DC Essentials Wave 2 (Superman, Aquaman ,Black Manta & Brainiac) Figures Review & Images

by Jay Cochran
September 04, 2018
DC Collectibles continues its new line of highly articulated 7” DC Essentials comic based action figures with a second wave of figures that include Superman, Aquaman, Black Manta and Brainiac.



The figures incorporate the same style of window-box packaging as the first wave. Each box is color coded and numbered to match the included figure. Superman, number 5 in the series, has a blue box. Brainiac is number 6 with a green box; Aquaman is number 7 with a orange box; and Black Manta is number 8 with a black box. The back of the packaging features another image of the figure, a bio for the DC Essentials line and a look at the other figures in the wave. It also tells us the figures were sculpted by Paul Harding.



Two of the four figures in this wave, Aquaman and Black Manta feature accessories while the other two do not. Aquaman comes with a trident made of gold plastic, and Black Manta comes with two swords and a bladed weapon made from a metallic silver plastic. Aquaman’s trident is shorter than the figure, and Black Manta’s weapons fit in the non-removable backpack included with the figure.



For the figures themselves, they all use the same basic muscular body as the figures in the first wave with some minor differences. Brainiac and Black Manta have the same type of boots while Superman’s are unique and Aquaman isn’t wearing any.



Black Manta has a metallic silver wrist gauntlet sculpted on the right wrist and two rubber-like hoses attached from the helmet which runs to the backpack. While the paint applications on these figures are pretty basic, I like the glossy black used on Manta along with the red on the eyes and neck. The helmet is a good size with some nice sculpting detail on it with line work. Black Manta has two grip hands.



Aquaman has chainmail sculpted on his shirt along with a metallic gold belt with an ‘A’ on it. I also like the metallic orange used on the shirt and the green on the pants with gloves matching nicely. The gloves are sculpted so the backs stick out at the top in a point, and he also has the fins sculpted on the back of his lower legs. He has a metallic gold color that is sculpted not just painted. The head sculpt on this figure is pretty solid overall but probably my least favorite of the four figures in the wave. Aquaman has a closed fist for the right hand and a grip for the left.



Brainiac has nice sculpting detail on the head with pinkish circles on the top of his head. Except for the boots, all other aspects of the outfit are painted on and the figure features two closed fists.



Superman has the best head sculpt of the four figures and one of the best I have seen on a Superman figure in some time. He has black hair with the iconic curl. The figure features the outfit from Action Comics #1000 with the red trunks. The one minor error on the figure is that they forgot to paint the belt loops red. Also, I don’t like the darker red used on the ankle joints which is noticeably different from the glossy red used on the rest of the boots. The cape on Superman which is made of a rubber-like material is a good length and hangs well on the figure. Superman has a closed fist for the right hand and an open hand for the left.



Articulation is solid on all four figures including thigh swivels, double-jointed knees and elbows. I especially like how far back you can get Superman’s head back for flight poses. Black Manta has the least head movement due to the large helmet.



All four figures are roughly the same height although Black Manta might be a bit taller due to the helmet. The figures are not in scale with other 6” lines like DC Icons, Marvel Legends and DC Multiverse but do match up nicely with all the older DC-based figures that DC Collectibles made before they did DC Icons.



At the end of the day, while the figures aren’t perfect, I am enjoying them overall and think if you want a highly articulated DC Comic based line these are worth checking out. Look for the second wave to start hitting comic and specialty shops this week. You can pre-order these figure now from Megalopolis Toys.

These figures were provided by DC Collectibles free of charge for purposes of review.
Image 1 of 89
1 of 89
Image 2 of 89
2 of 89
Image 3 of 89
3 of 89
Image 4 of 89
4 of 89
Image 5 of 89
5 of 89
Image 6 of 89
6 of 89
Image 7 of 89
7 of 89
Image 8 of 89
8 of 89
Image 9 of 89
9 of 89
Image 10 of 89
10 of 89
Image 11 of 89
11 of 89
Image 12 of 89
12 of 89
Image 13 of 89
13 of 89
Image 14 of 89
14 of 89
Image 15 of 89
15 of 89
Image 16 of 89
16 of 89
Image 17 of 89
17 of 89
Image 18 of 89
18 of 89
Image 19 of 89
19 of 89
Image 20 of 89
20 of 89
Image 21 of 89
21 of 89
Image 22 of 89
22 of 89
Image 23 of 89
23 of 89
Image 24 of 89
24 of 89
Image 25 of 89
25 of 89
Image 26 of 89
26 of 89
Image 27 of 89
27 of 89
Image 28 of 89
28 of 89
Image 29 of 89
29 of 89
Image 30 of 89
30 of 89
Image 31 of 89
31 of 89
Image 32 of 89
32 of 89
Image 33 of 89
33 of 89
Image 34 of 89
34 of 89
Image 35 of 89
35 of 89
Image 36 of 89
36 of 89
Image 37 of 89
37 of 89
Image 38 of 89
38 of 89
Image 39 of 89
39 of 89
Image 40 of 89
40 of 89
Image 41 of 89
41 of 89
Image 42 of 89
42 of 89
Image 43 of 89
43 of 89
Image 44 of 89
44 of 89
Image 45 of 89
45 of 89
Image 46 of 89
46 of 89
Image 47 of 89
47 of 89
Image 48 of 89
48 of 89
Image 49 of 89
49 of 89
Image 50 of 89
50 of 89
Image 51 of 89
51 of 89
Image 52 of 89
52 of 89
Image 53 of 89
53 of 89
Image 54 of 89
54 of 89
Image 55 of 89
55 of 89
Image 56 of 89
56 of 89
Image 57 of 89
57 of 89
Image 58 of 89
58 of 89
Image 59 of 89
59 of 89
Image 60 of 89
60 of 89
Image 61 of 89
61 of 89
Image 62 of 89
62 of 89
Image 63 of 89
63 of 89
Image 64 of 89
64 of 89
Image 65 of 89
65 of 89
Image 66 of 89
66 of 89
Image 67 of 89
67 of 89
Image 68 of 89
68 of 89
Image 69 of 89
69 of 89
Image 70 of 89
70 of 89
Image 71 of 89
71 of 89
Image 72 of 89
72 of 89
Image 73 of 89
73 of 89
Image 74 of 89
74 of 89
Image 75 of 89
75 of 89
Image 76 of 89
76 of 89
Image 77 of 89
77 of 89
Image 78 of 89
78 of 89
Image 79 of 89
79 of 89
Image 80 of 89
80 of 89
Image 81 of 89
81 of 89
Image 82 of 89
82 of 89
Image 83 of 89
83 of 89
Image 84 of 89
84 of 89
Image 85 of 89
85 of 89
Image 86 of 89
86 of 89
Image 87 of 89
87 of 89
Image 88 of 89
88 of 89
Image 89 of 89
89 of 89




