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Superman and Braniac 13- DC Direct
Meat and Potatoes; 5.0
Perks; 4.0
Homer Factor; 5.0
Description;  Superman and Braniac 13 come alive, DC Direct style.

Both figs are over 6" tall and are the most modern incarnations of the Man of Steel and the Cyborg from Colu.  Superman's figures has a huge amount of articulation, approximately 20 points.  Braniac has only 6, but does have a 'mane' of flexible cables about his head.

Ech figure comes with an S-shield stand. 
Ah, let the snickering at Warner Brothers begin.  'Really, we're gonna do 'Superman'... no, really, hey, we have a REAL director, and even Anthony Hopkins starring, so there!!!!!!!!!'  Yeah, right.  Sooooooooooooooo... how's the 'Catwoman' movie coming?  Well, the GOOD news is DC hasn't screwed-up their flag-ship... ok, so maybe doing the All-Energy Superman wasn't the most brilliant idea in the world.  Just the same, interest in the Man of Steel is still pretty high, and since Hasbro has FINALLY lost the license, DC Direct can have a go at re-creating the One that Started it All.  So how does the Metropolis Marvel and his nemesis Brainiac 13 hold up?  Over-all, pretty dang well.

Meat and potatoes are as good as you can get on Superman.  The sculpt of Superman is a wonderful combination of the artists who have drawn him in the last decade or so.  Articulation, though... wow.  I believe the package counts 20 points of articulation.  TWENTY.   Whoa.  Ok, some of it us unnecessary, like who cares if Supes' wrists flex.  Just the same, having a little extra mobility in the neck so Kal can look up and do the flying pose is a very nice touch. 

Brainiac 13 isn't quite as flexible, but still has enough joints to give the figure a large number of posing possibilities.  Besides, the 6 'tentacles' on his back have wires in them, so that makes up for it.

Perks.  Ok, here's the problem DC Direct figures ALWAYS have; you create this cool figure, but you don't have ANYTHING else with it.  Sure, you have a cool S-shield stand with these figures, but there HAS to be something more you can do.  Maybe a miniature diorama of the Fortress of Solitude for Superman?  How about a super futuristic computer console for Brainiac?  Ok, how about just a background with a card-board reproduction of a comic cover, just something else to add a bit more 'oomph' to this package.  Considering the price point of these figures is about $15 a pop, a little something extra would give more bang for the buck on these.

Homer factor?  As you've noticed, I'm more of a Batman fan, and the DC Direct figures have to do some serious catching-up to the quality of the Marvel Legends and Select lines.  Just the same, DC Direct pieces aren't HORRIBLE, either, and considering the butt-kicking work they did the Supes and Lois Two-pack, I was reeeeeeeeeeeeally looking forward to this line. 

And considering how quickly these figures flew out of shops, everyone else was also waiting for this line.  Sure, they aren't perfect, but if you're looking for a REALLY good Superman and Brainiac figure that captures the spirit of the line that Dan Jurgens helped to revitalize, you can't go wrong with these pieces.   Now if only the MOVIE FRANCHISE could get going as well...