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.

DC Superheroes - Cyborg Superman

To find Mattel's DC Superheroes Cyborg Superman action figures on eBay, click here.

Probably the hardest DC Superheroes action figures to find was Cyborg Superman. The only place you could find him for the past year or two was on eBay and you were lucky if you could find him for under $50 loose and probably in the $80-$100 range still in his package. Well now for about $25-$35 bucks, Mattel has done us a favor and re-released Cyborg Superman in an exclusive Toys R Us DC Universe Classics 2-pack along with Mongul.

The 2-Pack packaging is nice and spacious for both Cyborg Supes who is packed together with Mongul. Strangely enough, the graphics on the inside of the package are the same as from DCUC wave 3 featuring pictures of Sinestro, Solomon Grundy, Green Lantern and others from that set. No pics of Cyborg Superman or Mongul.

The main thing I didn't like about Cyborg Superman is the super wide leg stance he has. This was a problem with a lot of the DC Superheroes action figures. But this one is almost to the point where he his feet don't sit flat on the ground when standing in a straight position. Aside from that, the sculpt is nice. Some of the complains about the DCSH Superman figure are still the same with this figure like the red colour is not bright enough, the cape is too long and there is no yellow "S" symbol on the cape.

There is some good detail in the cyborg body parts of this action figure. The head is also the best part of the sculpt. Great detail work there.

The paint job is hit and miss. There are areas on the costume, specifically in the blue where it looks like it can use a second coating. Specifically on his right knee and thigh and then again around under his left arm and tricep. The blue coloring just seems faded. Again, as mentioned before some may not agree with the shade of red used on this figure as it seems to be a bit darker than what the standard Superman costume would have.

Articulation on Cyborg Superman is the exact same as the regular DCSH Superman action figure. Joints in the neck, shoulders, biceps, elbows, wrists, abdominal, waist, hips, thighs, knees, and ankles. I'm gonna have to knock marks off however as the abdominal joint was very loose out of the box. Since the cape is so heavy and the joint is so loose, it just weighs back the joint and I cannot pose him in anyway bending forward.

Cyborg Supes does not come with any accessories what so ever. Not much more I can say on that topic.

Overall, we are lucky that Mattel has decided to re-release this action figure at a reasonable cost because it certainly is not worth the $80-$100 that most eBay sellers were asking for before the new 2 pack arrived. Ya, he's pretty cool but that's just asking too much. Anyway, the loose abdominal joint was a real pisser for me as well as the faded blue parts of his costume. Other than that, Cyborg Superman is a great sculpted action figure and will look good with your other DC Superheroes and DC Universe Classics collection.

Sculpt/Design - 8.5, Paint - 6, Accessories - 0, Articulation - 8, Fun - 8

Overall Score - 7/10

The re-released 2 Pack of Cyborg Superman and Mongul is a Toys R Us Exclusive. You can also find this 2 pack on eBay should your local store not carry them.

To find Mattel's DC Superheroes Cyborg Superman action figures on eBay, click here.

For my next review we'll take a look at the 2nd half of this 2 pack, Mongul. So be sure to check back for that and more news, reviews and other info relating to Mattel's DC Superheroes and DC Universe Classics action figures.

DC Universe Classics - 2008 Year in Review

Before i finish off my review of the DC Universe Classics wave 5 set, lets take the time to review all the DCUC action figures Mattel brought to us over the past year.

Early 2008, Mattel released the first wave of the DC Universe Classics action figure toy line. The line-up of this first set was not too impressive in my opinion. Mattel had just finished of their DC Superheroes toy line in 2007 which consisted of mostly Batman and Superman characters. So who do we get in the first wave, Batman and Penguin. They are actually both really good looking toys but some may have been looking for more characters outside the Batman world. The rest of the set consisted of mostly B list characters. Etrigan, Orion, Rex Mason and Red Tornado.

Wave 2 came along in the 2nd quarter of 2008 with a much better cast. The best of this set were probably Aquaman and Firestorm. It must be hard to stay away from Batman and Superman related characters as this set also included Harley Quinn and both Blue and Red Superman figures. Black Manta rounded out the 2nd wave.

Gorilla Grodd was the Collect and Connect figure for wave 2.

Wave 3 was headlined by Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) and Sinestro. Both were good toys, but they were far from the best figures of this set.

The best figure of DCUC wave 3 had to be Deathstoke by far. A cool sculpt with a lot of accessories makes a bad ass action figure.

The Collect and Connect figures seem to be getting bigger and bigger and for wave 3 we got a very tall Solomon Grundy toy.

We were give a few other Teen Titan characters, Robin, Nightwing from wave 3 and then Cyborg from wave 4.

The headline figure of wave 4 was Wonder Woman. An improved female sculpt by the 4HM but the joints still seem to stand out on this model.

