Mattel SDCC09 Exclusive JLU Green Lantern Origins 3-Pack

[JeffSaylor]

Hal Jordan's destiny unfolds in figure form...

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To coincide with the release of the full-length animated film Green Lantern: First Flight, Mattel has created a 3-pack of characters that factor in to the Hal Jordan/Green Lantern origin storyline. Each of the three characters, which includes Hal Jordan, Sinestro, and Abin Sur, are done in the Justice League Unlimited animated style and fit in nicely with the ongoing action figure line.

PACKAGING:

While not the most visually dynamic of Mattel’s exclusive offerings this year, The Green Lantern 3-pk gives fans of GL a very cool alternative to the plain old JLU packaging. The three figures are suspended and mounted in the center of a clear three-dimensional lantern. The backer card gives the lantern it color, as well as, providing the handle of the lantern in place of the typical J-hook. The back of the package gives a brief synopsis of Green Lantern’s origin and shows pics of the characters in JLU animated form. The last surprising detail and a big plus for loose and carded fans alike is a collector-friendly bubble that can be opened without breaking any tape or seals, giving you the ability to remove the figures for display and replace them if you change your mind.

SCULPTING & ARTICULATION:

Capturing the look of the Justice League Animated Series and action figure line, the three figures are all very stocky and feature limited articulation and poseabiltiy. Each figure has five points of articulation including the arms, legs, and neck. One of the highlights of the set in the ability to remove the figures heads and interchange them, which allows fans to place Hal Jordan’s head on a Green Lantern-garbed body. This allowed Mattel to give fans a Hal Jordan Green Lantern, despite not be able to release him the way he was previously done as a promotional piece.

Abin Sur and Sinestro share the exact same body and limbs, while Hal has the same body, but includes new sculpted arms and legs and a soft PVC jacket. Each character also features the sharp, chiseled features synonymous with the style of the series. While a problem that has manifested itself throughout the history the line, the characters have issues with the legs and have to be positioned specific ways to get them to stand. The inclusion of display stands would have helped with this problem.

PAINT:

While the paint apps on these figures are fairly simple and have no additional shading or texture, they still have a fair share of flaws. The paint bleeds in many of the places where the colors change, such as at the neckline, the top of the gloves, and the hands and waist of Hal. Abin Sur and Sinestro are painted almost identical except for the two different styled Lantern costumes with and without green shoulders. Despite the flaws, the facial features were painted perfectly and the Lantern logos and the zipper and Ferris Aircraft logo on Hal’s suit are all applied flawlessly.

PRICE & OVERALL:

Despite the slight paint issues, the set is a fantastic gift from Mattel to fans of the Green Lantern. The unique packaging and swappable head feature make this set more than worth the $20 price tag. Amazingly, fans can still order this SDCC09 Exclusive from Mattel’s online store,
MattyCollector.com!

For more images of the Green Lantern Origins, visit the gallery HERE.

Review Samples courtesy of Mattel

Review & Photos by Michael Klein

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