Today’s nominee comes to us via e-mail from reader JasonS. Jason wrote in to tell us about the quick sellout of Lobo and what he wants it to mean for the future of JLU. In short, he’s ready to pick up more oversized characters via MattyCollector. And he knows who he wants first: Kalibak.
Any long time DC fan should at least know of Kalibak. He’s the firstborn son of Darkseid and Suli, Darkseid’s one true love. In typical Apokolips fashion, Darkseid’s mother had her killed because she was making Darkseid too happy. Aren’t Mother-In-Laws wonderful? Despite that familial setback, Kalibak would grow up to be one of the more powerful warriors on Apokolips and serve as one of his father’s primary lieutenants – all the while trying anything to earn Darkseid’s favor. His attempts in gaining said affection nearly always end in failure, both in their immediate goal and in receiving positive feedback. This has caused Kalibak to be killed by his father dozens of times. Yet his Dad always resurrects him, so ol’ stony must have a soft spot for him somewhere, possibly because he’s the only thing Darkseid has left of Suli.
But all that is in the comics…
Kalibak has appeared in five television shows over the years. The first, where I encountered him, was in the last two incarnations of Super Friends. He was a bit of buffoon back then and I never really understood why anyone saw him as a credible threat (though he was voiced by Frank Welker). If you’ve ever seen Kalibak with human skin in a brown/blue/yellow outfit, that’s the SP version, a Super Powers redesign courtesy of his original creator, Jack Kirby, that I wish could have found its way into DC Classics. In his appearances across the Timmverse, Kalibak has appeared as he does in the graphic above. That includes appearances in Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited. That’s what we’re here to request today.
Voiced by Michael Dorn (Star Trek’s Worf) across eight episodes, Kalibak is again portrayed as strong, but dumb and in constant search of his father’s affection. We don’t know for sure how closely the animated version’s origin matches that of the comics, but, based on his attitude and Darkseid’s general leniency towards him, I imagine it’s relatively the same. Plus, my general feeling is that if the comic’s continuity isn’t contradicted, then it fits.
So why now? One word. Lobo. Personally, I’m not sure if the future of $20 JLU figures on Mattycollector is all that bright, but Lobo did sell out quickly and Mattel should be looking to at least replicate that success a few more times if they can. Now, Lobo had a long history in his absence among collectors. He’s been denied a figure since the late 90s when Hasbro/DC deemed him too adult for the STAS line. That same thinking kept him off the shelves (but not out of the cartoons) despite a return appearance in Superman and another in the Justice League cartoon – where he defended Earth from our good buddy Kalibak.
Kalibak may not have the same press and “long-sought-afterness” as Lobo, but his situation is basically the same. He’s an STAS design that never found a home in the original Hasbro line. His subsequent appearances in JLU have yet to net him an animated figure – even during an era when an oversized figure packaged with five regular ones was a reality. In the end, Kalibak has eight appearances over an eight year span and that trumps the Main Man’s five appearances. I’d say Kalibak is a good candidate.
If Mattel is going to push forward with this JLU line, the figures need to be in high demand and should be larger than your standard fare. I share Chris’ opinion that Kalibak should get top billing in that department, but I haven’t collected JLU in years. So I want to hear what more JLU fans think – should Kalibak be next? Or do you have someone else in mind that you’d like to see Mattel conquer first?
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That would be a sweet addition to the existing cast of Kirby characters, and makes sense to me as a $20 offering, too!
He’s wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide!
Him and STRIPE are the guys I hope are made in the $20 line. Outside of the two of them, no one really comes to mind as being “worth” the price tag.
Stripe would be cool. He should come with a Stripesy though! 😛
I never really though about Kalibaks mom before. Killed by his own grandma. Kirby Opera.
Anyway, TSR has it right – Stripe and Kalibak are the only two worth $20. If Mattel is willing to release smaller figures for cheaper they can stretch this JLU thing out though.
I’ve been trying to think of another. If Mattel doesn’t have a home for that brainiacked Darkseid, he might be one they try.
It has to be Kalibak. I’d be ticked if it were anyone else, including Stripe.
How about Gizmo?
Was Gizmo in JLU?
I just hope that Mattel doesn’t think Lobo’s quick sell-out at $20 means they can try a regular-sized figure for that much . . .
“After the success of Lobo, we’ve decided our next release will be Toyman!”
Though, you know, Toyman riding atop some type of contraption would be a sweet $20 toy.
I don’t collect JLU but I would buy a Matty Kalibak.
That’s the spirit! LOL
Are you a big New Gods fan or did you just like his appearances?
New Gods fan and Kalibak in particular. Always loved his design and thought he was a deeply interesting character.
JLU must DDIIEEEEE!!!!!!!
LOL – JLU and Marvel Legends are still limping along.
KALIBAK!!!!! probably the # 1 most requested character on every JLU collector’s want list.
That’s what I was thinking. I know that Toyman and Vandal Savage are up there too, I’m not sure who the IT people are anymore besides those few.
No doubt Kalibak is a must have to most JLU collectors and a great idea for a $20 exclusive. Though not overly tall…I think his width would qualify him. Now if we could just get an army of parademons!
JLU collectors would finally get the makings of a decent Kirby display.
As I remember S:TAS, Kalibak is High Father’s son and Orion is Darkseid’s. They trade first born sons as part of a truce, so Kali is raised by the lord of Apokolips. I don’t know if they changed that around in the JLU series.
I think it would be cool to have the SP version in DCUC, my red Steppenwolf needs a buddy. I’d have to pass on a JLU version, though… I hate JLU figures, sorry. The only one I’ve ever purchased was the recent Superman w/ Kandor… or rather I bought a $9 mini-Kandor for my DCUC display and it included a JLU Superman.
I bought Kandor (& Plastic Man) for the same reasons… I feel dirty.
Waaannnntttt!!!! This would be a great choice for the next JLU fig on Matty. (dayraven just got put on the list)
Dayraven is ALWAYS on the list.
@3B Just for clarification, Kalibak is Darkseid’s son. Highfather’s son who’s exchanged in the pact is another famous Kirby creation who appears in JLU. I’ll admit, the STAS cartoon seems to imply what you remember.
I was thinking that too. It does seem to imply that. I’ll have to rewatch some of those…
Isnt Mister Miricle Highfarthers son who got traded to Darkside?
Thats how I thought it went….
Yes, that’s correct. I think the cartoon and comics are the same, but something in what 3B’s saying is triggering a memory from the cartoon. I’m not sure.