DC Multiverse Croc, Batman Ninja, & Damian Wayne Robin

This is the first year Mattel hasn't produced DC action figures in 18 years, signing with Warner Bros. in 2002 as master licensee for Batman, Superman, and Justice League properties, and going on to produce the celebrated DC Universe Classics line in 2007. While that series ended at retail in 2012, it lived on through online and convention exclusives, and as re-branded waves like these DC Multiverse figures. Croc and Ninja Batman were both "Collect 'n Connect" figures, assembled by purchasing waves of  Multiverse figures. I'm nostalgic about the DCUC line, some of the first 6" action figures I posted about on this blog ten years ago, and I still have a modest collection of them.

Croc was from Mattel's last wave of Multiverse before McFarlane Toys won the license, and would fit in perfectly with the DCUC lineup- he has that construction and style. His sculpt is fantastic and he has an articulated jaw! Below, Croc with my DCUC Joker, Penguin, and Catwoman ....

Like Croc, I bought Batman Ninja complete from an eBay seller recently, more interested in the CnC than the wave he came in- while this can be an expensive endeavor, it was less costly than buying the entire wave in both cases. I enjoyed the DC animated Batman Ninja well enough, but have coveted this action figure for awhile now. Figma and S.H. Figuarts both make deluxe figures of this character, but I enjoy the simplicity of Mattel's style for what it is, and am sometimes overwhelmed by the glut of accessories to keep track of with the deluxe figure lines. I would love, however, to get my hands on one of the forthcoming Star Ace 1:6 scale Batman Ninja!

There's no belt or peg to stow Batman Ninja's sheath, but does have decent articulation and can hold his sword with both hands, a pair of fists also included. I'm pretty happy with this figure- he fits well stylistically within the DC Universe Classics pantheon, and has deluxe paint apps. Below, Batman Ninja with DC Multiverse Rebirth Batman and Zero Year Batman...

Batman Ninja made a natural opponent for Croc in my mind, the association with Croc's reptilian nature and the dragons of Asian mythology, though Croc isn't a featured villain in the animated film. Regardless, they are fantastic figures I'm glad to have acquired...

I picked up this DC Multiverse Damian Wayne Robin on a whim, and at a great price, to go along with Croc and Batman Ninja as sparring partners- he pairs well with Batman Ninja, packed with his own katana. I thought these figures would photograph nicely in my custom urban alley diorama, which I also used form my post on the DC Multiverse Batwing and Duke Thomas Robin.

Below, Damian Wayne with DCUC Wave 16 Robin, and DC Direct Batman Inc. Robin...

If you don't prefer Damian's angry face, roundly dislike by collectors, he comes with a Court of Owls mask to cover it- this is actually a cool option I will display for the time being. Damian's knee pads have an annoying tendency to pop off when handling him, but once he's in place, you're good. His biceps are a little overdeveloped for his teenage buck, but the boots, hooded cape and tunic are unique.

I had a lot of fun with this little Mattel DC haul, and great fun the past few months going back to pick up DC figures I missed in the past, both Mattel and DC Direct, and still have more of these acquisitions to show you. Along with that I still have some treasured DC figures that have been in my collection for many years I'd like to feature this year. Stay tuned: Follow the Super-DuperToyBox Instagram!

More Later- Make It FUN!

Batman Power Attack Action Figures!

While these new Batman Power Attack figures by Mattel are certainly capitalizing on the release of the forthcoming Dark Knight Rises movie, they exist in their own universe, not based on any comic, movie, or animated television show. The target demographic is obviously younger children, but the exaggerated features in their design are just plain fun. Batman, Robin, and Killer Croc are each recognizable, but they've all been reimagined here again, making for some unique action figures.

Released in groupings of mission specific groups, I picked up a Twin Blades Batman & Strike Shield Robin from the Lava Mission series, and this really fun Swamp Raider Killer Croc...

I've seen some wildly varying versions of Killer Croc, but this one is really unique, some sort of metallic spinal implant extending over his spiky shoulders and up into his trapjaw mandible. Wicked!

Croc's trapjaw is hinged, but doesn't hold open on it's own, unfortunately. Like the rest of his head & appendages, it's made of a very pliable, rubbery material. His tail was packaged disconnected from his body, which locks securely into his posterior. Articulation is limited in points as well as range on this toy, but his neck & waist rotate enabling some decent posing options. His thick black belt, spiky anterior, and highlighted torso look great!

First appearing in Batman #357 (March 1983), Waylon Jones was born with a form of atavism that imparted him with reptilian traits that morphed severely over time. As a result, his skin was hardened to a nearly impenetrable density, and his senses, strength, reflexes and speed have reached superhuman proportions. Killer Croc is a formidable and longtime foe among Batman's rogue gallery of enemy villains.

