Review: DC Universe Classics Blue Beetle (Ted Kord)

Didn't we just review the Blue Beetle? Well, sure. But that was Jaime Reyes, the current owner of the mystical (well, now more alien super-science) scarab. And he wasn't the first hero to wield that mystical artifact. No, the first was Dan Garrett, who's been around since 1939 (though I gather from Wikipedia that the scarab didn't show up until the 60's).
Anyway, Garrett wound up dying and passing the scarab along to Ted Kord, who most people think of when they hear the words, "Blue Beetle." Okay, that last part was a lie, because when most people hear the words, "Blue Beetle," they think of a beetle that's blue. But longtime fans of the DC Universe think of Ted here, who served on the Justice League with Booster Gold and a bunch of other heroes, some of which are even more obscure.
Personally, I barely knew who Kord was before he got murdered in the lead-up to Infinite Crisis, which was a fairly forgettable event. Since then, he appeared in Geoff Johns's far more intriguing Booster Gold series, where he temporarily (if not permanently) came back to life (it's... complicated).
Anyway, I've come to like the character since, and I wouldn't mind seeing him make a less ambiguous recovery, so long as Reyes gets to keep the scarab (Kord never got it to work, anyway: he was more of a super-science guy).
This figure's been available for a while. Actually, Mattel released it along with Booster, but I didn't get around to picking him up until recently.
Anyway, Garrett wound up dying and passing the scarab along to Ted Kord, who most people think of when they hear the words, "Blue Beetle." Okay, that last part was a lie, because when most people hear the words, "Blue Beetle," they think of a beetle that's blue. But longtime fans of the DC Universe think of Ted here, who served on the Justice League with Booster Gold and a bunch of other heroes, some of which are even more obscure.
Personally, I barely knew who Kord was before he got murdered in the lead-up to Infinite Crisis, which was a fairly forgettable event. Since then, he appeared in Geoff Johns's far more intriguing Booster Gold series, where he temporarily (if not permanently) came back to life (it's... complicated).
Anyway, I've come to like the character since, and I wouldn't mind seeing him make a less ambiguous recovery, so long as Reyes gets to keep the scarab (Kord never got it to work, anyway: he was more of a super-science guy).
This figure's been available for a while. Actually, Mattel released it along with Booster, but I didn't get around to picking him up until recently.
Appearance and Construction: 8/10

In the interest of honesty, I might be letting my feelings get the better of me: this guy's right on the line between a seven and an eight, and I feel like this is a tad generous.
The weak point is the face, which is lacking the level of fine paint work I expect. On the other hand, those goggles forgive a lot: they're brightly colored and really jump out at you.
I'm torn on his costume. It's heavily stylized, with minimal sculpted additions. With the exception of the belt and head, there's nothing on Ted to differentiate him from a plain DCUC base.
On the other hand, I kind of like the effect Mattel's pulled off here. By using heavy blue lines, they've managed to convey the sense of an inked drawing, as if Kord just climbed off the page. It doesn't fit in all that well across the line, but that's not generally something I consider when scoring (honestly, it doesn't bug me much: I'm pretty happy have a variety of different styles of comic characters side by side - heck, I've got DC Direct figures shelved in the same display as Mattel's figures).
In the end, I look at this figure and think 8, so that's what he gets. But I'm under no illusion that this is clear cut: there's room for debate here.
The weak point is the face, which is lacking the level of fine paint work I expect. On the other hand, those goggles forgive a lot: they're brightly colored and really jump out at you.
I'm torn on his costume. It's heavily stylized, with minimal sculpted additions. With the exception of the belt and head, there's nothing on Ted to differentiate him from a plain DCUC base.
On the other hand, I kind of like the effect Mattel's pulled off here. By using heavy blue lines, they've managed to convey the sense of an inked drawing, as if Kord just climbed off the page. It doesn't fit in all that well across the line, but that's not generally something I consider when scoring (honestly, it doesn't bug me much: I'm pretty happy have a variety of different styles of comic characters side by side - heck, I've got DC Direct figures shelved in the same display as Mattel's figures).
In the end, I look at this figure and think 8, so that's what he gets. But I'm under no illusion that this is clear cut: there's room for debate here.
Packaging and Extras: ----
What do you want me to say? This is one of the old DC Universe packages, which I've discussed a hundred times before. The new ones are a little different, but not significantly. Fortunately, I could care less about the package.
Okay, that's not entirely true. I like that these include a biography that reads like it was written by someone who's actually read comics before. And I appreciate that the back tells you which piece of the Collect & Connect figure (Atom Smasher, in this case) each toy comes with (something the new versions are missing).
In Ted's case, you get the right leg, which would mean more to me if I had any real interest in getting the whole set. As it is, I'm actually pretty close - I'm just missing Barda and Aquaman. But, given what they're going for, I don't expect I'll finish it anytime soon (or, in all likelihood, ever). Maybe I should unload the excess pieces on eBay.
Nah: I'll probably hold onto them and see if I ever need them for a custom project or something. The only extra you get is Ted's gun, which is pretty cool, but not spectacular. To it's credit, it's a faithful reproduction of what his non-lethal sidearm looks like in the comics, and, while I'm not sure I'd describe it as "highly detailed," there's some solid sculpting work here, as well as some strategic paint application that makes it visually interesting. Plus, when it's not in use, it slides into a holster on his side, similar to the one that came with Captain Cold. These days, a small gun and a leg wouldn't be enough to keep a DC Universe from feeling the wrath of a penalty. But that's because of the new price point. Given what these guys used to cost, I'm going to accept what he came with. |
Play and Display: +1

