DC Direct: Jim Lee Superman

DC Direct Hush Superman

In the previous entry, I talked about how Superman enjoyed a brief success in the comic books during the turn of the millennium as writers and artists gave us action packed Superman stories. Focusing on his adventures while also being visually fed with a Superman that looked cartoonish, but complimented well with how his stories were written. But that brief success had to see change as the Superman editorial team decided to give comic book readers a grittier Superman. In today's post, I'll be tackling about Brian Azzarello's Superman, which was illustrated by Superstar artist Jim Lee.

Jim Lee's Superman 

Superman adventure stories eventually ran it's course when DC decided to bring grit in Superman comics. Starting with the story arc called Ending Battle, we started seeing Superman do battle against grittier villains. During this time, DC also rebooted Superman by giving us a new origin story through the mini-series Superman: Birthright, written by Mark Waid and Filipino illustrator Leinil Francis Yu (of Wolverine/X-Men fame). With the reboot completed, DC decided to bring in superstar writer/artists like Michael Turner, Talent Caldwell, Chuck Austen, Ivan Reis, among others. Bringing in a new direction, and illustrating Superman in a much sleeker look. Among the huge announcements at that time was the entry of writer Brian Azzarello (who was known for writing gritty stories) and Jim Lee (Superstar artist of the 90's). Superman fans were surprised by Azzarello's appointment as the new writer for the Superman comic book while also expressing excitement over Jim Lee's illustrating chores. Jim Lee burst into the comic book scene with Marvel's X-Men back in the 90's and was one of the premier superstar artist of the 90's that broke away from Marvel and created their own comic book company called Image Comics. Lee created Wildstorm comics (among his popular characters were Wildcats) as his contribution to the Image Comics umbrella. Not long after, Jim Lee sold his Wildstorm imprint to DC, setting the stage for his return as an artist. Jim Lee's initial illustrating chores with DC was the year long epic Batman Hush, which saw him partnered with writer Jeph Loeb. This project gave Jim Lee the opportunity to illustrate Batman and his Bat Family, as well as his major rogues gallery. One issue of that comic book series had Superman as a guest. This was Jim Lee's debut of his Superman art. DC, overwhelmed by the positive response of Jim Lee's Superman art, eventually gave Jim Lee an opportunity to illustrate Superman in his own book. That project was the year long epic called Superman For Tomorrow, where he would be paired with Brian Azzarello. More on the story later.

DC Direct Boxset Jim Lee Superman

The Action Figure: The hype that this was THE JIM LEE artwork inspired action figure is a dud. Sculpted by Tim Bruckner (long time DC Direct action figure/mini statue sculptor), this Superman action figure sadly does not resemble Jim Lee's art. I'm sure fans of Jim Lee have been waiting for ages for an action figure based on his artwork to be released, but DC Direct failed them. This Jim Lee Superman was initially released as part of the Batman Hush series where Superman sported red eyes and a battle ravaged cape with Poison Ivy's vines sculpted on his forearm. In that story arc, Superman was being mind controlled by Poison Ivy and used him as a weapon against Batman. DC Direct re-released the figure as part of the Superman Through the Ages Box Set. A box set of four Superman action figures which featured action figures based on the art of McGuiness (Robot Superman), Byrne, and Shuster. This re-release of the action figure is the normal version (no ravage cape, no vines, and no red eyes). The sculpt of the action figure remained the same except for the said improvements (see comparison photo below). The articulation of the figure is pretty much standard DC Direct. It features a ball jointed neck, ball jointed shoulders, hinged elbows, pivot hips, hinged knees, and hinged ankles. No wrists and waist swivels. Both figures also comes with a base that you can connect the figure to simulate flight. The only thing that the figure got right from Jim Lee's art is the costume colors. It's really a disappointment that DC Direct failed to deliver the ultimate Jim Lee Superman action figure that many Jim Lee fans have been waiting for. Last year, a new Superman action figure that I presumably think was based on the art of Jim Lee's New 52 Superman was released. That figure though will be reviewed in another entry.

