Review of Power Girl, Superman
DC Bombshells statue

Introduction

I'm not a completist with too many statue lines these days.  Certainly, Batman Black and White remains a 'buy them all' situation, but not many others garner that same level of devotion.

With one exception. That would be DC Bombshells, a line I've loved since the start.  Designed by Ant Lucia, the latest release pairs Power Girl and Superman in a 1940's style circus family pose.  This statue, standing 14" tall in total, will cost you around $200 depending on the retailer.

Packaging - ***
This is pretty basic stuff when it comes to the package - big box, solid Styrofoam eggshell style trays, no Certificate of Authenticity, but it does have the edition size (5200) and specific number printed on both the box bottom and statue base bottom.

Sculpting - ****
This is a terrific design for this pair, putting them together in a classic pose. The 'shoulder sit' is best known from ballet, and therefore it was expected that the woman sits the man's shoulder. The gender swap here makes for a much more interesting look.

Even with Supes bulk, they manage to create a look that's realistic and proportional. You have no trouble believing Power Girl can hold him up there, and she and he don't look awkward or off balance.

They've added little touches, like the Lucy ribbon in her hair, or the handlebar mustache on his face, that work perfectly to give them the impression of a WWII era couple.

The proportions on both characters are also excellent.  Superman has a 40's strong man look to him, while Power Girl is an honest to God athletic woman, with all the right muscles and curves. While both outfits have a 30 - 40's aesthetic, they also incorporate key elements of their superhero costumes. As I've said before, these statues work best when they are the superheroes first, and Bombshells second. I should be able to look at them and know who they are immediately, then appreciate the particular aesthetic. That's exactly why this set is such a winner.

I do have one nit though, and it might have been more of a manufacturing issue than a design issue. Power Girl's face is a little...flat. Literally.  Viewed from the side, the nose, eyes, cheeks and forehead all seem to blend in a bit too much, creating a rather flat profile. From the right angle, she can look a little alien, in fact. It's a minor nit though, and not enough to hurt my overall impression of the sculpt.

Paint - ***
I wish the paint quality were a bit better, particularly considering the higher price point.

Key areas, like the eyes, are clean and neat, but an overall design decision is bugging me. They added edge lines to almost everything, from the eyes to the costume, and it creates an even sloppier looking edge than usual.

There's also some gloppy spots and dirt specks, as well as a few errant marks.  While the colors are bright and consistent, the overall quality needs to improve.

Accessories - N/A
I don't consider there to be any 'accessories', but I thought I'd mention that the base is a separate piece (although with the posts on the feet of Power Girl, there's no using the statue without the base) and the name plate on the front is also removable. It's held in place with a strong magnet, but don't forget that it can come loose when handling the piece.

Value - **
The usual Bombshell statue goes for around $100 or so these days. This pair is running $200+. I'm pleased with the $100 price point, not so much with the $200 price point. While you can go with a simple "hey, it's two characters so naturally it costs twice as much!", that basic logic rarely applies in the world of manufacturing. At this price point, I want to see a slightly better quality paint application.

Things to Watch Out For -
There are two metal posts, one on each foot of Power Girl, that slide into the softer polystone base. As is often the case, this isn't a perfect alignment, and you should be very careful fitting the posts in the holes and pressing the statue into place.  Too much pressure outward or inward on her legs could result in damage, so take your time and be careful.

Overall - ***1/2
I love these the best when it's clear who the superhero is, and yet the retro styling and design also come through loud and clear. That's the case here, and the overall look makes it one of my favorites in the entire series.

I'm still a bit annoyed by the flat face on Power Girl, and I do want to see the overall paint quality improve, particularly at this higher price point for the pair. But those nits must be relatively small, since this remains a favorite even after careful inspection.

Score Recap (out of ****):
Packaging - ***
Sculpting - ****
Paint - ***
Accessories - N/A
Value - **
Overall - ***1/2

Where to Buy 
Online options include these site sponsors:

- Entertainment Earth is also at $200, and have free shipping.

- or you can search ebay for a deal.

Related Links -
Other Bombshell statue reviews include Mera, Hawkgirl, Stargirl, Black Canary, Batgirl, Harley, Poison Ivy, Supergirl and Wonder Woman.

Other Power Girl goodies include the Bishoujo statue and the Cover Girls statue.

You should also hit the Search Reviews page, in case any other applicable reviews were done after this one was published.

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