Well, seeing as he's basically an unaltered DC Universe Classics figure with some paint, you'd probably expect him to have just the basic DC Universe Classics level of articulation. And, of course, you'd be right.
In the off chance you missed it the other two dozen times I've typed this out, that means ball jointed head and shoulders, pins in the elbows, knees, and ankles, cuts on the upper legs, biceps, wrists, and waist, a hinge in the abs, and swivel/hinge joints on the hips.
The only additional joints - if you even want to call them that - are on the holster. It's attacked by a peg, so you can turn it how you want. Also, the flap opens and closes.
I should also add that the head joint functions fairly well on mine. Not quite as well as some of the newer figures, but considering some DCUC figures wind up with ball joints that are little more than cuts, it works all right.
All of this is pretty boring to type again, seeing as I've already reviewed more of these than most people know exist, but that doesn't mean the articulation is unwelcome. On the contrary, this remains the leader in this scale for utilizing articulation with minimal impact on sculpt, which is why Mattel rarely doesn't get at least a +1 in this category.
In the off chance you missed it the other two dozen times I've typed this out, that means ball jointed head and shoulders, pins in the elbows, knees, and ankles, cuts on the upper legs, biceps, wrists, and waist, a hinge in the abs, and swivel/hinge joints on the hips.
The only additional joints - if you even want to call them that - are on the holster. It's attacked by a peg, so you can turn it how you want. Also, the flap opens and closes.
I should also add that the head joint functions fairly well on mine. Not quite as well as some of the newer figures, but considering some DCUC figures wind up with ball joints that are little more than cuts, it works all right.
All of this is pretty boring to type again, seeing as I've already reviewed more of these than most people know exist, but that doesn't mean the articulation is unwelcome. On the contrary, this remains the leader in this scale for utilizing articulation with minimal impact on sculpt, which is why Mattel rarely doesn't get at least a +1 in this category.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 9/10

While he's nothing we haven't seen before in terms of quality, Blue Beetle is yet another example of why the DC Universe Classics line has been so successful (no matter how many people complain about the line's various shortcomings). I know there are people who prefer DC Direct for their DC figures - and I can certainly respect that stance - but, in my humble opinion, DC Universe Classics is a better use of one's money.
Back when he came out, Ted Kord would have run you about thirteen bucks. Guess I should have picked him up at the time: I wound up dropping twenty at a toy store in Queens, when I finally decided that Booster Gold looked lonely in the corner of my DC Universe display. Okay, he was already hanging out with Skeets and Terry, but him and Blue Beetle go way back.
Anyway, if you're looking for a recommendation, I'm afraid I can't recommend him at this price (though I've since seen him cheaper from some online retailers, so look around first if you're considering him). Buying Beetle was something of an impulse, but I'm not too disappointed I did: I really like having him on my shelf:
Back when he came out, Ted Kord would have run you about thirteen bucks. Guess I should have picked him up at the time: I wound up dropping twenty at a toy store in Queens, when I finally decided that Booster Gold looked lonely in the corner of my DC Universe display. Okay, he was already hanging out with Skeets and Terry, but him and Blue Beetle go way back.
Anyway, if you're looking for a recommendation, I'm afraid I can't recommend him at this price (though I've since seen him cheaper from some online retailers, so look around first if you're considering him). Buying Beetle was something of an impulse, but I'm not too disappointed I did: I really like having him on my shelf:
So. Here we are. You've finished reading the review, and you've got nothing to entertain you. I, meanwhile, have some fiction and a movie/geek culture blog I want more people to check out.
Unless, of course, you're an evil-doer. If that is indeed the case, then evil-doers beware... you face....
Unless, of course, you're an evil-doer. If that is indeed the case, then evil-doers beware... you face....
To those who didn't get the reference, you have my apologies. Actually, you know what? Those who did have my apologies, as well.