It was seeing this version of the Dynamic Duo that brought my attention to the Power Attack line though. As I said above, Batman & Robin are simultaneously their familiar selves, yet newly reimagined here. They remind me a lot of Mattel's Brave & the Bold action figures, which have the same articulation and cloth capes, but have been elongated in their physique. I love their chunky gloves/boots, and wide utility belts.

This line of figures has a wide assortment of multicolored Batmen with ugly neon mission armor that I don't care about, which is odd in that I have & love a large assortment of different Batmen from the Brave & the Bold line. Thankfully, Mattel produced a couple regular Batman figures for this line- a black & grey "Batman Inc." version, and this Silver Age blue & grey Dark Knight. They are identical, save the color scheme & old school shorts on this Batman. The bat insignia on his chest is new to my eyes, but the seams throughout his body suit are obviously inspired by contemporary rendering of the Dark Knight, including Jim Lee's New 52 designs of the character.

It took me a minute to decide whether to buy the black or blue version, but I had to go with the Batman color scheme of my childhood in the end. I am amassing quite the collection of blue Batmen, as you can see below:  A.) Mattel Super Friends Batman  B.) Mattel Legacy Golden Age Batman  C.) Mattel Power Attack Twin Blades Batman  D.) Mattel Retro Action Batman  E.) Mattel Justice League Unlimited Batman   F.) DC Direct Reactivated Batman  G.) Mattel Stealth Strike Gear Up Batman H.) Mattel Brave & the Bold Battle Axe Batman  I.) Mattel DC Action League Batman 

 I was also thrilled to get another Boy Wonder action figure, a character I love as much as the Dark Knight himself! Not on the pegs when I found Batman on a late night excursion to Wal-Mart, I scored Robin the next morning during a random stroll through Target...

The coloring on this figure is most like the Tim Drake Robin, and reminds me of Young Justice Robin with his cartoon styling. Several collectors have openly criticized the red stripe in his bangs, but I don't really care. His coloring is different than the product photography on the backing card, which showed black legs and red paint apps in his gauntlet straps & shoe laces- that was mildly disappointing. I suppose this could be fixed easily enough if you are into customizing your action figures. 

For nine bucks a pop, these were two fun additions to the Super-DuperToyBox, probably my favorite heroes from childhood   :) 

The accessories on these are not that great- I would have liked some batarangs, bo staff, or a grappling hook. Robin came with his Strike shield, apropos of nothing save the pointless Lava Mission scenario on the backing card. Batman's twin blades, however, can be loaded & launched from the new Power Attack Total Destruction Batmobile, and so that's kinda cool. I'd have bought this new Batmobile on the spot, but was shocked by the price of over $25.00, which is outrageous! I'm praying I'll see one at a more reasonable price or on clearance later because I really do want one. We'll see how long I can hold out   :D 

 More Later- Make It FUN!

Imaginext Croc, Groupshot

I neglected to give you a good look at the Imaginext Croc I got last month, and since I just posted about the Imaginext Batmobile & Catwoman w/cycle, we'll stop here and do so. The "Killer" was missing from Croc's moniker on this children's toy for obvious reasons, and as JBoy pointed out, there's hardly anything threatening about this little character... unless one should keel over from an overdose of extreme cuteness! And if he doesn't make you smile, you'd best check your pulse  :D

The figure is really different from the others- it could stand alone on it's own novelty unrelated to the DC Superfriends label, just an anthropomorphic gator in a fanboat. Killer Croc has been depicted many ways since his first DC Comics appearance in 1983- with/without tail, dinosaur-like head & feet/more human head & feet. Croc's "gator-boat" is a fun accessory- turn the dial on the engine's side and the fan on back spins, like on an airboat used for transportation in the Everglades. There aren't wheels on the underside of the boat, still it scoots around/maneuvers donuts easily on the smooth surface of my drawing table. He has the same swivel/hinge joint in his shoulders as the other Imaginext figures, though his head doesn't turn. His scaly texture runs up his arms and onto the entire back, as on his face. He's very simple, but at six bucks, also very affordable.

And now my favorite part: the group shot  :D   I've managed to really get a pile of these Imaginext guys, first taking interest because of my pal, The Bubbs- artist, toy expert, & father to many. As I said in my last post, cute kiddie toys were not necessarily my thing, though I soon became a big fan of their compact size, lower price point, economy of design, and playability. They are fun to play with like a toy should be!

Just the figures themselves: a.) Joker  b.) Croc c.) Mr. Freeze  d.) Penguin  e.) Batcycle Batman  f.) Batmobile Batman  g.) Robin  h.) Flash  i.) Green Lantern  j.) Hawkman  k.) Catwoman

Be a Good Kid- Go Play With Your Toys!