For fans of classic animated superhero series, the DC Animated Universe holds a special place. While Batman: The Animated Series is often hailed as a masterpiece, its follow-up, Superman: The Animated Series (STAS), also captivated audiences with its distinct art style and character interpretations. Recognizing the appeal of these beloved designs, Dc Collectibles Superman Animated Series line has brought many characters into action figure form. The Superman and Lois Lane two-pack is a notable release in this collection, offering fans the iconic duo. This review examines the figures based on packaging, sculpt, paint, articulation, accessories, fun factor, and value, providing insights for collectors and fans of the Superman Animated Series action figures.
batman the animated series toys 1992
Packaging
The packaging for the Dc Collectibles Superman Animated Series two-pack features the aesthetic of the show, offering a basic but recognizable presentation. While it displays the figures well, it isn’t entirely collector-friendly. Removing the figures requires dealing with tape seals on accessories, twisty ties, and rubber bands. While you can generally repackage them without major damage, the effort involved makes it less convenient for those who prefer to store figures in their original boxes.
Packaging for DC Collectibles Superman Animated Series Superman & Lois Lane 2-pack
Sculpting
One of the strongest points of the DC Collectibles Superman Animated Series line, and these figures specifically, is the sculpting. The artists have successfully translated the unique 2D animation style of the show into three-dimensional figures, which is a challenging feat. Both the Superman and Lois Lane figures closely resemble their onscreen counterparts. Superman stands approximately 6 1/2 inches tall, while Lois is about 5 3/4 inches, aligning with the intended 1/12th scale of the line. They look great displayed together or alongside figures from the related Batman: The Animated Series line.
Internal proportions, while sometimes appearing slightly off, remain faithful to the character designs in the animation. Superman’s large torso and arms, for instance, result in fists that might seem small, but this reflects the source material’s style. The open and gripping hands are better scaled. The figures come with a variety of hands sculpted for different poses. However, the impressive sculpt sometimes hinders the figures’ articulation, a point detailed further below.
Sculpt detail on DC Collectibles Superman Animated Series figure
Paint
The paint application on the DC Collectibles Superman Animated Series figures is generally clean. The Superman figure in this set features bright, consistent colors with mostly clean cut lines between different areas. Minor issues include slight slop around the symbol and a couple of small dirt marks on the blue suit, but these are relatively minor flaws on a mass-produced collectible figure.
Lois Lane’s figure, however, presents more noticeable paint issues, particularly on her face. The lipstick application can appear rough, and there may be small unremovable white spots. Her eyes and eyebrows are done well, with clean makeup lines and no bleed. Her blue blazer and white skirt have a clean finish. The decision to not paint the buttons a different color matches her appearance on the show.
Paint application issues on DC Collectibles Lois Lane Animated Series figure
Articulation
Articulation is an area where the DC Collectibles Superman Animated Series line, including this two-pack, often falls short. Despite incorporating various joints, many don’t function as smoothly or effectively as they could due to the sculpt. Both figures feature a decent ball-jointed neck allowing for some turn, tilt, and lean. Rotating hinge shoulders, elbows, and wrists offer basic arm posing, though with some restriction. A cut waist is present, but there is no ab crunch or chest joint for more dynamic upper body movement.
The legs are particularly problematic. Both figures have double hinge hips for front-to-back and side-to-side motion, along with pin knees and pin ankles. Crucially, this design lacks rotation in any of the leg joints and no rocker movement in the ankles. Combined with the animated figures’ tendency towards small feet (especially Lois in heels), getting these figures to stand unsupported in satisfying poses is difficult. Without the included display bases, they often feel more like static maquettes than poseable action figures.
Limited articulation pose of DC Collectibles Superman Animated Series figure
Accessories
The Superman and Lois Lane figures come with similar accessory loads, focusing primarily on interchangeable hands and display support. Each figure includes three extra sets of hands, providing a variety of gripping and gesturing options for both characters. Swapping the hands can be somewhat tricky and potentially risky. While popping them off is usually fine, attaching new hands, particularly on Superman’s figure with thin wrist posts, can make collectors nervous. Applying gentle heat to the forearm (not the hand itself) can help ease installation and reduce the risk of breakage.
Following the standard for the line, both figures include a small white display base with a clear plastic waist support rod. These bases are necessary for achieving reliable standing poses, especially given the articulation limitations. The bases also feature “maquette turn around” style artwork. The reliance on the clear waist support rather than a simpler foot peg system (like those used by some other collectible lines) is a drawback.
Interchangeable hands and display base accessories for DC Collectibles Superman & Lois Lane figures
batman animated series action figures 1992
Fun Factor
While the figures look fantastic and capture the animated style well, their limited and sometimes frustrating articulation impacts the “fun factor” for posing and play. Getting them into dynamic stances is challenging, and relying heavily on the display stands can detract from the enjoyment of posing action figures. They serve better as display pieces than as figures for extensive play or complex dioramas.
DC Collectibles Superman Animated Series figures displayed on included bases
Value
The value proposition is perhaps the weakest aspect of this two-pack. Retailing around $50 for the pair, or $25 per figure, is on the higher side, especially considering the articulation issues. It appears this line may have faced dwindling demand over time, which can contribute to higher individual unit costs. At this price point, it’s hard to feel like you’re getting exceptional value for the money, particularly if articulation is a priority for your collection.
DC Collectibles Superman Animated Series two-pack figures side-by-side
Things to Watch Out For
When handling these figures, be particularly cautious with the wrist pegs when swapping hands. As mentioned, heating the forearms slightly can aid in the process. Avoid heating the hands themselves, as making the plastic too soft could potentially lead to the hand separating from its peg.
Overall Assessment
Overall, the DC Collectibles Superman Animated Series line is appreciated for bringing these beloved designs to life in action figure form. The sculpting quality is a significant highlight, accurately replicating the distinct animation style of Superman and Lois Lane. However, this particular two-pack is a slight disappointment compared to some other figures in the wider animated series collection. While the sculpts are excellent, the wonky articulation and relatively high price point detract from the overall experience.
Despite the drawbacks in articulation and value, the visual appeal driven by the strong sculpts ultimately saves the set. For dedicated fans of Superman: The Animated Series looking to collect figures based on the show’s specific aesthetic, this two-pack is likely a necessary purchase. For more casual collectors or those prioritizing highly poseable figures, the issues might make it less critical to their collection.
