Mattel’s Man of Steel SUPERMAN vs GENERAL ZOD Figure Set

Cocaine. As our friend Rick James famously mentioned on the Chappelle Show – it’s a hell of a drug. To a toy collector though, it falls far short of that sweet, sweet rush that only a certain plastic can give. That plastic has a name: Exclusive.

The San Diego Comic-con (July 18-24) is home to some of the hottest exclusives of the year. This year’s lineup boasts over 50 companies pledging to bombard fans, convention goers and collectors alike with close to 200 individual products. Yes, whether you’re a collector or not, there will be something for everyone’s flavor. Collectors plan pilgrimages to the mecca of all things pop culture in an effort to gain a foothold on their need (our need? Ok, I confess to making said sojourn once or twice in the last couple of years) for this plastic drug we so desperately crave.

As we get closer to July, collector message boards and Facebook fan pages begin to show that song and dance that’s all too familiar to some of us addicts. If you’re attending, then you want to know who else is going and what hit they’re after. If you’re not, then your quest is to see which friend is attending, and could they score an extra “fill in the blank, oh-so-desirable, can’t live with out it, collectible here”.

This year we’re focusing on Mattel and some of their licenses, which are sure to bring out some old-school fans, as well as those newer fans who might’ve caught a glimpse of ol Big Blue in this summers hottest blockbuster. Mattel, Inc (Booth 3029) who holds one of the worlds most impressive list of product and character licenses (Barbie, Hot Wheels, Disney’s Cars, Fisher Price, etc) reaches their more adult fans through their Matty Collector line (mattycollector.com). Here’s where we find the super-hero filled world of the DC Universe which we’ll be highlighting below.

Mattel’s Man of Steel SUPERMAN vs GENERAL ZOD Figure Set

First up is Mattel’s SUPERMAN vs. GENERAL ZOD Movie Masters series, which focuses on DC Comics/Warner Bros latest film rendition of Superman in “Man Of Steel”.

Here’s what Mattel has to say:

This 2-pack brings to life the super charged battle between two powerful Kryptonians, Superman™ and the General Zod, an exciting diorama set in the city of Metropolis! The package features lights that simulate Superman’s Heat Ray vision, and shows off the Kryptonian’s super strength and flying ability. The diorama is completed with sound effects to help bring the scene to life. – See more at: http://www.comic-con.org/exclusives/mattel-inc#sthash.uV7qwZsh.dpuf

And back to us:

First thing you’ll realize is that this package is a box within a box. I can’t thank companies enough for doing this! Hot Toys for example, is a big proponent of this style, and what you’re in essence getting is a protector for the actual packaging.  In this particular box, you get the usual artwork that you might see on a statue packaging – read: simple. I have to admit here, there’s something really nice about keeping it clean. The large Superman logo unique to this film is pretty stylish, and starting with only this, it’s something I can dig.

Mattel’s Man of Steel SUPERMAN vs GENERAL ZOD Figure Set

Upon opening up the outer box, I first pull out the inner package and… wait a minute! Crap! Mine’s busted up! Mattel sent me a damaged box! Brutally damaged, actually! AH! No, wait… I see. Pretty clever. The package itself has been designed (spoiler alert) to mimic the final fight scene between Kal and Zod. If you’ve seen the movie, then you know that very little of Metropolis is left unscathed, and this packaging reflects that.  There’s no confusing what they went for here. At first impression, the packaging style didn’t really sway me. I neither liked nor hated it. After placing in on a shelf near my desk though and eyeing it every once in a while, I’ve got to admit, its morphed from being just a shell that holds a couple of figures to being more stylish and leaning towards something that pop culture fans might call modern art. I know, I know. We’re just talking about the damn box, but bare with me here. After staring at it for a while, something about this design over most others had me thinking that someone had to come up with this concept- and then they had to pitch it and convince someone higher up- then a mock up needed to be created, and so on. After thinking about it for a while, I realize that I like it so much because, except for the bottom and rear, no other wall on this thing is even. Not the front, not the sides, or the top. And I haven’t even mentioned the rear clear panel, which is a clear faint image background of Metropolis. Light can seep through and silhouette the figures. Yes, call me crazy… but something about this packaging hit home for me.

Mattel’s Man of Steel SUPERMAN vs GENERAL ZOD Figure Set

If you’re familiar with the Toy Biz/DC Direct-type 6” figures, then you’ll feel right at home with these. I didn’t take mine out of the box (Something has to put my kids through college, amiright?), but they’re clearly, openly displayed and nothing is blocking you from touching them directly, as they’re nestled within their clamshell cocoon (edit: upon further inspection, the figures can be removed and reinserted without damaging the box, which is in reality a big display piece). From its open package style, you could see that both figures come with the typical joints in the shoulders, elbows, waist, hips and knees, but any figure that also uses joints in the biceps, thighs, ankles, ball jointed neck and allows the legs to split has already surpassed most of what you’d find in most action figure isles.

