About Heroes

Omar has already reviewed three figures out of the first assortment from the upcoming Superman Returns figures, so I'm here to do two more.

X-Ray Alert Superman

Thus far, this is the only Superman Returns figure whose gimmick doesn't add something silly to the figure. There's no fin on his back like the Kryptonite Smash figure, nor does he have wheels in his chest, or a bellows sticking out of his back. For that alone, I'm going to declare this figure the best of those available thus far - if you want a Superman Returns figure, this is the one to get. However, if you want one that you can pose, this isn't it. The arms are spring loaded, so that when you pull them back, they fling forward, as if Supes is throwing the safe that he's packaged with (his hands are balled into fists, so he can't actually throw the safe - use your imagination).

Gimmick aside, this is a quality figure. All of the paint applications are crisp and correct, with little to no bleed or overspray. The colors match throughout the figure - all of the burgundy areas are the same shade, including the cape (which is no mean feat). The texture of the suit is interesting, as are the small touches, like the shields on the bottom of his boots. The actor likeness is better than usual for a children's toy tie-in. In fact, the only criticism I have of the sculpt at all is that its neck is either too short, or its head to small - whichever it is, it looks like Kal-El is hunching up his shoulders something fierce.

The figure comes with a safe accessory, with a kryptonite bomb inside. The X-Ray vision gimmick on the safe simply brings a picture of the bomb into focus, and is basically effective as such things go. I honestly doubt, however, that any child would be too upset to lose this piece.

Super-Breath Superman

But, oh, oh, oh, that is not true for Super-Breath Superman. Who doesn't want a cardboard cutout of Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor? If I had one, and it was lifesize, I would hang it in my bedroom. I would ask it if my shirt matches my pants before I leave for work in the morning, and I would tell it about my day when I got home. Unfortunately for me (and fortunately for my marriage), the cutout that comes with this figure is only 5 inches tall.

This figure has the most obtrusive gimmick (short of the wheels on the chest of the flying figure). Super-Breath is achieved by pushing a bellows that sticks out of Superman's back. Not only does the bellows completely get in the way of Supes' cape, but it throws off the balance of the figure, so it's really difficult to stand up. Other than that, the superior paint and sculpt quality from the other Superman Returns figures carry over here. Strangely, this figures legs stand closer together than the others - I can't tell if this is a mold change in the lower body, or if it just happens to be like this on my figure.

The best part of this figure is his sculpted super-breath face. Kal-El could very well be whistling Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah as he's walking down the street, or maybe he's broken something and doesn't want anyone to know. I just know that it's hilarious, and as soon as I can, I'm going to cut the bellows off this figure, take a model car and smash it, and pose this guy walking away. The figure demands it.

All in all, I'm pretty impressed by this assortment in general - the quality control on the figures is top notch, and for the most part, the gimmick features aren't too obtrusive. I give the entire series a B.