In August DC Universe Classics Club Infinite Earths subscribers were treated to a version of DC Comics’ Rocket Red character. Offered to collectors as part of the Club Infinite Earths subscriptions, the figure was shipped out in July 2012. Rocket Red was marketed as one of the large figures from the assortment.
Rocket Red is a bit of a fan favorite. A Russian superhero, he made his first appearance in the late ’80s in Justice League #3 (the series that would become Justice League International) and appeared in subsequent spin-offs. This period of the Justice League featured other favorites like Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, Fire, and Ice. While not the most recognizable lineup, it is one that fans of the Justice League love.
During this time, Rocket Red wore a more clunky, square costume. It kinda looked like a box with legs and arms. It was not by any means attractive, sleek, or cool. But that was part of the enjoyment of the character.
When I first read he was on the way (without seeing pictures of Rocket Red), I was very excited. I figured there was only one version that would get made, one that made sense: the late ’80s version to go along with Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Captain Atom, and Kilowag. Instead, we were treated to a modern representation of the character, one not seen very often, and, well, one that didn’t capture the love of the original.
As a result, my excitement and enthusiasm for the figure was minimal. Yes, I support the DC Infinite Earths subscription; this is an amazing way to continue the DC Universe Classics line. In addition, I get a guaranteed figure delivered to my doorstep monthly. I don’t have to order from an online retailer or drive all over the world to find the figures or engage in sometimes risky trading. Just a figure to my doorstep every month.
This summer the figure arrived. And I opened it. And it met my dismal expectations.
The figure is marketed as a large-sized figure. Already that kills it, and I was hoping in the back of my mind that maybe Mattel would have a change of heart and surprise us all by releasing him in a smaller scale than advertised. But they didn’t. The figure was a large figure — giant, huge, and grossly out of scale. I was hoping to stand this figure next to my JLA figures, but that is impossible, not just because the shelf isn’t tall enough, but he’s sporting the modern look and my JLA has more of a ’70s-’80s look.
I took to playing with the figure and was disappointed further. Yes, it was standard DCUC, Mattel, and Four Horsemen quality, but it just felt plasticy, cheap. The chest piece fits loosely around the chest, and the fit prevent the his arms from coming fully down to rest at his sides. The result is his arms shoot out in a V-like position, making him tricky to display; I have to figure out how to place the other figures around the large spread of the arms. The chest piece lacks the snug fit that Adam Strange had, or many of the MOTUC figures have. It has the feel of poor quality and is very rubbery.
Overall, the articulation is solid. The Four Horsemen did their bit in delivering the figure. They’ve used their standard buck and added Rocket Red specifics to the sculpt: head, chest piece, waist armor, sculpted forearms, shins, and feet.
But it is a version of the character that I could have lived without. The overall character design has lost that charisma that the ’80s Rocket Red had; there was something endearing in that clunky old design. The new one just looks like another generic, super-sleek, superhero rip-off design.
I know that this year’s Club Infinite Earths was somewhat rushed in an attempt to continue the DCUC line as the retail line was phasing out. But I’d rather see time and money invested in figures that make sense with more thought put into them, rather than pushing what seems to be a poorly thought out, quickly rushed figure to market. And as a subscriber I expect better.
The Zombie hoard agrees.
