DC Collectibles has posted a diagram visually explaining the articulation for their new Icons series, a line of classic styled DC characters in 1:12 scale. Let’s take a closer look at the diagram, shall we?
Here’s the image posted over at the DC Comics site.
Pretty spiffy, right? I’l admit it, I’m excited about this line. I have almost a complete collection of Mattel’s DC Universe Classics but I’m still all in on this line. I like 6-inch figures, why would I pass these up? Given the style I think I can safely assume that I’ll replace the characters on my shelf with these and supplement the display with my existing DCUC figures. These will add some spice with different body styles and proportions, and may even look better in a mixed DC/Marvel Legends display. But that’s enough about my display habits, let’s look at the diagram.
The neck is a static ball on top of the neck. This should allow some nice side to side action but it makes me worry about the up and down. The neck below the ball doesn’t look to taper and may interfere with the range of movement. Of course, this may just be the diagram and not what the actual figure’s neck looks like. At least it’s not just a swivel though, so it could be worse.
The torso is interesting. The ball in the upper torso eliminates the need for a waist, preserving the sculpt of the crotch. Or at least it would be preserved if not for the lower ab crunch. This whole set-up kind of reminds me of some Spider-Man figures we’ve seen. It may take some time to get used to the look but I’m psyched to see how far the torso will crunch with both this and whatever movement allowed by the upper ball torso.
This part of the diagram also shows the ball hips, but we’ll get to those in a minute.
Jumping over to the arm, it looks like standard super-articulated fare we all know and love. The thing that jumps out at me most here is a swivel at both the forearm and wrist. At first I thought “spinning meat” but then I realized that it could very well be a body reuse issue. Different character, drop a different piece in between the wrist and hand to simulate a different glove top or no glove at all.
Skipping down to the lower legs, I’m glad to see the hinge and peg for both up and down and rocker ankle. Bravo, DCC, bravo.
Now for the biggest point of contention, the upper leg. The lack of the thigh swivel is worrisome. But hopefully the ball hip will give a little twist. If you want to look on the bright side, at least the sculpt isn’t broken when turned? Right? Hmmm.
There is a swivel at the top of the boot though, both for articulation and again to switch out different boot tops. And of course, double knees. Yeah baby.
We won’t know more until we actual see released figures. At least not for sure, anyway. Plans can always change. Changes can be made. Judging from just the prototypes, some figures may not have all the articulation points. The skintight suit types seem to not have the forearm and shin swivels.
Then again, I talk about body reuse and it’s plain to see that there are going to be all kinds of body parts and pieces. So what do I know?
Like I said, these are prototypes. Maybe they are missing the points of articulation for ease of prototyping. Again, we’ll see.
Either way, with three series and a deluxe figure already planed it looks like DC Collectibles has some faith. If these hit and the figures are sturdy and sized just right, let’s hope they they go on for a long time and some great figures come out of it. Win-win.
