Superman Classic 13" by DC Direct

When I visited Jon's warehouse a few months ago I saw several boxes in one of his cabinets stacked neatly. I asked him what it is and of course my jaw dropped when I saw them - 13" figures of Superman, Batman, Flash, Shazam and Aquaman by DC Direct. They were all sealed so I did not bother asking if I could borrow them for a photo shoot. 

A few months passed by and when Jon finally bought the KC version of Superman he lent me this and the classic Superman figure.

I got excited when this piece reached my office and was very much anxious to open the package and start taking photos. 

After a few minutes I finally opened the box, removed the plastic wires and took out the figure and the stand. This was the first time I saw a DC DIRECT doll-like figure, much less hold one and the theme song from the movie started playing inside my head. 

It took me awhile to pose the figure and that's when I notice a lot of the flaws of Superman.

I checked DC's website and this has long been sold out and they are making a reissue which is way better than this one (http://www.dccomics.com/dcdirect/?dcd=6173)

PhoTOYgrapher's Perspective:

Action figures are a joy to take photos because of the pose ability. Unlike statues wherein you are limited to angles and perspectives, action figures gives you more flexibility when it comes to phoTOYgraphy. The fabric costume is a nice touch and captured the essence of the Man of Steel very well.

I can already imagine having a Fortress of Solitude or maybe a Hall of Justice backdrop for Superman. However you will need good PS (Photoshop) skills pulling this off. You can probably imitate his flying pose by tying some strings and do several flying poses. What I love is the fact that you can do his trademark pose – hands on his waist.

Superman is my favorite comic book superhero of all time and despite this I have several disappointing issues with this figure by DC Direct.

Some Issues:

1.) The boots is made of synthetic and when I finally opened the box and took him out, a small red patch from his boot got stuck with the plastic so the boot got damaged.

2.) The extra hands that looks like a karate chop pose are worthless if you cannot tilt his head back for a flying pose.  Even with the stand you cannot do a flying pose because you cannot make his head look up.

3.) If you look at the back of the figure, the zipper in his clothes is visible. I would have preferred if the opening of the cape were slightly higher to cover this.

4.) The knee joints are flimsy so it takes a bit of patience to make Superman stand. You can only do very simple poses otherwise he will fall.

5.) The stand feels and looks very cheap. I would assume that DC Direct could have made this better.

6.) Overall, this is a very disappointing Superman figure to me.

Iron Man 2 Comic Series Action Figure War Machine by Hasbro

This is yet another version of War Machine (comic version) that is released by Hasbro for the Iron Man Movie 2 action figure line and features 2 shoulder cannons with launching missiles (http://www.hasbrotoyshop.com/ProductsByBrand.htm?BR=820&ST=SO&ID=26528&PG=1). 

Package Contents:

Aside from the figure which is around 3 3/4 inches tall, you also get a display stand and 3 armor cards.The packaging is the common blister type package. 

Collector's Perspective:

As a collector, this would probably be more of a play toy than a showcase toy for me. I can buy several characters and play with my son or nephew and not have to worry about getting the figures damaged. I also like the fact that you can bring this figure outdoors (mall maybe) and do a photo shoot without attracting too much attention (imagine if you brought your 12" figure with you instead).


This figure sells for about $9.99 in Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Man-Action-Figure-Machine/dp/B0038L1Y58), $7.49 at Toys R US (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3797567) and $6.99 at Hasbro (http://www.hasbrotoyshop.com/ProductsByBrand.htm?BR=820&ST=SO&ID=26528&PG=1). This sells for P 449.75 here in the Philippines but its vey hard to get already. My friend was able to buy his at P 550.00 from the secondary market.

Some Issues:
1.) Limited pose ability.
2.) The details are not as nice as the other War Machine figure.


PhoTOYgrapher's Perspective:
Usually figures this small (3 3/4 inch) lacks details and have poor quality paint jobs but Hasbro's Iron Man Movie 2 action figures are up to par. Though it suffers (just a wee bit) in detail compared to the movie version War Machine, it is still a good figure to phoTOYgraph. Shoot it below eye level and you will have a picture that makes him big, while shooting above eye level will make him look small. Bring it outdoors and you can probably create interesting scenarios with it.

