Review: DC Universe Classics: Steppenwolf(s)
It's been a while since I reviewed any DC Universe Classics figures. Back in February, I started reviewing the entirety of Wave 11, which I picked up to build my own Kilowog. It took some time, but I got through them all... with two exceptions.
The wave included a couple variations of Steppenwolf, one of Darkseid's flunkies. Like most of the DC Universe, I really know this character best from his appearances in the animated Superman and Justice League series. As I understand it, he's one of Darkseid's more trusted generals. On the show - and, I presume - in the comics, he often serves as something of an assassin, hunting down his master's enemies.
At any rate, if you're just trying to put together your own Collect and Connect Kilowog, you can skip them both. They come packaged with blue stands instead of pieces, and the giant-sized Kilowog won't work with the stands anyway.
On the other hand, there are reasons you might want Steppenwolf. He's a cool character; one of the few who can challenge the big guns of DC. Sure, Superman can soundly take him down eventually, but it takes some effort first.
The first version, pictured above, is the "classic" look of the character. The alternate "modern" look below plays down the hunter aspect, trading his Robin Hood attire for a red jumpsuit and black spikes. As I understand it, the "modern" version is actually based more on previous toys than comic appearances. In the funnybooks, he generally still shows up in his green getup, though I'd be surprised if he never puts on his other suit.
The wave included a couple variations of Steppenwolf, one of Darkseid's flunkies. Like most of the DC Universe, I really know this character best from his appearances in the animated Superman and Justice League series. As I understand it, he's one of Darkseid's more trusted generals. On the show - and, I presume - in the comics, he often serves as something of an assassin, hunting down his master's enemies.
At any rate, if you're just trying to put together your own Collect and Connect Kilowog, you can skip them both. They come packaged with blue stands instead of pieces, and the giant-sized Kilowog won't work with the stands anyway.
On the other hand, there are reasons you might want Steppenwolf. He's a cool character; one of the few who can challenge the big guns of DC. Sure, Superman can soundly take him down eventually, but it takes some effort first.
The first version, pictured above, is the "classic" look of the character. The alternate "modern" look below plays down the hunter aspect, trading his Robin Hood attire for a red jumpsuit and black spikes. As I understand it, the "modern" version is actually based more on previous toys than comic appearances. In the funnybooks, he generally still shows up in his green getup, though I'd be surprised if he never puts on his other suit.
Appearance and Construction: 8/10
Ultimately, I like the classic version a lot more, so it may come as something of a surprise to hear I think the modern version is actually a little better. These are both good figures, and the difference in quality is negligible, but I think it's definitely there. In both cases, the sculpts are excellent, while the paint, at least on close inspection, is a little weak.
The outfits, on the other hand, both look fantastic, and the modern version just pulls it all together a little better. It's not so much a difference to warrant different scores, but it is noticeable.
The spikes on the modern figure look great, and I really dig his... er... let's call it a proton pack. Despite the absurdity of the character's design (who wears short-shorts?) they've succeeded in making him seem threatening. The ax is attached to the figure thanks to that cord running to the pack, but it looks pretty cool.
The classic version looks less frightening - I somehow doubt his visage strikes terror into the hearts of his enemies. But then, the DC Universe is populated with characters whose looks are misleading.
The outfits, on the other hand, both look fantastic, and the modern version just pulls it all together a little better. It's not so much a difference to warrant different scores, but it is noticeable.
The spikes on the modern figure look great, and I really dig his... er... let's call it a proton pack. Despite the absurdity of the character's design (who wears short-shorts?) they've succeeded in making him seem threatening. The ax is attached to the figure thanks to that cord running to the pack, but it looks pretty cool.
The classic version looks less frightening - I somehow doubt his visage strikes terror into the hearts of his enemies. But then, the DC Universe is populated with characters whose looks are misleading.
Packaging and Extras:
Classic: +1
Modern: ----
The packaging is the same that we've seen time and again. Not that that's a problem, mind you: it does its job and looks fine. But why won't Mattel think about the poor reviewers who have been trying to think of new things to say about these packs for years:
Modern: ----
The packaging is the same that we've seen time and again. Not that that's a problem, mind you: it does its job and looks fine. But why won't Mattel think about the poor reviewers who have been trying to think of new things to say about these packs for years:
Fortunately, this is the last of these boxes being made. The new waves have updated the packaging. Not a lot, mind you, but at least there are some changes.
