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Toys of Steel Review - Mattel: DC Universe Classics "All-Star" Superman Action Figure

By Chris Meaux

For my second review, I'll be taking a look at one my personal favorite Superman action figures, the Superman from the All-Star sub-line of Mattel's DC Universe Classics. The All-Star here refers to character selection for the line, having nothing to do with Grant Morrison's All-Star Superman comic book series.

This particular version of Superman had a somewhat long road to travel before making it to toy collectors' shelves. Believe it or not, the first Superman figures produced for the DC Universe Classics were the much-maligned Superman Red and Superman Blue in the second wave of the series. It wasn't until the sixth wave that a newly-sculpted version of the classic Superman appeared in the line, and even then, there was a twist. The Superman figure in this wave wore the classic costume, but featured the long hair of the "resurrected" Kal-El from "The Reign of the Supermen." The variant version of this figure was again Kal with his longer hair, but featuring the black regeneration suit also seen in "The Reign of the Supermen."

So while the classic Superman body was ready to go, there was still no classic head to go with it. A two-pack consisting of the 1970s (and Super Friends) version of Brainiac brought Superman and DC Universe Classics fans one step closer, but the Superman head on the figure in the two-pack, a slight retooling of the Eradicator figure from an earlier DC Universe Classics wave, featured eyes painted red to simulate Superman's heat vision.

Finally, the classic version of Superman debuted, though frustratingly for some, as part of a somewhat expensive five-pack with an odd bit of character selection, featuring: Superman, Batman, Catwoman, Two-Face, and Lex Luthor. While some were pleased to buy the pack, those who didn't want all the figures had to resort to buying Superman loose on eBay or from other collectors. Mattel finally released the classic Superman figure on his own as part of its "All Star" line, allowing fans who either passed on or missed the 5-Pack figure to finally get it. Was the wait worth it?

For me, it was most definitely worth it, though I didn't wait and purchased the 5-pack since I also needed the Catwoman, Two-Face, and Lex Luthor figures as well. Despite wanting those other figures, getting Superman was the highlight for me. In fact, I liked the figure so much that I went on to buy three more so that I could put one in my Justice League display, one with my other Mattel Superman figures, and one with my "Death of Superman"/"Reign of the Supermen" displays.

But how does this figure do for those of you who don't have it? On to the review.

Packaging - 4 out of 5: I'll forego a review of the packaging this time around, since this Superman was packaged three different times, and only once on its own. Here's a pic comparing the packaging:

Sculpting - 5 out of 5: I know some collectors preferred the sculpt of Mattel's first Superman action figure, released in the DC Super Heroes line, but to me, this sculpt is perfect. Superman's not overly muscled, elements are sculpted that should be sculpted (rather than painted) like the boot tops and the belt buckle and belt loops, and best of all, the head sculpt looks like Superman. Not just some other heroic male, but Superman. In fact, I see a strong Jurgens and maybe even Garcia-Lopez likeness in the face, both of which are, in my opinion, perfect artistic renderings to borrow from when creating a classic Superman in three-dimensional form.

Paint Application - 5 out of 5: I'm also really pleased with the paint. While I would have liked Mattel to release a version with a lighter shade of blue, the red, blue, and yellow used on this figure is vibrant and fitting for Superman. I also think the yellow on the shield could be brighter, but that's just me. The application of the paint (a.k.a. "paint aps" or "paint ops" for "paint operations") are darn near perfect, meaning no errors in the application of the paint itself, like bleeding or overspray.

Articulation - 4 out of 5: Many action figure collectors would like to see Mattel's DC figures sport the level of articulation that Hasbro uses with its Marvel figures, and while I do like a lot of articulation, I also think too much articulation can hurt a figure. I notice that my own Marvel Legends are starting to get a little "floppy," which is due not only to the plastic used and the age of the figures, but also, the amount of joints and pins used to articulate the figure. In my opinion, Mattel has used just the right amount of articulation with its DC Universe Classics figures, Superman included. The joints on my figures remain tight and while I would like a head that could tilt higher for flying poses, it's not a point of articulation I can't live without. The only complaint I have in this area is the thickness of the cape. Like many of you reading this, I remember the days of "Super Powers" figures, which sported cloth capes. I'd like to see Mattel use cloth for the occasional Superman or Batman figure, as it helps keep the figure standing upright and looks more natural, especially where the cape is tucked into the top of Superman's uniform. But for many, the plastic capes are fine.

Accessories - 2 out of 5: It seems that Mattel doesn't think Superman needs accessories, being that he's Superman and all. However, I don't think it would break their budget to include something like a piece of kryptonite or even a small pack-in figure of Krypto. This seems unlikely to ever happen, however, as Mattel doesn't even include batarangs with their current Batman figures! If you purchase the All-Star version of this Superman figure, you will at least get a transparent blue display stand. It's useful if your Superman's standing atop a high-traffic area like your desk at work, but if you display it on a bookcase at home or a high shelf, you will most likely not need the stand at all.

DisPlayability Value - 5 out of 5: This category combines what I look for in an action figure: a combination of good paint, sculpting, and articulation that look make for a great display piece, and sturdiness for play. Granted, most collectors won't play with these, but if you're a father of young fans like I am, you may want to buy a Superman figure that can stand up to the rigors of your child or children's imagination. This Superman fits perfectly into both categories. It looks great as a display piece with the potential for a number of cool poses, and it's tough enough to withstand saving the day with your children's other toys. While this figure is no longer available in stores today, it is definitely worth buying through online retailers.

Where To Find It?

The first place you should look is, of course, the Superman Homepage's Online Store. While the price of DC Universe Classics action figures have gone up on the secondary market in the last year due to the end of the line itself, this figure is definitely worth buying. Expect to pay about forty dollars in our Online Store. If you want the most bang for your buck, you can spend a few dollars more and get the Superman vs. Parasite two-pack, or the Superman vs. Brainiac two-pack. Keep in mind, however, that the Superman in the Superman vs. Brainiac two-pack has red eyes, simulating his heat vision. You'll be pleased with either villain, as they're both well-sculpted, articulated, and painted. And you can't go wrong with essentially getting two figures for the price of one, going by the current rates for these figures. If you want to try eBay, there are a few of these out there, but they've been going for roughly the same price, and since they're loose, you won't be guaranteed the condition of a MIB (Mint In Box) figure.

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