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Toys of Steel Review - Mattel: José Luis García-López Superman

By Jasper Lloyd Tan

Mattel's first crack at releasing a six inch Superman action figure was through the 2003 Batman Toy Line. This toy line is legendary because this served as the precursor to Mattel's highly acclaimed DC Superheroes and DC Universe Classics toy lines which brought almost all of the DC characters from comics to action figures.

Mattel's very first six inch Superman action figure (I believe) was based on the art of José Luis García-López. García-López has been regarded by many long time Superman fans of the late 70s to 80s as the natural successor to Curt Swan. Though he may not be as popularly known as other high profile Superman artists like John Byrne and Dan Jurgens (this was due to the fact that García-López didn't stay with Superman that long and was transferred from one DC Superhero to another), but what sets García-López apart from other Superman artists is his well known contribution to the DC merchandise licensing art. He is responsible for bringing Superman to the mainstream audience as his Superman art is used across much of DC's licensed merchandise. His Superman combines the best elements of Curt Swan's take, while giving it a close resemblance (but not too close like Gary Frank's art) to Christopher Reeve (the first big screen Superman actor). Almost all of the Superman art that we are seeing in T-Shirts, Lunch Boxes, Caps, and other Superman merchandise belongs to him. And just the same, this action figure's packaging bears García-López's art. This made me conclude that Mattel based this action figure's appearance on García-López's art. Is my conclusion correct? Hit me up with your thoughts.

As mentioned previously, this action figure was released through the 2003 Batman toy line. This toy line was Mattel's first crack at producing DC Comics related action figures after finally winning out the licensing battle from Kenner/Hasbro. This was the toy line that brought us the highly popular Zipline Batman action figure. Until this very day, toy collectors still consider Zipline Batman as one of the most highly faithful to the Batman comic books' rendition of Batman. But just like the previous Batman action figures released by Kenner, Mattel also released various Batman figures off the same mold but featuring different costume colors and accessories because of Batman's huge mainstream appeal. This though did not deter Mattel from exploring the Batman universe. Newer waves featured Batman's partner, Robin (Tim Drake version), and Nightwing (former Robin Dick Grayson). Batman's rogues were also given the action figure treatment. Mattel released popular Batman villains like Joker, Mr. Freeze, and Killer Croc in this toy line. The toy line also featured a very cool Batmobile which could accommodate the 6 inch action figures in this toy line. Superman on the other hand was released in later waves via a twin pack with Batman. Superman's entry proved to be the game changer as Mattel decided to rebrand the line "DC Superheroes", which now also featured Superman related characters. The articulation of the action figures were also improved to rival those of Toybiz's Marvel Legends line.

The Action Figures:

Because this came from a two pack with Batman, I'm also going to include Batman in this review. This is actually the first Superman that I coveted when I first saw it on the shelves (yet I was only able to acquire him after eight years). At that time, I've been considering my Total Justice Superman as the best Superman action figure that was in my possession. But seeing this changed all that because this was bigger. This also featured more articulation. This figure has a swivel neck, ball jointed shoulders, hinged elbows, swivel wrists, swivel waist, swivel hips, hinged knees, and hinged ankles. The figure is also more articulated compared to the Batman figure which birthed this toy line. As a Superman fan, it means much to me because they put more effort into Superman than the Batman figure. Mattel should have opted to improve the articulation of the Batman figure that was paired with this one as well. But I believe this Superman figure gave Mattel the motivation to come up with newer Batman figures bearing more articulation compared to the Batman from this toy line. After the release of this 2-pack, Mattel relaunched the line as DC Superheroes. Now featuring even more Superman and Batman related action figures. This figure (as well as the other Batman related figures) was also re-released as a single pack in the DC Superheroes line. The DC Superheroes toy line also featured an even more articulated Superman (and Batman). That figure will be tackled in my next entry.

Although Batman is a straight repaint of the Zipline Batman figure (which was the standard Batman figure of this line), this figure features a new belt and a newly sculpted cowl. The figure's costume colors (I think) are a variation of the modern age Batman (80s-90s period). And as I've said previously, articulation is not as good as Superman's. It only sports a swivel neck, ball jointed shoulders, swivel gloves, swivel waist, swivel hips, and hinged knees. The figure also features a much harder cloth cape material compared to the Zipline Batman's cape. The cowl is also more detailed compared to the Zipline Batman's smooth cowl. While Zipline Batman makes the cowl appear as if it's made of rubber, this one makes it look like Batman is donning a metallic cowl. The utility belt is also larger and is made from a different design. This Batman looks good, if not for the unusual looking utility belt. The costume colors looks great when displayed side by side with the Superman that came with this figure.The figure also comes with a wrist communicator or something (by the way Superman also has one). Photo of this communicator can be seen below.

Defining Comic Book in my collection featuring this figure:

I sifted through my collections and found one issue that was entirely illustrated by García-López. I think I have two classic Bronze Age Superman comics whose cover was illustrated by García-López. I eventually chose this because this issue was illustrated in its entirety by him. Sadly though, this is the mullet haired Superman (Post Death and Return of Superman period). I was hoping I could find older García-López illustrations in my collection but I'm a post Crisis guy, so I expected my chances to be slim. The issue showed how Superman can readily strike fear in Darkseid. In this issue, Darkseid's top assassin Kalibre visits Superman to ask for his aid in rescuing his daughter Buna from Darkseid's death sentence. Superman agrees to help and joins Kalibre in infiltrating Darkseid's home planet Apokolips. Superman saves Buna from death and confronts Darkseid, warning him that either he lets go of Buna and allows him to leave peacefully or face a war with Superman leading the slaves to battle by inspiring them and giving them hope. Darkseid concedes and lets Superman go but also won this confrontation when Buna reaffirms her loyalty to Darkseid. As the issue ends, Darkseid releases an imprisoned Henshaw (The Cyborg Superman). García-López's art in this issue is rough. I don't like the way he illustrated Superman. I think the mullet haired Superman period was one of the most roughly illustrated issues in the history of Superman comics (was it because of fatigue? Jurgens, Bogdanove, and the others seemed to have done the illustrating chores for more than two years). Not even a cast of rotating illustrators could save the issues from achieving a more desirable finished product.

And since this is a Batman/Superman 2-pack, I'm sneaking in another comic book arc from my collection: The "Dark Knight Over Metropolis" story arc. I think this is the best opportunity to touch upon this classic tale of the 90s (though the art is not provided by García-López). The "Dark Knight Over Metropolis" story arc revolves around the tale of Superman's discovery that there's someone out there who wanted to discover his secret identity. He enlists the help of Batman to try to discover who among his enemies is trying to obtain his secret identity. A couple of common deaths was discovered, with the revelation that Kryptonite radiation had a hand in the deaths. Further investigation also revealed that the deaths by Kryptonite radiation was caused by Luthor's Kryptonite Ring, which was stolen from Luthor's office. In the end Superman entrusts the Kryptonite Ring to Batman, telling him that he is the only person that he trusts and believes that only Batman is capable of doing the right thing when the time arises for the Kryptonite Ring to be needed. In their initial meeting in the revamped "The Man of Steel" story arc by John Byrne, Superman and Batman weren't the best of friends as both distrusted each other. This story arc though sparked the growing friendship between Superman and Batman in the post-Crisis continuity.

I'm ending this post with three more photos of Mattel's first 6 inch Superman. Whether this one is José Luis García-López's Superman or not, you be the judge.

Visit Jasper's personal blog for more action figure reviews.

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