Review: DC Universe Classics "Shazam!"
Talk about secret identities: not only does Captain Marvel, the World's Mightiest Mortal, have to keep his civilian name under wraps, his alternate identity doesn't even get a nod on the package.
Really: at no point on the front or back does the name "Captain Marvel" appear. And, really, this shouldn't come as a huge surprise: while Batson only has to contend with the occasional supervillain, his alter-ego has bigger problems: lawyers.
In the history of comics, I don't believe there's been any character whose legal status was more complicated. The only contender is "Marvel-Man" (a.k.a.: Miracle-Man)... and he's more or less a British version of the Captain anyway.
Captain Marvel, or "Shazam!", as he's referred to here, is one of those characters most people either love or hate. And I don't really love him.
Honestly, I tend to sympathize with Doctor Sivana, who dubbed Marvel "The Big Red Cheese". And, ultimately, that gets into my feelings about the character in general: I find him cheesy. I realize that the same could be said for ANY superhero, but I have a harder time overcoming these issues here. I don't know whether it's the dumb grin, the big lightning bolt, or what: I just have a hard time liking him.
That said, his episode on Justice League Unlimited was awesome, and I like him in Kingdom Come (but I like EVERYTHING in Kingdom Come).
If I'm not a fan, you may ask, why'd I buy him? Simple: he comes with the last piece I needed to build Kalibak, the Collect & Connect figure from wave 6 of Mattel's DC Universe Classics line.
Really: at no point on the front or back does the name "Captain Marvel" appear. And, really, this shouldn't come as a huge surprise: while Batson only has to contend with the occasional supervillain, his alter-ego has bigger problems: lawyers.
In the history of comics, I don't believe there's been any character whose legal status was more complicated. The only contender is "Marvel-Man" (a.k.a.: Miracle-Man)... and he's more or less a British version of the Captain anyway.
Captain Marvel, or "Shazam!", as he's referred to here, is one of those characters most people either love or hate. And I don't really love him.
Honestly, I tend to sympathize with Doctor Sivana, who dubbed Marvel "The Big Red Cheese". And, ultimately, that gets into my feelings about the character in general: I find him cheesy. I realize that the same could be said for ANY superhero, but I have a harder time overcoming these issues here. I don't know whether it's the dumb grin, the big lightning bolt, or what: I just have a hard time liking him.
That said, his episode on Justice League Unlimited was awesome, and I like him in Kingdom Come (but I like EVERYTHING in Kingdom Come).
If I'm not a fan, you may ask, why'd I buy him? Simple: he comes with the last piece I needed to build Kalibak, the Collect & Connect figure from wave 6 of Mattel's DC Universe Classics line.
Appearance and Construction: 7/10
I might not be a huge fan of the character, but I have to give the figure high marks. In fact, if it weren't for a few issues, he'd be scoring higher. As it is, he's right on the border of deserving an eight, but, for reasons I'll get to in a minute, I just couldn't give it to him.
But lets start positive. And nothing on this figure is more positive, at least in my opinion, than the head. The sculpt work here is stellar, even for this line, capturing the character perfectly without overdoing it. Captain Marvel is one of those situations where it's easy - sometimes even acceptable - to get carried away. He's more cartoonish than most superheroes, who aren't an overly realistic lot to begin with. But they roped that in a bit, paying homage to the source material while still creating something that fits in with the rest of the line.
There are a few small paint issues on the face, but they're far from major. There's a little white from the teeth bleeding into the right corner of his lips, and, if you want to examine him up close, there are a few scratches and the like, but again: nothing serious. They took a similar level of care on the hands, which contain sculpted veins, a stunning attention to detail I wouldn't have expected. If the whole figure had been this well executed, that score would be a solid nine.
It's mainly the red body that costs him the first point: this is the same plastic that covered the Flash, and it still seems bland and dull. The boots and bracers are both good, however. The lightning symbol isn't as vibrant as it should be, and the belt is likewise a disappointment.
But lets start positive. And nothing on this figure is more positive, at least in my opinion, than the head. The sculpt work here is stellar, even for this line, capturing the character perfectly without overdoing it. Captain Marvel is one of those situations where it's easy - sometimes even acceptable - to get carried away. He's more cartoonish than most superheroes, who aren't an overly realistic lot to begin with. But they roped that in a bit, paying homage to the source material while still creating something that fits in with the rest of the line.
There are a few small paint issues on the face, but they're far from major. There's a little white from the teeth bleeding into the right corner of his lips, and, if you want to examine him up close, there are a few scratches and the like, but again: nothing serious. They took a similar level of care on the hands, which contain sculpted veins, a stunning attention to detail I wouldn't have expected. If the whole figure had been this well executed, that score would be a solid nine.
It's mainly the red body that costs him the first point: this is the same plastic that covered the Flash, and it still seems bland and dull. The boots and bracers are both good, however. The lightning symbol isn't as vibrant as it should be, and the belt is likewise a disappointment.
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While I like the cape, it could easily have been even better. The folded top is sculpted as one piece, rather than two overlapping bits, which I'd have preferred. The decorations are sculpted - certainly a step up from just being painted - but I think they could have taken some more time and effort getting the shape and paint better. By the way, if that photo of Captain Marvel turned away looks oddly familiar, it's a sign of just how big an impact a comic book character can have on pop culture. Elvis Presley was a fan of Captain Marvel's sidekick, Captain Marvel Jr., and used a number of the designs in his own costuming. If that were it, Captain Marvel would receive an eight - and a solid one, at that. But there's one more detail to consider: his neck. There's a visible molding line running along both sides. From certain angles, you can even see the red plastic underneath. It counts for a one point deduction, and brings us down to a seven. |
Packaging and Extras: ----
The most frustrating omission from the packaging - the character's name - isn't really Mattel's fault. The name is property of Marvel Comics these days, so there's not much that can be done about it. DC can't even name a series after Captain Marvel anymore:
Besides that, there's not a lot I have to say here. The package has the same biographical info you've come to know and expect (well, except the character's name). It's a fine looking piece of junk, all things considered.
There's not a lot I'd expect to see packaged with Captain Marvel: he does most of his fighting with his bare hands. They've tossed in Kalibak's left leg, which is really the main reason I picked this up. Unfortunately, I forgot to snap a picture of the appendage before putting Kalibak together. There will be a picture of the full figure at the end, though.
The leg isn't enough to justify a bonus point, but it does make up for the lack of a base or stand.
There's not a lot I'd expect to see packaged with Captain Marvel: he does most of his fighting with his bare hands. They've tossed in Kalibak's left leg, which is really the main reason I picked this up. Unfortunately, I forgot to snap a picture of the appendage before putting Kalibak together. There will be a picture of the full figure at the end, though.
The leg isn't enough to justify a bonus point, but it does make up for the lack of a base or stand.
Play and Display: +1
Marvel comes with what you've come to expect from this line. In case you've forgotten, I'll give you the list. But this time, I'm getting smart about it: I'm just cutting and pasting from Captain Cold: Ball joints on the head and shoulders, pins on the elbows, stomach, knees and feet, cuts on the upper legs, waist, biceps, and wrists, and the Mattel hips, which are basically an ingenious hybrid of a pin and ball joint.
Of course, the character's sculpt alters how some of the joints work. Overall, there aren't a lot of problems, but the cape obviously imposes some limitations on the left arm.
He does have good balance, as he's demonstrating by standing on one leg. In addition, all the joints feel firm and sturdy.
This is actually a very good display piece, if you have any interest in displaying The Big Red Cheese. I might end up sticking him with my Kingdom Come figures, since I never bothered picking the KC Captain Marvel figure, and there's not a lot of change in his costume anyway.
Of course, the character's sculpt alters how some of the joints work. Overall, there aren't a lot of problems, but the cape obviously imposes some limitations on the left arm.
He does have good balance, as he's demonstrating by standing on one leg. In addition, all the joints feel firm and sturdy.
This is actually a very good display piece, if you have any interest in displaying The Big Red Cheese. I might end up sticking him with my Kingdom Come figures, since I never bothered picking the KC Captain Marvel figure, and there's not a lot of change in his costume anyway.
Price Tag and Final Analysis: 8/10
I found Captain Marvel in the same small store where I bought Hawkman. Captain Marvel was going for thirteen bucks, which is more than I generally like paying for a toy I'm not that interested in. But, like I said before, this was a special case.
You see, I'd gotten my hands on the remaining pieces of Kalibak through Ebay. I could have picked up the last leg there, as well, but, after losing a few auctions, it became clear I'd probably wind up spending seven or eight bucks with shipping. While Captain Marvel isn't my favorite character, I figured that he was worth the five or six dollar difference.
And, like I've said several times, he's a good figure with a GREAT head on his shoulders. If this is a character you like and you can find him in the ten to twelve range, by all means grab him. The thirteen to fifteen range is pushing it a bit, but I'm certainly not one to judge.
Of course, the second I had the last of the pieces together, I snapped Kalibak together. Look for a review of him soon. In the meantime, here's a little preview:
You see, I'd gotten my hands on the remaining pieces of Kalibak through Ebay. I could have picked up the last leg there, as well, but, after losing a few auctions, it became clear I'd probably wind up spending seven or eight bucks with shipping. While Captain Marvel isn't my favorite character, I figured that he was worth the five or six dollar difference.
And, like I've said several times, he's a good figure with a GREAT head on his shoulders. If this is a character you like and you can find him in the ten to twelve range, by all means grab him. The thirteen to fifteen range is pushing it a bit, but I'm certainly not one to judge.
Of course, the second I had the last of the pieces together, I snapped Kalibak together. Look for a review of him soon. In the meantime, here's a little preview:
Don't forget to stop by The Middle Room when you get a chance. I'd hate to think all this promoting was for nothing.
