Review: DC Universe Classics: Blue Beetle (Modern)
Jaime Reyes is the third Blue Beetle in the DCU, and the second to get a action figure in Mattel's DC Universe Classics line. According to Wikipedia, he's currently on the Teen Titans, which seems like a good fit for the character.
I haven't read a lot of issues featuring Jaime, but I've seen him here and there in scattered comics I've picked up over the past few years. While I don't think I'd describe myself as a "fan", he seems pretty well developed and interesting. While a few longtime fans of his predecessor really hate the new kid, I like what I've seen.
Jaime also has a recurring role on Batman: Brave and the Bold. Actually, one of my favorite episodes dealt with him trying to track down the legacy of the role he fell into. The scene where he learns what happened to Ted Kord is pretty astonishing, considering the audience the show is marketed to. On the other hand, he also appears in the worst episode I've seen, which primarily deals with him having a crush on Huntress.
I haven't read a lot of issues featuring Jaime, but I've seen him here and there in scattered comics I've picked up over the past few years. While I don't think I'd describe myself as a "fan", he seems pretty well developed and interesting. While a few longtime fans of his predecessor really hate the new kid, I like what I've seen.
Jaime also has a recurring role on Batman: Brave and the Bold. Actually, one of my favorite episodes dealt with him trying to track down the legacy of the role he fell into. The scene where he learns what happened to Ted Kord is pretty astonishing, considering the audience the show is marketed to. On the other hand, he also appears in the worst episode I've seen, which primarily deals with him having a crush on Huntress.
Appearance and Construction: 9/10
When it comes to action figures, armor covers up a lot of flaws. Normal issues around joints tend to disappear, and it's a lot easier to make plastic look like metal than flesh.
But that doesn't take away from the absolutely fantastic sculpting job that was done here. More than that, the design work here is phenomenal. The antennae on his shoulders are perfect, as are the legs of the scarab wrapping around him. And - as we've come to expect on this line - the head looks great, especially around the eyes.
The contrast between the blue and black sections is striking. The Four Horsemen (the company Mattel contracts to design and sculpt these) has done more than just bring the character design into three dimensions: they've managed to draw attention to the brilliance of the design itself. It's hard to hold this toy in your hand without gaining an appreciation for the artwork that inspired it.
This figure is right on the edge of a ten, but I can't quite give it the extra point here. Simply put, there's an upper limit to the level of detail that can be retained in a highly articulated figure, and that holds him back. Well, sort of. We've still got a few categories to go....
But that doesn't take away from the absolutely fantastic sculpting job that was done here. More than that, the design work here is phenomenal. The antennae on his shoulders are perfect, as are the legs of the scarab wrapping around him. And - as we've come to expect on this line - the head looks great, especially around the eyes.
The contrast between the blue and black sections is striking. The Four Horsemen (the company Mattel contracts to design and sculpt these) has done more than just bring the character design into three dimensions: they've managed to draw attention to the brilliance of the design itself. It's hard to hold this toy in your hand without gaining an appreciation for the artwork that inspired it.
This figure is right on the edge of a ten, but I can't quite give it the extra point here. Simply put, there's an upper limit to the level of detail that can be retained in a highly articulated figure, and that holds him back. Well, sort of. We've still got a few categories to go....
Packaging and Extras: +2
Hey, it's a new package! Kind of. Sort of. Well, not really. But this is the first DC Universe Classics figure I've reviewed since the re-designs, and I thought I should at least mention they made some minor changes.
There's not too much to say. Beetle's posed dramatically, if you care, and the "Collector Button" is displayed predominately. Also of interest, there's a warning sticker about the dangers of said button. You know, just in case you're an idiot.
