God of the Seas

In November 2017, Justice League will open in theaters. With Batman v Superman and Wonder Woman in the lead, the film is eagerly awaited by superhero fans across the globe. Should JL prove worthy as expected, it might bring DC back to the big screen game. But with DC movies, it's always a hit or miss.

In December 2018, Aquaman will have the spotlight for its own movie. With Jason Momoa in the lead role, his strongly intimidating and war-ready look give us a feel of the movie. Expect badass!

Recently, a lot of Justice League minifigures are running in the market, flaunting their versions from the yet-to-be-seen movies.

Aquaman 2018

(ctto) photo not mine; for comparison only

Product
Brand/Model: Shengyuan (SY) 657-8
Condition: Bought with box, parts in a clear plastic bag with build instruction

Character
Name: Arthur Curry
AKA: Aquaman
Comics: DC
Affiliation: Justice League, Atlantean royal family
Superpowers: Amphibious nature, enhanced senses, superhuman strength, marine telepathy
Paraphernalia: Trident of Poseidon

Aquaman movie version minifigure consists of 28 pieces – 1 head, 1 hairpiece, 1 leg connector, 2 legs, 1 torso, 2 arms, 3 hands, 1 trident, 16 parts for the ship, with no baseplate.

(Upper Left) Front of the box
(Center Left) Back of the box
(Lower Left) Upper lid of the box
(Right) Box contents - brick parts and manual

Green man

The head has an alternate face printing, having an angry open-mouthed expression and one with close-mouthed stern expression. While the face simulates the movie character, the hair is a big disappointment. SY used the old mold of the classic Aquaman minifigure's blond hairpiece. This set has a black version instead. While putting it on, I can't help but laugh - it looked like Manny Pacquiao in an Aquaman suit!

The torso and leg printings are intricately detailed and a cool simulation of the movie costume. It would be perfect to have gold arm bangles (similar to that of Batman or Assassin's Creed minifigure parts) and arm printings. While it would be awesome to have a gold shoulder armor like that of Ninjago's, arm printings would have been just as good.

Anatomy of an Atlantean

I can't get over the Bieber or Pacquiao hair, so I have to replace with the Xinh/Pogo Aquaman hair (which particularly looks like Wonder Woman hair too) and put the picture side by side. 

The trident part is from the classic set as well, but this time in gray color.

Pacquiao versus Momoa

The green ship is unnecessary and suit Green Lantern better. The parts are supposed to be combined with other characters in the set of SY 657.

I command thee, creatures from the deep.

Until the next post!

Cat in a Purple Suit

Catwoman is, perhaps, the second-most celebrated female DC character, with Wonder Woman in the lead. Her hero-villain personality makes her a solid character - a thief and a crime fighter, a sinner and a saint.

Born in a tragedy-filled family, she ended up in a juvenile facility. Going back to the streets of Gotham, she became a prostitute and a petty thief. Inspired by Batman, she wandered the streets in costume, after learning how to fight in a ninja academy. In a different world, like Halle Berry's movies, she was revived by the ancient cats with traces back in Egypt, giving her the power of feline empathy.

On occasions, she is presented to have a love-hate affair with Batman, becoming the blur of truth and lie, good and evil, in Batman's life.

Fast and the Feline

Blazing in her purple glory
(Motorcycle from Shengyuan 201C)

Product
Brand/Model: Pogo 106
Condition: Bought without box in a clear plastic bag

Character
Name: Selina Kyle
AKA: Catwoman
Comics: DC
Affiliation: Injustice League, Bat-family, Birds of Prey
Superpowers and abilities: feline empathy, stealth, martial arts, acrobatics
Paraphernalia: motorcycle, claws, whip

Cat in pieces

Now, the cat is out of the bag!

Catwoman minifigure consists of 12 pieces – 1 mask, 1 head, 1 leg connector, 2 legs, 1 torso, 2 arms, 2 hands, 1 whip, and 1 belt. No baseplate.

Purple jumpsuit

Back torso

The level of details in the torso printings are great. The silver and black outlines create an expensive look to the costume, which is an upgraded and modernized version of the tight purple or black plastic-looking ala The Matrix costume we often see in comics and movies. The curved lines are similar to other female minifigures, which make it distinguishable from the male form. The cat head in the zipper detail is a fun addition.