DC Direct Through The Ages Superman and Hush Superman comparison photo

Side by side with Jim Lee's actual Superman illustration

DC Direct Supermen comparison shot

Brian Bolland Batman and Jim Lee Superman

With the flight base

Superman For Tomorrow Book 1 and 2

Defining comic book in my collection featuring this figure: The announcement of Brian Azzarello as the new Superman writer was accepted with generally mixed emotions. Azzarello was more know for his grittier works such as 100 bullets and a couple of Batman stories. The appointment of Jim Lee as the illustrator on the other hand was accepted with excitement. The 12 issue story arc however was deadpanned by critics because of Azzarello's slow pacing, setting up of plot threads that were too confusing to digest, and his work for a Superman book that was too mysterious for a Superman story. For Tomorrow was told In medias res, automatically establishing mystery while slowly relating the prior events in flashback. In the story, Superman seeks out a priest (Fr. Leone) as he confesses his sin of not being able to save the people from the Vanishing. A number of people, including Lois, vanished from the face of the earth without a trace. It is then told that Superman had actually established Metropia (his fail safe world in the event that the Planet Earth would cease to exist) in the Phantom Zone, which included android versions of Jor EL and Lara. But he would abandon this plan once he realized that it is not his place to change the planet's destiny. He also had himself forget of this memory, until the Vanishings happened. Superman traces the origins of the Vanishings and found it originating from a country in the Middle East. There, Superman faced a Military tyrant who had possession of the Vanishing device. This Military tyrant also had a super powered henchman named Equus (who looks like a cross of Doomsday and Jim Lee's original creation Warblade, rolled into one). Superman battles General Nox and Equus and defeats the both of them but fails to stop Equus from activating the Vanishing device. This causes the Vanishing of another 300,000 humans including Equus and General Nox. Superman now remembers Metropia and takes hold of the Vanishing device, hoping to utilize it and vanish himself to Metropia. The Justice League intervenes and tries to convince Superman from doing so because this was tantamount to suicide. A battle ensues between Superman and Wonder Woman. Superman then successfully utilizes the vanishing and vanishes himself to Metropia

Superman and the android Jor El

While these developments happened, it is revealed that a certain Mr. Orr had offered Fr. Leone a cure for his cancer. This cure however was a biological experiment that would transform him into an enhanced version of Equus. Both Mr. Orr and Fr. Leone were also there in the Fortress of Solitude when Superman battled Wonder Woman and it was their presence that caused Wonder Woman to lose the fight with Superman as he pleaded to Wonder Woman to save both Mr. Orr and Fr. Leone. Superman meanwhile was transported to Metropia where he sees Lois Lane and the other victims of the Vanishing. This Metropia however has come under the attack of an alternate reality General Zod. It is also revealed that Zod was the one behind the Vanishings. An all out battle ensues where Superman is aided by android versions of Jor El and Lara as they went up against Zod and now his minion Equus. Superman eventually wins the battle and returns to Earth where he encounters the mutated Fr. Leone. Fr. Leone begs Superman to kill him but Superman refuses. Equus appears from out of nowhere and attacks Superman only for Fr. Leone to save Superman as he battled Equus into the void. With things back to normal, Superman establishes a new Fortress of Solitude deep in the amazonian jungles. The story can actually be better read as a whole compared to when it originally came out as a monthly issue. If you are a Jim Lee fan or loves to read comic books because of the art, then For Tomorrow is definitely a good catch. It is also nice to see Jim Lee illustrate Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and some of the Justice League as this predated his New 52 relaunch of the Justice League. More photos below  

Jim Lee Superman and Batman?

Superman is confronted by Batman and Wonder Woman

Superman: For Tomorrow

That wraps up my entry for today. For my next entry, Superman undergoes another crisis. Visit me back here as I write about the Infinite Crisis.

DC Direct: Ed McGuiness Superman

DC Direct Ed McGuinness Superman

In my last entry, we were given a Superman that looked different and had a different set of powers. That brief experimentation with Superman did not last long however as DC and the entire Superman editorial team brought Superman back to the more traditional costume and powers. But new blood had to be infused. In this entry, I will be sharing to you about Superman's resurgence in the new millennium.   

McGuinness' Superman and Superwoman

With the restoration of Superman's appearance and powers back to the ones that we are more familiar with, DC and the entire Superman editorial team and writers struggled anew to come up with interesting stories. Chief among them was Dan Jurgens, who have been writing Superman stories for more than a decade. Dan Jurgens finally ended his Superman run with Superman 150 in a controversial exit with DC. At the turn of the new Millennium, DC introduced to us a new creative team for their Superman books. The most prominent among them was writer Jeph Loeb and artist Ed McGuinness. This infusion of new creative teams would give the readers a fresh take on Superman, not seen since John Byrne, Dan Jurgens, and co. took over the Superman books just after the Crisis of Infinite Earths DC Universe spanning reboot. Jeph Loeb and company gave us Superman stories that were action packed and adventure filled. This slam bang and fast paced action would make the readers take notice of the changes. The editorial team also made a conscious effort to have the Superman illustrations presented in a more muscular way to compliment the action packed stories. Ed McGuinness' Superman art blew the readers away as he distanced himself from the more realistic and proportionate Superman art and illustrated Superman with exaggerated muscles and body build. Though Superman looked cartoonish, nevertheless, Superman fans were too engrossed with the stories that Loeb and company were writing (stories such as Emperor Joker, President Lex, Our World's at War, and Return to Krypton among others), and McGuinness' dynamic art was a natural fit to Loeb's writing style to the extent that DC decided to give the two of them their own new Superman title, a Superman/Batman monthly series. More on that later.

