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Doing Justice, Figure-Style:
DC Direct's Wildcat and Power Girl of the JSA
Action
Figure Review by : Troy
Brownfield
More
Info: The DC Direct section at www.dccomics.com
I'm a
mark for the Justice Society; it's true, it's true. Whether
they were fighting the original Evil Star on a Hollywood back-lot
or teaming up with the JLA in Earth-1/Earth-2 crossovers or
winning awards from Wizard in their current incarnation, the
original super-team has also rocked my personal house.
December, aside from numbing cold and a dearth of uninspired
pop music specials, brought us the release of two more members
of the JSA: Wildcat and Power Girl! Wildcat's a long-timer,
serving since the '40s. Power Girl was a member in the '70s
All-Star Comics revival, retconned out post-Crisis, and finally
restored to the team at the end of #31 a few weeks back. You
should also note that frequent JSA nemesis Solomon Grundy
was released in a separate, deluxe boxed version, packed along
with a Golden Age Wonder Woman Pocket Hero from DC Direct's
new Kubrick/Playmobil hybrid line.
 Wildcat:
Prize-fighter Ted Grant gets a heavyweight champion treatment
here. Slightly hunched in an "I'm-about-to-beat-your-ass"
pose, this figure totally conveys that attitude of the character.
He's nicely articulated, with points at the neck, shoulders,
elbows, waist, hips, knees and ankles (12 total). One thing
I've always liked about Wildcat was the simplicity of his
costume; except for the mask, it's a uniform shade of black.
That makes him contrast really nicely with some of his more
colorful comrades. Wildcat is an exceptionally done figure.
 Power
Girl: I noticed that some fans disliked this interpretation
of the character. I've also noticed that some fans have no
respect for history. This is the buxom, '70s hair version
of Kara as drawn by Wally Wood in the aforementioned All-Stars
revival, and she rules. I remember my parents buying me a
copy of Showcase featuring Power Girl in a solo story on a
car trip in the South years ago; I always thought that story
was swell, and now I have the figure to go with it. Power
Girl carries less articulation than Wildcat (she's moveable
at the neck, shoulders, mid-bicep, and elbows, and featues
a V-crotch), but she's no less striking when standing alongside
her fellow heroes. This is classy work, hewing to the intent
of the original creators. It's great stuff.
Once
again, I have to give a hale and hearty recommendation to
run out and snag these figures while you can. DC Direct continues
to make amazing figures. Here's an update on what to expect
in 2002:
Jan.
2002
Green Lantern John Stewart
Green Lantern Tomar Re
Feb.
2002
Green Lantern Kyle Rayner
Fatality
April
2002
Captain Marvel
Black Adam
Sgt. Rock
May
2002
Brainiac 5 from Legion of Super-Heroes (classic version)
Mon-El from Legion of Super-Heroes (classic version)
The Shade (more Silver Age, less Tony Harris)
Vandal Savage
June
2002
Mordru
Tim Hunter
Phantom Stranger
July
2002
Blue Beetle
The Question
Phantom Lady
Uncle Sam
August
2002
Apollo from The Authority
Midnighter from The Authority
Jenny Sparks from The Authority
The Engineer from The Authority
Superboy and Supergirl Silver Age 2-pack w/Krypto and Streaky
Date
TBA
Smallville Clark Kent
Smallville Lana Lang
Smallville Lex Luthor
Troy
Brownfield is the Editor-in-Chief of Shotgun Reviews. He sincerely
hopes that DC Direct completes The Authority. And the JSA.
And the JLA. And The Titans. And ...
Email
him at psikotyk@aol.com.
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