Poison Ivy ~ DC Universe / Signature Collection ~ US$18

Poison Ivy has long been a fan-requested figure yet, despite the demand,  has taken forever to actually appear in the line. As one of Batman's most prominent and recognizable rogues, it's downright embarrassing that Mattel hasn't released Ivy sooner. However, the wait will finally be over for all the Bat-fans out there... provided she doesn't sell almost immediately.

Poison Ivy is, in many regards, a fairly basic female figure. She comes with no accessories save three  interchangeable/removable vines (as seen on her arms, legs) and I imagine the limbs were recycled from previous figures. While Poison Ivy is mildly disappointing, she will still likely prove a highly sought-after figure given the character's influence within the Bat-verse including numerous cartoon appearances, a film appearance, and numerous video game appearances.

(Included in the Club Infinite Earths subscription)

Elasti-Girl ~ DC Universe / Signature Collection (Over-sized) ~ US$35

Elasti-Girl is Club Infinite Earths / the Signature Collection's first over-sized figure. While the order form lists no height, I believe the figure will probably be somewhere around 9.5-inches tall. She also comes with a smaller figurine, reflecting the character's ability to shrink as well as grow.

For those unfamiliar with this relatively obscure stetchster, Elasti-Girl is a founding member of the equally obscure Doom Patrol (a team perhaps most prominently associated with its former member, Beast Boy). Elasti-Girl and the rest of the Doom Patrol made appearance during the final season of the Teen Titans animated series as well as in Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Elasti-Girl will be the fourth Doom Patrol member released thus far (following Robotman, Beast Boy, and Negative Man) and basically rounds out the team's founding roster (the only remaining founding member is Dr. Niles Caulder who probably won't ever receive a figure in Mattel's DCU line anyway).

(Included in the Club Infinite Earths subscription)

Rattlor ~ Masters of the Universe Classics ~ US$22

A loyal leader in King Hssss’ army, Rattlor™ was the first of the Snake Men™ to escape their imprisonment in the Void. He worked with the Snake Men™ descendent Kobra Khan™ to liberate the entire serpent army. Once freed, Hssss quickly began a three-way war against the Masters of the Universe® and Skeletor’s Evil Warriors, with Rattlor™ leading the attack. Eventually, Khan manipulated Hssss into demoting Rattlor™ and he defected to the evil Horde army. Under Hordak®, Rattlor™ became known as “The General” for his keen insight into enemy strategy. After sounding his sinister battle rattle, Rattlor™ lashes out at victims with his terrible quick-strike head!

As the case with most Snake Men, Rattlor has a pretty cool character design. His rattle snake influence (and namesake) is clearly visible on the tip of his tail. He comes with a staff that features a coiled snake, something that looks vaguely reminiscent of a medical alert item.

(Included in the Club Eternia subscription)

Frosta ~ Masters of the Universe Classics ~ US$22

The beautiful and exotic friend of She-Ra®, Mackenzie (Frosta) is queen of the Kingdom of Snows, high in the mountains of Etheria. She possesses a magic wand that whistles like the wind and lets her conjure ice spells and freezing rain against her enemies.

Frosta makes use of the same general conventions seen with other female figures in the line. Given that she's a She-Ra ally, I can't say that I really know much about the character since I never followed that spin-off. She seems to come with a staff and shield.

(Included in the Club Eternia subscription)

Cy-Chop ~ Masters of the Universe Classics ~ US$22

He’ll gladly lend a scissor-hand to anyone…  anyone who pays his price, that is. This former thief and current one-man cyborg chop shop is the fifth of six original figures celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Masters of the Universe®. Designed by Mattel’s Terry Higuchi, bounty hunter Cy-Chop™ comes with removable blade hands that can be replaced with weapons from other figures (such as the Roboto® arm attachments or the Spikor™ tridents). Add him to your collection next to his former buddy Kronis™ at your own peril!