Superman

The Action Figure: For my past few posts, we have been spoiled by Mattel's highly articulated Superman action figures. But for this entry, we will be awed by DC Direct's highly detailed artist centric Superman action figures. DC Direct has not been known to produce highly articulated action figures, but their one advantage over Mattel is the high amount of detail on their action figures. This Superman action figure is a faithful rendition of Ed McGuinness' Superman art. As seen on the photo, DC Direct gives us a Superman action figure that looks like it came right out of the pages of the Superman comic books that were illustrated by McGuinness, complete with the exaggerated muscles and body frame that make this version of Superman cartoonish in a good way. Though he might stick out like a sore thumb when displayed alongside other Superman action figures that looks more realistic, his place in Superman's history cannot be denied as this Superman was involved in classic stories that were mentioned above. This action figure sports the standard DC Direct articulation. He sports a swivel neck, ball jointed shoulders, hinged elbows, swivel wrists, pivot hips, and hinged knees. Simple articulations really, as he doesn't sport a swivel waist. Fans of Mattel's highly articulated action figures need not fret however as Mattel also released their own version of Superman from the Superman Batman storyline Public Enemies (Luthor's fall from the U.S. Presidency). The only downside however is that it was not based on McGuinness Superman art, but was based from the Superman/Batman animated movie, an adaptation of Loeb and McGuinness' first Superman/Batman story arc. I'm actually regretting that I did not purchase that figure as I was at that time thinking that I only need one Superman/Batman Public Enemies Superman action figure for my collection. There was also a DC Direct Robot Superman based on McGuinness' art featuring almost the same sculpt as this one but with the head and hands replaced with robotic features of the robot Superman. I skipped on buying that as I think I don't need him in my collection.

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

Defining Comic book in my collection featuring this figure:
I could have chosen Our Worlds at War story arc for this but that story arc involves Loeb and McGuinness' collaborations with other Superman writers and artists. A pure Loeb/McGuinness creation on the other hand is the Superman/Batman Public Enemies story arc which was their first story arc for their own specially launched Superman/Batman monthly title. DC trusted both guys enough that they gave them their own monthly title. And they did not disappoint as Superman/Batman became one of the top selling comic books at that time. Public Enemies was written to conclude Lex Luthor's U.S. Presidency and his fall from it. In the story, Luthor has Superman framed for the murder of Metallo, blaming it on a fast approaching massive kryptonite meteor which he falsely broadcasted that it affects Superman's judgement. Being the President (a story arc that was previously established by Loeb and co.), Luthor announces a bounty on Superman and Batman whom he accuses of having gone rogue. True to Loeb's action packed writing style, a cadre of Super-Villains as well as Luthor's own government sanctioned Superhero team led by Captain Atom comes to claim the bounty/arrest Superman. Superman and Batman survives the attack and decides to infiltrate the White House to expose Luthor's lies. Meanwhile, Luthor's plan of blowing up the Kryptonite meteor to bits fails and has just decided to let it crash on Planet Earth. Superman and Batman enlists the help of a young Japanese genius who calls himself the Toyman to create a robot that could destroy the Kryptonite meteor. Luthor knows about this and he dons his battle suit to foil Superman and Batman's plan. Superman keeps Luthor preoccupied by battling him while Batman takes control of a gigantic robot that was made to look like a composite image of Superman and Batman. In the end, Superman manages to defeat Luthor, ending his Presidency. Batman on the other hand successfully destroys the kryptonite meteor and saves the planet from destruction. The defeat of Luthor and the subsequent fall from his Presidency and his losing the control of his Lexcorp business empire would drive Luthor to escape and plot his revenge. This establishes a new status quo with Luthor, reverting back to the Pre-Crisis Lex Luthor characterization who was an evil scientist/adventurer than the Post-Crisis version of a corrupt business mogul Lex Luthor. I will be sharing more photos below.    

Superman/Batman

Superman/Batman Public Enemies DVD

DC Direct Ed McGuinness Superman with an Ed McGuinness cover art  

Loeb and McGuinness created an alternate reality Superman in Super Woman 

Superman's Never Ending Battle

So that wraps up my entry for today. Be here in the next entry as we talk about Jim Lee's Superman.

