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! ;)

Super-sized Superman

Being used to minifigures, which measure at 1.5 inches, this knockoff Superman figure at 3.5 inches feels like a giant toy. I'm pretty sure it is not a bigfig (big figure). Bigfig usually takes on a bulky character to incorporate unusual shape. See picture below for visual comparison.

Super-sized Superman vs Normal Superman

Product
Brand/Model: DIY 2014-43 H
Condition: Bought with box

Character
Name: Clark Kent
AKA: Superman
Comics: DC
Affiliation: Justice League

The super-sized minifigure (pardon the negation of words) is packed in a colorful box with an instruction leaflet and character card. It comes with a crumpled thin, red cape and a 4x3 black baseplate with studs that can fit in a normal minifigure head.

Nice packaging

This superman version is from the movie, Man of Steel. The design is copied from the original lego minifigure.

The belt and insignia should have been golden but this knockoff painted them too yellow. The back of the torso has the same printing as the front, which is a relief.

The face has an alternate printing - one is serious and one is gritting his teeth. It lacks the red eyes face that appear in other knockoff minifigures and the original ones.

The cape is so paper-thin that I have to retrieve it from under the cabinet when the fan threw it off. It is also crumpled from being cramped in the packaging instead of having a separate packing.

The Krypton Son

The only piece I'm more interested in reviewing is the pair of blue legs. The back of the legs are designed wide open as opposed to the closed ones with gaping holes in the minifigures. Surprisingly, this mechanism works well when connecting with the large-stud baseplate.

Dead legs don't walk

This super-sized knockoff brick minifigure is not too bad to be in anyone's collection, especially for those doing brick scene photography or filming and for those doing customization.

The DIY lot has other DC and Marvel characters as well as Star Wars.

Battle at the Fortress of Solitude

Until then.

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!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all the bricksters all over the globe!

T'is the Season to be Merry

Details of bricks displayed in the photo:

Nutcracker - Enlighten Series 2/A
Platform - Enlighten Series 2/A
Christmas tree - Shengyuan Monster School SY268
Transparent studs - from traffic lights of Shengyuan Catwoman Cycle SY201C
Red star -  Wange Spasskaya Tower of Moscow

Posthuman God

Dubbed as the Most Supreme Being of DC Comics, I present to you, Doctor Manhattan, named after the Manhattan Project. A nuclear physicist, who after being deconstructed, his reanimation made him teeming with superpowers. A character created by one of the most celebrated graphic novelist, Alan Moore.

Product
Brand/Model: Xinh 388
Condition: Bought without box, but sealed in a clear plastic bag
Price: ~0.75 USD

Character
Name: Dr Jon Osterman
AKA: Doctor Manhattan
Comics: DC Comics
Affiliation: Watchmen
Superpowers: Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Dimensional travel, Precognition, No need for air, water, food or sleep

Going Nuclear!

The blue man consisted of 11 pieces – 1 head, 1 leg connector, 2 legs, 1 torso, 2 arms, 3 hands, and 1 basic baseplate with 4 studs.

Deconstructed Doc Manhattan

The torso is straight forward, much like the character in comic version – just outlines of chest and abdomen.

Blue Mannequin

The head is printed with the eerie white eyes, black eyeliners and dark blue shadows. The iconic bull’s eye mark looks like a third eye. Fans would be disappointed to find a perfect mark where the outer circle should have a dot at the top center. Nonetheless, the head represents Doctor Manhattan.

Don’t stare!

No dual printing in the head and the back torso has simple lines.

Who that?!

The legs have no printing and the connector is plain black, to represent Doctor Manhattan’s creepy beach guy look.

Blue Legs in a Black Trunks

No side arms printing, as well. Overall, an unremarkable minifigure. Nothing special.

Let’s go to the beach!

There is no known official minifigure of Doctor Manhattan to date, so for fans of Watchmen, the Xinh knockoff is a must have.

All Men in Blue (L-R) Electro, Doctor Manhattan, Mr Freeze, and Archangel

Doctor Manhattan Contemplating In Mars

The Demon from Azarath

A random pick from my Divisoria stuff - DC Raven!

Raven is a sorceress born of a demon father, Trigon, and a mortal mother, Arella. Raised in the mystic realm of Azarath, the goddess Azar trained her to control her emotions. Her father harnesses her demonic powers to dominate the earth where she serves as a Teen Titans member.

An amateur edit of Raven with floating debris

Product
Brand/Model: Xinh 353
Condition: Bought without box, but sealed in a clear plastic bag
Price: Php 35 (0.78 USD)

 Character
Name: Rachel Roth
AKA: Raven
Comics: DC
Affiliations: Teen Titans, Justice League Dark
Superpowers: Soul-self, darkness manipulation, hypnosis, telekinesis, teleportation, empathy

The bag contained 15 parts - 1 head, 1 headpiece, 2 arms, 1 torso, 3 hands, 1 leg connector, 2 legs, 2 shield-like, transparent bricks, 1 cape, and 1 baseplate. The baseplate has 4 studs.

Raven deconstructed

The head is printed with black mask (which is actually the shadow of the hood) and a purple Aang-like triangle (an extension of the purple hood, to complete the hooded-form Raven look from the animated TV series). Sadly, this form does not give us the mortal form of Raven, where the chakra is embedded in her forehead.

The torso print is slightly misaligned, but is not as obvious as the prints on the legs.

Raven head and torso

The head has dual printing where her basic demonic form is manifested by the four red, angry eyes.

Raven 4 eyes

The prints on the legs are obviously misaligned. The color scheme in the legs prove that this Xinh version is from the animated TV series, Teen Titans. The comics version has gloved hand and shows the skin of the legs.

Dead legs walking

Behinds

The minifigure is not too bad, but I'm not too crazy for it. Fortunately, there is no official Lego release of Raven, so having a Xinh one is a must.

Raven looks like a host due for interrogation from Westworld

Powered-up Raven!

I have to let loose the hood so that the four eyes are shown; once I put the hood back in its fit, the top pair of eyes are not visible - what a shame!

What are you looking at?!

Having fun with shooting photos of Raven in a scene. The set up is in a ruined Azarath, with the time stopped.

Raven attacks!

The Lego minifigure from the comics version of Raven only appears in the video game, Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham.

Raven by Lego

I wish the Chinese brick brands produce a set of Raven emoticlones. That'd be fun!

Emoticlones

A minifigure of Queen of the Under-realm is a far-fetched idea, but we never know.

Queen of the Under-realm Raven

Until the next review! ;)