elvisdo's Full Review: Mattel red tornado dc universe 6 inch collectable ...
The Silver Age Red Tornado didn't start out as a hero; he was designed to be a weapon against the Justice Society of America. In today's terms, he would be coined as a weapon of mass destruction. This android was created by T.O. Morrow as a way to get rid of his enemies. But something took place that Morrow never expected: Red Tornado gained a soul. What Morrow nor the Tornado realized that another two entities—the Tornado Champion and Tornado Tyrant—merged with the android to give him his personality. This led Red Tornado to join the JSA and later on the Justice League of America. Mattel's DC Universe Classics depicts the classic version of the JLA's favourite android from the "Satellite Era" of the team's history.
The last time I saw Reddy in his classic look was in the 1984 Super Powers collection. I'm sure there have been a couple of more versions since that time (no, I do no collect everything under the sun so don't gasp like that). The figure is 6-1/2" tall including his cape that flares up around the collar. He utilizes the basic body frame, like Batman and Orion, so the height falls into that standard specification.
The body frame is created using hard plastic. His cape and hands use a softer, more pliable plastic for a couple of reasons. It allows the cape to move around and bend without it being too stiff. The cape is also heavy a bit making posing a bit problematic especially when just trying to make him stand. The hands use the same softer plastic as well to allow him to hold any accessory. Let me correct that. The accessory included with this is translucent orange tornado funnel that attaches to the Tornado's right fist, and only his right fist. There's a minor problem with this, though. Because the figure is molded in white plastic and then painted yellow, every time you put the funnel on his hand and take it off, the paint application starts to rub off.
In fact, speaking of the paint application, this is the weakest character of the series that has the most issues. There are a lot of lines on this figure and they are painted yellow. It's harder to apply a lighter colour (yellow) on a darker one (red for the body) in a seamless, perfect fashion. The wash is done poorly and bits of red come through the yellow application. The ring around his neck is the most noticeable culprit of the lot as it looks like a homemade creation (not to knock homemade creations because I have seen some superb ones that put professionals to shame). The darker washes look better but it's also easier to hide the flaws as well.
There is an amazing 21-points dedicated to him. A series a ball and socket joints, twists and hinges are used to make this figure strike a pose in a variety of ways in the neck, shoulders, biceps, elbows, wrists, chest, waist, things, mid-thighs, knees, ankles, and feet. The joints are tight and work very well. Probably the weakest area is the ankles. If they swiveled, it would have improved on the articulation of this figure.
Every series is going to have a variant of one of the characters featured and Red Tornado is a candidate for that. Along with the classic look (which will be more common to customers), there is an exclusive modern look that exercises his current appearance in the comic books. It's a minor change considering that he hasn't looked this way for some time, but upon further glance, I still like the classic one a lot better. Maybe it's because I'm more used to it but I think there is more interesting features on him.
As part of the "Collect & Connect" marketing, Red Tornado comes equipped with a body part of Rex Mason the Element Man (formerly known as Metamorpho) in order to build and complete a sixth bonus figure for this series. That means one needs to get all five figures in Series 1 in order to build Rex Mason. Included with Reddy is the left leg for Metamorpho that goes from silver to clear.
I am already a huge fan of this new line and really want it to succeed. It's a great start and something fresh for both DC and Mattel. Red Tornado is a good second tier character that will garner some familiarity with fans. Besides, every team needs a good android in its lineup.
Collector targeted classically styled DC Comics figures, highly detailed and 6" in scale. Featuring characters from the entire DC comic universe, each...More at Toys R Us
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