There isn’t a lot to say about Golden Pharaoh’s origin. In fact…
There you go. Consider yourself the foremost expert on Golden Pharaoh! He’s basically being included in DC Classics solely as part of its homage to the Super Powers line. If you’d told any DC fan – even a year ago – that Golden Pharaoh would get a second figure, they’d have laughed you out of the room. We weren’t even sure Mattel could make this guy since he was a Kenner (now part of Hasbro) creation. But he turned out to be a DC character proper and DC Comics okayed his inclusion – much to the chagrin of old and young fans alike, but much to the joy of the fans who loved the Super Powers toy, me among them.
Even if you’re not a fan of Pharaoh being in the line, you can’t deny what a good job the Four Horsemen did on his figure. He features a ton of new pieces that not only replicate his SP costume, but also add a ton of detail to it, far more than we see on the usual figures in the line.
For example, Pharaoh’s boots are new so they match the older figure, but they now sport a neat winged scarab design. This happens all over the figure – the bracelets, the torso, a new pattern in the wings on his arms, the necklace, and the collar. All of these areas were plain on the simple, but lovable, Super Powers figure, but have been masterfully updated by the Four Horsemen. I was excited by the idea of Golden Pharaoh, but the figure’s sculpt blew me away.
Pharaoh’s still in his original color scheme with a few tweaks. I wasn’t originally hot on the golden skin tone when I first saw him, but I was wrong. It really sells the figure and helps differentiate between the suit and the skin. The pearlized yellow on the armored pieces contrasts great with the flat yellow and purple on the cloth areas. Finally, the clear purple – his see-thru chest in particular – really looks great. His articulation is pretty much standard for the line and he features good range of movement.
Finally, Pharaoh includes an updated version of his classic staff. It’s been modernized as well and looks great cast in a pearlized yellow. It’s for use in his right hand only, but, like thetwo Starmen, it’s a generic size and not really tailored to the width of the staff. He can still hold it, but it tends to pull away from the palm and it can be tricky to find a good pose where it will stay exactly how you want it to without him looking like he’s barely touching it.
If you haven’t figured it out by now, Batman was the odd addition and Pharaoh the fantastic update. There’s nothing essentially wrong with the Sinestro Batman. He just feels a little sloppier than normal and his not having yet (or ever) appeared in the comics keeps me from being able to really unwind and enjoy him.
Golden Pharaoh is just this side of perfect though. I’m a huge Martian Manhunter fan, but I think Pharaoh ended up being my favorite figure in the wave. He is the stand figure, so if you don’t like Super Powers and just want Validus, you’re in luck – but you’d be passing on a really nice piece. This figure does the character justice in a way that few would have even thought he deserved. And now that we know he’s still a DC Character and he’s got an awesome toy on store shelves, I think it’s time for a Golden Pharaoh mini-series. That’d kickass.
For more DCUC reviews, check out our DC Classics Collector’s Guide.
Tons of great pics! Love the broken camera on picture two and Indiana Jones is Golden Pharaoh? Cool!
Glad to see some feedback on the broken camera pic! I wasn’t sure if people would get it. Whew…
I still haven’t run across any wave fifteen and with fourteen hitting I’m starting to feel a pain in my general wallet area coming on…
Nice review, you seemed to get a kick out of Golden Pharaoh even though you didn’t like Batman.
I love Golden Pharaoh!
Count me as one that would’ve preferred to get Sinestro Batman in his proper blue/black costume regardless of what DC may or may not have in store.
I don’t think I’d like that any better. He can at least go with the Corps in this outfit, but I think it’s a weird choice regardless.
Twenty Five Years Of Hugs!!!!
😀
No QC spotlight picture this time around?
Doh. I forgot! These reviews have taken forever. It would’ve been on the upside down armband symbol. I might retcon it back in there when I have some more time.
Again great review, I love the SC Batman though. He is something different but I do want the Zebra-Batman. You sir, are the reason I started collecting DCUC, thanks for making my wallet hurt!!!
I’m sorry!! LOL
Give your wallet my apologies, but I hope you’re getting some figures you really like out of the deal. SC Bats isn’t so bad, I think I’m just starting to get Lantern fatigue.
Still loving that Yul Brenner-esque head. Maybe I can finally make that Westworld Gunslinger custom…
Your last pic is hilarious. Even Forager’s gaping mouth contributes to the gags.
Great reviews, as usual!
I love the use of facial expressions on the figures. Like Mr. Miracle’s disapproval of Golden Pharaoh. I don’t know how he does it. It doesn’t look like photoshop.
Thanks, guys!
And no there is no photoshop in those pics. Lighting really does a lot to get the different faces out of some of these guys. Except Forager, he’s good for one thing and you can always go to him for it…
Also, I was considering that the difference in colours and constructs for the Sinestro Corps, while I’m sure not actually planned, might be explained away as depending on the personality or experience of the user, much like how the different Green Lanterns are discussed as having different quality constructs in recent GL issues.
That is an excellent explanation for bad QC. If Toy Guru ever sees this review, I bet he’ll swipe that as his own… 😀
i’m not a DC fan, but that golden pharoah fig makes me happy… especially in light of other egyptian-themed fig news that’s been streaming out this week…
He’s a fun figure, definitely able to win over all but the hateriest of Super Powers haters.
Great pics as usual!
SC Bats – I’m wondering if you just got the “early bird” runs on these w15 figures?
I got two SC Bats from Amazon last week, planning on doing some head swappage to beef up my Corps, and neither has any QC problems. However, the first thing I noticed was the GOLD on the forearms versus the bright yellow on the rest of the figure. I can forgive the molded yellow boots/feet versus the painted yellow parts, but I don’t see how the GOLD forearms were approved.
Odd thing: I can’t help but think this might be DICK and not BRUCE? maybe the Bruce clone that was the Black Lantern, allegedly or something??? I just get the “Not Bruce” vibe off him, for some reason-?
(sidenote: Washington store was *supposed* to get the GLC 5pk, so saith WM.com, but still no luck. I’ve got a co-worker who works there on wkds keeping an eye out, and now I hear my niece works there *IF* I can ever get hold of Brat!)
Pharaoh – I held off on ordering GP from Amazon with rest of w15, but I’m liking him more and more every time I see him online. I don’t recall ever seeing the original SP of him, but I think I saw *a* SP Cyclotron (who is now $11 on WM.com! I might break down and get him now) back in the day. with his Egyptian theme, I can’t help but think of seeing him as the new “Gold” to Jaime’s Blue Beetle. Maybe they could tweak his origin towards ‘The Reach’ if DC were to bring him back into the DCU proper?
great review. its detailed reviews and crisp pictres that make me break down and buy them. thanks!! im hankering to do a batman headswap.