Cy-Chop, apparently short for "Cyborg Chop", is an original character. While seemingly a pretty neat design, I personally dislike it because it reminds me of the godawful original character Swiss Miss from Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark (which I've probably referenced a few times now...). Cy-Chop features a transparent chest-piece with visible internal organs. I can't help but think how much cooler he'd be if he had a transparent head with visible organs as well. Otherwise, his gigantic scissor-hands (which are interchangeable with bits from other figures) are another really cool touch. Actually, I think I like pretty much everything about this figure except for the head sculpt.

(Included in the Club Eternia subscription)

Great Unrest weapons pack ~ Masters of the Universe Classics ~ US$18

This weapons pack contains a few fan requested items, repaints, as well as some unreleased accessories (including the flaming whip & removable-flame shield that were slated to come with Draego-Man). The set includes Kelddor's split swords, three Draego-Man accessories (the whip, shield, and an unflamed sword), Horde Prime's staff, a Temple of Darkness-themed Zoar (to accompany Temple of Darkness Sorceress), Clawful weapon repaints, Chief Carnivus weapon repaints, Teela "classic toy color" weapon repaints, and a blaster arm cannon for Man-at-Arms.

While I'd like to have the weapons that were supposed to come with Draego-Man, I don't feel like shelling out US$18 to do so.

Black Lion w/ Keith ~ Voltron ~ US$65

If you've been collecting all the figures (well, the lions) so far, the Black Lion is the last one needed to form the 24-inch tall Voltron. If his proportions look odd, just remember that this lion forms the chest-piece and head of Voltron. He comes with Keith and the final blazing sword piece. Since I haven't been collecting the line, I'll probably live vicariously through fan photos.

(Included in club subscription)

Guy Gardner, Martian Manhunter, Batman ~ Justice League Unlimited ~ US$30

The JLU pack this month is a Justice League International-themed 3-pack featuring Batman, Martian Manhunter, and Green Lantern Guy Gardner. Batman has had countless releases and even Martian Manhunter has had quite a few now, meaning that you'd basically be buying the pack for Gardner. Would you pay US$30 for Gardner?

Trap Jaw, Battle Armor He-Man, and King Grayskull ~ Masters of the Universe Classics ~ US$22 each

The previously released (and previously reissued) Masters of the Universe Classics this month are Trap Jaw, Battle Armor He-Man, and King Grayskull. Battle Armor He-Man features interchangeable chest plates to replicate the "battle damage" dial in the original toy's chest. The gimmick is doubtlessly a nostalgia-fest to many who grew up with the line.

King Grayskull is cool for both being a Masters figure but also having a more generic fantasy vibe, something rarely accomplished well in the line. He comes with the 'Orb of Power' (not in his original limited SDCC release but featured in the reissues since), an "energy transfusing sword", and a shield.

Superman, Batman, Red Robin, and Superboy Prime ~ DC Universe / All-Stars ~ US$15 each

As has been the case with some previous DCU waves, Matty will be selling DC Universe All-Stars wave 1 which consists of a New 52 styled Batman and Superman as well as Red Robin and Superboy Prime. At US$15 per figure, they're somewhat cheaper than the general US$16 charged by most retailers. However, given Digital River's shipping policies, it's still probably cheaper to just order them off Amazon or buy them from a normal retailer.

While I somewhat like the look of the new Superman and Batman, there's simply no way that I'm buying yet another version of these guys especially since I might cave on the Injustice: Gods Among Us versions. Superboy Prime (a more powerful, psychotic parallel Earth Superman) is arguably the wave's real gem, as he's both a prominent and overlooked character. He's also the only figure I bought from the wave.

Beyond all that, you still have the normally available merchandise if you've had your eye on something and want to bundle shipping. With so many items, I imagine that a lot of people will be buying something from the sale even if it's just the fairly essential Poison Ivy. For those interested, Matty Collector's October sale goes live at 12 p.m. EST on October 15th (or 72 hours from the time of posting).

[ Matty Collector ]