For more pictures kindly check http://www.flickr.com/photos/powerpee/sets/72157624330083479/

Gears used:
Canon DSLR
Canon 100mm f2.8 Lens
Benro A300 Tripod
3 pcs. Jinbei 180 Watts (each), Softbox and Grid
Falcon Eyes Product Table

War Machine Iron Man 2 Movie by Hasbro

Since the Iron Man 2 movie came out (or even before), War Machine action figures are selling like hotcakes here in the Philippines. It's no wonder because WM's different than the Mark series of Tony Stark. There is something with the black and silver color combination that makes it stand out.

Package Contents:
Aside from the figure which is around 3 3/4 inches tall, it has a display stand, 3 armor cards and launching missiles. The packaging is the common blister type package.

Collector's Perspective:
I consider this a kid's toy because it is designed as a toy and not a collectible. Collectibles are pieces that you buy and display on your toy cabinet just to appreciate the beauty of it. However if you want to play with your nephew or son then this 3 3/4 inch War Machine (you can buy other characters) is a good choice.


This figure retails for about P 449.75 locally here in the Philippines, however you are lucky if you can still get it at that price. It is selling right now on the 2nd market for about P 650.00 - 850.00. My friend was able to buy this at P 550.00. Amazon is selling (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ANMV1U/ref=s9_simh_gw_p21_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1Z4HJK1PM1P77GB2WC8P&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846).

Some Issues:
1.) Limited pose ability.
2.) The silver bullets that connects from his back to the Gattling gun gets loose easily.

PhoTOYgrapher's Perspective:

So far War Machine is better to photograph for me than the Mark VI or the Hulkbuster. I've held several War Machines already and they do not disappoint (kudos to the added shoulder weaponries). The paint quality might disappoint you when you do macro shots but the details makes up for it. Bring this figure outdoors (imagine an industrial zone) and you can probably let your imagination run wild and create interesting shots.

Gears used:

Canon DSLR

Canon 100mm f2.8 Lens

Benro A300 Tripod

3 pcs. Jinbei 180 watts (each), Softbox and Grid

Falcon Eyes Product Table

Hulkbuster Iron Man 2 Comic Series by Hasbro

The Iron Man 2 merchandise continues with the release of Hulkbuster Iron Man (http://www.hasbro.com/shop/details.cfm?guid=83B40F02-19B9-F369-101E-6DE31C83AB84&product_id=26840&src=endeca). I find it weird because it (the armor) is not even in the movie and Hasbro decided to include it in the toy line. The Hulkbuster armor was designed to by Tony Stark to so he can go head to heawith the Incredible Hulk.

Package Contents:
Aside from the figure which is around 3 3/4 inches tall, it has a display stand and 3 armor cards. The packaging is the common blister type package.


Collector's Perspective:
I consider this a kid's toy because it is designed as a toy and not a collectible. Collectibles are pieces that you buy and display on your toy cabinet just to appreciate the beauty of it. However if you want to play with your nephew or son then this 3 3/4 inch Hulkbuster (you can buy other characters) is a good choice. 


Amazon is selling this for $ 15.75 http://www.amazon.com/Iron-Man-Action-Figure-Hulkbuster/dp/B003KQ0S9Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1277100777&sr=8-1 which I think is a expensive. This sells for P 449.75 here in the Philippines (if you are lucky to get one at that price), my friend bought it at P 650.00 which is already cheap (price ranges from P 650.00 - 850.00).

Some Issues:
1.) You cannot remove the head to reveal Stark's face (we can't have it all).
2.) This figure has very limited pose ability.

PhoTOYgrapher's Perspective:
Having photographed numerous toys (too many to remember) I have seen (and photographed) good and bad  quality figures, statues and even plastics so I am quite particular when it comes to details. If you do certain perspective shots you can make this figure look big in a picture. Despite the limited pose ability of Hulkbuster, add a couple of more figures of the same series and you can probably do a diorama and come up with good results.


The quality of the paint job is good enough for me.

Gears used:
Canon DSLR
Canon 100mm f2.8 Lens
Benro A300 Tripod
3 pcs. Jinbei 180 watts (each), Softbox, Honeycomb Grid and a red plastic
Falcon Eyes Product Table
  

War Machine by Marvel Select

Marvel Select complemented the Iron Man Mark VI action figure with the release of War Machine. As with the Mark VI this is a museum piece figure but better in terms of its pose ability and look. My jaw dropped when I saw the introduction of War Machine by Hammer industries in the movie and would say that this action figure is worth every penny.


