Action Figure Planet: DC Direct: Infinite Crisis Superman

DC Direct Infinite Crisis Superman

Superman had experienced a number of reboot since the Crisis on Infinite Earths DC Universe wide reboot. In an attempt to incorporate all of the elements of Superman's origins (as well as explain the changes that happened to Superman), DC initiates another Crisis. Dubbed as Infinite Crisis, Superman fights for the existence of his universe anew. Read on below for more details.

Superman by Phil Jimenez

Superman's relevance in the comic book industry had started to dwindle anew and despite DC's brave attempts to keep Superman relevant, there were no solid stories that were told. That realization came full circle in Infinite Crisis which was summarized in one comic bubble as he was told by Batman with the quote: "Everyone looks up to you. They listen to you. If you tell them to fight, they'll fight. But they need to be inspired. And let's face it, "Superman" ... the last time you really inspired anyone was when you were dead." Superman had his back on the corner, and DC had to do something about it. In Infinite Crisis, the surviving characters of the lone parallel DC Universe from the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, namely Superman and Lois of Earth 2, Alexander Luthor Jr. of Earth 3, and Superboy of Earth Prime, desires to change things to the way it used to be when they became fed up with the current universe's "mishandling" of their duties as Superheroes. Written by Geoff Johns (who was bringing back Pre-Crisis elements in the DC Universe) and pencilled by a rotating cast of artists (including Phil Jimenez, whose art was the basis of this Superman action figure), this story pitted Superheroes of the current Earth against the corrupted survivors of the old universe. This shake up eventually made the current heroes realize their wrong doings and this set the stage for DC to drop their "darker" stories in favor of more lighter stories reminiscent of the Golden Age of comic books. This storyline essentially relaunched DC Comics, which was highlighted in their One Year Later story arcs. These were stories set one year after the events of the Infinite Crisis.

Looks goofy when standing up

The Action Figure: There were actually two DC Direct Infinite Crisis Superman action figures that were released, a single carded as well as part of the Infinite Crisis Box Set (with Batman, Wonder Woman, and OMAC). The single carded version featured the same figure (with minor changes) but was not sculpted to look battle damage. I settled for the Box Set version because I wanted to have a Superman who looks battle damage for my collection. The reason for that is because I wanted to do a display using a battle damaged Superman surrounded by his rogues gallery. That presentation can be seen in the photo below. And since this is a DC Direct action figure, again articulation isn't that many. The Infinite Crisis Superman features a ball jointed neck, ball jointed shoulders, hinged elbows, swivel right wrists (the singles version has both writs possessing swivel articulation), pivot hips, hinged knees, and hinged ankles. The figure comes with a cool looking Infinite Crisis base. I love how the figure was sculpted to look exactly like Phil Jimenez's art. The amount of details on the figure's battle damaged costume also looks quite cool. My only complain on the figure is that he is stuck in a goofy pose when he is not displayed in flight pose. But nevertheless, this figure is quite a keeper in the greater scheme of things. Take a look at the photos below to get a clearer understanding of what I mean.

Superman Defeated

Cadre of Superman's Super Villains

Superman Rises

Superman 226, Action Comics 836, and The Adventures of Superman 649

Defining comic book in my collection featuring this figure: I opted to feature the last Superman story before the post Infinite Crisis relaunch because this story features two Supermen (Golden Age and Modern Age) pitted against each other and having experienced to live each other's life. The Golden Age Superman has been trying to find a cure to the dying Golden Age Lois Lane's sickness, and the only way to save Lois life is to be able to restore their world. The Golden Age Superman allies with Alexander Luthor Jr. and Superboy Prime as they try to bring back their respective worlds and create a perfect world. This three issue story arc tells a story in a "this was your life" kind of way with both Superman having to live each other's respective life. The Modern Age Superman was able to live the Golden Age Superman's life in a way that he knows only to die in the end at the hands of the Anti-Monitor during the Crisis on Infinite Earths event as he now operates alone after the other Superheroes hanged up their costumes because of Superman's presence. Meanwhile, the Golden Age Superman also lives out the Modern Age Superman's life and made some changes with how he dealt with the darker aspects of the Modern Age Superman's life. In his take, Superman survives in his battle with Doomsday and allies himself with the Elite and other more "darker" Superheroes. Displaying a more brasher brand of fighting crime. In his battle with the OMACs, the Golden Age Superman fails to save the world and he becomes the last surviving person on Earth. Both Superman realizes that both worlds are far from perfect, and decides to fight each other in hopes of being able to re-install their own world. The story is continued in Infinite Crisis where the Golden Age Lois eventually dies and a remorseful Golden Age Superman realizes that he chose the wrong side. He finally teamed up with the Modern Age Superman as they take down Superboy Prime. The Golden Age Superman dies in the end because of the injuries he suffered while fighting Superboy Prime. The Modern Age Superman on the other hand loses his powers and decides to take a leave of absence in fighting crime until his powers would return. Superman's powers eventually returns in the action packed story arc entitled Up, Up, and Away, which was set one year after the events of Infinite Crisis.