The best figure of wave 4 was without a doubt, Ares. Great sculpt with a lot of detail and design work and 2 cool weapons to boot. Rounding out wave 4 was Batman Beyond, Captain Atom and the Collect and Connect figure, Despero.

Mattel also re-introduced the 2 packs concept, re-releasing some of the hard to find DC Superheroes action figures while adding a couple new 2 pack exclusive characters.

Finally the last set of 2008 came around the end of November and turned out to be a Walmart exclusive set. The Riddler was the only Batman related character from this set.

The Atom, Black Lightning, Eradicator and Amazo rounded out wave 5 with a Collect and Connect figure Metallo who is just as tall as Wave 3's Solomon Grundy.

Most of these figures can easily be found on eBay but they will vary in price depending on the character and/or variant.

To find Mattel's DC Universe Classics action figures on eBay, click here.

Thats it for 2008. Mattel has already announced the next 3 sets and a new round of 2 packs so be sure to come back to Action Toy Review for more news, info and reviews. Happy New Year!

DC Universe Classics - 2 Pack preview

I'm not sure why Mattel has decided to go exclusively with certain stores on some of their products. First the DC Universe Classics wave 5 becomes a Walmart exclusive and then they announce that their DCUC 2 packs will be Toys R Us exclusive. This just makes it even harder to find these action figures.

Anyway, according to Mattycollector.com, these two packs are now available so go check out your local Toys R Us stores. I have yet to see a trace of them myself but I'll be keeping an eye out for them up here in the Great White North. I have a feeling that I'll have to resort to eBay for these as well.


Lets take a look at these new packs in no particular order. (all pictures are from the Mattycollector website) :

The first pack is the Batman figure pack which includes a couple of re-released figures from the DC Superheroes line, Batgirl and Azrael.

Back in 2006, this Batgirl action figure was only available via the Batman/Batgirl two pack. From what I've read, there is no difference between the original figure and this new one. Azrael was part of the DC Superheroes series 3 set and was and still is one of the hardest figures to find from this toy line. I for one am glad to see the Azrael re-release as it gives collectors a 2nd chance at getting this figure at a reasonable cost.

The next set is the Super Enemies Figure pack and also consists of re-released action figures of the DC Superheroes toy line.

First we have Cyborg Superman from DCSH series 6 which is probably the #1 most wanted toy from this series. There were so few Cyborg Supes available during it original release that it was next to impossible for people to find this action figure. eBay prices for this action figure go for between $50-$100 so hopefully with the release of this two pack, collectors can get this figure at retail cost. The second figure is also from DCSH series 6, Mongul. This figure did not have the same distribution issues as Cyborg Superman and the current asking price on eBay for this figure alone is in the $10-$15 range.

The third set is the New Gods Figure Pack and includes a brand new character that we have not seen before in this toy line.

The first figure is a variant of Orion from the DC Universe Classics series 1 set. The difference between this figure and the series 1 version is that Orion's helmet is removable. The other difference is that you do not get the Collect and Connect piece of Rex Mason in this 2 pack. The new figure is Lightray. He appears to have the same body sculpt as Orion with a new different head and paint job.

The final Toys R Us exclusive pack is the Green Lantern figure pack which again includes a variant of a previous released figure and a new character.

First, we have a variant of Hal Jordon from DCUC series 3. This sculpt is exactly the same as the previous version but the uniform is painted slightly different. There is no green on his shoulders on this new version and you do not get the Collect & Connect piece of Solomon Grundy. The second figure is Abin Sur and appears to be the exact same body sculpt as Hal with a new head sculpt. Included in the pack appears to be only one Lantern, which is of course, green.

Mattycollector.com is also releasing a separate two pack with all new characters and can only be ordered online from their store for $25.00 plus shipping.

This Mattycollector.com exclusive is called the Space Heroes 2 pack and consists of Adam Strange and Starfire. Unfortunately this pack will not be available until sometime in December. A hard date has not be set yet. I believe that Mattel has also promised to release an online exclusive 2 pack once a month in 2009 but don't quote me on that.

Some might also be interested in the DC Universe Classics stands available. For $12 you can get a pack of 25 of these stands if you feel you need them. I for one find that my DCUC figures stand well enough on their own so, to me, they're not all that necessary. Depending on how you display your figures, they may prove to be useful. One negative in my opinion though is that they are blue. Why not make them colorless???

I'll definitely be getting the packs with Cyborg Superman and Azrael since they are missing from my collection. I'll see what I can get my hands on and of course post a review.

Thanks for checking out Action Toy Review currently featuring action figures from Mattel's DC Universe Classics and DC Superheroes toy lines. Be sure to check back for more news, reviews and information.