“Meanwhile, at the Hall of Doom!”
You have no idea how long I have been wanting to use that that as a lead-in.
If you haven’t been paying attention, Imaginext toys are currently some of the most fun playthings on the market. Sure, the target age range for these is a bit younger than the normal stuff we feature here at the site (but age recommendation always come with an “and up” caveat), but over the last few years I have noticed a rather large uptick in the amount of collector attention that the Imaginext stuff has been pulling. Mattel has quite an impressive catalog when it comes to the licensed properties and in-house executions they push for this line, so taking it all in can be a little daunting at first. However, being the DC fan that I am, this seems like a great place to start and I can tell you that, right away, these are the most fun DC Comics toys that Mattel is making right now.
Hyperbole, you say? I don’t think so, honestly. The collector expressions have slowed down a bit since the demise of the Signature Series on Matty Collector, but even then, I would challenge any action figure line to be as completely engrossing and fun as the Imaginext sets are right out of the box. I have been given a chance to take a closer look at a few of the more recent items (DC Imaginext has been happening for a while now), and I wanted I to start with the Hall of Doom because that is just a classic throwback that it can get parents right in the feels, while making sure their kids will carry the concept forward. Plus, the Hall of Doom offers so much in terms of playablity that it is perfect for an execution like this.
Even if you have not jumped into the Imaginext pool, you are probably somewhat familiar with it. The line is built on a playset system base on 2-inch-tall figures. There are all of the requisite action features and bells and whistles to make it fun with just about every release, and those little figures were most likely the gateway beyond the kids market as they are highly collectible and have a lot of personality in the character designs. With this set, you get Lex Luthor in his classic Bronze Age look that was featured on the Challenge of the Super Friends show, and it is arguably the most popular look for Lex.
The play set itself has a lot of action features and moving parts built into it, but none of them take away from the aesthetic of the Hall of Doom, which, in my opinion, is one of the oddest yet coolest designs of any supervillain hideout ever created. Built for durability (it is located in a swamp, after all), it has a bit of a Darth Vader look to it, while holding true to a counterbalance to the Hall of Justice. This Hall features a working elevator; turning laser gun turret; “eyes” that open, close, and light up; and traps that are perfect for catching a pesky League member.
I like that the features of the Hall are fun and engaging, but, at the same time, this piece can actually function as home base for lots and lots of Legion members, and I want to go get me a lil’ Captain Cold right now. Also, don’t assume that just because this set has a younger target audience it means that the Imaginext team hasn’t done their homework to add perfect little winks here and there. The top of the interior has a computer that is targeting the Hall of Justice, so Lex will be right at home to plot his evil schemes. At the other end of the spectrum, the swamp theme is also played well with the bright green base and snakes standing guard. The coiled snake travels down the tree branch on the left side of the Hall, so woe betide any intruder that tries to infiltrate the Hall from there.
There are so many adventures to play out here and I am happy to say that after opening this set up, my 3-year-old daughter and I have already planned Batman’s doom over and over. I am positive it does not take any convincing to show that kids love these sets, but, honestly, it is easy to see how Imaginext has permeated the collector market. I love the little figures the most, but this set evokes so many things that are just “right” about DC comics and toys in general that it is hard not to take a shine to the playsets. Like I said, I think these are the most fun DC toys on the market right now, and considering the diverse catalog Imaginext has to offer, your heroes and villains and can square off against pirates, monsters, and a variety of others. We will be back soon with a look at another DC set soon!
*Thanks to the Imaginext Team for sending this Hall of Doom along for a Look.