Problems online and the crunch of end of the year stocking has made this wave of DCUC hard to find. So how does this wave measure up? Find out inside.

Guardian- This version of Guardian is a classic look for the character. There was another version shown at SDCC, but cost issues kept the modern version out of collector’s hands. Sometimes simple figures can be a disappointment, but this figure is not one of those times. The colors are simple, but vibrant and clean. One feature that is becoming more common for this line is the addition of helmets over the head sculpts. Most of the time figures have their masks or helmets as part of the head sculpt, making it look like all one piece. In this case the helmet is a separate piece, giving the head sculpt more depth. The only accessory he comes with is his shield. The shield is simple, but the details on the straps give them a leather like appearance.  

Black Adam- Shazam needed a villain, but an old bald guy in a lab coat is not dynamic enough for a line this young, so they went with Black Adam. I expected him to be part of wave six with Shazam, but they held off until now to add him to the line. As a character he adds to both the villain and the JSA section of the DCUC display.  The figure, like Guardian, is simple but it goes to show a simple figure with good paint apps can be stunning. The figure utilizes the larger buck body which makes him stand out no matter where you put him in your display. The best feature of the whole figure is the head sculpt. The scowl and the pointy ears relay the arrogance of the character.  He also comes with a pendant, which is well detailed for such a small piece.  

Deadshot- In today’s toy market it is amazing that we got a second figure named Deadshot at retail. He is an assassin who has uncanny aim, using only of his eyes when shooting, and this figure shows off his character well. This is one case where the Horsemen took a buck and added so many little details that you forget under all the features is the same body as Guardian. The paint on the figure is clean and has the right colors in all the right places. Sometimes the toy companies can really mess up a white color (Harley Quinn) but in the case of Deadshot the hood is just the right shade of white mixed with gray to make it blend with the rest of costume. The wrist gauntlets and boots have little details that make this an above average figure.  

Wildcat- I have been waiting for Wildcat for a long time in the DCUC line.  I don’t know what is about the older generation of the JSA, but he had to be part of the line.  After only eight waves in he joins my JSA lineup. First announced during the beginning of 2009, it was rumored that we would get three versions of the character, but in the end we only got two, a purple/blue version and a black version. Both versions are identical expect for the color differences. The figure is a mix of versions of the character with clawed feet and taped hands. It is a perfect amalgamation to make him one of the better figures in the line. The taped up hands don’t look bulky, and have the right paint wash to make them look realistic. Similar to the Guardian, there appears to be a fully sculpted head under the mask, perhaps missing a nose. The eyes show through the mask, making this an amazing head sculpt. While the overall look of the figure is great, the execution of the feet looks awkward.  The feet have claws, but the bottom of the foot is flat. This combination does not match up, making it look like feet on top of boots.  This is not horrible, but does take away from an otherwise impressive figure.  

Mantis- The other figure in this wave to have a variant is Mantis. One of the Fourth World characters and an obscure Super Powers choice, both versions make great additions to the line. The humanoid Mantis has sculpted boots and gloves as well as one of the better head sculpts in the line. This version has striking colors, almost like a Jack Kirby’s drawing came right off the page. The humanoid version also has a cape, which looks like a set of wings that attach to his legs, arms, and back. While most characters with capes are made from rigid plastic, this one is very soft.  This material allows the figure to move despite all the connection points. 

The other version is the Robot Mantis, or Super Powers version. At first I thought he would share parts with the parademons from wave eight, but he is much bigger. Having equally vibrant colors he is one of the more ornate figures in the line. Each piece of his armor has small details, each with different shades of color. When we are so used to less is more, this is an example of how well Mattel and the Horsemen can make a figure that comes with no accessories, but is still worth the price.  

Black Canary- One of the most anticipated females in the line, Black Canary is a great figure on the surface. There was a good deal of debate surrounding her release from which version, to articulation, down to her fishnets. Until we got her in person a lot of the issues were unknown. The sculpt of the figure is almost perfect and the paint is spot on, but there are many minor details and one major one that makes her little more than a posed figure in the back of a display.

I have bought three of them so far and they all share the biggest issues, none can stand on their own or with the aid of a stand. The joints are so loose that her whole body flops as if there is nothing inside the figure. It has take a lot of patience to get her to stand for pictures, but with a little help and quick shots, I got a few. The next issue is one that affects most of the females, you can’t move her head in any direction due to her hair. The hair is well painted and sculpted but I wish it was made from a material more like the Mantis cape than the hard plastic they use.The next issue is she is missing the sideways joint at the hips and can only move her legs back and forth, and for a martial artist that is a disappointment.  Mattel has stated it is due to the fishnets, which came out great, but the issue still takes away from the figure.  Finally, she has two closed fists, which is odd considering her most famous pose is with hand cupped around her mouth to do her sonic scream.  

Green Arrow- The final figure is the big named A list character, the Green Arrow.  The sculpt is classic just as it should be, with great paint apps. He can hold his bow and arrows without looking awkward, because of new wrist articulation. The joints are tight and the head sculpt is near perfect for all Green Arrow fans. Not only does he come with a bow but he also comes with 4 additional arrows, including his famous boxing glove arrow. So where does he lose points?  His quiver is closed, while there are sculpted arrows there is no space for the extra special arrows he comes with. These extra arrows  are small and are easily lost, so no small hole for them is a disappointment. He also comes with an arrow attached to his bow, so you can’t switch out arrows. This was a safely issue, but I wish they were able to give us an unarmed bow for him.  

The BAF for this wave was Chemo, and for some of us, two Chemo figures.  The blue Wildcat came with a extra bubbled torso, and some collectors have built two. I swap them out depending on the look I am going for.  This is one of the better BAF we have gotten, with incredibly detailed parts, as well as a special plastic. The figure is not a solid color, rather a transparent green plastic, giving him a jelly like look.  Bubbles all over the body make him look almost liquid at times.  The solid parts of him have a metallic look with well placed washes and small silver rivets setting off his overall look.  

This wave was hurt by limited distribution, but is one of the better waves of the line.  No one character was really a huge star, but helped fill out some line-ups in the DCUC line.  

More DCUC Links and Pictures:

DCUC Wave Nine Gallery

DCUC Wave Ten Review Part 1

DCUC Wave Eight Review

DCUC Wave Seven Review

DCUC Wave Six Review

DCUC Wave Five Review

DCUC Wave Four Review

DCUC Wave Three Review

DCUC Wave Two Review

DCUC Wave One Review

DCUC Multipacks: Starfire/Strange, Earth 3, Gotham 5 Pack, Wonder Twins, TRU Sets, Brainiac Set