MATTEL

Report by Daniel Lipkowitz
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Mattel is very proud of its newly-acquired D.C. Comics licenses, and with good reason. Initial prototype photos indicated that the new Batman line would be barely more than statue-like display pieces, but the final products have turned out to be highly articulated as well as highly detailed. Although market realities seem to inevitably doom any hero-driven action figure line to a succession of odd colors and wacky accessories, Mattel's Batman manages to do it in style. Probably of greatest interest to fans and collectors is a terrific Batman in the Year One style, with classic gray suit, pouch-laded utility belt, a simple black chest symbol and articulation out the whazoo. With sculpting by the famed Four Horsemen, this guy even has tiny bat-symbols molded into the soles of his treaded boots.

Alongside the wacky Batman variants are a few supporting characters, some of whom will be available in two-packs with Batman -- Robin, Nightwing, Superman and the Joker. Smaller vehicles will include dedicated pilot and driver figures, while the gigantic Batmobile features seating for two, with a removable motorcycle for Robin and a tailfin that can become either a winged jetpack for a Batman figure or a child-sized Batarang. There's also a 12-inch Batman with opening belt pouches and a whole batload of accessories.

The new Justice League line is perfectly matched to the stylized designs of Paul Dini. Although most of the team is now or will soon be available in toy stores, Hawkgirl, perceived to be the least marketable League member, will be a direct-market exclusive. The Javelin 7 vehicle splits into two separate missile-firing ships and will include a Batman figure. A pair of "Action Sets" with small playscenes include a purple-suited Batman with a retracting Batline and an Apokalips-costumed Superman with breakaway chains. A two-pack assortment will include Lex Luthor, the toy line's only villain so far. A series of armored Justice League figures will include Green Lantern with a transparent energy shell, Superman and Batman, and a Martian Manhunter who can transform from his Earth shape to his native Martian form. Rounding out the line will be a set of Jumbo Figures with the same detail and articulation as the smaller toys.

Mattel also showed off a series of new Looney Tunes products. "Don't You Dare Daffy" is a fabric figure with hard plastic feet who heckles you as you press down on his head, squashing him cartoon-style. When fully squished, Daffy waddles away with his arms flailing. "Bashin' Bugs Bunny" swings his mallet, complete with sound effects, when you squeeze his tummy (I got to be the victim for a demonstration). "Rude Tunes Taz" makes... appropriate noises, so to speak, when you place one hand under his armpit and pump his other arm up and down. "Swing and Sing Tweety" sings when you rock him on his swing. The "Twisterz" assortment features small plush characters with spinning tops on their bottoms (apparently Taz has been giving lessons). There were also action figures based on the upcoming Looney Tunes: Back in Action movie, including a gadget-armed secret agent Bugs with helicopter ears, a rubbery Daffy with a slingshot feature, a spinning Taz in a breakaway cage and a two-pack of Tweety and his giant monster form with a flexible roaring mouth.

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