Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The Elongated Man Action Figures!

Kenner screwed up by not including the Elongated Man (and Zatanna) in the the famous Super Powers Collection (oddly enough they didn't forget about freaking Red Tornado), and there were no more chances after that. Enter Mattel and DC Direct, who made 3 action figures between late 2004 and 2006, and then one repainted edition in 2009. Let's have a brief review: 
DC Universe: Justice League Unlimited Fan Collection

Manufacturer: Mattel
Wave: 1
Released In: Fall 2004 (3-pack), 2006 (single) and 2009 (comics uniform in 6-pack).
Size: 4" tall
Accessories: Gauntlet
Notes: "From Mattel's Justice League Unlimited action figure line. Like most Justice League figures, this has five points of articulation. This figure can be found on both the orange and purple carded DC Super Heroes packaging" (DC Collector Universe).
It was first released as a 3-pack deal along with Batman and Hawkgirl. This Elongated Man action figure, Green Arrow and Dr. Fate were the first superheroes to be released after the big 7 and Aquaman.
It was released again as a single pack in 2006, as part of the 4th wave, and then again, as part of a six pack with his satellite era red uniform (which didn't appear in the series) in 2009.
It looks great; however, the character looks taller and slimmer in the cartoon. This figure has a huge chest for someone called "The Elongated Man". I have no clue about the weird weapon.

Justice League
Manufacturer: DC Direct
Wave: 2
Released In: November 2004
Size: 6 3/4" tall (with a 1" neck extension that makes him 7 3/4" tall)
Accessories: JLA base and is
Notes: Multiple points of articulation. Packaged in a 4-color blister
Now we're talking! This figure was part of the second wave of Justice League members, focusing on the satellite era (including the Atom, Firestorm, and honorary member, Adam Strange). Not bad at all, considering that the first wave only included Aquaman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Kyle Rayner and Flash. Although he kind of have chubby cheeks, this one looks a lot better. I like that they made him almost the tallest figure, few people remember that about him. The only taller guys are Firestorm (because of the flames, i suppose) and, for some reason Adam Strange (I wonder why). The stretching neck makes more sense than the weird arms of the Identity Crisis figure, but I wish the arms stretched as well.
The art from the package is awesome. I think it really captures the nature of those four characters. Ralph looks like a bit of a smart class-clown.

Identity Crisis 
Manufacturer: DC Direct
Wave: 2
Released In: 2006
Size: 6 -7" tall
Accessories: Gauntlet
Notes: "Diamond Select Toys produced this line of highly detailed 6-7 inch scale action figures based on the characters and events introduced in the DC Comics". 
All the closeups indicate that his face was messed up, specially with the ugly eyebrows. He looks like he escaped from a Monty Python skit:

DC Universe Classics

-- Is still not going to happen...
However, I see that the idea at least has a number of enthusiasts. They started a surprisingly large thread at the Fwoosh action figure forum:

Elongated Man Support Thread

Their main concern seems to be that the Elongated Man is essential to complete the JLA roster of the satellite era. I'd add that he's also a JLE and Super Buddies essential and a notorious silver ager, handled by the big names of that era: Scwartz, Broome, Infantino, Fox and then Wein.

I'd actually love if it came with a Sue. Along with Oberon she's the only supporting cast that became a JL member.

Thoughts
Its funny, the Elongated Man kinda had a bit of well deserved hype around 2005 to then disappear around 2007 from all media.
Formerly Known as the Justice League started in 2003. In 2004 he also appeared in Identity Crisis, the first season of JLU, and had his first and second action figures. In 2005 appeared in I Can't Believe It's Not the Justice League (a story that takes place before Identity Crisis) and the second season of JLU. From May 2006 to May 2007 he appeared in 52, they released the Identity Crisis action figure that year. After that there's only a couple of cameos as a ghost, one in Batman: The Brave and the Bold (January 2009), and the Zombie thing in Blackest Night.
I insist, it seems to me that there's a mandate to avoid the character -- Which would be outrageous! Or maybe Warner just feels uncomfortable working with death characters.

2 comments:

  1. I have the Ralph figure with the long arms, and it's pretty nice, actually. By the way, nice blog!

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  2. Why, thank you!
    I guess I went to hard on it as a pretext to keep demanding a Mattel DC Universe Classics figure.

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