Toy Review: DC Universe Classics Wave 11 (Mattel) by Shel Isaacs

On Wednesday I finally received my shipment of Mattel's DCUC Wave 11, and I for the couldn't been happier. This wave does have it's ups & downs and we take a closer look at them.



This wave consists of 7 figures with 2 variants:

• John Stewart
• Katma Tui
• Shark
• The Question
• Cyborg Superman
• Steppenwolf
• Super Powers Variant Steppenwolf
• Deadman
• "Ghostly" Deadman Variant

With pieces for a Collect & Connect Kilowog figure. Though the set I got came one with the Steppenwolf variant and not the Deadman one.




This wave is obviously very heavy on Green Lantern with 3 members of the Corps and 2 Green Lantern villains, not that I mind. But let's take a look at them individually.

John Stewart

The John Stewart here is in his current costume. The paint lines are clean and there's a nice touch of metallic paint added to the green. He comes to with 2 constructs, both that fit into his ring hand that it seems like they are coming out of the ring. The first one is a fist & the second is a rifle.




Katma Tui

The 2nd Green Lantern in this wave. Like most of the female figures in the DCUC line this one suffers the same problems. The arms are too skinny. They are not in proportion with the rest of the body & look rather weird. Like someone stuck 2 toothpicks in there. Hopefully this is an issue that can be fixed going forward. Katma also comes with 2 constructs like Stewart. A shield & a sword.




Deadman

This is a pretty good sculpt. He uses a skinnier body than the regular male body. The screaming facial express he has doesn't really thrill me. I would have preferred more of a blank expression on his face. The collar is a thick but doesn't take aways from the character.




Cyborg Superman

From what I can tell this is a brand new sculpt here. He's shown here in his Sinestro Corps uniform. The yellow rings on his robotic arm are a nice touch.




Shark

This is hands down the worst of the wave. While the fins on the body are a nice touch, it the head that just kills this figure. The Shark's head just looks like it was slapped on there like a 3 year did it. Disappointing.




Steppenwolf

While I do have the variant, I'm not a fan & can't bring myself to open it. The original version is just a great figure. They really captured Kirby's character in this figure. He comes with 3 accessories, a sword, a whip, and a horn. Just a great figure in my opinion.




The Question

I'm a little bias on this character, because the Question is my favorite characters. The figure uses the same body as the Gentleman Ghost and the Joker. It's a simple design, but works so well.



Kilowog

Kilowog is Collect and Connect figure in this series. He's a great touch to this series and the sculpt is just plain amazing. One of my favorite C&C figures so far.



Personally I feel as the DCUC line continues, it just keeps getting better.

Now if Mattel would just fix the female bodies, this line would be perfect.

Shel Isaacs
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Masters of the Universe Classics 2009 Top Ten, Part I

Today we bring you...the tenth and ninth best Masters of the Universe Classics figures of the year...



Number 10 Beast Man.

Beast Man kicked of the line with He-Man back in January and he is one of the frequently overlooked early figures in the series. Beast Man is a great entry into the line and is one of MOTU’s most popular and beloved villains. While he's not the hulking brute that we saw in the 200x continuity, his armor very cleverly makes him seem bigger and bulkier than he actually is.

Beautiful sculpting of Beast Man's armor really make this figure stand out.

Although he only comes with only one weapon, his classic whip, Beast Man sports three pieces of very detailed and removable armor. The sculpting and the paint work together to give the illusion of several different textures on his armor. There is the very detailed fur, there are bone/tooth textures and even some worn and bolted metal textures. The armor is really what sells this figure. There is also some very nice work on the face which is appropriately ferocious and full of character. Read our full review of this figure here.

Witching Axe of Ruination sold separately.

Number 9: Scareglow

For years fans have been speculating about Scareglow and who or what he is. People sometimes ask the question, who is the Boba Fett of MOTU and for my money it is Scareglow. He is a mysterious badass who's popularity far surpasses his meager media appearances. The MOTUC version of Scareglow is a great update of the original design with painted glow-in-the-dark bones and all. He also sports a highly-detailed headsculpt and some cool accessories such as an amazing cape which fades to transparency at the bottom and actually captures the look of fabric in a way that is uncommon for a figure of this scale. There is also a nifty new Grayskull Reliquary accessory to tie in with the newly created bio and an update of his classic halberd (not pictured). Read our full review of this figure here.





