by Rod Keith
Mattel may have scuttled their online Matty store DC Univere Classics two-packs, but it doesn't mean they're dead. Seems they're still doing some for retailers, with the upcoming Batman/Robin, and Aquaman/Black Manta repaint packs for Wal-Mart. In the past they've also re-released old characters with brand new ones-- we've seen Abin Sur, Lightray and Silver Age Brainiac show up in TRU exclusive sets in the past year.
Can this continue? Sure it can, and it should!
In our new feature "Mattel, I Dare Ya!", the Critical Mess Chop Shop will present viable suggestions for Mattel to offer as new retailer two-packs. Each will offer an already-produced popular character with a desirable repaint, along with a brand-spankin' new figure- using parts already available to Mattel, with minor re-tooling, and a fresh coat of paint. Mattel, we'll make it easy for you!
#1. DR. FATE VS. WOTAN: Mystic Mayhem!
Let's focus on the DCU's Master Mage, who has been around in various incarnations for nigh-on 70 years, in his own comics as well as with the Justice Society. Fate has been featured not only in Superman: the Animated Series and Justice League Unlimited, but also more recently in Batman: Brave and the Bold, and his first live-action appearance in Smallville this February. He's never been more popular!
His long-time nemesis, the would-be world-conquering sorceror Wotan, first showed up in Fate's second appearance, in More Fun Comics #56, and has since shown up in many stories over the years, also as an opponent of The Spectre. Wotan battled Fate with Batman in Brave & The Bold. In fact, Mattel is due to release an "Action League" Fate vs. Wotan in their B & B kids' line of small figures; so why not in their flagship line, DCUC?
The good Doctors, both Golden Age and Modern, that showed up in wave 8 were well-received, but while yellow may be the colour that printers had to use to depict 'gold' in the 1940's when Fate first appeared, toy manufacturers in the 21st century have no such restrictions. While the yellow helmet, gloves, boots, cape and trunks may look sharp and be accurate to his Super Powers counterpart, the Golden Age Dr. Fate, Kent Nelson, was definitely described at various times in his More Fun Comics stories as having gold detailing.
Seems like an easy fix, and it is! The simple addition of Tamiya Gold Leaf paint to those areas creates the desired effect. I've added a wash of Tamiya Clear Yellow, to deepen the lustre of the gold, give it a yellowish glow, and add a layer of rich 'ancient mystery' to the colour, as befitting the wearer of the Helmet of Nabu.
"You can go now."
Now, an alternate option would be to include the Modern Age variant, Hector Hall. When Mattel originally produced this version, Hec inexplicably had a gold helmet, trunks, and boots, yet for some reason his cape and gloves were left yellow! It was said that there would be a running change to all-gold, but so far this doesn't seem to have ever materialized.
But that doesn't stop us...
So,on to the more difficult member of the set-- Wotan:
Keeping our mandate of incorporating already-produced parts wherever possible, Wotan combines the torso, legs and cape of Mr. Miracle, with the arms of Dr. Impossible to get the raised cuffs. The right, outstretched hand of Deadman has been included so Wotan can cast a spell or two. And the head, with the appropriate arrogant sneer, comes from SA Brainiac. Sculpt on some pointy devil hair and a sinister Van-Dyke around his yap, and voila! We have our bad boy.
Now, I've chosen to sculpt the belt details and the 'ribs' on the boots, but it may not be necessary. Over the decades, Wotan's costume has never been totally fixed the way the good Doc's has, so there's a bit of interpretation possible there. I chose the options that worked for me to create a 'value-add' to the sculpt, giving it a bit more individuality, but Mattel could go the easy route and paint these.
One thing they can't skimp on is Wottie's oversized pinky ring. I used a plastic gem from a craft store (left over from the thousand I had to buy to get ONE for Mikaal Tomas' star-gem necklace several months back).
And then, it's just paint-- red, greens, gold and black. Originally I tried all-black for Wotan's hair but it didn't seem to fit, until I added a patina of pearl green that seemed to bring out the otherworldliness of his hair colour and tie it in better to his never-explained (as far as I know) skin tone. Also, a layer of Tamiya Clear Red over the red undercoat seemed to parallel the depth of Fate's golden tones and pull his outfit away from regular long underwear.
So, that's it, Mattel. All mapped out. You can take the rest of the day off.
If I can do this in my off-hours, fighting back curious toddlers and insistent pets, then surely your fine artisans, with all the resources at their disposal, can do all this and more. I challenge you to create a superior version and make my efforts obsolete. I challenge you to make it so I've wasted my time, because soon all my friends, my kids, and even my mother can walk into a store and pick up a better DCUC Fate vs. Wotan set.
Go on, Mattel...
...I DARE YA!
Next time: Superman needs more villains...
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