As we move to the next round of our First Looks we keep it in gear with JLU and have a preview of the next set of six-packs, the Eclipsed and Attack from Thanagar sets. Both of these sets feature characters from much-loved, big event, multi-part episodes from the show (one of which was the season two finale). I think that these sets might get mixed reactions from fans (and retail as well) once they hit. Read on see what’s what.
Let’s talk about each of the sets individually, these two sets are pretty much polar opposites from each other in terms of planning – but you be judge.
Attack From Thanagar
First, I think the Attack from Thanagar is going to be extremely well met by the JLU fan base. It features three characters from the show that have never been produced in action figure form with Hro Talak, Paran Dul and Lt. Kragger. It also gives us Shayera in her native military duds (a very viable variant) to help push the balance of new versus repacks to a 4:2 ratio (as you can see, reissues of Batman and Green Lantern are also included). That is always a winning combination for fans. The new figures are also some of the most detailed JLU figures to date. I have noticed a substantial climb in detail in JLU figures of late, something that is pretty impress for a line that is so long in the tooth.
Hawkgirl
The traitor to the League, Shayera is dressed to the nines in her Thanagarian uniform. There is some nice paint detail here and she represents a pivotal point in the show’s story line. I wish she would have come with her mace so she could bash John Stewart, but, at this point, I would rather the money go to the actual figures.
Hro Talak
The Not-Hawkman character from the show is Shayera’s betrothed fellow warrior. A proud leader, Hro’s uniform is very nicely done with clean lines and true-to-show detail. A nice addition.
Lt. Kragger
The slimy lieutenant to Talak, Kragger was suspicious of Shayera and GL’s relationship from the start. By the end of the story line he was left pretty broken (literally) and shows up later in a assisted tech-suit.
Paran Dul
Paren is a great addition to the line as she brings another lady-hawk into the mix. She was a bit of a smarty pants on the show (J’onn showed her he was no fool) and like Kragger, she shows up again after the Star-Crossed saga.
Batman and Green Lantern
You know the drill with these two as you have seen them before. If any Leaguers were going to be included in this set, these two are certainly appropriate as they had substantial roles.
Eclipsed
Just as Star-Crossed finished the second season (back when it was just “Justice League), Eclipsed began it. It featured long-time JLA villain Eclipso in a starring role, and he pretty much took the League to task. I think it is great to finally be getting him in the line, but I really fear for this set a retail. See, Eclipso is really the only new figure in the set and that 1:5 ratio seems a little stiff for this line as it is certainly a collector line at this point. I think a lot fans are going to have a hard time ponying up for it because, while the purple-triangled and white eyed variants of Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl (and a straight up re-released Flash) are entirely show accurate, I am not so sure they are demanded.
I hope this set does well, but I am weary for it. I think a lot of fans will pass on it and the real jerk in the bunch will give us a color variety of figures that will ultimately replace Eclipso when the rest of sets are returned to the store. I hope I am wrong on this, I am just taking my cues from the banter online. I think Eclipso is certainly a high-demand show character, but I think we would have worked better in a three pack.
Eclipso
As I said before, JLU fans will be glad to get him after so long going without. For a figure he is very nice, his paint lines are clean, the tampo print of his symbol is well done and he is very nice realization from picture to plastic. I am glad he turned out so nicely because he must carry a lot of weight with this set.
Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Hawkgirl
Entirely show accurate variants of these characters are also included in the Eclipsed set with their possessed white eyes and purple triangles show the team’s condition for much of the story line. I am just not convinced that they are the most demanded variants out there. I think Mofir would have been another great inclusion for this set, but so it goes. Again, they are not bad figures, I am just not sure that including 4 possessed figures was the best course. I hope I am wrong.
Flash
The hero of the story, Flash rounds out the set as a reissue of the previous 5 point Flash.
So there you have it, two very different JLU sets coming together to shelves soon. I think the Attack from Thanagar set is fantastic with lots of very nicely executed new figures. The Eclipsed set brings us Eclipso, but not a whole lot more. Fickle fans will be the ultimate determination for these sets but they keep JLU chugging along.
*Thanks so much for reading and thanks to Matty for making this Look possible. Come back tomorrow as we wrap up out round of Mattel First Looks!
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