–Review and photos by Scott Rubin

One of the most fun things about comics is when we get to see alternate takes on our favorite characters and worlds, whether that’s in visits to alternate earths or entire storylines that take place there like DC’s Elseworlds tales.  The best, most famous, and most fun examples of these make their way into collectibles, and now there’s a new take on DC’s superheroes and villains that’ll capture your imagination: DC Primal Age.  Both a comic book and an action figure line from Funko, Primal Age puts a spin on the DC world by envisioning a world where’s there’s no technology, only “magic, sword-fighting, and mythical beasts.”  Of course, there are many familiar things about the characters (such as Superman being an alien and Scarecrow utilizing fear gas), but everything is tweaked just enough for the setting to feel fresh and different.  Let’s take a look at one of the more interesting adaptations with Mister Freeze!

It all starts with the DC Primal Age one-shot, referred to on the cover as the “100-page comic GIANT!”  It is quite hefty indeed, and is comprised of six stories, five smaller tales after the 32-page Primal Age feature.  There’s an impressive roster of creators here telling stories including Marv Wolfman, Scott Koblish, Jerry Ordway, Chuck Patton, Keith Pollard, and lots more.  Primal Age takes place in a sword and sorcery-type world complete with wizards and warriors, and of course costumed heroes and villains thrown into the mix. 

The main story tells of magical orbs scattered throughout the land which the Joker and King Shark are collecting, while the Justice League rises up to combat them.  The other stories are more focused, usually about a single hero or villain making his or her way in the world.  There’s a great meeting of Wonder Woman and Solomon Grundy that does not go as expected, and one of my favorites is the story in which Batman meets the mage Lucius Fox who creates the Dark Knight’s costume and magical implements.  There’s a lot of fun here with neat designs and a new world in which to delve, and hopefully we’ll see more of it in the future to help flesh out the introduction here.  The DC Primal Age one-shot comic is currently available at Target for $9.99.

In the world of Primal Age Victor Fries is no mere scientist, but a wizard with potent ice magic.  In his comic story (written by legend Louise Simonson and drawn by Phil Winslade), there are the familiar elements of his love for Nora and the accident that requires her to be frozen.  But here, Fries and his newlywed are traveling through the desert and he attempts to use his ice magic to create a cool castle for them to enjoy, but the energies spin out of control.  Nora is frozen and Fries undergoes a transformation into the Mister Freeze you see in Funko action figure form.  Oh yeah, then he fights a dragon!

Everything about Funko’s DC Primal Age line harkens back to the He-Man toys of the ’80s, and that starts with the bold packaging.  Each figure comes to you securely on a tall, thin card that’s popping with a dynamic battle scene background image and the bold Primal Age logo at the top.  Below that is the figure’s name, and at the bottom corners are the DC and Funko logos.  Meanwhile the figure is front and center in its plastic bubble, all accessories stowed in a plastic bag behind it.  On the back of the card you’ll find a fun “Collect Them All!” collage of artwork of the other figures: Batman, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Scarecrow, Wonder Woman, King Shark, and the Joker.

Keeping with that classic Masters of the Universe style, the Primal Age figures stand approximately 5.5 inches and have physiques straight out of Eternia.  Mister Freeze is a perfect example of the look with his massive chest, bulging muscles, short legs posed in a perpetual crouch, and arms held out from his body.  Freeze is mostly naked except for a white loincloth with ice overlay, a metallic “X” harness across his torso, white fur-wrapped boots, and an ice bracer on his right forearm.  All of the ice elements, including a chunk at the center of his chest, are done in a cool translucent blue that’s darker than the pale blue of Freeze’s skin.  The wizard’s head is very striking, completely bald on top with white eyebrows and long beard, and of course beady red eyes!  His expression of barely contained frustration and hatred really says all you need to know about his character.

Mister Freeze has all the articulation you’d expect in a retro MOTU-style figure with joints at the neck, shoulders, and hips, so you can get him into a few different battle poses at least.  Best of all, the mage comes with some pretty cool accessories that really liven up his appearance for your display.  There’s his helmet with eye holes and cheek protectors, an ice claw that fits over the figure’s left hand, a sword, and a huge diamond-shape shield.  All of those are made of the same translucent blue plastic, and attach very securely to the figure.  They’re also sculpted with unique elements like “metal” rivets on the helmet and rough-hewn ice textures on the hand and sword.

DC Primal Age figures will definitely appeal to specific collectors, notably those who love the retro Masters of the Universe style, fans of sword & sorcery tales, and readers entranced by tales of alternate comic book worlds.  Mister Freeze and the rest are fun, chunky, and certainly interesting-looking, straightforward to pose and easy to equip and display.  The first wave of Primal Age figures is available now (MSRP about $11), with more on the way including another wave of figures and rideable creatures.  And of course since they’re from Funko you can expect variants, event exclusives, and more.  Head to Target to find the DC Primal Age comic and start your figure collection!

Review samples courtesy of DC and Funko

Review and photos by Scott Rubin

[See image gallery at www.figures.com]