Comments...

Last 10 comments - ( Read All Posts )
kILLMonger - 2018-10-09 @ 4:22 pm

The classic will always be classic...and honestly if I hadn't seen Devil Ray, the Aquaman Animated movies, and that Deluxe Mattel one (I forget the series)...I'd be fine. But I KNOW there is other better looks for the helmet so now I'm spoiled lol. The movie Aquaman Manta really ups the sinister aspect. Give this dude some armor, and a more menacing profile. I love what DC has been doing with Manta lately and really upping his danger factor/menace. His look needs to match that.

sXeblues - 2018-10-07 @ 1:11 am

^ Id be interested in seeing a figure version of that look, myself... But, Ill always be a sucker for the classic helmet look and style.

kILLMonger - 2018-10-01 @ 9:29 pm

I'm going to throw myself out here with this: I LOVE Black Manta...I really do...but I am forever wishing that someone would ditch that helmet and give him a Devil Ray look in the comics. I always thought it was more sinister and cooler looking. The Aquaman animated movie fig came close but I still hold my JL Devil Ray as my definitive Black Manta. I just need it in 6 in form....

sXeblues - 2018-09-26 @ 8:33 am

This is legitimately the first Superman figure that Ive seen in a long time, that really has me wanting it. Probably not since the initial New 52 Supes. And thats mostly because every version of him in figure form that Ive seen since, have all had horrendous head and face sculpts. Theyve all looked more like a flesh tone Frankensteins monsterto me, than Superman.This is really the best Ive seen, in what feels like forever.

LimitedEdition - 2018-09-24 @ 11:05 pm
On 9/22/2018 at 11:36 AM, NeedlessImmortals said:

I don't think Flash and Aquaman should be more buff than Superman or Batman.

I believe Flash and Superman are using the same small torso, gorilla armed sculpt.

LimitedEdition - 2018-09-24 @ 11:04 pm
On 9/21/2018 at 1:14 AM, Thinwheat said:

I'm liking that Aquaman, but I told myself I'd not get into this line. . . can't collect everything!

Good timing on their part with the release of Aquaman and Black Manta.

LimitedEdition - 2018-09-24 @ 11:04 pm

The arms on these Essentials seem a tad short.

I think the legs need to be extended longer ?

Maybe I can mod the legs to give a extra inch in height to the calf.

NeedlessImmortals - 2018-09-22 @ 3:36 pm

I don't think Flash and Aquaman should be more buff than Superman or Batman.

dchimpy - 2018-09-21 @ 12:11 pm
6 hours ago, Thinwheat said:

I'm liking that Aquaman, but I told myself I'd not get into this line. . . can't collect everything!

I told myself I wasn't getting into this line too, but I just ordered Flash last night. I'm weak.

Thinwheat - 2018-09-21 @ 5:14 am

I'm liking that Aquaman, but I told myself I'd not get into this line. . . can't collect everything!

Post Your Comment Now! (membership required)




FIGURES SHOPPING ONLINE

Search Online Stores for DC Essentials Wave 2



Toys Shopping Oniine


MORE




This site uses cookies for site configuration, advertising, and analysis. By using this site you accept our policies - Read Full Site Policy OK
Sign Up For The TNI Newsletter And Have The News Delivered To You!


Forums Communities: Toy Fans - Marvel Fans - Transformers Fans

@ToyNewsI Socials: Facebook - Twitter - Instagram

@MarvelousNews Socials: Facebook - Twitter - Instagram

@Tformers Socials: Facebook - Twitter - Instagram

@JediInsider Socials: Facebook - Twitter - Instagram

Entertainment News International (ENI) is the #1 popular culture network for adult fans all around the world.
Get the scoop on all the popular comics, games, movies, toys, and more every day!

Contact and Support

Advertising | Submit News | Contact ENI | Privacy Policy

©Entertainment News International - All images, trademarks, logos, video, brands and images used on this website are registered trademarks of their respective companies and owners. All Rights Reserved. Data has been shared for news reporting purposes only. All content sourced by fans, online websites, and or other fan community sources. Entertainment News International is not responsible for reporting errors, inaccuracies, omissions, and or other liablities related to news shared here. We do our best to keep tabs on infringements. If some of your content was shared by accident. Contact us about any infringements right away - CLICK HERE