Mattel: Movie Masters Man of Steel Superman

Mattel Movie Masters Man of Steel

I have finally purchased my own Mattel Movie Masters Man of Steel Superman figure. For this entry, I'm going to do an updated review in supplement to the quick review that I just did a couple of entries back. I will also give out additional details (spoiler free) about the Man of Steel movie from what I have gathered in my research. Read on below.

Henry Cavill is Superman

Man of Steel is the sixth big screen adaptation of the first and greatest Superhero of all time, Superman. After the unsuccessful relaunch of Superman via the movie Superman Returns (which was starred by Brandon Routh as Superman), Warner and DC teams up with Legendary Pictures to reboot the big screen adaptation of Superman by offering a Superman for the current generation. Titled Man of Steel, the new Superman movie will take us back to the humble origins of Superman's Kryptonian heritage, his journey growing up in a world that is not quite his own, and his realization of what's the purpose of his existence in his adopted planet. The movie will be directed by Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen) under the guiding hands of Producer Chris Nolan (Director of the Dark Knight Trilogy). The duo promises that this movie will showcase Superman's different side, with his characterization being grounded to his adopted planet. They also promised lots of fighting sequences and an action packed movie. The movie also stars Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Laurence Fishburne as Perry White, Russell Crowe as Jor El, Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, and Michael Shannon as General Zod. The movie will be released on June 14, 2003.

Official Synopsis

A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.

Man of Steel is directed by Zack Snyder, from a script by David S. Goyer and screen story by Goyer and Christopher Nolan. It stars Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Antje Traue, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Laurence Fishburne, Russell Crowe, Ayelet Zurer, Christopher Meloni, Harry Lennix and Michael Kelly.

Movie Masters Man of Steel Packaging

I'll start my action figure review proper by taking a look at the packaging. I've already said my piece on my quick review of this figure a week ago, so there's not much to add. But I have to say that the "S" shield embossed plastic bubble looks fabulous. MOC (Mint on Card) collectors will surely love the presentation of the figure as the plastic bubble gives us a good look of Superman inside the packaging.

Card Back

The card back gives us a good look of the other figures in this wave as well as a brief character bio of the figure. Wave One is composed of Superman, Jor-El and General Zod. From what I've gathered, Jor-El will be the chase figure as he is packaged one per case. General Zod on the other hand is a bland figure. I chose to get Superman first (because he's Superman) and maybe down the line get the other two as well. Faora is announced as part of Wave Two, but there isn't any announcement yet of the other figures that would come with her. I'm crossing my fingers that Mattel won't cancel Wave two as they have a habit of suddenly canceling future waves.  

The figure with the "S" Shield base stand

The figure does not come with any accessory except for the "S" Shield base. I would have welcomed  collect and connect pieces to come with the figure as it would have motivated me to complete the line. But I guess, just like with the Dark Knight Movie Masters, the strength of Superman alone as an iconic character would be enough motivation for toy collectors to complete the line. After all, Superman and Batman is bigger and more popular than Green Lantern (who had to come with a Parallax collect and connect pieces).

"S" Shield base of the Man of Steel "S" Shield Design

In my past quick review, I mistakenly stated that the "S" shield base was the back drop of the figure. My apologies for that one. But in reality, the "S" shield base is actually smaller and is located behind the Superman Movie Masters package design.

Close Up shot of the Henry Cavill/Superman Action Figure

One of the things that I noticed with the Movie Masters Superman's face paints is that majority of the figures that were released has Superman sporting a light shade of black on the chin and cheeks. It is as if Superman has a slight beard growing on him. In the movie stills that we saw, Clark Kent/Henry Cavill sported a beard before he became Superman. So I don't know if there is any reason why the figure's face is sporting the slight beard, But I managed to chose a figure that does not sport that slight beard. Is this a factory mistake? A possible variant? That I don't know but majority of the figures that I saw sported one. I carefully chose and nabbed the figure that does not sport that beard. If someone can verify what's going on with the facial hair (if this was with the approval of Warner/DC) do let me know. I'm curious as to why most of the figures sports that slight beard.

Movie Master's New Articulation

The articulation of the figure is pretty standard DCUC (ball jointed neck, ball hinged shoulders, swivel biceps, wrists, waist, and thighs, pivot torso, hinged elbows and knees, double pivot hips and ankles) but without the pivot torso. It would have been better if he sported that pivot torso, but nonetheless the articulation is sufficient enough. The ball jointed neck though should have been of better range in terms of it's movement. We can't tilt the head upwards good enough for dynamic flying poses. Though it can be tilted with Superman looking down. (see photos)

Flying pose

Superman looking down on the camera

Highly Detailed

Previously, I ranted about the final presentation of this figure versus the press photos of the figure that were released. But I must say the figure looks awesome. The sculpt looks great because of the amount of details that was given to this figure. The alien suit's scaly designs is spot on in this figure. There were also no paint slops on this figure. I just have to comment though that the plastics used on this figure (particularly the fists) is that of the rubbery kind. The wrists' swivel pegs seems to be soft compared to the past Movie Masters and DCUC.  

