12" Superman Returns movie Ken doll

photos by Magnita

Art Design: Colorful and well illustrated box which has the art from one of DC Comics' Superman Returns movie posters on the back, and that same art is used for the 11X14 movie poster that is included with this set. Superman was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

Headsculpt: As you can see from the photos, Superman Ken's face seems to be a mutation of a Ken doll with Brandon Routh's own face. It is still a Ken face, but in my humble opinion it has been tweaked slightly so that it looks more like Brandon Routh. Of course, I could be wrong. Maybe it is just the hair style (including the signature curly lock over the left eye)? What ever Mattel did; it looks very good. My little girl went nuts over Superman Ken and refused to give me the Superman outfit so that I could put it on a Power Team or GI Joe action figure!

Articulation: This is perhaps the most articulated 12" Ken doll ever made. Only Mattel's Max Steel can top this Ken. His neck is on a Max Steel style ball joint so it has full articulation. The arms and legs have full articulation (but not Dragon-style ultra-articulation). The waist flexes completely; like a Dragon body. Except for Ken's open-hands, this would be a very good action figure.

Outfit: This Superman costume is awesome! Move over Ideal's Captain Action! The maroon cape is a soft cloth (or polyester?) that will look beautiful for many years. It is a deep, vibrant maroon that exudes passion (for Justice?). The Superman insignia is incredibly well done. The yellow plastic against the maroon makes it look sharp. The Superman belt totally blows away any other Superman ever made in the 1:6 scale. The boots look like rain booties to me, so I am not too impressed with that design; however Mattel did a faithful reproduction of the Superman Returns outfit. The heels of the boots have at least four Superman S insignias. One S would have been plenty. The jumpsuit is polyester, which fits like a glove on Ken, but would fit well on any other 12" action figure. The stitching looks very good, and this Superman outfit will be an extraordinary display piece for any fan of Superman!

Market: Superman Ken is at retail stores for the amazingly low price of $14.99 (which includes the display stand).

Overall: The Ken doll is top notch, the outfit is incredible, and everything about this set is highly recommendable.

Grade: A+