Patrick Garone
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IMAGE COMICS MARCH 2010 RELEASES

Image Comics has released their solicits for February 2010

IMAGE COMICS SOLICITATIONS
MARCH 2010

IMAGE UNITED: INTERLUDE #1
story ROBERT KIRKMAN
art & cover RYAN OTTLEY & MANY OTHERS
MARCH 31
32 PAGES/FC
$3.99
FOLLOWING THE CATACLYSMIC EVENTS OF IMAGE UNITED #3!
We take a break from our regularly scheduled mayhem to take a tour of the rest of the Image Universe to see how everyone is dealing with the shocking evens from the last issue of Image United. Featuring Invincible and many, many more. This story is not to be missed – and leads directly into next month’s IMAGE UNITED #4!


DEAD @ 17: THE WITCH QUEEN #1 (of 4)
story, art & cover by JOSH HOWARD
MARCH 10
32 PAGES / FC
$2.99
DEAD @ 17’s PENULTIMATE CHAPTER BEGINS HERE!
After being forced to kill her closest friend, Nara found herself banished to Purgatory by the Beast from the Abyss. Doomed to wander a hostile and timeless wasteland ruled by the mysterious Witch Queen, Nara has accepted her fate as penance for her actions. Haunted by her past, she faces her greatest challenge as she confronts who she's been and what she will become.


HAUNT #6
story ROBERT KIRKMAN
art GREG CAPULLO & TODD McFARLANE
covers TODD MCFARLANE
MARCH 3
32 PAGES / FC
$2.99
SPECIAL STAND-ALONE ISSUE!
The events surrounding Kurt’s death are revisited, this time from the perspective of the mysterious Mirage, providing more insight into the birth of Haunt. An excellent jumping-on point for new readers, leading up to the second explosive story-arc beginning next issue!


HAUNT, VOL. 1 TP
story ROBERT KIRKMAN
art GREG CAPULLO, RYAN OTTLEY & TODD McFARLANE
cover TODD McFARLANE
MARCH 3
120 PAGES / FC
$9.99
THE FIRST STORY-ARC OF MCFARLANE & KIRKMAN’S HAUNT COLLECTED!
ROBERT KIRKMAN and TODD McFARLANE present HAUNT! Based around two brothers, one a less than perfect priest, the other a government agent, the men struggle to get along, rarely agreeing on anything. An unexpected accident forces them to work together in ways they never thought possible. Struggling with his own personal demons, the priest begrudgingly works alongside the spirit of his recently deceased brother, who possesses him. Together, the brothers form a new superhero: Haunt.
COLLECTS HAUNT #1-5


SPAWN #201
story WILL CARLTON
art SZYMON KUDRANSKI & TODD MCFARLANE
cover TODD MCFARLANE
MARCH 31
32 PAGES / FC
$2.99
With the return of one of Spawn’s greatest enemies, Clown continues to build his army of Vampires. Jim struggles with his instant celebrity status as a modern day Messiah, all while protecting New York City from the evils that lurk at night.


SPAWN ORIGINS: BOOK ONE HC
story TODD McFARLANE, ALAN MOORE, DAVE SIM & FRANK MILLER
art TODD McFARLANE
cover GREG CAPULLO
MARCH 17
200 PAGES / FC
$29.99
CLASSIC SPAWN REPRINTED IN OVERSIZED HARDCOVER!
With SPAWN, legendary writer and artist TODD McFARLANE unleashed his iconic antihero on the world, and launched the most successful independent comic book in history. SPAWN ORIGINS: BOOK ONE, includes classic Spawn stories written by ALAN MOORE, DAVE SIM and FRANK MILLER, as well as the introduction of memorable characters into the Spawn universe.
COLLECTS SPAWN #1-8 & 10-13

FADE TO BLACK #1 (of 5)
story JEFF MARIOTTE
art & cover DANIELE SERRA
MARCH 17
32 PAGES / FC
$3.50
Desert survival is hard, even without a cannibal cult in the mix. Five people will find that out as they embark on the most terrifying journey of their young lives…only none of them are what they seem--and neither is anything else!-- in this gut-wrenching horror miniseries.
WRITTEN BY AWARD-WINNING NOVELIST JEFF MARIOTTE (ZOMBIE COP, COLD BLACK HEARTS), WITH ART BY INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ILLUSTRATOR DANIELE SERRA (PRAY FOR DEATH).



SHUDDERTOWN #1
story NICK SPENCER
art & cover by ADAM GEEN
MARCH 24
32 pgs/FC
$3.50
The dead are killing, and troubled homicide cop Isaac Hernandez is on a desperate search for answers. His investigation leads him deep into the corridors of the Shuddertown housing projects, and towards a truth too terrible to face.
A STORY OF GUILT, REDEMPTION, AND RESURRECTION; PERFECT FOR FANS OF THE WIRE, MULHOLLAND DRIVE AND SE7EN.



TANK GIRL: DIRTY HELMETS (ONE-SHOT)
story ALAN MARTIN
art & cover RUFUS DAYGLO
MARCH 3
32 PAGES / BW
$3.99
SECOND IN A LINE OF SPECIAL TANK GIRL ONE-SHOTS FROM IMAGE!
Tank girl returns to her army roots when she receives special orders from a long-forgotten de-coding machine and decides to act upon them - she has to confront more than just the enemy in this twisted, ridiculous tale. And, in a special bonus story, the army rears its head again as Tank Girl's brain is cloned and used to power a new state-of-the-art tank. DIRTY HELMETS is a classic retro-styled TANK GIRL book for war movie lovers of all ages.
RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES


TRUE STORY, SWEAR TO GOD #12
story TOM BELAND
art & cover TOM BELAND
MARCH 3
32 PAGES / BW
$3.50
When you meet the love of your life at a bus stop in Disneyworld... where else do you marry her, but at the "Happiest Place on Earth?" But who will marry them...? Goofy? Mickey? All this plus a shocking discovery that could mean THE END OF THE IMAGE UNIVERSE AS WE KNOW IT!!! Okay... maybe not, but this issue is jammed-packed with heart and soul and we dare you not to cry!!


YOUNGBLOOD #10 (RES)
story ROBERT KIRKMAN & ROB LIEFELD
art & cover by ROB LIEFELD
MARCH 3
32 PAGES/FULL COLOR
3.99
"CONSEQUENCES"
AN IMAGE UNITED TIE -IN!
Shaft is suspended from the Youngblood program following the White House massacre. The Free Agent takes the reigns of a Youngblood team re-grouping after the events of IMAGE UNITED. A new recruit upsets the balance of an already unstable team. Badrock and Die Hard pursue the time travelers who kidnapped the President.


VIKING, VOL. 1 HC
story IVAN BRANDON
art & cover NIC KLEIN
MARCH 24
144 PAGES / FC
$24.99
The most violent criminal underworld in history! Fine and Egil, brothers - one bad, one worse - are trying to stab and steal their way to a seat at the table. Two men at war with the world around them, but today's the day the world fights back! From the writer of CROSS BRONX comes a crime book for the 9th Century.


FELL, VOL. 1: FERAL CITY TP
story WARREN ELLIS
art & cover BEN TEMPLESMITH
MARCH 3
128 PAGES / FC
$14.99
BACK IN PRINT!
Detective Richard Fell is transferred over the bridge from the big city to Snowtown, a feral district whose police investigations department numbers three and a half people (one detective has no legs). Dumped in this collapsing urban trashzone, Richard Fell is starting all over again. In a place where nothing seems to make any sense, Fell clings to the one thing he knows to be true: Everybody’s hiding something.
COLLECTS FELL #1-8