Superman's "S" Shieldless cape

Man of Steel's Superman also does not come with an "S" shield on it's cape. I think the "S" Shield on Superman's cape was popularized by the first big screen Superman, Christopher Reeve. The cape is also longer than the usual Superman capes. The cape is composed of soft rubbery plastic, more in similar (or even softer) to Mattel's DCSH Superman than their DCUC Superman.

Majestic!

Superman flexes his muscles

I've read in the forums where some collectors were remarking that the Superman figure seems to have long arms but I don't find it here. It actually looks proportionate for me. I think this is because the forearms is thinner (or lacks defined muscles) than the usual figures, so it makes the forearms look extended.

Movie Masters Man of Steel and Superman Returns basic figure (5 inch)

Scale wise, I find the Superman Movie Masters action figures at approximately six inches in height. See  more photos below of the different size comparisons with the other toy lines

(L-R) Movie Masters Green Lantern, Superman, and Scarecrow

Compared with the previous Movie Masters, Superman is slightly taller. In the photo above, it is seen that he is much taller than Green Lantern and Scarecrow (pardon for his usage, I don't have a Movie Masters Batman with me at the moment). I think this won't be much of a distraction for the scale nazis. After all Superman should be bigger than the average human being.

(L-R) DC Universe All-Stars New 52 Superman, Movie Masters Superman, and DC  Comics Unlimited Injustice Superman

When compared to DCUC/DCAS/DCCU, the Movie Masters figure looks slightly smaller. But he won't be a problem when displayed together with the aforementioned toy lines. If anything, having Movie Masters Superman's size scale to be in between DCUC and the past Movie Masters is a brilliant move by Mattel as this would make the figure have seamless display opportunities for both lines. Back then, a lot of collectors were mumbling about the Movie Masters Batman's smallish size scale when compared with DCUC.

(L-R) Mattel Heat Vision Superman Returns, Custom Christopher Reeve Superman, Movie Masters Superman, and Custom Tom Welling Superman.

I do have my qualms though with the Movie Masters Superman when displayed side by side with the 7 inch scale of past big screen Supermen. But what the heck, these are from my personal collections, so not everyone owns this. This qualm is not counted. The Superman Returns figure is from the Mattel Heat Vision Superman. The Custom Christopher Reeve Superman is made of DC Direct New Krypton Commander Kal El Head (based on the art of Gary Frank who based his Superman art on Christopher Reeve's appearance) and DC Direct History of the DC Universe Superman body. The Custom Tom Welling Superman on the other hand is made of DC Direct Smallville Justice Series Tom Welling head and Mattel Heat Vision Superman body. Man, they look good together. They'll serve as the centerpiece of my Superman action figure collection.

Superman at the Daily Planet

As for my final thoughts, this figure is definitely a must buy for Superman collectors. This is actually my most expensive single Superman Action Figure to date. I normally don't spend a huge amount for a single figure but this is well worth it. I should have also opted to purchase Movie Masters Jor El and General Zod along with this figure but the price is just too expensive for my budget. As of now, I can only afford to buy Superman. But who knows, once the movie comes out and I'll get blown away by Jor El and General Zod, I might get both by then. I'm just crossing my fingers though that Jor El's price won't shoot up. My speculation is that Jor El's value would likely shoot up because he is the only six inch Jor El action figure released. Again, this is a must have Superman. So if you see this one on the shelves, don't let it slip out of your hands. Now the long wait for the movie begins. I can't wait to finally see the movie. June is too long for me. Though I'm not that excited with the costume change (as I prefer the classic one, the one with the red trunks), the new costume has grown on me. The details of this as Krypton's inner suit is only fitting. Superman is an alien, the suit is alien, but his heart is human. I'm sure Man of Steel will blow the audiences away. (More photos below)

Henry Cavill 

Flight

Christopher Reeve pose?

Superman!

Punching a hole

Ready for action

Daily Planet

Up Up and away!

Battle of two Supermen: Superman Returns' Brandon Routh v.s. Man of Steel's Henry Cavill

Welcome to the Club!

Supermen: (L-R) Tom Welling, Christopher Reeve, Henry Cavill, and Brandon Routh

Check out the latest trailer here: