The Flash III

Superboy

The Character
Superboy was created by Project Cadmus in an attempt to replicate Superman, who was believed to have been killed by Doomsday. Since they were unable to clone Superman directly, they fused Kryptonian and human DNA. Kon-El, later known as Conner Kent, left Project Cadmus and refused to be called Superboy initially. Brash and quick to fight, Kon-El learns valuable lessons in stopping Mongul and Cyborg Superman from destroying Metropolis and eventually accepts the Superboy mantle. His powers come from “tactile telekinesis” rather than being inborn and they allow him to replicate many of the Man of Steel’s powers.

Presentation
When I heard they were making this version of Superboy, I laughed and shook my head. The comic version of Superboy depicted is definitely a product of the late 80s/early 90s, with dated sunglasses, leather jacket, and haircut. In figure form, however, he really doesn’t look that out of sorts. There is nice detail on the zipper and buckles of the jacket, which is flying open dramatically, and a nice Super-S on the back of it. The belt is smooth and detailed and buckles on the right thigh and boots have nice cross-hatching that gives them a leathery appearance. The cut-lines are very good overall (particularly the chest symbol, though there is some bleed on the buckles. The Four Horsemen have captured Superboy’s coif beautifully, even adding a blue hue to his punk-rock doo. The sunglasses are sculpted individually and, though attached at the side of the head, it does allow you to pull them down slightly to see that his eyes and eyebrows are sculpted and painted. I don’t begrudge them for attaching the glasses, as even the most dedicated collector would be sure to lose them eventually.

Accessories
Superboy only comes with the 75th anniversary collector pin with Superboy art on it.

C&C parts
Kon-El has Trigon’s left arm.

What I like
Frankly, I like the fact that they were able to make a period figure that doesn’t look so dated that a kid seeing it in the store wouldn’t want to buy it. The sculpting on the jacket is very good, and I’m glad to see Mattel made a teen male buck that isn’t kid-sized, like Beast Boy and Kid Flash.

What I don’t
The facial expression is very plain and the paint is so uniform that it is difficult to tell that the figure has lips. The hands of the figure also seem a bit small; it might be because they are closed in a fist, but they seem slightly smaller compared to his head than adult figures fist do to their heads.

Issues/Problems
None, there is good quality plastic and solid, tight joints.

Summary
This is an excellent case of how a great design and sculpt can turn a figure you’d normally pass on into one you wouldn’t mind having with the rest of your collection. Just get us a DCUC Steel and “The Reign of the Supermen” will be complete!

Grade: B