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Both figures come with a blue stand that the back implies is intended for Kilowog, whose feet are each about the size of the stand and lack a peg hole. Really, these are included in place of a Collect & Connect piece, which is fine. The blue stands are nothing exceptional, but they're useful for helping DC Universe Classics figures stay upright.
In the case of the modern version, that's really the only accessory - his ax and pack are connected to the figure. The classic version comes with a sword, a whip, and a horn. None of these are spectacular, but they're all pretty decent. |
Be aware that the sword is made from an absurdly soft plastic, but it looks fine. The horn should really be hollow, but it seems pointless to whine too much about that. At any rate, by my count the classic version has one more accessory than I consider required, so I'll hand him a bonus point.
As for the modern, while I don't consider the ax a separate accessory, it does remove the expectation that he needs to come with anything else, so I'm not going to penalize him.
As for the modern, while I don't consider the ax a separate accessory, it does remove the expectation that he needs to come with anything else, so I'm not going to penalize him.
Play and Display: +1
The articulation is precisely what you expect: ball jointed shoulders and head, pins in the knees, ankles, and elbows, cuts on the biceps, upper legs, waist, and wrists, a hinge on midsection, and hip joints that combine a hinge and pin to mimic the effect of a ball-joint.
As usual, the head mainly just turns side to side, though I was pleasantly surprised to find a little bit of up and down articulation surviving on the classic, despite his outfit. The modern figure's outfit does limit the abs hinge and waist, though.
Both characters can hold their weapons in either hand, and the modern version has a spot on his pack where he can store it. These are balanced pretty well - the modern is a little better off than the classic, but they both seemed to stand all right. And the stands, while certainly not amazing, do open some posing options.
Ultimately, while there's nothing new or unexpected here, they're still DC Universe Classics figures, and are therefore well articulated. I'll giving them the standard +1 I usually give figures in this line.
As usual, the head mainly just turns side to side, though I was pleasantly surprised to find a little bit of up and down articulation surviving on the classic, despite his outfit. The modern figure's outfit does limit the abs hinge and waist, though.
Both characters can hold their weapons in either hand, and the modern version has a spot on his pack where he can store it. These are balanced pretty well - the modern is a little better off than the classic, but they both seemed to stand all right. And the stands, while certainly not amazing, do open some posing options.
Ultimately, while there's nothing new or unexpected here, they're still DC Universe Classics figures, and are therefore well articulated. I'll giving them the standard +1 I usually give figures in this line.
Price Tag and Final Analysis:
Classic: 10/10
Modern: 9/10
These are both good figures that fit in well with a collection of DC Universe Classics figures. Are they worth fifteen bucks each? No, not really.
I bought these as part of the entire wave, which I ordered - let's be honest - on something of a whim. Had I been paying closer attention and noticed that these come only with stands, I might have tried getting the other six figures separately. These are cool figures, but, frankly, unless you're a huge fan of the character, you can skip these, especially the "modern" version.
That said, I'm glad I've got the classic. He's a decent villain, and he looks good in my collection. The modern, in many ways, is actually a better toy (only the difference in accessories boosts the other's score). But, good or not, I only need one version of Steppenwolf on my already crowded shelf, so he's destined for a storage bin. Ultimately, quality matters less than context, so the better toy is going to lose out to the more iconic.
Modern: 9/10
These are both good figures that fit in well with a collection of DC Universe Classics figures. Are they worth fifteen bucks each? No, not really.
I bought these as part of the entire wave, which I ordered - let's be honest - on something of a whim. Had I been paying closer attention and noticed that these come only with stands, I might have tried getting the other six figures separately. These are cool figures, but, frankly, unless you're a huge fan of the character, you can skip these, especially the "modern" version.
That said, I'm glad I've got the classic. He's a decent villain, and he looks good in my collection. The modern, in many ways, is actually a better toy (only the difference in accessories boosts the other's score). But, good or not, I only need one version of Steppenwolf on my already crowded shelf, so he's destined for a storage bin. Ultimately, quality matters less than context, so the better toy is going to lose out to the more iconic.
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