Package Description
Red Tornado came into being when a living cyclone, originally called Tornado Tyrant, from the Planet Rann, was fused to an android body by the scientist T.O. Morrow. Although he was originally created to destroy the Justice League of America, Red Tornado instead disobeyed his programming and defeated his master, thus earning the android membership in a grateful and forgiving JLA.
Appearance
Red Tornado has a new sculpt (that he shares with Orion and Batman). He has a generic body like most DC Superheroes sculpts, and there are a few details worth mentioning. Because of the yellow lines and dark paint wash, it’s hard to tell even when Red Tornado is standing next to Batman that they share the same body. The red is a nice color, and I appreciate the paint wash. I was hoping that the red would be painted so it wouldn’t be quite as shiny, but I think the figure still avoids a plastic texture. The cape looks a little odd around his head though, because it goes straight up around his head. I know that it kind of does that in the comics, but it doesn’t look natural looking at all. The paint is generally well applied, but the yellow paint needs a thicker coat in some places because the red is visible underneath. The lines are sharp though and look good.
Red Tornado’s stance is a little wide like most characters in this line. The large upper body looks good on this figure because of all the lines framing the contours of his body. It’s odd that there are clothing stretch marks at the top of the legs since there’s no indication he’s wearing clothes. The gloves and sculpted details look good, and the face sculpt is excellent. Stern expressions seem to be a staple of this line, and further in the series a little bit of variety might be a concern.
The joints are generally hidden by the bright yellow and red. The style the figure is made in goes with DCSH and DCUC figures well, so there’s no problems there. Overall, Orion looks solid and well made. He could have been more eye catching with red paint instead of being molded in that color, but he looks good as is. Overall I’m happy with the way he turned out and can’t wait to get more JLA to pose him with.
Articulation
Red Tornado has articulation that was standard on DCSH figures. There is an improved range of motion in the head, limited on Red Tornado some by the cape which frames the head. The ab crunch does not move much at all. The cape doesn’t really impede arm movement, but as always it effects balance and what poses he can do. His balance problems aren’t nearly as bad as Batman from this series though. The wind accessory also snaps on the hand easily.
Poseability
Red Tornado has good balance, including while he’s holding the wind accessory. It is difficult to balance him standing on his accessory though. It looks good when he does though, and he looks good flying on a ML flight stand. He does well in dynamic poses, but I think the number of poses the wind accessory looks good in are limited. Red Tornado goes well by himself or with an existing DCSH collection. He could use some more Leaguers like Metamorpho to be posed with since the big names like Batman and Superman will probably be posed together. Overall, it’s easy to put him in good poses and he looks good on display.
Final Judgment: 7
This figure was the one I was looking forward to most, and I wasn’t disappointed. Red Tornado gives me hope that a couple years down the road we could have a good looking Justice League. He looks good standing with other characters and in action poses. Any visual problems aren’t really noticeable at all when he’s on display, including the red showing from under the yellow. The only improvement I really want is some variation in the body types.
SCALE
10. My favorite possession.
9. My favorite action figure.
8. One of my favorite action figures.
7. An excellent action figure.
6. A good, but not exceptional action figure.
5. An adequate action figure.
4. Not worth the money I spent.
3. I'll give it to somebody's kid.
2. I'll give it to somebody's dog.
1. It's going to lose a fight with my car.
