How do you top a Kryptonian with super strength, speed, stamina, flight, heat vision, freezing breath and nigh invulnerability? Easy! A martian who can do all those things, and more!
J'onn J'onzz is Martian Manhunter, a being who even Superman said: "He is the most powerful being on the face of the Earth". - JLA #80
I really like the character of Martian Manhunter. He's got a gentle, compassionate personality as well as being very badass in his ability to do...just about anything! Super-everything, invisibility, shape-changing are just a few of his powers. Like Supes, they had to sneak in ONE weakness, which is fire...because! Later on, writers created this as a built-in psychosomatic effect to J'onn's race in order to prevent them from regressing to a more domineering, aggressive, conquest-type of race. They later removed this weakness completely. Oh, writers!
This look for Martian Manhunter is from the DC Direct 2011 line for Brightest day.
This figure holds a lot of things true of the older DC Direct figures: Really well sculpted, nice attention to all the paint details, and very true to the original character! This one is a 7" scale figure, so even though he is more meant for the others in the direct line, for now, he's my stand-in for the DC Icons Justice league! If anyone asks, he's used his shapeshifting ability to become huge and imposing! His articulation is standard for DC Direct, having some standard joints, but no ankle joints, wrist hinges, ab crunch, or double-jointed anything.
Sculpt&Paint: 4/5 Good. His paint apps are really clean. I love the shiny M insignia on his chest, and the deep-set red eyes. I find his brow a little too low, but that's just me being nitpicky. It would've been nice to have some shading on the green skin for the muscles. Cape is nicely sculpted with lots of wrinkles and hem.
Articulation:2/5 (15 points) What can I say? It's Direct, and the standard articulation in 2011 for DC is not the same as today. He has okay head range, 90-degree elbow flexion, and swivel wrists. One of his hands is punching, the other grasping...but to grasp what? There is no accessory for that.
There is not even a waist swivel for this guy, but he does have an okay range for the hips going forward and boot cuff rotation. Knees don't really bend far though, so that's a bit limiting.
Price/Availability: 3/5 You can still find him online at eBay and Amazon for roughly 70-90 CAD.
Accessories: 1/5. He comes with a nice stand. It's a wide, circular, and painted with the white lantern symbol. That's it! Again, this is before the days of alternate hands, heads or tons of weapons/effects.
Fun factor: 2/5 One thing about DC Direct figures is they do have some good weight to them. In some ways, the lack of articulation makes them easier to balance in standing and slightly spread-legged poses. Not particularly dynamic, but they look good on the shelf.
Verdict: 12/25 Okay. Despite the verdict, I really like having this figure to fill out my DC Icons Justice League arrangement, even if it is mostly an imposing piece. DC Direct did pretty well even at the end of their line!
You're Welcome for the figure. J'onn J'onnz has long been a favourite of mine and I'm glad you enjoy him. It is kind of amazing to look at how far action figures have come over the years. And yeah Martians are naturally taller than humans (and Kryptonians). When they revealed his natural Martian form in the 80's it was easily 7 feet tall.
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