The selling point of this minifigure lies in the much-coveted piece - an added attraction similar to the new batman minifigures - the utility belt. Although unable to latch any other brick piece or weapon, it saves afol's and mocers time and effort to produce the piece to create an enhanced effect of superheroes or military minifigures. I am quite confused though as to which goes to the front - the one with ridges or the one that has a sort of a buckle.

An arm for an arm

The side printings in the arm are as beautiful as the torso's. They follow the same silver-black on monochromatic purple scheme. I think side printings are a thing with minifigures these days.

Alien eyes (leering face)

Alien eyes (tight-lipped)

The head has an alternate face. Both sides have printings of large, green swirling, almond eyes, which create an effect of eerie glow of the goggles (the eyewear a trademark of the 21st century Catwoman). It is not obvious (and I don't have a close up shot), but there is another unique detail in the printing - a mole in the left cheek. I thought at first that it might be a scratch but the alternate face has it as well. The only deal breaker is the quality of the printing. It looks like one of those rubber prints in t-shirts, which come off easily.

The round mask is a beauty. To match the green eyes, the same shape forms in the holes. Of course the trademark cat ears are also molded in this headpiece. The eyes have silver outlines to match the color scheme.

Watch me whip

The purple Catwoman minifigure comes with a whip, similar to her other minifigure versions. I have not seen the latest brick flick but it seems that this version of Catwoman came from The Lego Batman Movie.

Overall, I am satisfied with this buy. Collectors who enjoy mix and match building will have this handy, probably for its cool jacket, belt, and mask.

Until the next blog! ;)

Diana of Themyscira

Philippines has an interesting superhero counterpart of Wonder Woman, named Darna, which will be shown together, coincidentally in 2017. Israeli actor Gal Gadot will portray the well-loved DC heroine, while Angel Locsin was confirmed to play Darna – pretty actors who project strength in the world of men.

Wonder Woman -  June 2017

I decided then to unbox my Divisoria haul of mix Marvel and DC cycle set of six, beginning with Wonder Woman.

The other boxes contain Superman, Black Panther, Captain America, Batman, and Winter Soldier.  Unfortunately, I have to buy all of them; the vendor does not sell individually.

Biker Gang

Six Cycles

Product
Brand/Model: Decool 7013
Set: Wonder Woman Motorcycle
Condition: Bought with box, along with 5 others in bulk
Price: ~1.50 USD

Character
Name: Diana Prince
AKA: Wonder Woman
Comics: DC Comics
Affiliation: Justice League
Superpowers: Superhuman strength, flight, enhanced healing factor, empathy, enhanced senses
Weapon: Lasso of truth

The red box contains a clear plastic bag of small parts in red and gray color scheme with a printed instructions leaflet. Like most knockoff bricks, the box is way larger than its contents.

Unboxed! 

With 43 pieces in total - 12 for the minifigure including shield and sword, 31 for the bike including an extra piece of the beige cylinder connector.

Wheels and gears and stuff

As with all the other Decool releases, the parts are of good quality and the fitting is standard, no issues.

While building, I can't help but admire the main cycle body parts. With enough boost of other accessories or parts and decals, it might turn out to be a dope moc bike.

Another thought pass as I put the pieces together: does Wonder Woman really need a bike to travel? Maybe Wolverine, but the flying lasso superhero? Perhaps, on a real bad day.

Need a lift? 

While being of quality and customizable, the fourth wheel (well, just the mag really, no rubber tire), is unnecessary, along with, in my opinion, the shield and sword carrier in the back.

Perhaps because it would be inconvenient to drive and hold the weapons at the same time, even for superheroes. 😂

Another thought: if it has four wheels, what kind of a cycle is this?

Jump in! 

The motorcycle is quite heavy on unnecessary parts but will lose brilliance, should you take them out piece by boring piece. It is interesting for moc builds. My take on this build is average - not too brilliant, not too dispensable.

Going to the market

Coming through! 

The saving grace of this set is the minifigure, modeled after the movie version of Wonder Woman. The print details are on point - tiara, gold details in the chest and waist, leather strapping, the infamous bracelets/bangles, and the bird on the shield.

Slay the fire monster

POWER. GRACE. WISDOM. WONDER. 

Until the next blog.  Happy new year!