DC Universe Classics Wave 12 Revealed in Toyfare

Copperhead

At his best, Copperhead is a B-list villain, appearing first in the Brave and the Bold #78 back in 1968, facing off against Batman, Wonder Woman, and Batgirl. Although he later became a snake/man hybrid, in this incarnation he was just a contortionist in a suit that conferred extra powers. He was never really established as an arch-rival for one particular hero, but became part of the Secret Society of Super-Villains and briefly part of the Suicide Squad.

Connections: Copperhead was teammates with Sinestro, Captain Cold, and Gorilla Grodd in the SSOV. He appeared in the Justice League Unlimited cartoon.

DeSaad

Originally born on New Genesis, DeSaad was corrupted by Darkseid and went with him to Apokolips.  A web of intrigue launched his lackey career – manipulated by Darkseid’s mother to kill his girlfriend, and then forced by Darkseid to kill his mother in return, he helped Darkseid reach the top spot, and was elevated to his top lackey.  He is known chiefly as a master manipulator and a torturer, no doubt inspired by his namesake, the Marquis De Sade.

Connections: In addition to being the lackey of the Collect and Connect character in this wave, Darkseid, DeSaad inhabited fellow wave  12 member Mary Batson (Marvel) during Final Crisis.  He belongs to the New Gods, a persistent character theme in the DC Universe Classics line.

Eclipso

Much like his wave 12 counterpart, the Spectre, Eclipso is a spirit, in his case, of wrath.  While multiple characters have been host to Eclipso, this version is the Bruce Gordon Eclipso.  In addition to having pretty much all the kick-ass powers (super strength, super speed, and flight, for example), Eclipso can shoot beams from his eyes by looking at through the black diamond that he’s holding in his left hand.

Connections: Also a journeyman villain, Eclipso’s gone up against pretty much everyone, including the JLA and JSA.  He was also one of the big baddies for the Metal Men, whose run in DCUC is starting with Iron’s release in wave 12.

Iron

Kicking off what I hope will be a long run of Metal Men in DC Universe Classics, Iron fills the strong guy role on that team.  This figure will come with interchangeable parts to swap out Iron’s hands, and folks would go crazy if the giant wrench accessory actually works.  I am wondering what material the Iron “tunic” is made from, as it covers up a lot of the traditional articulation.

Connections: In addition to fighting the aforementioned Eclipso, the Metal Men also fought with Chemo, the Collect and Connect for wave 9.

Mary Batson (Marvel)

Copyright-challenged Mary Marvel is the sister of Billy Batson, Captain Marvel’s alter ego, Mary’s modern origin is that Mary and Billy were separated at a young age by the death of their parents and her subsequent kidnapping.  By coincidence, Billy discovers Mary after much time has passed, and the two escape all peril by sharing the magical power that transforms them into Captain and Mary Marvel.

Connections: Obviously, Mary is connected to Captain Marvel and Black Adam.  She was also in the group Formerly Known as the Justice League with Blue Beetle and Booster Gold.  It was in this group that she wore the white version of the costume, which is rumored to be one of the variants for this wave.

Doctor Mid-Nite

Like most of the original JSA members, Dr. Mid-Nite has had many legacy characters, including Beth Chapel and Pieter Cross.  With the brown gloves and boots, this version of the character is the original, Charles McNider.  It was heavily rumored that the Mid-Nite in this wave would be the modern Pieter Cross version, so Golden and Silver Age fans were caught by surprise and lost one of the arguments they have that Mattel doesn’t care about the classics.  He will come with his owl, Hooty, as an accessory.

McNider lost his eyesight in a grenade attack while he was operating on a witness in protective custody.  Though he could not see in the daytime, he learned that his vision was perfect in the dark.  Turning to crimefighting, he developed goggles that let him see in normal light and blackout bombs that cast his enemies in complete darkness.

Connections: McNider was teammates with Dr. Fate, Wildcat, and wave 12’s the Spectre in the Justice Society of America, and was teammates with Commander Steel, Guardian, and Hawkman in the All Star Squadron.

The Spectre

While Eclipso is a spirit of wrath, the Spectre is a spirit of vengeance.  He’s had many hosts, including Hal Jordan, but this Spectre is the Jim Corrigan version.  Corrigan was a police detective with no compassion for the criminals he brought to justice.  When he was killed investigating a mobster, he was offered the chance to join with the spirit of vengeance and became the Spectre.  The Spectre has the second rumored variant – a glow in the dark version.

Connections: The Spectre is a member of the original Justice Society of America, and also served on the All Star Squadron.

Darkseid

Darkseid is the ruler of Apokolips and enemy of the New Gods.  He became obsessed with finding the Anti-Life Equation, starting in the Starlin / Mignola Cosmic Odyssey and finally succeeding in the Morrison / Jones Final Crisis.  He’ll be the first character by Mattel originally released as a single-carded figure and converted to a Collect & Connect.  Comparisons with the original DC Super Heroes release reveal that this is a completely new sculpt.  He will come with the “killing glove” fashioned by DeSaad, and is rumored to also come with an interchangeable regular gloved hand.

One notable difference between this figure and the original – the head is much larger in proportion to his body, giving him a much more Kirbyesque look.

Connections: Darkseid is one of the heavy hitters in the New Gods theme, and is the father of Orion.  He’s fought most of the heroes in the DC Universe, most often against Superman.  He smacked down Batman with the Omega Sanction, supposedly killing him.