GØDLAND, VOL. 5: FAR BEYOND THE BANG TP
story JOE CASEY
art & cover TOM SCIOLI
MARCH 24
152 PAGES / FC
$14.99
The Eisner-nominated GØDLAND saga continues into this fifth softcover volume of mayhem! Follow Earth’s emissary to the cosmos, Commander Adam Archer, as he journeys into deep space in search of his sister, Neela. On his journey, he meets cosmic Vikings, Leviticus and Vayikra – and does battle with the otherworldly weirdness of N’ull Pax Mizer and R@d-Ur Rezz! All this, and the return of Friedrich Nickelhead in his grandest scheme ever!
COLLECTS GØDLAND ISSUES #25-30
“I can't recommend this book more highly to anyone out there with a brain, a sense of humor, and a taste for classic comic absurdity.” - Newsarama.com


THE MICE TEMPLAR, VOL. 2: DESTINY HC
story BRYAN J.L. GLASS & MICHAEL AVON OEMING
art & cover VICTOR SANTOS & MICHAEL AVON OEMING
MARCH 17
220 PAGES / FC
$3.50
Karic might be the Chosen One...but what does such a title even mean for the young mouse who desires only to save his family from a monstrous fate. Under the training of exile Cassius, Karic learns what it truly is to be a Templar knight and warrior. While One-Arm Leito rallies his fellow prisoners, struggling to become a leader against impossible odds. Both mice find themselves on a collision course with destiny.
COLLECTS MICE TEMPLAR: DESTINY #1-5


SAVAGE DRAGON: IDENTITY CRISIS TP
story ERIK LARSEN
art & cover ERIK LARSEN
MARCH 3
128 PAGES / FC
$14.99
Savage Dragon is dead. Or is he? After being brutally slain by Overlord, Dragon’s son comes up with a scheme to resurrect his fallen father. Meanwhile, Dragon’s consciousness has found its way into Virus, a murdering psychopath with multiple personalities, Overlord is using Dragon’s blood to transform members of the notorious Vicious Circle into rampaging reflections of the Dragon and the forces have even found a way to restore and free Dark Dragon—a murderous marauder in his own right. It’s one shock after another on the greatest roller coaster ride in comics.
Comes with our highest possible recommendation!
COLLECTS SAVAGE DRAGON #151-156


JACK’S KNACK: BOOK THREE OF THE BLUE FOREST SERIES HC
story KRISTEN KOERNER SIMON
art & cover by JIM VALENTINO
MARCH 10
32 pgs/FC
$12.99
Jack the Rabbit wanders through the Blue Forest, watching the birds build their nests, the beaver build his dam, and the squirrels store their food – and wonders what HE’S supposed to be doing. Join Jack on his quest to discover what he’s good at…and perhaps realize that he’s been doing it all along!
SUBTLY TARGETED FOR YOUNGER READERS AS THEY FOLLOW THE PATH TO DISCOVERING WHAT THEY WANT TO BE WHEN THEY GROW UP!


THE ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN #23
story ROBERT KIRKMAN
art JASON HOWARD
cover JASON HOWARD & FCO PLASCENCIA
MARCH 24
32 PAGES / FC
$2.99
“LEGACY,” Part Three
Wolf-Man, Hunter and Mecha-Maid team-up as the legions of the Wolf-Nation attack! Jacobson and his clan return and that spells trouble for a certain Elder Brood – but where is Chloe? All this and more in the ramp-up to the monumental 25th issue!


CHEW #10
story JOHN LAYMAN
art & cover ROB GUILLORY
JANUARY 17
32 PAGES / FC
$2.99
“INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR,” Conclusion
Cannibal vs. bloodsucker.
RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES


CHOKER #2
story BEN McCOOL
art & cover BEN TEMPLESMITH
MARCH 17
32 PAGES / FC
$3.99
ISSUE TWO: …WHERE ANGELS GO TO DIE
Johnny is introduced to his maniacal new partner on the Shotgun City police force, and experiences a vicious foretaste of what’s in store for him. Meanwhile, a new mob of villains rear their ugly head, suggesting Hunt Cassidy’s clutch on the city is tighter – and deadlier – than first thought…
RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES


ELEPHANTMEN #26
story RICHARD STARKINGS
art MORITAT
cover BOO COOK
MARCH 10
32 PAGES / FC
$3.50
“QUESTIONABLE THINGS,” Part Three
Blackthorne is assigned to assist Hip and Ebony in tracking down the MAPPO agents loose in Los Angeles. Miki reluctantly agrees to help.


