For Fans Who Want To "Downsize" Their Collection

Mar 6, 2012

by kfontenot
posted in Awesomeness

Rating:

Treehouse Kids, Inc. is a company known primarily for their outdoor life-based toys that are available at retailers such as Wal-Mart and BassPro Shops. Late last year, Treehouse Kids entered the world of comic collectors when they introduced their Heroics line of collectible superhero figurines.

The figures average 1.25" in heighth and can be purchased in single ping-pong sized balls that keep the character's identity hidden, packs of three balls, or packs of five.

The first set released featured eight reasonably detailed figures based on characters from the Marvel Universe.

The characters included were:

Spider-Man (two versions)
Wolverine (two versions)
Hulk
Captain America
Iron Man
Thor

There were also two chase figurines which were Spider-man in his black costume and a Red Hulk variant of the more recognizable green Hulk character.

The initial set of eight figurines (plus two variants/chase figurines) proved to be very popular with youngsters and older collectors and as a result, a DC Comics set has been released and plans have been announced to release new sets for the Avengers, The Amazing Spider-Man and Dark Knight Rises films. There have also been announcements that a collector case, a Spider-Man playset, and special Avengers figurines in collectible packaging will be released in the near future.

The current DC Universe set includes eight figures like the Marvel set had.

Those figures are:

Batman (two versions)
Superman (two versions)
The Flash
Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
Martian Manhunter
The Joker

As with the Marvel set, two variants are available. They are Reverse Flash and the Justice Lords variant of Superman.

I picked up three of the DC figurines (I chose a red ball, a blue ball, and a white ball) on a whim. I figured that I had a very good chance of getting two of the same figurine but thankfully I received the Flash figurine and both of the Batman figurines. A little research online once I got home showed me that there might actually be a method to weeding out what figure might be in a ball (hint: the ball's color gives you a clue as to who is encased in it). However, I wonder how valid this claim is due to the fact that there are eight primary figures and only six colors to choose from on the balls.

I also found out that the black Spider-Man variants have all been released and no more will be made. Instead, a clear Spidey has taken that variant's place in the collection. If you're a completionist, look for both of these Spidey variants!

The figurines feature decent paint jobs for toys that are under two inches tall. They are not poseable, but are posed in a way that would make them look great in a display case or on a computer stand.

I plan to collect all of the figurines (and as many of the variants as possible) because they are cheap (just under a buck) and easy to find and my son loves these things.

With Easter just around the corner, these figurines are perfect for placing in a youngster's Easter basket. They can also be hidden as special "prize" eggs during Easter egg hunts. They also come in handy as a small reward for doing well on a test, doing chores, etc.

I hope that more DC characters, particularly Wonder Woman and Robin, are released in the near future, and you know that sooner or later more X-men will join the roster as well.

Until then, I'll be on my quest to snag the rest of these heroes.

And for those of you who want to crack the code for finding these characters I'll give you a few hints:

Green Lantern supposedly only comes in a green DC ball.
Thor supposedly is only available in a green Marvel ball.
One version of Batman comes in a blue DC ball. The other is in a red DC ball. It worked out that way for me, at least.
The Hulk figurines are the heaviest, so supposedly you can determine if you have a Hulk based on the weight of the ball in your hand.

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woopak_the_thrill March 07, 2012

Very cool Kendall...

kfontenot March 08, 2012

Thanks!

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About the reviewer

Kendall Fontenot (kfontenot)
Ranked #6

Despite looking extremely cool, I have to admit that I'm a dork. I grew up on the outskirts of the small town of Oberlin, LA. I have since relocated to the Lake Charles, LA area.I love my home state … more

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