So the new Green Lantern movie is almost here and the accompanying Mattel Toy line is out. Many fans are disappointed by the lack of articulation in the 4" series, but the energy construct accessories are simply amazing and work for all kinds of Green Lanter figures!
As a diehard Green Lantern fan and a fan of toy accessories in general (heck, I make them!) I was very VERY impressed with the constructs included in the 4" Green Lantern Movie line. There’s a lot to love here as you can use them across a very broad spectrum of Green Lantern figures.
The real piece of genius here? An adapter:
Included in the wave 1 4" Kilowog as well as the 4" 4 packs, it’s an odd looking, unassuming piece of toy until you realize just how versatile it is. It’s a bit hard to see in the pic above, but the interior of the piece has 3 progressively smaller concentric cylindrical openings. This let’s you use it on a variety of figures from JLU to DCUC and use the contructs w/ the smaller openings included with most of the 4" Movie line.
Even without the adapter though, there are numerous constructs in the series that work with DCUC and DCD lanterns:
As seen in the first picture of this post as well as the above one, you can see that the alien gun (included w/ 4" Green Man), the bear trap (included w/ 4" Isamot Kol), as well as the giant fist (included w/ 4" Hal) and the Mace (from the Power of Will 4" 4 pack) are usable with various DCD and DCUC figures with no adapter needed.
There’s basically a construct that will fit just about any Green Lantern figure you have:
The only real downside to the constructs is that some are rather heavy. The giant fist in particular is hard to balance on larger figures, and very hard to use w/ small ones without extra support.
Most of the constructs are made from flexible PVC, the one exception is the awesome bear trap which has movable jaws made of a harder plastic. In general they fit much better than the DCUD constructs and are more universal. While the DCUD constructs may look more elegant w/ the custom fitted grips, these generally have a force fit opening that will fit and conform to more different hand types.
Critics will no doubt say that the price of the singles is a bit high if you only want the accessories, but the upcoming TRU exclusive box set which includes a huge array of the constructs will no doubt be a big winner. Down the road Mattel would do very well to add some of these constructs in various colors to DCUC Lantern Corps figures or as accessory packs on Matty Collector.
‘Til next time!
Awesome! Thanks for all the pics.
Thanks for pointing out that the adapter can be used with almost every GL line. Seems obvious now but I just hadn’t thought about it.
Awesome!!! I’ve seen these and wondered if they’d fit, as they looked like some were meant for te 6″ scale. I’m sure it’s not by accident, and they will now get even more of my ca$h!. Great column, kudos sir!
Any word on if the adapter will be included in the constructs pack? Seems like a no brainer to add a few of those but this is Mattel.
Thanks for the tip, Spy! Especially about the upcoming boxed set with multiple constructs. I’ll be watching for that.
Could you please let me know if they will properly fit Minimate hands? I have considered picking up a few constructs but was unable to locate the information on the compatibility.
Just checked and yes, the constructs w/ the smallest openings (i.e. sword, bow) will fit Minimates! They do have a tendency to take the hand with them when removed, but the hand can be fished out with pliers or tweezers.
…except poor B’dg.
Check my last pic! B’dg looks pretty fun with constructs on his tail!
In other words, despite the 3 3/4″ line being generally considered to be a major disappointment to collectors, it will be successful because of the pack-ins. Two things: Has this ever happened before and will it send the wrong message to Mattel?
So Mattel is basically encouraging scumbags to buy the figures, steal the accessory and then return them. Great.
I’d like a few for each Corps, including White and Black, please!
This was a really informative and helpful article for toy collectors! I wish there were more contributions like this on AFI, as opposed to a blog written about what someone’s “Defenders” dream line-up would be. Thank you, SpyMagician!