DC Direct Aquaman and Mera busts

Heroes of the DC Universe Aquaman Bust and Women of the DC Universe Mera Bust.

Today and today only you get two, two, two reviews in one.

First question: Why do the men get something like Heroes of the DC Universe for their line and the women get to be Women of the DC Universe? Why not just call the men, Men of the DC Universe? Great! Now I'm starting to sound like Chris Meyers. Then again, women are pretty heroic in their own right. That whole child bearing thing. Yowza!

Honestly, I didn't like either of these until I started writing this post and was able to look at them together. Now I like them.

So far both of these lines have produced busts that I have either liked or hated. I've actually liked more of the Women of the DC Universe busts than the Heroes line. While that may be a gender thing, I think it has more to do with the artists selected to design the lines.

Adam Hughes and, to a lesser extent, Terry Dodson both draw in an almost three dimensional style all of the time. Anyone who has seen one of Adam Hughes' prints at a con can tell you, his art pops right off the page.

Carlos Pacheco is a wonderful comic book artist. He's one of the best out there, but his art doesn't come off the page. He does, however, draw some of the best action sequences.

Heroes of the DC Universe: Aquaman Bust

Produced By: DC Direct
Based On The Art Of: Carlos Pacheco
Sculpted By: Jean St. Jean
Dimensions: 6.25" high x 3" wide x 5.25" deep
Type: Bust
Edition Size: TBA
Ship Date: October 2009
Estimated Price: $70

Women of the DC Universe: Mera Bust

Produced By: DC Direct
Based On The Art Of: Terry Dodson
Sculpted By: Barsom
Dimensions: 5" high x 3" wide x 3.5" deep
Type: TBA
Edition Size: Limited Edition
Ship Date: October 2009
Estimated Price: $55

Robert's Two Cents

Points in Favor

• This is one of the best looking takes on Mera's costume I've seen.
• Aqaman's Orange and Green doesn't look ridiculous.
  
• Paint job.
  
• The bases work together. Too bad they didn't design them to connect.
• They look good together. You just have to decide how to position them.
  

Points Against

• I'm not really sure what either of them are doing atop the octopus creature.
• Their poses don't complement one another. Aquaman is waging a battle and Mera is posing for a photo shoot.
• Mera's face isn't quite perfect. That's one of the differences in the Adam Hughes inspired pieces vs. the Terry Dodson inspired pieces.
• You can't see Aquaman's belt buckle. The belt buckle is one of the coolest aspects of his costume.
• Aquaman's price. He's $70.
  
• They're Aquaman and Mera. Who cares?
  

Recommendation: Neutral. If you just want one or the other, pass, but if you want both, these are buys, which nets out to a neutral for me. I didn't like either piece until I looked at both of them together on one page

Zimm's Two Cents
Oh - I did not catch how the two statues went together - but now I do. However, even before I saw how they went together, I had already decided that I like the Aquaman and am "egh" on the Mera. However, when I looked at them together, I figured Mera was flirting with the octopus or someone, and Aquaman was pissed off about it.

Points in Favor

• Great colors!
• Love the trident and face of Aquaman. Decent battle pose.
• It's Aquaman and Mera. Something other then Batman and Superman. (Can you tell that Robert and I have different opinions yet?)
  

Points Against

• What is it with the beehive hairdo? Couldn't they have picked another version of Mera?
• Not to thrilled with Mera's face.
• Not certain about the water base - probably have to see it in person.
  

Recommendation: Neutral If you want one to build up on your DC bust collection, then go with your preference. I wouldn't spend my money on the both of them.