Mattel’s Man of Steel SUPERMAN vs GENERAL ZOD Figure Set

In the past, I haven’t been a fan of electronics on figures this size, as the materials needed to make the “gimmick” work would usually result in an overly bulky figure with some ridiculous barrel chest or oversized arm. This Man of Steel figure though does have a neat gimmick and I’m assuming that technology has reached an acceptable point within the toy industry, as apart from the unnoticeable button on his back, there’s no sign that this figure even has any inner circuitry (which is especially nice considering he has the waist and ball neck joints). This electronic feature I’m referring to, which coincidentally was one of my favorite newly rendered visuals from the Man of Steel film is Superman’s heat vision. Man of Steel’s Superman uses his heat vision similarly to what you’ve seen in previous films, except the filmmakers have added an extra touch; when Superman uses his heat vision, his eye sockets and surrounding skin become translucent, similar to what you’d experience if you were to put a high powered flashlight under your thumb. This figure demonstrates that same attribute, as his eyes light up and the eye sockets follow suit with a faint glow. I’ll mention here that the included base, which is sculpted as a destroyed Metropolis also interacts with the figure and allows for Zod to also join in on the fun.

Mattel’s Man of Steel SUPERMAN vs GENERAL ZOD Figure Set

This set will retail for $50 at the San Diego Comic-con and if you’re an action figure fan, this’ll definitely be a “must-get”.

Mattel’s SHAZAM! Signature Collection Figure

Next up is Mattel’s rendition of DCU Signature Collection “Shazam!” New 52. Billy Batson made his debut in the new 52 in the form of back up stories in Justice League. The story was titled “The Curse of Shazam” and was written by Geoff Johns and drawn by Gary Frank.

Here’s what Mattel has to say:

Sculpted by the Four Horsemen, this is the first ever figure of the New 52 Billy Batson, the boy turned DC Super Hero known as “Shazam!” Not included with club subscriptions, this figure arrives with a removable hood in Club Infinite Earths-style die cut packaging with distinctive silver foil. The perfect addition to your DCU collection! – See more at: http://www.comic-con.org/exclusives/mattel-inc#sthash.uV7qwZsh.dpuf 

And back to us:

First thing that struck me from the above was the obvious inclusion of  “Sculpted by the Four Horsemen” which is like walking into that old dive you and your ex used to frequent, but this time you’re flaunting the hottest chick that place has ever seen! If you’re reading this, then there’s a good chance you might already know who the “Four Horsemen” are, but in case you don’t, the team includes artists Eric Treadaway, Jim Preziosi, H. Eric ‘Cornboy’ Mayse, and Chris Dahlberg. The four worked together at McFarlane Toys and sculpted some of that co’s best know figures, including two of my favorites, Mandarin Spawn and Manga Spawn. It was Mattel who gave them their first opportunity, which gave them the ability to leave McFarlane and start their own design studio. Their goal was to “create toys that displayed the detail and dynamic sculpting that they had become known for, while still containing a certain level of ‘playability’.”

Mattel’s SHAZAM! Signature Collection Figure

Back to the figure. The captain of the lightning also comes with a sleeve box over the actual figures packaging. Billy Batson is displayed in an Alex Ross styled painting depicting him yelling “SHA…” with lightning violently exploding behind him.

Mattel’s SHAZAM! Signature Collection Figure

The inner packaging which houses Shazam has a die-cut open front displaying Shazam in all his flying glory and is tapered in a way where it’s rear panel is wider than its front. Only difference between the articulation between this and the Superman figure is that Shazam has an extra joint on his 6-pack abs which allow him to bend forward or back (you need that slight back-bend if you’re wanting to achieve that Superman Forever flight pose).

Mattel’s SHAZAM! Signature Collection Figure

From the rear of the packaging:
SHAZAM!

Magically transported from a subway car to the mystical Rock of Eternity, trouble foster kid Billy Batson met an immortal wizard, who granted him magical powers and responsibilities. By uttering “Shazam!, ” Billy is magically transformed from a boy into the adult hero Shazam!, the Worlds Mightiest Mortal. With the power of living lightning, the strength of a demigod, as well as superhuman speed and flight, Shazam! is the only thing standing between our world and the mystical threats out to destroy it.

REAL NAME: BILLY BATSON

Shazam will retail for $25 at this years San Diego Comic-con.

Mattel’s SHAZAM! Signature Collection Figure

Again, HUGE Shout Out and Thanks to our good friends over at Matty Collector for sending these Adult Collector figures to us to review early for our BTM readers. Please drop by the Mattel Booth at Comic-Con and tell our good pal Scott Neitlich from Matty Collector that Beyond the Marquee said hello!