DC Universe Classic was a very interesting toyline. It was the first modern DC action figure line in mainline retail stores, it was reasonably priced, and it hit some very obscure characters over its four-year run. I was on-board from the start, but I was also highly critical of this line. As a collector who focuses on the female characters, the production quality was left wanting. This is especially a shame because the 2-Up sculpts and paint masters by the Four Horsemen were always beautiful. But the figures we saw in stores had squished faces, scrawny short arms, and most egregiously, a neck peg that often entered the skull in a too-far-forward position giving the character no neck undercut. These problems seemed isolated to the female figures and were a constant source of disappointment for me. But the interesting character selection kept me hooked. The fact that we got two versions of Cheetah (modern and retro) in the same figure slot is a testament to the fan service Mattel was providing.
This modern Barbara Minerva figure is not my favorite figure. Her face looks bored and the black spandex outfit looks like the afterthought it is (as Mattel recalled the first "nude" version of Barbara). But this weekend when I pulled out all my Cheetah figures (in celebration of the two recent McFarlane releases), I was hit with the nostalgia of seeing this figure in the store 15 years ago and decided to pop her in the photo tent for a long overdue review. Lets' check out Barbara Minerva below!
I'm really happy about the open clawed hands on this figure. It really disguises the awkward arm length that was so common for the ladies in the toyline. (See Fire for an example).
Cheetah came with no true accessories except for a wearable button with her comic image on it and the Collect-n-Connect piece for Trigun. I no longer have these in my possession.
And here is an image of the infamous "nude" figure that was recalled by Mattel.
A fair number of them made it out into the world and she can regularly be found on eBay in the $300-400 price range. It's a shame they recalled her because this design is much more appealing to me. Plus it's amusing because a few years later DC Collectibles released their Essentials Cheetah with no hesitation.
Time for some Group and Comparison Pics!
Here are the two Mattel DC Universe Classics Cheetahs together: Priscilla Rich and Barbara Minerva.
Cheers!
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