can't tell for sure from this picture. It could be just the angle this picture was taken from but we shall see when the figure is released.

THe next figure which also includes a variant version is Steppenwolf

One Super Powers version and the other a Classic Version.

Next is the winning charactor of the 2008 Toyfair Poll. The poll allowed fans to vote for the character they wanted most and the winnner was, The Question.

Other characters that were in the poll included, Huntress, Vixon, Starman, Catman and Ragman. Personally, along with Question, i would've thought Huntress and Vixon were no brainers to be included in future sets......Anyway, The Question appears to have a similar body type/sculpt as previous action figures like The Riddler and even the DC Superheroes Two-Face and Clark Kent action figures, Perhaps even the new Joker from DCUC wave 10, just with a long trench coat jacket


Next we have the Sinestro Corps version of Cyborg Superman.

Not sure if this will be a new scuplt compared to the Mongul/Cyborg Superman 2 pack version we saw late in 2008 which was a re-release of the DC Superheroes action figure and had a few problems in my opinion. But don't be surprised if its the same sculpt just with a new paint job. Looking over this picture, I have a feeling that is what we are getting.

Another Green Lantern Character (well..originally) : The Shark

Looks like mostly generic body parts except for the shark head and fins on his hands and legs. He does look like the comic character.


Next up is Katma Tui

She is suppose to come with a couple of fist attachements, not show in the picture above.

The final figure of this set is the John Stewart

Also included with GL are a couple of attachements and a stand.

Keeping with the Green Lantern theme of wave 11, the collect and connect action figure for this set is Kilowog.


I personally would've liked to have seen a Star Sapphire action figure included in this set but all n' all, not a bad selection of characters. Can't wait for this one. These figures will fit in nicely with the Hal Jordan and Sinestro figures from DCUC wave 3.

DCUC wave 11 will probably be out towards the end of 2009 so be sure to add them to your Christmas list.

If you're looking to buy any of Mattel's DC Universe action figures and are having trouble finding the exact figure you want. check out the selection on eBay. You can find anyone of these action figures at reasonable prices. Just watch out for the shipping charges. To find DC Universe classics action figures on eBay, click here.