Review: DC Universe Classics: Cyborg Superman (Wave 11)
Hank Henshaw, also known as Cyborg Superman or alternatively "The Cyborg," was a major villain in the DC Universe in the mid-to-late 90's, an era when, interestingly enough, I wasn't reading many comics.
He was a major player during the whole death and rebirth of Superman and was largely responsible for the destruction of Coast City. So, while he should fundamentally be more a Superman villain, he's actually managed to make Hal Jordan even angrier. And I'm not just talking about your run of the mill knocking over chairs angry. Hal almost destroyed the Earth and the Lantern Corps during that whole Parallax debacle.
Anyway, after Jordan became the agent of God's vengeance, got his act together, quit his job as an angel, came back from the dead, and helped put the Corps back together (thanks in no small part to some careful retconning), a bunch of the DCU's major's villains ganged up and formed the Sinestro Corps. Henshaw here, already a being with power nearly equal to Superman's, was given a handful of power rings.
And that brings us to today's review. You see, Mattel has made Cyborg Superman before - a few times, actually. But they'd always been earlier versions of the character. So, while releasing a Green Lantern heavy wave 11 of DC Universe Classics, someone had the bright idea of including a new Cyborg Superman, this time hailing from the Sinestro Corps war.
You can find these in most major toy stores and toy sellers. I got mine online with the rest of wave 11.
He was a major player during the whole death and rebirth of Superman and was largely responsible for the destruction of Coast City. So, while he should fundamentally be more a Superman villain, he's actually managed to make Hal Jordan even angrier. And I'm not just talking about your run of the mill knocking over chairs angry. Hal almost destroyed the Earth and the Lantern Corps during that whole Parallax debacle.
Anyway, after Jordan became the agent of God's vengeance, got his act together, quit his job as an angel, came back from the dead, and helped put the Corps back together (thanks in no small part to some careful retconning), a bunch of the DCU's major's villains ganged up and formed the Sinestro Corps. Henshaw here, already a being with power nearly equal to Superman's, was given a handful of power rings.
And that brings us to today's review. You see, Mattel has made Cyborg Superman before - a few times, actually. But they'd always been earlier versions of the character. So, while releasing a Green Lantern heavy wave 11 of DC Universe Classics, someone had the bright idea of including a new Cyborg Superman, this time hailing from the Sinestro Corps war.
You can find these in most major toy stores and toy sellers. I got mine online with the rest of wave 11.
Appearance and Construction: 8/10
This is a great toy. He's not scored higher, because there's definitely room for improvement; even so, I'm somewhat amazed at how good he looks.
This time, both sculpt and paint deliver. This is a complex design, and Mattel has done a good job putting him together. In particular, the head looks great. There are also several areas where it would have been easy to drop a detail, and I'm impressed with how few corners they cut. The belt buckle and Sinestro Corps rings are all well painted, and I love that they included the symbol on the back of his cape.
The weak areas aren't really weak: they're just not fantastic. The symbol on his chest is painted rather than sculpted. It still looks good - very good, in fact - but it could be better. Likewise, the mechanical arm could be more detailed, both in sculpt and paint. Again, it's fine as is, but they could have taken this to another level.
Even so, step back, and you'll find yourself looking at a very well made, interesting toy.
This time, both sculpt and paint deliver. This is a complex design, and Mattel has done a good job putting him together. In particular, the head looks great. There are also several areas where it would have been easy to drop a detail, and I'm impressed with how few corners they cut. The belt buckle and Sinestro Corps rings are all well painted, and I love that they included the symbol on the back of his cape.
The weak areas aren't really weak: they're just not fantastic. The symbol on his chest is painted rather than sculpted. It still looks good - very good, in fact - but it could be better. Likewise, the mechanical arm could be more detailed, both in sculpt and paint. Again, it's fine as is, but they could have taken this to another level.
Even so, step back, and you'll find yourself looking at a very well made, interesting toy.
Packaging and Extras: ----
At this point, I'm used to these packages. I know what to expect, and I generally don't get any kind of surprise. This is actually a bit of an exception:
It's hard to see, especially given my less than superior photography skills, but if you look closely at the front you'll see that the insignias from his rings are inscribed in his packaging. This isn't bonus material, of course, nor do I plan on keeping the packaging, but I feel Mattel deserves a round of applause for going the extra mile. This is one of those subtle things only the fans are going to notice. It's probably not to going to sell any extra toys, either, but it does serve as an acknowledgment that they're thinking about us. If anyone from Mattel is reading: Thanks.