FORGETLESS #4 (of 5)
story NICK SPENCER
art JORGE COELHO & MARLEY ZARCONE
cover MARLEY ZARCONE
MARCH 3
32 PAGES / FC
$3.50
Normally, Forgetless is about the last great club night in New York, and the murderous models that it make so special. But this month, we're doing a story about a sex-addicted koala instead. And trust us, it's even weirder than it sounds. Don't miss the issue EVERYONE will be talking about, if only so they can feel clean again!
CONTINUING THE HIT SERIES CRAVE ONLINE CALLS "ONE HELL OF A RIDE!"
RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES


GOD COMPLEX #4
story MICHAEL AVON OEMING & DANIEL BERMAN
art JOHN BROGLIA
cover MICHAEL AVON OEMING
MARCH 3
32 PAGES / FC
$2.99
George and Sophia are safe, but Paul can’t leave the monstrous Medusa loose on this unsuspecting world. He must go back and defeat one of the most dangerous creatures of myth and legend! Is she too strong for him now that he is no longer immortal? Can he resist the temptation she brings him from the gods?


INVINCIBLE #71
story ROBERT KIRKMAN
art & cover RYAN OTTLEY & FCO PLASCENCIA
MARCH 17
32 PAGES / FC
$2.99
THE VILTRUMITE WAR BEGINS!
The entire series has been leading up to this! The pieces are in place, the time to strike is now! It’s all out war as the Coalition of Planets finally make its move against the Viltrum Empire--with Invincible stuck in the middle. Things will never be the same after this--and this is INVINCIBLE, so you know we mean it.


JERSEY GODS #12
story GLEN BRUNSWICK
art DAN McDAID
cover MIKE ALLRED
MARCH 31
48 PAGES / FC
$4.99
"THUNDER ROAD," conclusion
Hang on to your seats: The JERSEY GODS train is about to derail. Everything that you thought you knew was wrong! The stunning conclusion to "Thunder Road,” a tale so huge that we had to make it a double-sized issue. No hype: This ending is a shocker! Don't be the only one clueless standing by the water cooler. We warned you!


KING CITY #8
story BRANDON GRAHAM
art & cover BRANDON GRAHAM
MARCH 24
32 PAGES / BW
$2.99
Pete learns where the Raquet Club has taken the alien girl he was entrusted with. Meanwhile, Max finds his old friend Tooth dead from the drug Chalk, and remembers their time in the Korean Xombie war.
RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES


ORC STAIN #3
story JAMES STOKOE
art & cover JAMES STOKOE
MARCH 10
32 PAGES / FC
$2.99
"ESCAPE FROM SKRUBTOWN",
One Eye is ready for a little relaxation after being up on the chopping block, but soon finds himself in a desperate chase to escape Skrubtown. Meanwhile, the Great Mob of the south marches ever onwards, sending out their shadowy dark robed agents to find the key to unlocking the god organ.
RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES


SAVAGE DRAGON #158
story ERIK LARSEN
art & cover ERIK LARSEN
MARCH 3
32 PAGES / FC
$3.50
“DRAGON WAR,” Part Four
The Vicious Circle has upgraded its most powerful member, and things aren't looking too rosy for Savage Dragon.


THE SWORD #23
story JOSHUA LUNA
art & cover JONATHAN LUNA
MARCH 31
32 PAGES / FC
$2.99
Dara and Malia’s battle continues. As Dara’s quest for revenge nears its end, she will witness how far a god is willing to go to defeat its enemies.
RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES


THE WALKING DEAD #71
story ROBERT KIRKMAN
art & cover CHARLIE ADLARD & CLIFF RATHBURN
MARCH 10
32 PAGES / BW
$2.99
Adjusting to this new life won’t be easy.
RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES


THE WEIRD WORLD OF JACK STAFF #3
story & art PAUL GRIST
cover IAN CHURCHILL
MARCH 31
32 PAGES / FC
$3.50
The untold origin of Jack Staff continues as Professor Fate siezes the Sword of Devastation, whilst in the present day John Smith finds out just who has wiped his memories of being a superhero. And that's not good news.
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