As the DCUC line was winding down at retail, my two most-wanted female figures were the same as they had been for several series. I made no bones about my most-wanted “teams” in the line, and I remained a champion of the JSA, JLI, and Fourth World right up until the announcement that the 2014 Club Infinite Earths subscription had failed to get through. So, while I am still coming to grips with the fact that I am probably never going to get a Four Horsemen-style Liberty Belle, I am able to walk away getting my favorite female of the Justice League International: Ice.
Canonball was able to bring us a preview of the basic figure a few months ago, thanks to some early production samples making their way through the overseas eBay channels, but this final figure seems to shore up some of the production issues of the factory rejects. So, while she is the same basic figure, the final version of Ice does have better set hair, cleaner lines, and better face paint than what we have seen. Plus, the carded version includes her little ice blast accessory. So, at the end of the day, she turned out to be a fine figure, if not terribly exciting.
Like I said, Ice is by far and away my favorite JLI female. Yeah, I am that guy that doesn’t like Fire and Ice equally, but I have made a hobby out of liking the slightly off-kilter. So, while getting both Fire AND Ice has always been important to me, Ice is definitely a step above as an essential to my collection. She just barely made it in under the gun and holds her spot as the second of four final Infinite Earths figures in 2014. I still hold out hope for more in some fashion in the future, but after Ice, I am counting on just two more figures before I call the collection “complete.”
Like most of the figures that came before her, Ice has an iconic look about her, but not one that you can really pin on just one particular artist. I think most of the design cues are pretty spot-on, though I wish that the head/hair sculpt would have more closely mirrored this classic Adam Hughes pin-up. I know the hair is pretty much there, just hanging more neutrally, but I think Hughes has a more feminine look to her face than what we got in the final figure. It is not bad by any means, but the eyes are little small and far apart, and the look doesn’t necessarily scream “Ice” to me. As with all things, though, your opinion on this will vary, and I suspect that most casual fans of Ice will be just fine with the face sculpt.
She is built on the small DCUC female base body, which is appropriate because Tora is not an Amazon or the like. If you own any of the DCUC women, you pretty much know what you will be getting here. All of the character and costume details have been added, like her top overlay, fingerless long gloves, and furry boots. So, while she is just as skinny as can be, all of the details that make her look are there and accounted for.
I know it took us almost to the end of the road to get “energy blasts” included with the appropriate figures, but I actually really dig her ice blast and it fits her right hand well. It is cast in very clean, clear plastic, so it looks like ice, and when light shines through it, it makes for a cool effect.
Finally, really, what is Fire without Ice? I would have expected these two to come in the same series if the line was still at retail, so having to wait until the next calendar year to get our favorite elemental duo was an anxious time. I think the two look really great together and love that Fire and Ice can now complement Blue and Gold with Guy Gardner in between it all (don’t worry, he is just thrilled to have his lady love with him now).
So, while Ice really comes as a massive relief for this die-hard JLI fan, she turned out to be a nice DCUC figure. Like I said, her face is a little plain, but you are not going to mistake her for anyone else in the collection. Her costume is really unique and her blues and whites go great with the greens of Fire. Like I said, we have almost pulled into the station with DCUC, so look for Ice to go on sale at Matty Collector this summer.
*Thanks to Toy Guru and crew for sending Ice along, the world is not balanced with both Fire and Ice.
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