LEGION TOYS: Brainiac 5 (DC Direct 2002)

Now we're coming full circle and getting to the characters who have had DC Universe Classics figures, but who I didn't actually review the first time around. Inventor of the Legion Flight Ring! The man who created the anti-lead serum that allowed Mon-El to leave the Phantom Zone! The guy who created a villainous Computo before Hank Pym ever thought about creating Ultron! And of course the creator of his own signature device, his Force Field Belt, we're talking about Querl Dox a.k.a. Brainiac 5!



Sculpt:
While most DC Universe Classics are around 6.5 inches and fit within the 1/12 collector scale, typically adult-sized DC Direct (and now DC Collectibles figures) fall into more of a 7 inch scale. Having said that, Brainiac 5 is more of a teenage-sized figure and comes in exactly at 6 inches. Although the Mattel practice of buck re-use doesn't always come into play in these lines, you can see that Brainiac 5 shares some parts with the DC Direct Invisible Kid and Mon-El. Like those figures Brainiac 5 has a closed fist on his right hand and an open palm for his left hand. His Force-Field Belt is an overlay that is glued into place and made of sturdy plastic. However there is one "hangnail" on one of the little boxes in the center of the belt. It's probably an easily removed flaw with some Gundam clippers or a cuticle cutter. The head sculpt is an original piece, and incorporates the purple collar of his shirt into that head sculpt. The blonde hair and eyebrows are well-sculpted and the toothy look doesn't look so out of place from a native of Colu.

Articulation:
DC Direct figures are better known for their sculpts then articulation. There are 11-points of articulation that I count on Brainiac 5. The head is on a swivel joint and can move 360 degress. It cannot tilt, nor move up or down. Arms can only rotate at the shoulder, up or down, in a circular fashion in 360 degrees.  Arms cannot move out to the sides, but there is a 90 degree elbow cut, so the arm can go from being straight to a 90 degree angle. The closed fist and open palm can also rotate in a in 360 degree circular fashion. There is a "T-Crotch" which allows for only forward movement of the legs at a  90 degree angle. If needed, Brainiac 5 could be seated. Finally the knees also articulate from straight to a 90 degree angle.



Paint:
The paint job is back to being excellent again. I don't see any bleed between the light green flesh tones, yellows, or purples. The yellow on the boots is more glossy than the blonde hair or belt overlay. What's really outstanding is the blue paint application on Brainiac 5's eyes. I think this gives a lot of soul to a character that (as we have seen in the line), could have easily been soulless.

Overall:
My DC Universe Classics Brainiac 5 actually has a fused waste line, so he's always slightly facing toward the right at all times. They are pretty similar interpretations of the character. The DC Direct one is clearly more Silver Age and the DC Universe Classics one has a bit more of a 70's Mike Grell vibe to him. I prefer the DC Universe Classics one, but the DC Direct figure certainly isn't anything to sneeze at. His force field belt overlay is pretty cool and I adore the way they've painted his eyes. I like the figure, I just prefer the aesthetic of the DCUC one better.