Superman Review

Name: SUPERMAN (aka KAL EL/ CLARK KENT)

DC Comic First Appearance: Action Comic #1 (June 1938)

Movie First Appearance: Superman: The Movie (1980); played by Christopher Reeve

Superman Was Created By: Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster

A quick comment: Back to Misc: Review M-II Teletran-1

Despites Superman had always been my favorite character or hero, but as a kid I had never own him. So technically, this is my first Superman action figure. The price on this action was a little bit high and since I didn't want to do some shops around, I ended up purchased it. And two, it's always pricey when purchased directly from a comic store as opposed to the regular store like TRU or Kaybee etc. Anyhow I got Superman at Mid Town Comic on Mar. Xxv, Mmiii and it cost me $XVII.XCIX.

SUPERMAN - THE MAN OF STEEL

Back of Card description:

Rocketed to Earth from the doomed PLANET KRYPTON, the infant Kar-El landed in Smallville, where he became the hero everyone knows as SUPERMAN! Features 21 points of articulation.

These images were all photographed and scanned by me. If you're a Superman fan, this will definitely bring back some reminiscences.

NOTE: Images are clearer when viewed from Internet Explorer browser.

- Click on the Thumbnails to view them at a Larger Scale -

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R-1 Superman in its Original condition:

1 - Here's Superman in it's original card.

2 - Back of the card

3 - Here's how it looks once the card was removed.

4 - These are all the contents that were included in the box/ package/ card: "1" Superman action figure, and "1" S stand base.

R-2 Superman's Action Figure:

Overall, Superman from the DC Direct line is utterly well designed from proportion, balance, used of material, and appearance. The colorings on both the facial feature and the custom looks so realistic. In addition, the use of soft flexible plastic on the cape works very well with Superman because it's neither too soft nor too hard on the toy. At the same time, it still retained that curve effected on the cape resembling that silk soft material. Last but not least, this toy is utterly pose able due to its high articulation points.

My first negative impression on the DC Direct toy line was the crotch and leg joint because it looks just a little bit awkward. But afterward, I thought they did a good job for that section. However, the part that I thought it was a big let down is the hand. For it huge action figure size, one of the hands should've been opened up instead of having both of them in clutched position. By doing so, the toy could come with some sort of accessories or future released accessories.

R-3 Superman's On The "S" Stand Base:

The first image emphasized what Superman can do with his articulation. Next to that is Superman standing on the "S" base. The "S" stand base is about 3 1/2 X 5 7/16 in inches and its primary colors are basically dark blue for the correct side or top part and black for the underneath side of the base. Moreover, there is a little peg that stick out that connect onto Superman right foot for stability.

R-4 Allstar Supermen:

Within the original Superman mold (wave 1), 3 additional figures were created in their respective order, Bizarro (wave 1), Cyborg Superman (wave 2), and JLA Superman (although wave 1 for JLA, but in reality it was wave 3). Of the four Supermen, Cyborge Superman has the lesser articulation while the other three all share the same amount of articulation. Other than the head and colors, the figures are pretty much identical with some minor alterations especially on the Cyborg Superman. NOTE: Due to lighting, the JLA Superman colors should be the same as Superman and Cyborg Superman.

R-5 Rémy's Superman toy review:

Manufacturer - DC Direct

Line, Series/ Wave: Superman Line, Wave 1.

Year Issue: [2003]

Made: [China]

Scale: [N/A]

Box or Card Dimension In Inches: [LxWxD] - Approximately 12 1/2 X 8 X 2 10/16 - MOC.

Packaging Method: Mint On Sealed Card. Contents were packed with the following procedure:

Place on a clear plastic tray: "1" Superman, and "1" S stand base. NOTE: Wires were also used to tied the figure in place.

Box/Card Special Note: Front Card Appearance: No art work. Back Box Appearance: toy catalog image of the Superman Line wave 1(Superman, Bizarro, and Brainiac 13) and wave 2 (Cyborg Superman, Doomsday, and Supergirl w/ white shirt and blue skirt). Also an ads of Batman/ Robin, Batgirl/ Joker, Superboy/ Supergirl/ w/ pet, and Superman/ Lois Lane action figures.

Approximately Toy Dimension In Inches: - Height Up To The Head: 6 3/4. Maximum Height: 6 3/4 Width from shoulder to shoulder: 2 1/2 Maximum Width: 3 3/4 (from fist to fist). Dept: 1 3/4

Toy Stamp/ Fine Print Location: - Can be found underside of Superman left feet.

Paint Quality: [+A] - Very beautiful and well done.

Material Durability: [+A] - Very durable.

Toy Materials: Die Cast Metal: N/A . Chrome Metal: N/A Rubber: N/A Plastic: Main material. Clear Plastic Window: N/A.

Stability: [-B] - Just above average, the ankle articulation could give some problems.

Fun Toy: [+C] - Above average...there isn't much you can do with an action figure that doesn't come with any accessory.

Negative Drawback - Overall, Superman doesn't have any real negative drawback only minor one. These minor flaws included a little different of fraction between the left and right knee/ ankle length. As a result, it looks as if the left leg is shorter than the right leg when in reality they both are the same in height. The different thickness between the two thigh. And Some people think it's the chest too. To me, other than the knee/ ankle, I see no flaw in the other two areas that were mentioned.

Articulations: Head: Can be rotated at a 360 degree as well as tilted up or down. Shoulder: Can be swung at a 360 degree forward or backward, rotate 360 degree sideway, and a 5 degree arm spread out. Arm/ Elbow: Can be bent at a 75 degree angle. Wrist/ Hand: Can be bent forward or backward as well as a 360 degree sideway. Hip/ Waist: Hip can only be rotated sideway at a 360 degree angle. Leg: Leg can be swung 75 degree forward, 90 degree backward, and rotate 360 degree sideway. Knee: Can be bent at about 75 degree angle. Ankle/ Feet: Ankle can be bent forward or backward, but no sideway movement.

Action Figure Comic looks alike: [+A] - Definitely look like the cartoon.

Special Notes: Here are "2" Special Notes that I think you should know:

In the long run, the feet or ankle articulation would be a crucial point instability whether they toy can stand up or not. With that said, don't flex his ankle too much.

2 - Superman cape is actually made of a soft flexible plastic, so keep those scissor and sharp object away from the cape.

Overall Grade: [A] - In my opinion, this is one of the best Superman action figures ever made and is second only to the 1985 Superman from the Super Powers line or probably even better. As a result, I have no problem if people want to argue that this toy is better than 1985 Superman Super Powers line. Despites that, this DC Direct Superman is by far had the most superior articulated points than any Superman toy ever produced.

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