Abundance of Black Lantern Figures... RISE!: Blackest Night Wave 4 Review

I am a huge Green Lantern fan. I will try not to let that affect my review of thise figures. Though, if you aren't a fan, then why are you buying figures from a specific comic line?



Wave 4, released today, includes Black Lantern Wonder Woman, Kyle Rayner w/Power Battery, Black Hand with "Batman" skull. and Black Lantern Firestorm.



I would have to say that this particular Wonder Woman figure is by far the best female sculpt I've seen in the Green Lantern/Blackest Night line. The painting looks amazing and it comes with her trusty lasso. She has 13 excellent points of articulation. My only complaint is that ANOTHER Wonder Woman will be released in this line, that so far, doesn't look nearly as good as this one. I would have to say Black Lantern Wonder Woman is my favorite of Wave 4.



Next up is Kyle Rayner. I was perfectly fine with my JLA Kyle in his Ion costume. He fit in well with the other DC Direct GL line. Early photos made this figure look very bulky, but holding him in my hands looks and feels more accurate. He comes with his new power battery. He also has 13 points articulation, however, Kyle's arms are articulated at the elbow and the top of the forearm. The articulation on his forearm is a little strange and means to turn his wrist or hand, you have to turn his whole forearm. Other than that, the figure looks great!



Again, I wasn't happy with early photos of this new Black Hand sculpt, and again, I was pleasantly surprised. Black hand has 13 points of articulation, and his leg articulation is a little bulky, but it works! My only real complaint lies with his accessory.



As you can see, the side of the "Batman" skull has a bizarre black rectangle. Hint of things to come or just a manufacturing flaw? Other than this minor detail, the new sculpt is amazing!



Finally we have Black Lantern Firestorm or "Blirestorm" for those who wish to save a few breaths. Early photos made this the must have figure of the line. In hands, the figure is good, but not as good as it was anticipated to be. It has 13 points of articulation, but since his costume design expands from this torso to his legs, moving his legs disrupts the silver line in the costume design. It might not seem bad, but it BUGS the hell out of me. The blue goes well with the monochromatic costume, unlike the dark yellow used for Aquaman in the previous wave. I guess I pictured the fire on his head more separated into strands like the fire on his chest. The fire on his head is a solid blob of plastic. The figure still looks pretty cool, but a little less than what I was expecting.

Overall, a very good wave, Most of the articulation was good, the sculpts look amazing, and the figures can stand fully on their respected bases, unlike the one-foot stylings of Kryb in wave 2. All in all, a very good addition to the line. BRING ON WAVE 5!

-Clayton