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As for extras, you're getting Kilowog's head and ass. Hey, I just call them like I see them. As always, these are well appreciated by those of us who are building the figure and not so much by those who aren't. If Cyborg Superman were a less complex figure, I'd probably hit him with a deduction for not coming with more. But, between the cape and extra pieces sculpted onto him, I feel like Mattel has met their obligations. That doesn't mean I'm thrilled about the new price point, but I'm not going to deduct anything. |
Play and Display: +1
If you've been collecting this line at all, you already know what to expect in terms of articulation. Ball jointed shoulders, a "ball jointed" head (might as well be a cut), pins on the elbows, knees, and ankles, cuts on the wrists, biceps, upper leg and waist, a hinge on the abs, and finally hips that are sort of an evolution of the ball joint.
You lose a little articulation with the cybernetic arm, but that's too be expected. Other than that, all the joints are sturdy and functional.
As with all figures with a cape, you get a touch better balance, because it can help hold him up. You can even get some take-off/landing poses, with one or both feet pointed down. Personally, I'll probably employ wire, so he can fly.
The bonus point is fairly academic here. Mattel's DC Universe Classics figures almost always get one, unless there's a reason to hold back. I've said a dozen times before, but I'll say it again here: this line features a fantastic fusion of articulation and appearance. If more toy companies made figures this way, I'd be even poorer.
You lose a little articulation with the cybernetic arm, but that's too be expected. Other than that, all the joints are sturdy and functional.
As with all figures with a cape, you get a touch better balance, because it can help hold him up. You can even get some take-off/landing poses, with one or both feet pointed down. Personally, I'll probably employ wire, so he can fly.
The bonus point is fairly academic here. Mattel's DC Universe Classics figures almost always get one, unless there's a reason to hold back. I've said a dozen times before, but I'll say it again here: this line features a fantastic fusion of articulation and appearance. If more toy companies made figures this way, I'd be even poorer.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 9/10
There are a few weak figures in this wave, but this sure isn't one of them. Sure, they could have raised the bar a little higher and gone all out with detailing, but he's already a great figure.
This is the first Cyborg Superman I own, since he's not a character I really care much about. Like I said at the start, the 90's weren't my era. Despite that, I'm glad to have him in my collection: I'd hate for the good guys to have it too easy.
The real question my reviews try to answer is, of course, "Is the toy worth the money?" In this case, I'm right on the line. This is a great figure from a great line, but he's not altogether cheap. I got mine for fifteen bucks (well, I got eight for $120, but you get the idea), and you'll pay about the same if you track him down at a Toys R Us or Walmart.
It's not a horrible price this time - this is a much better figure than a lot of what they've released at that price - but I don't think he's anywhere near as impressive as Man-Bat or John Stewart, for example. Those were definitely worth the money. This feels a hair overpriced, but not by a lot.
Ultimately, most collectors, even us cheapskates, aren't going to hold off because he's fifteen instead of thirteen though (Mattel's not stupid, after all). And, like I've said before, I've been paying this much anyway: the only thing that's changed is that I'm paying Mattel directly now. I suspect there are three groups of people buying Henshaw: completists, fans of the character, and those of us who want to build Kilowog.
If you're not from one of those groups, you're not going to be buying this, anyway. If you are, well... what's a few bucks in the long run, right?
This is the first Cyborg Superman I own, since he's not a character I really care much about. Like I said at the start, the 90's weren't my era. Despite that, I'm glad to have him in my collection: I'd hate for the good guys to have it too easy.
The real question my reviews try to answer is, of course, "Is the toy worth the money?" In this case, I'm right on the line. This is a great figure from a great line, but he's not altogether cheap. I got mine for fifteen bucks (well, I got eight for $120, but you get the idea), and you'll pay about the same if you track him down at a Toys R Us or Walmart.
It's not a horrible price this time - this is a much better figure than a lot of what they've released at that price - but I don't think he's anywhere near as impressive as Man-Bat or John Stewart, for example. Those were definitely worth the money. This feels a hair overpriced, but not by a lot.
Ultimately, most collectors, even us cheapskates, aren't going to hold off because he's fifteen instead of thirteen though (Mattel's not stupid, after all). And, like I've said before, I've been paying this much anyway: the only thing that's changed is that I'm paying Mattel directly now. I suspect there are three groups of people buying Henshaw: completists, fans of the character, and those of us who want to build Kilowog.
If you're not from one of those groups, you're not going to be buying this, anyway. If you are, well... what's a few bucks in the long run, right?
Don't forget, there's plenty more free online reading available over at my blog, where you can catch up on movie reviews and the like.
And, if free isn't your cup of tea, I've got a novel out that might interest you....
And, if free isn't your cup of tea, I've got a novel out that might interest you....