Package Contents:
War Machine is packed in a blister type package and comes with a detachable shoulder Gattling gun and a deluxe armor assembly base. The figure is released under Diamond Select Toys.


Collector's Perspective:
If you have the Mark VI then you should also have War Machine because these 2 figures complement each other. As with the Mark VI this also comes with its own base with Hammer Industries stamped on the door (Justin Hammer introduced War Machine in the movie). This is probably the best rendition of an action figure of War Machine that I have ever seen. There were previous releases of WM by Marvel Legends but it pales in comparison to this movie-based figure.


I also noticed that this figure has a better pose ability than the Mark VI which is a thumbs up for me. 

The Marvel Select War Machine retails for about $ 19.99 at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Select-Machine-Action-Figure/dp/1605842028/ref=pd_sbs_t_1. It is being sold locally here in the Philippines for about P 1,500.00. My friend was able to buy this for P 1,200.00

Some Minor Issues:

1.) As with the Mark VI, I find the paint job of War Machine to be uneven. When you look at it closely you will notice the paint quality and for a 7 inch action figure I think it could have been better.

2.) The swiveling Gattling gun gets loose after awhile.

PhoTOYgrapher's Perspective:

I prefer War Machine over the Mark VI because you can make better poses with it. I find this figure to be more flexible than the Mark VI and the removable face plate reveals Don Cheadle aka James Rhodes' face. However the movement is still limited and to a PhoTOYgrapher's point of view there is a limit on what you can achieve with this figure. Like with the Mark VI, War Machine's head can be tilted which makes for interesting and dramatic head shots.

Bring this figure outdoors and you can probably imitate his movie poster pose. I forgot to mention the red outlined eyes is a winner!

War Machine and Iron Man Mark VI

PowerPee's PhoTOYgraphy rating of War Machine:

3.4 of 5

Gears used:

Canon DSLR

Canon 100mm f2.8 Lens

Benro A300 Tripod

3 pcs. Jinbei 180 watts (each), Softbox and Honey Comb Grid

Falcon Eyes Product Table

Iron Man Mark VI by Marvel Select

Marvel Select is known for coming up good quality museum piece action figures and the Mark VI is a good example. I wrote museum piece because the figure has very limited pose ability, so it will look best as a display in your toy cabinet.


Package Contents:
The 7" Mark VI is packed in a blister type package and comes with an extra pair of hands and a deluxe armor assembly base. The figure is released under Diamond Select Toys.


Collector's Perspective:
If you are collecting the Marvel Select line then the Iron Man Mark VI is a worthy addition to your collection. This action figure is very much similar to its movie-based counterpart. This toy is better suited as a display instead of giving it to your child to play with.

The Marvel Select Iron Man Mark VI retails for about $ 19.95 from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002V46I4U/ref=s9_simh_gw_p21_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=01E56XB44HXRV8CSFA52&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846. Local stores here are selling this figure for about P 1,500.00 up. My friend was lucky and bought this for only P 1,200.00.

Some Minor Issues:

1.) The armored shoulder pads comes off easily.
2.) I wish they could have painted his eyes and not leave it the same color with the face plate (gold).

3.) The paint job is uneven. I checked this figure under regular fluorescent lighting and noticed the uneven red paint on his torso and different parts of the body. This is a minor issue for me because when you look at from afar it is barely noticeable

4.) The paint comes off easily. When my friend loaned this figure to me it already had scratches/paint chips. Knowing my friend, this figure was just on display so I am assuming that it is a factory defect.

5.) Limited pose ability. 

PhoTOYgrapher's Perspective:

Aside from the common Iron Man pose wherein he uses one hand to do a repulsor blast (pictured below), there is not much you can do with this figure. The arms and legs have very limited movements so angled shots will make a difference here. 

The interchangeable hands, removable face plate which reveals Stark's face, movable Air flaps and armor shoulder pads will give you a variety of poses so this should keep you occupied. Iron Man's head and torso can be tilted which will give you interesting perspective head shots. 

Iron Man Mark VI and War Machine

Gears used:

Canon DSLR

Canon 100mm f2.8 lens

Benro A300 Tripod

3 pcs. Jinbei  180 watts (each), Softbox, Honeycomb Grid and Red Plastics

Falcon Eyes Product Table