A GOLDEN AGE OF FIGURES:
DC Direct’s Latest JSA Assortment
from DC Direct
Review
by : Troy
Brownfield
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Hourman ©
2001 DC Direct
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Comics
fans can’t help but know by now that DC Direct is unleashing
incredible work on a monthly basis. Their flair for capturing
the spirit of a character is unparalleled, and their attention
to detail is often stunning. While articulation is still a
problem from time to time, DC Direct often makes up for it
with the sheer dynamism of design. Their latest assortment
incorporates fantastic visuals, poseability, clever accessorizing
and raw overall talent into a truly satisfying wave.
Note:
The Golden Age Sandman in this assortment was previously
released as a “variant” edition with the very first wave of
DC Direct figures. As an initial variant, it was priced slightly
higher than the baseline Sandman “Mystery Theater” figure.
It has now been repackaged to fit into a distinct “wave” with
the Golden Age Hourman and Dr. Mid-Nite.
Golden
Age Hourman: I’ve wanted an Hourman figure since I was
eight years old. I know that sounds crazy, but I’ve always
been a sucker for the JSA, and Hourman is among my favorite.
I always dug the idea of superpowers on a time-limit, not
to mention the inherent ethical quandry of a drug-taking super-hero.
Happily, DC Direct has borne out my wish by creating a stellar
Hourman figure. Rex Tyler just looks awesome, boys and girls.
The hood, the cape, the piping . . . it’s all pain-stakingly
executed. And the hanging hourglass necklace? Perfect.
Golden
Age Sandman (flat mask): As noted above, this Sandman
did get released before. It was nice of DC Direct to re-release
it in a new package so that a distinction could be made between
the original variant. While I would have been happier to see
a new JSA creation here, this is still a prime find for those
that missed it or its companion piece the first time around.
Decked out with a swell paint op, Sandman’s “flat” gas mask,
gas gun, and Wesley Dodd’s glasses, it’s a well-crafted figure.
It is somewhat less striking that the two brand-new figures,
but I’ll forgive that simply because this was an early edition.
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Dr. Midnite ©
2001 DC Direct
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Golden
Age Dr. Mid-Nite: Quite possibly my other favorite JSAer,
Dr. Mid-Nite has so many cool qualities that they’re hard
to list. A gifted surgeon, he looses his sight to a grenade
blast. He becomes a crime-busting journalist, then learns
that he can still see in the dark. Developing infra-red goggles,
he uses his intelligence, skills, blackout bombs and pet owl
to become an unstoppable nocturnal crime-fighter!
How cool
is that? Anyway, the plastic version of Dr. Mid-Nite strikes
me as flawless. His trademark goggles, tunic and cape are
all sharp, and the idea of interchangeable right hands (one
a fist, the other with a sculpted-on Hooty perched) was a
stroke of brilliance. A solid, solid piece of work.
Not surprisingly,
DC Direct does the Golden Age proud once again. DC has always
been a company that uses their history to its fullest extent,
and having high-quality reminders of that past will only serve
to inspire the creators of the future.
EXTRA
FEATURE
DC DIRECT PRODUCT UPDATE
For those not in the know, I’m including a brief run-down
of currently scheduled figures that will be shipping from
DC Direct into the beginning of next year.
June
2001: Deadman, The Demon, Hal Jordan Spectre, Orion/Darkseid
2-pk.
July 2001: Martian Manhunter, Red Tornado, Flash 2-pk.
(Barry, Young Wally w/Cosmic Treadmill)
August 2001: Captain Cold, Mirror Master, Sinestro,
Star Sapphire, Wonder Woman/Wonder Girl 2-pk.
September 2001: Elijah Snow, Jakita Wagner and The
Drummer of Planetary
October 2001: Gorilla Grodd, Eclipso, Lobo (w/bike
and dog)
Novemeber 2001: Daniel the Sandman, Desire, Delirium,
Silver Age Superman & Lois Lane 2-pk.
December 2001: Wildcat, Power Girl, Solomon Grundy,
Silver Age Green Arrow & Speedy 2-pk. (G.A. in red and green,
no goatee)
January 2002: Shazam!, Black Adam
February 2002: Green Lanterns John Stewart, Kyle Rayner
and Tomar Re, plus either Fatality or Effigy (last two currently
undecided)
As you
can see, DC Direct continues to be committed to a path of
depth, variety and quality. They have our highest praise.
Troy Brownfield is the Editor-in-Chief of Shotgun Reviews. He’s really happy
with most of DC Direct’s choices, but who on Earth do we have
to kill to get Authority figures?
Email him at psikotyk@aol.com.
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