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Beetle comes with a pretty amazing assortment of accessories and extras. If he had come out before the price hike, I'd have given him a +3 instead of a +2. But even at the not inconsiderable MSRP on this guy, you're not going to feel cheated. First up, you get a not unexpected Collect & Connect piece you'll need to construct your very own Trigon. In this case, you get his left leg. Next, you get a collectible button. The packaging suggests you "Get all the buttons to complete your DC 75th anniversary collection!" Or, if you're interested in buttons, you could go out and buy some that aren't so boring. While I kind of like the idea, I'm not crazy about the execution. Now, the wings, on the other hand, I'm REALLY impressed with. The scarab on Beetle's back contains three holes you can plug the wings into. While the character looks good either way, the wings add a great deal to the figure. They're not articulated, but they are really, really cool. The translucent plastic really looks like a membrane extending from a suit of alien armor. Can't ask for more. Lastly, you get a sort of sword. While this isn't anywhere near as nice as the wings, it looks good and gives you some options. |
The price tag on Blue Beetle - even if you get him for what he's SUPPOSED to cost, as opposed to the mark-up I wound up paying - is pretty steep, but an assortment of extras like these go a long way towards making that easier to swallow.
Play and Display: +3
Green Arrow just lost his status as the best articulated figure in the DC Universe Classics line.
Let's go through the list. First, there's the usual: ball joints on the head and shoulders, pins on the elbows, stomach, knees, and feet, cuts on the upper legs, waist, and biceps, and the swivel/hinge hips that make ball joints obsolete. And that's not all. Did I say there were pin joints on the knees and elbows? Well, I meant double-pin joints (okay, one of the right knee joints doesn't work on mine, but I don't really need it, anyway).
That part, I knew before buying. What I hadn't noticed was that Mattel also gave him ball joints (well, technically they're perpendicular pins, but they work like ball joints) on the wrists. Oh, and the joint on his head actually works.
And, in case you forgot, he has detachable wings. All that, together, is pretty astonishing. I was already of the opinion that the DC Universe Classics line had achieved a better balance between articulation and sculpt than any other mass-market line I've seen. Well, Beetle here takes that to a whole new level. Even with one of his four knee joints stuck, I'm giving him three bonus points.
Let's go through the list. First, there's the usual: ball joints on the head and shoulders, pins on the elbows, stomach, knees, and feet, cuts on the upper legs, waist, and biceps, and the swivel/hinge hips that make ball joints obsolete. And that's not all. Did I say there were pin joints on the knees and elbows? Well, I meant double-pin joints (okay, one of the right knee joints doesn't work on mine, but I don't really need it, anyway).
That part, I knew before buying. What I hadn't noticed was that Mattel also gave him ball joints (well, technically they're perpendicular pins, but they work like ball joints) on the wrists. Oh, and the joint on his head actually works.
And, in case you forgot, he has detachable wings. All that, together, is pretty astonishing. I was already of the opinion that the DC Universe Classics line had achieved a better balance between articulation and sculpt than any other mass-market line I've seen. Well, Beetle here takes that to a whole new level. Even with one of his four knee joints stuck, I'm giving him three bonus points.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 10++
Beetle's the second toy I've reviewed to earn this score and, if you want to compare, he actually got there with more wiggle room than Dr. Manhattan (14 Vs. 13).
Blue Beetle is one of the best figures Mattel's put out since DC Universe Classics replaced DC Superheroes and the paint ops took a dive. This is one hell of a nice toy.
It's supposed to cost $15, though I dropped $20 at a store in Queens (no one ever said living in New York would be cheap). At either price, you feel like you're getting your money's worth.
I've got a lot of DC Universe Classics figures - including five I haven't reviewed yet and 4 more on pre-order - and the truth is, I'm starting to think it's about time to slow down and call my DC collection complete. If Mattel keeps making toys like this, though, that might complicate things.
Blue Beetle is one of the best figures Mattel's put out since DC Universe Classics replaced DC Superheroes and the paint ops took a dive. This is one hell of a nice toy.
It's supposed to cost $15, though I dropped $20 at a store in Queens (no one ever said living in New York would be cheap). At either price, you feel like you're getting your money's worth.
I've got a lot of DC Universe Classics figures - including five I haven't reviewed yet and 4 more on pre-order - and the truth is, I'm starting to think it's about time to slow down and call my DC collection complete. If Mattel keeps making toys like this, though, that might complicate things.
Yeah, I know I haven't reviewed him yet, but here's a shot of Jaime with his predecessor. And here's a link to my blog, where I review movies and the like. And, while I'm shilling my other interests, here's a link to my other site, where I've got some fiction you can take a look at. After you're done looking at the pictures below, of course.
