My Favorite Ocean Dweller isn't Chicken of the Sea.
Written: Oct 23 '09
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Pros: Fun, stylized version of classic characters, two-pack, low price.
Cons: Limited articulation, a sloppy paint job on Aquaman...
The Bottom Line: Aquaman pulls ahead of his archenemy in this underwater race to the finish.
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| JediKermit's Full Review: Mattel Batman the Brave and the Bold Action League... |
Aquaman always gets a bad rap. Seen as a generic superhero with a lame superpower (talking to fish, who don't necessarily talk back), he's been getting kicked around since the early 1940's. But he's still around. The latest version of him, as seen on Batman: The Brave and the Bold on Cartoon Network, tweaks the character a bit, making him a blustery, self-important (and self-deluded) King of the Seven Seas. He's a funny character, voiced by John DiMaggio, and he's already teamed up with Batman several times in the first season of the series.
He's a shoe-in for an action figure in the Brave and the Bold line, and has already seen at least three in different sizes--my personal favorite is the Action League Mini, where Aquaman comes as part of a two-pack with Black Manta.
Aquaman wears his classic costume on The Brave and the Bold, an orange shirt with fishy scales, green tights and gloves, black superhero briefs (I never know what to call those) and a yellow belt with a stylized "A" logo on it. He's got fin-like gloves and boots, and yellow hair. This version of Aquaman has a beard, an interesting choice by the series character artists; he's an amalgam of the Aquaman of the distant and more recent past. The Action League figure is about 2.5" tall and wide, and is a heavily streamlined, stylized version of the undersea hero. An interesting, almost anime-inspired look, he's got narrow thighs and biceps, but oversized feet and hands. It's a surprisingly powerful look, with a broad chest and neckless head giving him additional muscle. The hands are almost square, clenched into blocky fists and ready to take on his archenemy.
Black Manta is that archenemy, and is my favorite Aquaman villain. Ever since he was a member of the Legion of Doom in Challenge of the Superfriends, the helmeted deep-sea anarchist has been right up there with Lex Luthor and the Joker for me. This version of Black Manta is a classic one, with a sleek indigo diving suit, flattened black helmet, scuba tanks, and clutching a large harpoon. His pose is a little odd--down on one knee and looking down--if it weren't for the harpoon and his fists, you'd think Manta was having a religious experience of some kind. He's a great version of a classic character, stylized enough to stand out, but with a design that could only be Black Manta.
Both figures have the same limited articulation--jointed waist, shoulders and neck. Black Manta's scuba tanks and hoses don't allow his head to turn, but with the pose he's in, he looks fine. Aquaman has a few paint issues--the yellow parts of the figure (the beard and belt, especially) have some splotching and bleed over into other parts of the figure. You only notice if you're really looking for it, and it doesn't interfere with me or my sons playing with the toy.
The Batman: The Brave and the Bold figures come in several sizes; the Action League Minis are the ones that we've been buying. For the price (about six dollars) you get a hero and a villain, in a durable, fun size that's good either for kids or adult collectors. If they're into Batman, Aquaman, or anyone in between, they'll like these toys.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 6.49
Type of Toy: Action Figure
Age Range of Child: Kids to Teens
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JediKermit
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Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
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Books, Movies, and Toys. Is there more to life?
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