Aquaman/Aqualad 2 pack
by DC Direct
Review
by : Troy
Brownfield
"Hello
Aquaman!"
 Aquaman
never gets enough respect. Chances are that if a comedian
starts doing a super-hero bit, he's gonna mock Aquaman for
his power of "aquatic telepathy". For the layperson, that
means "talking to fish". While David Chapelle once did a brilliant
routine about how boring talking to fish would be (with "Hello,
Aquaman!" as the extent of their vocabulary), the general
public seems to bag on the King of the Seven Seas. Remember
Super Friends even; although Aquaman was one of the show's
"big four", he still spent most of his time "checking the
coasts".
In the
'90s, however, Aquaman got updated to the Poseidon-like bad-ass
that we know and love today. Still, a lot of us fondly recall
Arthur as he was before Zero Hour. And once again, that's
where DC Direct comes in. Just released into comics shops
is the brand new "Silver Age" Aquaman and Aqualad two-pack,
and it's swell.
Aquaman:
This is a thoroughly great representation of the character
for its particular period. I especially like the huge 1960s
grins that both figures have ("Ready to save the ocean, chum?"
"You bet, Aquaman!"). As always, the paint ops are impressive.
However,
two things really set the Aquaman figure above a lot of previous
efforts. The first would be articulation. Ball-jointed at
both the hips and shoulders, and with moveable wrists, ankles,
knees, elbows and neck, this is perhaps the most poseable
figure that DC Direct has released yet. This care of assembly
bodes very well for future figures in the line.
The other
bonus with Aquaman is the accessories. While packing him a
trident is almost a given at this point, the figure also includes
an extra pair of hands for swimming or fighting poses! In
addition, the two-pack has two items that be used with either
figure: a seahorse mount with stirrups and chain bridle, and
a plastic sculpted crested wave for the figure to be placed
on in a "swimming" pose.
I should
also note that the appearance of Aquaman in the line inches
DC Direct closer to completing the line-up of the Silver Age
Justice League. Would that Direct could only get the Super
and Bat licenses back . . .
Aqualad:
Garth benefits from the same articulation that Arthur
does. Unfortunately, he doesn't get extra hands. Still, his
paint job is great and he has the comic-style "blue highlights"
in his black hair that I like a lot. It's a solid figure.
Similar to Aquaman, the Aqualad figure adds another notch
in a team column, this time for the Teen Titans.
Once again,
DC has brought us quality. Hey, does the guy who rules 71%
of the Earth deserve any less?
Note:
A couple of two-packs later in the year will be doing the
mentor/sidekick approach as well: July's Barry/Young Wally
Flash two-pack and August's Silver Age Wonder Woman/red jumpsuit
Wonder Girl. I'd like to take a second to cast my vote right
now for a Silver Age Green Arrow (red gloves, no goatee) and
Speedy two-pack.
Troy
Brownfield is the Editor-in-Chief of Shotgun Reviews. Other
two-packs that he'd like to see are Blue Beetle/Booster Gold
and Stars & S.T.R.I.P.E. Email him at psikotyk@aol.com.
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