“...and he cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth, and when he cried, seven thunders uttered their voices...”
Any avid comic reader knows the diamond that is Alex Ross’ Kingdom Come masterpiece. His take on a dystopian future of the DC Universe has stood the test of time and is as magnificent today as it was decades ago. In a story featuring a near-indestructible Superman, you need an obstacle who can stand up to him pound for pound. And man, did this individual stand up to Supes! Not only did he match the Last Son of Krypton’s strength and speed, but he also surpassed it in a number of ways – he literally kicked his butt! Superman won in the end (spoiler alert!), but he only did so by appealing to Shazam’s intellect and compassion.
Coming out of the Kingdom Come’s wave two of figures, Shazam (or Captain Marvel for you old DC purists), looks like he stepped straight out of the comic. His face and physique show the incredibly detailed painting-style art of Alex Ross. From the brushed up hair to the slick eyebrows and all the way down to his medieval looking boots. The figure screams Alex Ross from top to bottom. The way his cape hangs from his broad shoulders also adds to the realism of his pose. He is clearly here to bring some hurt to Superman, and he knows it.
The figure is a bit harder to find nowadays as compared to the other DC KC items. It is not as rare as Hawkman, but it is not as easy to get a hold of as Superman/Flash is. The Kingdom Come toys are a joy to display in your collection, and I can’t imagine any set that does not include the Captain of the Lightning & Thunder.
TOY ASYLUM’S RATING (OUT OF 5 STARS)
OVERALL DESIGN - 4.5 OUT OF 5 STARS
- The figure is really nice to look at. The colors are vibrant but it does not take away from the realism. He is a comic book character, so why does he look so menacing even in real life? That’s the beauty of Alex Ross’ work.
PLAYABILITY - 3.5 OUT OF 5 STARS
- Could have used more articulation in the figure - but then again that’s always been the Achilles’ heel of DC toys.
DURABILITY - 3.5 OUT OF 5 STARS
- Shazam looks like he can withstand the elements of nature and play. The figure is solid and is made of strong hard plastic. The cape may have discoloration effects if not taken cared of properly.
RARITY - 4.0 OUT OF 5 STARS
- Though not as rare as some of its other KC toy mates, he is a bit harder to find than the mainstream Supes and Bats. If you find one at a decent price, better hold on to him.
*Not all of the pics are mine so a BIG thanks to the owners (and congratulations for a wonderful collection!).
Comments