DC Superhero Girls: Wonder Woman and Supergirl Action Dolls
Quite possibly the most intriguing toy line being introduced this year, the DC Superhero Girls figures from Mattel blur the already arbitrary line between fashion dolls and action figures. There are two sub-lines: the "Action Dolls" I'm looking at today and more traditional action figures. Both are pretty exciting to fans of superheroes who have been frustrated by the male-oriented nature of the merchandise that's been offered in the past.
The action figures are six inches tall and run ten bucks a piece. Unlike the larger line pictured here, the action figures are entirely made of plastic, with no fabric or rooted hair. I didn't buy any, but it's exciting to see companies experimenting with the six-inch action figure in toys marketed to girls. I keep hoping Hasbro will will start producing a line of Disney Princess action figures to go with the Marvel Legends and Star Wars Black toys out there. Who the hell wouldn't buy those?
The DC Superhero Girls line also includes role-play accessories, clothing, and videos. What I've seen so far of the series has been fun, even if it does feel a bit derivative of Monster High, Sky High, and Equestria Girls. In addition, I'm a little wary of a world where Superman is an established hero and Wonder Woman's in high school - I don't mind transformed alternate universes, but stripping Diana of her iconic status feels wrong to me.
But the designs are fun, and the show looks hilarious, so I'll give it a chance.
The action figures are six inches tall and run ten bucks a piece. Unlike the larger line pictured here, the action figures are entirely made of plastic, with no fabric or rooted hair. I didn't buy any, but it's exciting to see companies experimenting with the six-inch action figure in toys marketed to girls. I keep hoping Hasbro will will start producing a line of Disney Princess action figures to go with the Marvel Legends and Star Wars Black toys out there. Who the hell wouldn't buy those?
The DC Superhero Girls line also includes role-play accessories, clothing, and videos. What I've seen so far of the series has been fun, even if it does feel a bit derivative of Monster High, Sky High, and Equestria Girls. In addition, I'm a little wary of a world where Superman is an established hero and Wonder Woman's in high school - I don't mind transformed alternate universes, but stripping Diana of her iconic status feels wrong to me.
But the designs are fun, and the show looks hilarious, so I'll give it a chance.
While the action figures were certainly cool, I was honestly more interested in the "Action Dolls." I'll be the first to admit that term is a bit gimmicky, but I kind of love it. Historically, "action figures" are a variation of fashion doll that was renamed to be more appealing to boys. Fusing the terms feels like both acknowledging that history and trying to blend the concepts back together.
These will run you twenty bucks each, and - at least for the time being - they're only available at Target.
The front of the packages are brightly decorated, and the characters are displayed in dynamic poses. You'll pay for those starting poses later, however: there are numerous elastics, ties, straps, and pieces of plastic locking them in place. If you're used to opening dolls, this won't feel unusual, but if not, make sure you've got some time and tools handy.
These will run you twenty bucks each, and - at least for the time being - they're only available at Target.
The front of the packages are brightly decorated, and the characters are displayed in dynamic poses. You'll pay for those starting poses later, however: there are numerous elastics, ties, straps, and pieces of plastic locking them in place. If you're used to opening dolls, this won't feel unusual, but if not, make sure you've got some time and tools handy.
The back of the packages could use some work. I like the basic layout and the character details, but I wish they hadn't wasted so much space on the premise. More character-specific details would have been a plus.
You also get a quick look at the other dolls in the line. I saw Batgirl and Bumble Bee when I picked these up. Honestly, I almost bought all four, but held off when I considered how many other toys I'd bought in the past week.
You also get a quick look at the other dolls in the line. I saw Batgirl and Bumble Bee when I picked these up. Honestly, I almost bought all four, but held off when I considered how many other toys I'd bought in the past week.
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Supergirl's costume is relatively close to that of her comic counterpart. Really, the only significant alterations are that her cape was shortened, and her top was given a collar. I like the hero/prep-school vibe it gives off.
They made an interesting choice by giving her a plastic cape. I was skeptical of this at first, but the more I look at the figure, the more I like it. The cape attaches to the back of her shirt using two plastic pegs. The worst thing about these is getting the cape in place - it definitely takes some effort. But once it's on, it creates a nice billowing effect you wouldn't get from cloth.
They made an interesting choice by giving her a plastic cape. I was skeptical of this at first, but the more I look at the figure, the more I like it. The cape attaches to the back of her shirt using two plastic pegs. The worst thing about these is getting the cape in place - it definitely takes some effort. But once it's on, it creates a nice billowing effect you wouldn't get from cloth.
Wonder Woman's outfit represents a larger departure from her usual costume. They've essentially taken the 80's Donna Troy/Wonder Girl outfit and the iconic tiara, heavily modified her chest plate and transformed it into a shoulder piece, then gave her the bracers she'll be wearing in the upcoming Batman v Superman movie.
