Comments on The Dork Dimension: Toy Review: DC Universe Classics Shazam! by Matte...

CM not having any accessories doesn't really bug m...

2009-03-12T17:58:00.000-04:00

CM not having any accessories doesn't really bug me, but then again I don't collect this line. But I always thought he was a super cool character myself, especially since he was a superman esque character who only needed fist to do his job.

This line would have benefited by a simple addition to every pack. A fold open Backer card with a diorama for each character. A little cardboard backer with lightning effects would make him at least stand out. :) They don't even come with stands, that would have been a cheap and somewhat acceptable accessory.

Truthfully, I'd rather have a build-a-figure than ...

2009-03-12T13:28:00.000-04:00

Truthfully, I'd rather have a build-a-figure than a bunch of random weapons, too. But to realize the benefit of that accessory, you have to buy all the figures in the wave. Couple that with the fact that the BAF part is wave-specific (meaning if you buy 5 figures from 5 different waves, you're still screwed).

When I'm reviewing a figure, I expect it to be able to stand on its own without having to buy extra stuff. Wonder Woman did stand on her own since she came with a cool ax and shield. Captain Marvel didn't because he came with nothing other than the disembodied leg. Maybe he could have come with a little PVC figure of Billy Bateson. Lightning snap-on accessories might have been cool, too.

But you're right in that, as a whole, Mattel is doing a lot better with including interesting accessories with its figures. Captain Marvel just happens to be a figure who got the shaft.

It's unfortunate that Mattel's lax QC can cause su...

2009-03-10T20:09:00.000-04:00

It's unfortunate that Mattel's lax QC can cause such a random "this figure rocks" or "this figure sucks" impression. Overall the paint quality HAS gone up since the first two waves, and the plastic feels better to me, but there are still problems. This is only made worse by the fact that you basically can't buy these in stores (especially if like me, you demand complete build-a-figures). I've taken to pre-ordering every wave online so the paint is kind of a crapshoot. My Cap'n only had one major problem, a blob of yellow paint along one edge of his bolt. But i managed to take that off and put a pretty factory-quality edge on it with some careful razor-work.

As for BAF parts vs. stands or accessories, i'm pleased with the way they're doing it. Most DC characters don't really have or need a bunch of clutter, and in the cases where accessories are needed we tend to get them. In this wave Killer Moth has his gun, Hawkman has a sword, shield, and mace, and Kalibak has his mace thing. Deathstroke commanded a bunch of weapons for his character, and got 'em. I'm all for them doing what's needed to keep costs down at the expense of some random gun or whatever like a lot of Hasbro's lines.

And for completists like me, i'd certainly rather have Kalibak, Solomon Grundy, Gorilla Grodd, and Despero than a ziplock bag in a drawer full of swords and rocket launchers. :)