After an underwhelming stretch recently of reissues and box sets that have felt like déjà vu the ninth time over — enough to make fans look to Mattel more and more as a reliable source of new DC action figures — DC Direct this week announced a new batch of figures that are buzzworthy and genuinely appreciated by this particular collector.
Expected to drop in January of 2010, the Justice Society of America‘s second wave was solicited Monday, action figures based on the hit DC Comics series, masterminded up until recently by Geoff Johns and Alex Ross. While we’re still waiting for the delayed first wave of figures (featuring Green Lantern, the Flash, Starman and Sandman), what DC Direct just unveiled is most welcome. Based off the highly regarded “Thy Kingdom Come,” this lineup, while not perfect for my own selfish needs, is solid for JSA fans.
Kingdom Come Superman is obvious because the Man of Steel sells, and he was only the star of this lengthy storyline. Stargirl has been LONG overdue, Courtney Whitmore having distinguished herself for almost a decade now (and even being relevant in the excellent Justice League Unlimited animated series). Cyclone is just plain nutty fun, but I love her inclusion in the book as well as the work done on this sculpt. Plus I’m gonna venture a guess that the figure is this instance is wearing underwear. And Hourman is welcome, not only as a new generation powerhouse on the current JSA roster (plus he has to have Liberty Belle to go with him — fingers crossed for Series 3!), but it is an epic upgrade to the horrendous figure they rolled out a couple years ago.
As I suggested a second ago, a third action figure series is a must, actually multiple series, and I would lean toward Power Girl, Mr. Terrifc, Liberty Belle and Damage the next time around. DC Direct, were it allowable, should look into ways to package a Wildcat “father & son” combination together, not to mention a way to finally cover the “Thunderbolt Legacy.” What say ye, JSA fans?
May 20th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Yes, I still need Golden Age Johnny Thunder (with Thunderbolt) and Golden Age Mr. Terrific to finish my GA JSA collection.
Hoy Murphy
May 20th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
With a few exceptions that DC Direct has put out, I’m throroughly satisfied with what Mattel has been putting forth. I don’t know if they compete with each other, but Mattel seems to have”scooped” DCD a couple of times. Plus, I think their figures are just better constructed.