It's an odd amalgamation, which makes it all the most surprising that I kind of dig it. The shoulder piece compliments the tiara extremely well, and I like the short sleeves/bracers combination. Likewise, the black hair with blue highlights (a throwback to when comic artists used blue to represent black) looks great.
It's an odd amalgamation, which makes it all the most surprising that I kind of dig it. The shoulder piece compliments the tiara extremely well, and I like the short sleeves/bracers combination. Likewise, the black hair with blue highlights (a throwback to when comic artists used blue to represent black) looks great.
There's clearly a lot of Monster High in both the overall design and concept. Above, I've compared Supergirl with Amanita Nightshade from Monster High. In terms of artistic impact, monster High still wins out. But we're not looking at sculptures here - we're looking at toys. DC Superhero Girls aren't going for glamour; they're going for fun, and in that respect these are a significant improvement.
The dolls are well articulated, balanced, and contain accessories conducive to dynamic poses. They're sturdier than traditional fashion dolls, and slightly taller. Here's the Superhero Girls Wonder Woman again, this time beside the new Barbie Wonder Woman from Batman v Superman (note the similarities in the bracers):
The dolls are well articulated, balanced, and contain accessories conducive to dynamic poses. They're sturdier than traditional fashion dolls, and slightly taller. Here's the Superhero Girls Wonder Woman again, this time beside the new Barbie Wonder Woman from Batman v Superman (note the similarities in the bracers):
First, the limbs are fuller and more muscular, and the Superhero Girls version is slightly taller. Also... God, I wish the movie Wonder Woman had gone with more vibrant colors. Seeing the two side by side, the movie figure looks dull and lifeless.
Here's the Superhero Girls Supergirl alongside two different Barbie interpretations.
Here's the Superhero Girls Supergirl alongside two different Barbie interpretations.
I believe the one on the left is based on Supergirl from the Animated Series. I picked her up loose in a used toy store. The middle is a Silver Label interpretation of the modern comic book version from 2008. I should probably mention that middle one is probably my favorite doll in our collection (not counting my wife's customs, obviously).
Again, the DC Superhero Girls version is clearly intended to be a toy first and foremost, though the quality stands up nicely when compared to collectibles. While she's not dethroning the 2008, she's certainly more impressive than the one on the left in just about any metric.
The DC Superhero Girls figures' articulation is more akin to action figures than most dolls on the market (though it's worth noting Mattel has upped their game in this category in several lines). The figures have hinge and pin wrists, elbows, and knees, along with ball joints in the head, shoulders, abs, and hips. You're limited a bit by the costumes, of course, but it's a good amount of articulation for any kind of doll.
Again, the DC Superhero Girls version is clearly intended to be a toy first and foremost, though the quality stands up nicely when compared to collectibles. While she's not dethroning the 2008, she's certainly more impressive than the one on the left in just about any metric.
The DC Superhero Girls figures' articulation is more akin to action figures than most dolls on the market (though it's worth noting Mattel has upped their game in this category in several lines). The figures have hinge and pin wrists, elbows, and knees, along with ball joints in the head, shoulders, abs, and hips. You're limited a bit by the costumes, of course, but it's a good amount of articulation for any kind of doll.
Just as important is their ability to stand up. Mattel's improved the shoes for these, and they can hold a simple pose. Anything more elaborate, and you'll probably want to lean them up against something (as I did in the picture above) or use a doll stand.
And speaking of doll stands... not this time. The one area Mattel was a little stingy was the extras. Of course, the costume pieces are all removable, but there's not a lot beyond that. Wonder Woman has her lasso, and - if you want to be generous enough to count it - Supergirl has her cape, but that's more or less all you get. It's a little odd, actually, since Wonder Woman's package references a firing shield: maybe that comes with the smaller figure.
You do get one other thing, actually:
And speaking of doll stands... not this time. The one area Mattel was a little stingy was the extras. Of course, the costume pieces are all removable, but there's not a lot beyond that. Wonder Woman has her lasso, and - if you want to be generous enough to count it - Supergirl has her cape, but that's more or less all you get. It's a little odd, actually, since Wonder Woman's package references a firing shield: maybe that comes with the smaller figure.
You do get one other thing, actually:
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Okay, the concept is kind of cute. These are school ID's. They're made of heavy card stock but aren't laminated. Also, due to the way they're displayed in the package, they come out bent. Not exactly a major selling point, but they're (a little) better than nothing. Still, I'd really have liked a couple stands or something.
All that said, I like Wonder Woman's lasso quite a bit. The twenty dollar price point is pretty standard for the industry (possibly a little high, honestly, but that's because dolls are bizarrely cheap compared to action figures). Overall, these are a great start to a promising line.
All that said, I like Wonder Woman's lasso quite a bit. The twenty dollar price point is pretty standard for the industry (possibly a little high, honestly, but that's because dolls are bizarrely cheap compared to action figures). Overall, these are a great start to a promising line.
